Round Island Walk - Marina Bay Sands to Boon Lay

Round Island Walk Leg 2. Marina Bay Sands to Haw Par Villa MRT Station

We alighted from the bus at the Marina Bay Floating Platform where we ended our first leg (see Round Island Walk - East Coast Park to Marina Bay Sands). We walked across the Double Helix Bridge to meet up with 2 more walking buddies. The weather was perfect giving us excellent views of the bay for photo-taking especially with the sun shining from the south providing good lighting on the skyscrapers emblazoned with their financial pedigree. There were not too many people because of the heat - probably indoors admiring all those branded stuff, eating or gambling.

Marina Bay

Amoy Street Food Centre
We wandered around the Marina Bay Sands promenade to Shenton Way to Amoy Street Food Centre for our lunch. We arrived just minutes before the office lunch crowd and so did not take too long to queue. By the time we finished our meal, the queues were much longer. Here we observed the power of the tissues used to 'chope' i.e. reserve a seat or table. I regretted not taking a picture of this unusual low tech Singapore phenomenon. Perhaps could have pushed all these away and see what happened. After lunch we continued our walk to Keppel Road via Anson Road. The traffic along Keppel Road was heavy, noisy and dusty but we had to endure it. Going by a more pleasant route would add mileage to our walk.

Marina@Keppel Bay

Keppel Island and Reflections
We passed the old Tanjong Pagar railway station which was locked up awaiting final plans for refurbishment. We walked through Vivocity for some cool air and had some refreshment at Kopitiam. After that we walked past Harbourfront to Keppel Bay Drive. We paid a short visit to Keppel Island to admire the boats berthed at the Marina with the backdrop of Reflections at Keppel Bay. Looking at the top of the high rise apartments I always wanted to ask the architect when they were going to complete the building. This was because of the skeletal structure at the top looked unfinished.

Then we walked along the promenade in front of Reflections to the Bukit Chermin Boardwalk. There was hardly anyone there except for the crew maintaining the grounds

Labrador Nature Reserve
The Boardwalk led us to Labrador Nature Reserve. Here they were some workers taking a lunch break doing fishing from the shelter. We walked through the reserve and exited via Labrador Villa Road to Pasir Panjang Road.

The afternoon was hot and 2 members left us at the Labrador MRT Station. The rest proceeded along Pasir Panjang Road past Pasir Panjang Station and finally Haw Par Villa Station from where we took a train ride home on the Circle Line.


Round Island Walk Leg 3. Haw Par Villa MRT Station to Boon Lay MRT Station

We met up at the Haw Par Villa Station and proceeded to walk along West Coast Highway. Near the West Coast Car Mart we stopped at the Kopitiam Food Centre for lunch.

West Coast Park
After lunch we continued with our walk along the West Coast Highway then turned into the West Coast Park to enjoy its serenity and avoid the roar of the road traffic along the highway and the hot sun. We dropped by at MacDonald's (it was packed full with lunchtime crowd from the nearby offices) for a quick taste of their ice cream cone and proceeded toward the shoreline to enjoy the marine scene. It was unshaded near the two jetties so we hurried along to the mangrove boardwalk. Reaching the end of the park we continued on the same highway to Jalan Buroh where we turned left to get to the Pandan Reservoir.

Boats at Republic Singapore Yacht Club

Pandan Reservoir
When we reached the reservoir we climbed up the slope to access the jogging path for a better view of the reservoir. With a circumference of 6km unshaded. the thought of walking around the circumference was terrifying as it was hot and unshaded but we just had to show it to those who have not experienced it.

Pandan Reservoir

We returned to the sidewalk which was partially shaded to provide us respite from the afternoon sun.

On we plodded past Sungei Bajau. We wrongly turned into Jurong Port Road instead of Jurong Pier Road so we missed visiting Jurong Hilltop where we had spent many evenings enjoying the beer there.

We finally found our way to Jalan Boon Lay. At International Road we turned left to reach the canal where there was a park connector taking us all the way to Boon Lay MRT Station.

 .

Mount Faber to Berlayer Creek and Bukit Chermin Boardwalk

The Labrador Nature & Coastal Walk
The Labrador Nature & Coastal Walk was officially opened on January 2. We decided to visit this area to see what was in store for us. Our plan was to start from Vivocity, walk up the Marang Trail then head west along Mount Faber Park to the Henderson Wave. From this bridge we would traverse the Telok Blangah Hill Park and access the Alexandra Garden Trail via the Forest Walk. This would then lead us to Berlayer Creek and Bukit Chermin Boardwalk. We would then walk past Reflections, Caribbean and Keppel Bay back to Vivocity, a distance of about 8km.

Marang Trail

Marang Trail
This trail is near exit D from the Harbourfront MRT Station. It is a steep climb up the slope of Mount Faber. There are two side trails with lower incline to allow one to catch his breath during the climb.

View from Mount Faber

Mount Faber Park
The main attraction is the cable car station from which one could ride to the World Trade Center and Sentosa Island. There is also the Jewel Box Restaurant and the several viewing areas on top of the ridge. Just after the Jewel Box the road splits into two to skirt around the hill. They will rejoin at Pender Road.

Forest Walk and Earth Trail below

Telok Blangah Hill Park
After crossing the Henderson Waves, the trail continued through this park in a westerly direction. Just before the Alexandra Arch bridge the trail became the Forest Walk, a man-made structure made of steel at treetop level to provide a different perspective. On the day of our walk it was closed and scheduled to be reopened the next day. We had to divert to Depot Road to access the Alexandra Garden Trail. There is an Earth Trail just below the Forest Walk. This trail follows the Forest Walk but at ground level giving a different feel of the surrounding. It is accessible from the steep staircase near the beginning of the Forest Walk and also from Alexandra Road.

Green Crested Lizard seen near the Earth Trail

Alexandra Garden Trail
Various types of flowering plants are grown here to attract butterflies. The fragrant smell of the pandan plant could be detected near the lower end of the trail. Some of the leaves were already cut by some cooking enthusiasts to enhance their dishes. The proper way of cutting is to cut off near the stem and avoid the young leaves near the top. The trail ends at Tanjong Pagar Road. Across the road next to the Labrador MRT Station is the beginning of the Berlayar Creek.

Berlayer Creek Boardwalk

Berlayer Creek
Wildlife is plentiful here, where numerous bird species, fish species and mangrove plants are found. To allow freedom of movement for wildlife, certain stretches of the boardwalk were elevated. Some parts were left without lamp posts to cater to nocturnal animals. Instead hidden LED lights were installed. The pandan plants are more numerous here. Several shelters provide rest and relief from the rain for visitors. Unfortunately during our walk some parts of the creek were covered by rust-coloured algae-like growth floating on the surface.

Bukit Chermin Boardwalk with Reflections in the background

Bukit Chermin Boardwalk
The view from here is exhilarating where one can see the Reflections, Keppel Bay Marina, Sentosa, Labrador Park and Bukit Chermin. After the boardwalk, one can continue walking along the promenade in front of the Reflections and Caribbean. You can also walk across the bridge to Keppel Island to visit the marina and relax in the park. We could see schools of fishes in the deep water around the island. A wide variety of boats could be seen at the marina, ranging from the smaller yachts to the luxurious type. Because of the rain, we had to cut short our walk and end it at Seah Imm hawker centre.

The Caribbean at Keppel

Marina at Keppel Bay

See Also:
Southern Ridges 
Sentosa Jungle Trails and Beach Walks 
Tanjong Rimau and Fort Siloso at Sentosa Island 

GPS Track

Map data ©2018 Google, Urban Redevelopment Authority