Labrador Nature Reserve

It is Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, a public holiday today.

We ventured to Labrador Nature Reserve today. There have been several changes to the park since we visited it many years ago.

The new additions included - 1. Bukit Chermin boardwalk leading to Keppel Bay Bridge/Keppel Island                                                  2. Berlayer Creek Boardwalk, exploring Mangrove trees

There are three parking lots in the Nature Reserve. We park our car at Car park 2, then walked towards the coastal track.

Map of the Nature Reserve

The walk from carpark leads directly to the coast

Look out point from the coastal track

We turned left, and walked towards the Red Beacon. I walked passed the man-made Dragon Tooth Gate without realizing it. (The original Dragon Tooth Gate, aka rock formation that resembled that of a tooth, used in ancient days as a gateway for entrance into the harbour, had been demolished many years back).

Red Beacon - a navigation post for the ships/boats

View of the Red Beacon and Dragon Teeth Gate from Bukit Chermin Boardwalk

Walking further along the coastal track, we reached a T-junction. The track to the right leads one to the Bukit Chermin Boardwalk; the one on the left leads to Berlayer Creek Boardwalk (which runs parellel to a stream that support Mangrove habitat).

Mangrove trees lining the river bank

Bukit Chermin Boardwalk in the background, leading to Keppel Bay Bridge

Looking ahead at the Bukit Chermin Boardwalk

Bukit Chermin Boardwalk is a short track that leads one to Keppel Bay Bridge.

 

                                                               Keppel Bay Bridge

Marine boats docking in the Marina Bay on one side, and Reflection at Keppel on the other side.

Keppel Bay Bridge in the background

Keppel Bay Bridge leads one to Keppel Island - which is occupied by Marina Club.

Look out point @ Keppel Island

Another look out point @ Keppel Island

看海

View of Bukit Chermin Boardwalk from Keppel Island

View of Reflection at Keppel from Keppel Island

Made a loop back to Berlayer Creek Boardwalk - exploring the Mangroves plantation.

The Berlayer Creek Boardwalk leads to Labrador MRT station. We made a U turn, back to main compound of Labrador Nature Reserve.

We spent about 1.5 hour exploring the some of the tracks in Labrador Nature Reserve. We did not have time to explore the old/abandoned British battlements,

If you are mesmerized by coastal view, iconic buildings and marina bay - this is a place for you!

The iconic Reflection @ Keppel can be seen from various points -

Other sceneries...

Trail to Tree Top (From Windsor Park)

Tree top was only accessible from MacRitchie Reservoir initially. 

When Windsor Nature Park was opened in April 2017, there is a new hiking track leading from the park to Tree Top. The hike to Tree Top was reduced by over 1 km, and definitely less tiring.

We had explore Windsor Nature Park a few weeks ago, stopping short at the junction form by trails from MacRitchie Reservoir/Windsor Park. Today, we pressed ahead with our morning hiking/walking exercises, walking beyond Tree Top trail, all the way to Jelutong Tower.

Being a nature park, greenery / mud and partially paved hiking trails are plentiful.

Walking right along Venus Loop from the parking lot @ Windsor Nature Park

Trees and Trees along the trail

Some fellow hikers

Hiking up the trail, towards Tree Top

Walking down a slope (in the direction towards Tree Top), before hiking up another slope...

Pleasantly surprised by the delightful bright sun rays, filtering through the canopy.

The hut at the junction between trail to Tree Top and Jelutong Tower, and the drain nearby.

The walk towards Jelutong Tower...

Jelutong Tower, and view from the top...

At the top level of Jelutong Tower

Looking down from top floor, at the trees/shrubs below

We didn't visit Tree Top this time. Perhaps next time...

Thomson Nature Park

Finally visited Thomson Nature Park today.

First thing - the parking is not free on weekend, and there are only limited parking lots in the park itself (probably not more than 20 lots). We reached the place around 8.10am - noticed that some cars just drove out from the park. There was about 3 parking lots available for us.

The park itself is rather small. The main attaction is the ruins of Hainanese village (1930-1980s). There were two main trails - Ruins and Figs trail, and Streams and Ferns trail - making a loop round the park, with several smaller trails branching out from the main trails. All trails were paved, and easily accessible.

Walking through park is akin to walking in the narrow roads of older Kampong. Trees abound, with chirping of birds. It was not that crowded though.

The ruins were attractive, but can be rather spooky though (if the sky were to be overcast, or if one visited the place in late evening).

The meeting point

Walking towards the main trails

VARIOUS Section of the trails...

The ruins of former Hainanese Village ...

And the trees /canopies...

Hanging "curtain"

We spent nearly 2 hours in the park (inclusive of time spent on taking photos). 

The ruins are definitely the main pull of the park. The vegetations resemble that found in Windsor Nature Park. It is worth a visit, but probably not for 2nd round.