Telok Blangah

Went to Telok Blangah Hill Park today. Set off at 1130, arrive at 1300! Once I alighted, I saw this magnificent-looking bridge over Telok Blangah Road. I suppose it links the park to Mt. Faber Park.

I did have intentions to cross the bridge but to find the entrance to the park itself is already difficult. According to the street directory, I was to enter via Telok Blangah Green. What made it so difficult was that the entrance was concealed by an elevation of the road. As a result, I was unsure if the entrance was there at all. I walked blindly only with my instincts as my walking stick and behold! The entrance!

Nevertheless, I still had to walk in (it was only the ENTRANCE, remember?).

I walked through the nature trail. The sign at the start says:

> 2.7km to Kent Ridge

>0.7km to Preston Road

>0.9km to Alexandra Road

I THOUGHT it wouldn’t rain (or so as the NEA man said) and I really had a lot of time in my hands. And so I chionged.

It looked very scary at first as the whole trail is at the canopy layer around 20 – 30m off the ground. The trail is supported only by two pillars every 20 m and metal cables to bind the structure. The path itself consists of triangular longkang covers!

This is going to support this light person here. > 

Actually, not that bad, lah. The maximum inclination of the trail is only about 20 degrees. Saw a few ah peks and aunties along the path; damn steady, all of them. Wah, if I can’t make it, shame on me!

The scenery is not that fascinating as you know, everything’s green. But it is still a very interesting concept. However, think of it… if the route is 2.7km long, then it means that 2.7km of vegetation has been grazed to accommodate this man-made marvel. Feel a bit guilty, hor!

About 45 min into the journey, I encountered separate groups of people but I believe they were on the same mission. In fact they all seem to be family members of employees of the MFA on a treasure hunt. They were saying things like “plants originating in Brazil” and the '”reproduction method of the Saga plant”. Very noisy and irritating bunch of people! I was there to “let go” and they interrupted the flow of my day!

At a certain point, I decided to turn back. Why was I going towards Kent Ridge? Silly me. I instead, then, walked towards Mt. Faber Park. I had difficulty overtaking those MFAs. They looked at me as if I was a 2nd class citizen or something. Remember, these people are responsible for the inner workings of an organisation responsible for our ties with the rest of the world…

And Then Mother Nature Cried, taking her toll on my initial unsubstantiated complacency. Damn the NEA Weather tele-robot!

Rain stained my glasses with naturally-purified water evaporated from the liquid excretion of an innocent 4-year-old bugger behind the cotton tree. 

Arrgh, my carefully combed hair! I briskly walked to overtake those MFAs. Walao, they popped open their umbrellas, splashing water onto me. Serves me right for not bringing umbrella! Now, I feel like a complain-kia!

I just realised that everything I use today is orange. My pen, shirt and notebook.

When in rain, I’ll bend my head down like a Japanese. Don’t want my face wet, mah? I learnt a simple benefit of plants for humans. Down the lane towards Telok Blangah Rd, a shelter of bush provided cover for me from rain all the way until the route towards Depot Road, where I had to walk through dense vegetation. Actually got resthouse halfway, but got couple (but not teenagers and not in a state of clothed undress), so I gave it to them. What a lovely setting for them! Don’t want spoil their mood…

Alas, I managed to find the bus stop! Took 57 to Bukit Merah Central and grabbed Wintermelon Tea, a Curry O’ and Sardine O’ from Old Chang Kee. Then, I realised Bkt Merah is under the electoral ward of Tanjong Pagar. LKY area!

To top it off, I boarded 851 home (I call “Yishun’’ home!).

[ If you wanna noe my experience on that bus, refer to  “thoughts on clothed states of undress” ;) Just change MRT to bus; MRT station to bus interchange.  ]