Fort Canning Park

Fort Canning Park has seen through many historic events over the years. It is akin to that of an oasis in the midst of concrete jungle. Who would have guessed that there is even a lighthouse in the compound.

Within the confine of the park, there is a reservoir (barricaded and out of bound to visitors), several gardens, a underground barrack, a hotel, visitor centre, a playground and a "tree tunnel" linking the park to nearby buildings.

The view of Fort Canning Hotel and Fort Canning Centre is rather astonishing. The bird eye view of downtown skyline from upper level of the park is equally impressive.

To explore the park, just follow the trails that encircle the park in three tiers.We covered majority of the park within 1.5 hour. We were pleasantly surprised by the Javanese theme garden (Sang Nila Utama Garden) - felt like we were visiting Bali (during COVID pandemic)!

We explored the park as part of our routine morning exercises on weekends. We parked our car right at the car park right in front of the hotel. Free parking on weekends!

Hotel Fort Canning

View of UBS building across the road, from our car park

Walking along the trail encircling the park, we passed by the following landmarks...

 

A swing

Looks like a facade for a church

A sculpture that resembles remnant of Viking ship

Then we reached the spacious field right in front of Fort Canning Centre.

Moving further from the centre....

Negotiating the steps, to higher tier of the park

The Trees

More Trees

The roots that line the slope, resemble that of curbs.

The cannon

Ancient fortress 

Closing the door of the fortress

Bird eye view of the downtown skyline

View from the top tier of the park

The Lighthouse

The Javanese landscape...

Other sceneries...

Overall a good place to explore some historical sites / learn some histories, and to take some photos!

Mac Ritchie Reservoir

Mac Ritchie Reservoir is probably one of the earliest nature parks in Singapore. From the early years of being a reservoir, it has gone through various stages of re-development - with boardwalks being added, and trails curated - and finally, a trail that led to Tree Top.

It used to be our favourite family haunt on Sunday when the kids were in primary school. It is also a favourite exercise spots for many adults.

The reservoir and a few other spots (e.g. old rail track) have been rather crowded during weekends in the midst of Covid pandemic. Hence, my wife and I have shied away from reservoir for the past months. With recent Hightened Vigilance aka semi-circuit breaker over the past week, the parks are less crowded now.

Hence, we decided to visit Mac Ritchie Reservoir this morning.

As usual, we parked our car at Mt Alvernia Hospital, and walked a short distance to the reservoir.

The flyover leading from Mt Alvernia Hospital to Mac Ritchie Reservoir

We began our brisk walk the moment we reached the reservoir...

walking up the gentle slope that lead to the iconic winding bridge 

The iconic winding bridge, with turtles in the water below the bridge

The old gentleman playing Er-hu without fail every weekend, for several hours, in the morning

Entering into Lornie Trail, that leads to boardwalk or a jungle trail

the boardwalk

View from the boardwalk...

Kayaking away...

Some work in progress at the opposite shore

Bushes

We covered a distance of 9km this time (round trip).

For the adventurous, you may hike all the way to Tree top (round trip of 7-8km, if I am not mistaken), or all the way to Bukit Timah Reserve (probably a longer trip).

Semi-Lockdown (2nd COVID wave) @ Singapore

With recent resurgence of local COVID cases over the past 1 week, the government has instituted a semi-lockdown to curb the spread of the rather contagious strain starting from today - no more dining in, not more than 2 people going out together (except for family members).

Went for morning exercise at Teluk Blangah Hill Park, covering the canopy forest walk all the way to Hort Park. The whole journey was surprising very quiet - with only a few people around this time. 

Took some random photos at Hort Park, and scenes around the forest walk.

The track leading all the way to Henderson Waves

from the canopy forest walk

Alexander Bridge leading to Hort Park

Interesting looking Coconut tree in the wild

View from forest canopy walk

Hort Park... Playground for the kids

Decorated wall

Geylang Park Connector (Dakota segment)

Looking ahead and down from my balcony, one can see the vast expanse of Geylang Park Connector stretching parellel to Geylang River, from Geylang district, running pass Dakota district, and all the way to Kallang district/Tanjung Rhu Promenade.

The cycling cum exercise track along the park connector is rather scenic. Many people jog/brisk walk along the track in earling morning/late evening - sometimes, even in the middle of the night!

The circular loop stretching from Mountbatten Rd to Dunman Rd covers a distance of approximate 2 km. I have been diligently doing several round of brisk walking at least 5 days per week over the past year - covering a distance of 6-7km each time. I even walked all the way to Tanjung Rhu Promenade / Marina Bay Barge on several occasions.

One must salute the government in enhancing the beauty and serenity of various track along the river, making it accessible for people of all ages to enjoy and exercise. Indeed, the country is living up to the name of Garden City! 

My place of residence is one of the condominium on the left

Track for exercising. It is a pity that the old public housing (the brownish looking building on the left) is going to be demolished, making way for new projects in the future.

 The exercise tracks running on either side of the river banks.

How care-free could one be?!

A park for all and sundry

Reflection ...

I don't have to venture far to exercise. The exercise track is just right in front of my place of residence.

There is truly no excuse in staying sedentary at home during leisure hours.