Showing posts with label west coast park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label west coast park. Show all posts

March 28, 2013

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.

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August 20, 2012

Southern Ridges

This is one of the most accessible hiking route on the island. The route traverses several ridges and is intersected by Henderson Road, Alexandra Road, South Buona Vista Road and Clementi Road. These roads are well served by public buses that will take us back to MRT stations at Harbourfront and Labrador and to the city. So the hiker can choose to break his walk and yet have access to public transport.

Cable cars linking Mount Faber to Sentosa

The Southern Ridges consist of Mount Faber, Henderson Ridge and Kent Ridge. The trail will take you 9 km across varied environment. One can start from Vivocity and then cllimb Mount Faber along the Marang Trail then westward to Kent Ridge and on to West Coast Park. Alternatively start at West Coast Park and walk toward Mt Faber.

Skyline from Mount Faber
Mount Faber
Assume you want to start off from the Mount Faber end. At Vivocity (buy your water here in case you did not bring any) look for exit D across the road from where the Marang Trail begins. It will be a steep climb up the slope. Walking shoes are advisable but I have seen a lady in heels - obviously she did not plan in advance. Bring an umbrella for sun and rain.

Henderson Waves
At the top of the ridge one will be rewarded with a mesmerizing view of the skyline. You can see and identify the Pinnacles in the distance and the colourful facade of the HDB flats in the nearby housing estates. On the seaward side you can see Sentosa and the other outlying islands. The trail will follow the Mount Faber Road on the ridge past the Cable Car Station where the Jewel Box restaurant is situated.

Forest Walk
After the Jewel Box you will come to a fork. The Mount Faber Road will continue on the right. On the left is Mount Faber Loop. Both roads will eventually meet. Continue your trek on the right and you will soon come to the Henderson Waves the highest pedestrian bridge that crosses Henderson Road. It is covered with wood providing a warm feeling. Many nearby residents like to come here in the evening when it is not so hot to enjoy the breeze, do their qigong and take in the sight.

Telok Blangah Hill Park
After crossing the bridge, you will come to Telok Blangah Green and past the Alkaff Mansion a place where you can experience fine dining in a park. Move on westward and you will come to an elevated metal structure (Forest Walk) that will take you among the treetops to see the flora and fauna there. Be careful about handling small items as it will drop through the metal grating. For the more adventurous there is a trail below the steel structure called the Earth Trail. Finally you will reach the Alexandra Arch, a bridge across Alexandra Road. This bridge is lit at night with a changing colourful display.

HortPark
At the other end of the bridge is HortPark a garden displaying a variety of plants and flowers with greenhouses nurturing new varieties of plant life. HortPark is where Nparks shares gardening-related activities to the public. It conducts courses and showcases industry ideas on gardening on its premises.

Kent Ridge Park
After passing HortPark you will come to a winding trail with switchback turns that will lead up to Kent Ridge Park. The highlights here are the Canopy Walk and the 'Reflections at Bukit Chandu' a museum dedicated to the Battle of Kent Ridge where our soldiers made their last stand during the Second World War. Exit Kent Ridge Park on the west at Vigilante Drive where you will turn right and follow South Buona Vista Road until you reach Kent Ridge Road.

Kent Ridge Park
National University of Singapore
Walk along Kent Ridge Road which lies on top of the ridge. This road is seldom used by students of National University of Singapore NUS as most student activities are centred on Lower Kent Ridge Road where the various Schools are located. While in the NUS, patronize the students' canteens for value-for-money food fare. At the end of this road you would have reached the Centre for Development of Teaching and Learning CDTL and the Central Library.

View from West Coast Park
West Coast Park
For those still keen on walking you can proceed south along Clementi Road to the West Coast Park. Here one can see the boats of the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club, the Container Port and walk along the boardwalk in a mangrove swamp. By this time you would have walked about 10km. Have an enjoyable walk!

See Also:
Mount Faber to Berlayer Creek and Bukit Chermin Boardwalk
Sentosa Jungle Trails and Beach Walks 
Tanjong Rimau and Fort Siloso at Sentosa Island

Route

Map data ©2018 Google, Urban Redevelopment Authority