Friday, May 09, 2008

Day Out at Bukit Batok Nature Park

Went for a leisurely afternoon hike with Slug. Was intending to scale Bukit Timah Hill, and Slug claimed that it was possible to get there via Bukit Batok. He further added that he was very sure because he used to be a frequent guest at Bukit Timah Hill when he was a delinquent in his younger years, seeking solace in the forest and picking wild berries (okay, I made the last part up). With that, I trusted him with the directions and navigation.

We had lunch before setting off for Bukit Batok, and after walking through the neighbourhood estate, we came to the Bukit Batok Nature Park.

I kind of had my doubts towards whether Bukit Batok Nature Park was indeed connected to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, but we just walked on anyway. Nothing spectacular there other than watching a monitor lizard digging away and Bangalas sawing away at the trees.

Slug was waiting for free durians to shower on him

We came to a huge quarry, and we sat there mesmerized by the peacefulness of the surroundings and the clarity of the small lake engirdled by the vertical cliff. This quarry is what remains of the granite quarrying activities proliferous in rural Bukit Batok back in the 1950s.

So from there, we climbed numerous steps and scaled steep paved slopes, and finally after 20 minutes, we came to the peak where there was the site of two memorials built by the Japanese for their war dead and also for the Allied soldiers. However, they were demolished, and all that remains are two pillars and 120 concrete steps leading up to the Mediacorp transmission tower.

Bukit Batok Nature Park is a make-out spot?

There were two paths we could take: one leading further into the forest and the other leading to the main road. We chose the former, and were walking happily until we realised that we were lost in a labyrinth of bungalows and terraces. We tried to seek a way out, but it was all just a dead-end. We did have fun gazing in desire at those spacious and beautiful houses, with fresh laundry airing in the garden and flapping in the wind. This place is Hume Heights.

A Jack Russell 'escaped' from its abode and followed us

The lovely and serene Hume Heights

We came upon a large house at the end of a path, and suddenly we heard ferocious barks coming from there. Thinking that there was a fence preventing the dogs from coming out, we went sneering "Haha! Stupid dogs!", so imagine our utter horror and disbelief when three huge and hostile-looking Doberman Pinschers came cantering out onto the path and towards us. We squealed in fright and tried walking as calmly as possible, with them curiously tailing behind our backs. I feared they would maul our thighs. They stopped when we were sufficiently far from the castle they were guarding.

Bye, suckers!

Since it was a dead-end, we back-tracked to the peak and took the other path leading to the main road. After much accusing and ear-pulling from me, Slug sheepishly admitted that he thought he had been climbing Bukit Timah Hill all along! So much for trusting him! A total waste of my time. Along the way, we fooled around with some really huge dried leaves.

Some of the hugest and stiffest leaves we have ever seen!

We came to the main road, and we could espy the peaks of Bukit Timah Hill at a distance away. Seeing that it was already 5pm+, we decided not to attempt the climb, and that greatly disappointed me. We were thoroughly exhausted and dripping with sweat.

Finally, out on the road!

Slug seriously is into photography

We passed by the former Ford Factory along Upper Bukit Timah Road, which has been preserved as a historical monument. Its significance: it was the venue where the British surrendered to the Japanese on 15 Feb 1942.

We decided we had absolutely enough of walking, and swung our arms wildly by the roadside for a taxi to take us to Bukit Timah Plaza. We had dinner at the Johnson Duck shop nearby, of which Slug is an ardent gourmet fan. Slug was warning me about the poor hygiene standards here, and ironically, the server instantly served us our plate of duck meat, topped with a limp oily housefly as garnish. I was ultimately grossed out.

Slug and I at the Johnson Duck shop

Tantalizing roast duck (housefly still resting there)

We could not believe how salty the duck meat tasted, it was as if it was born and resided in the sea. I asked the server why the duck meat tasted so salty, and we could not believe the lame answer she gave: The weather was hot, and the ducks were sweating. We were dumbfounded for some 10 seconds, but we were somehow consoled because at least the steamed white tofu with spring onions and fried shallots was decent.

We thought Beauty World, Beauty Plaza and Bukit Timah Plaza would serve as great post-dinner shopping venues, but they turned out to be nothing more than quiet and ghostly compounds of maid agencies, interior design firms and knick-knack shops. We hurriedly left for home to rest our tired feet.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

http://everyoneweb.com/spymobile1983a213/#wireless_spy_cameras_home_india hd waterproof spy watch camera camcorder 8gb [url=http://surveys.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?id=3400093#spy_for_iphone_free]android phone spy software free[/url] cell phone tap detector software cell phone spyware without touching target phone phone tracking software free download http://everyoneweb.com/spymobile1976a49/#find_a_cell_phone_location_now ultimate bluetooth mobile phone spy free download [url=http://surveys.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?id=3400468#top_free_android_spy_apps]cell phone spy equipment software[/url] spy kids 3 trailer phone spy apps spy apps for iphone 2012 http://everyoneweb.be/spymobile1975a27/#phone_tracker_android_download free text monitoring software [url=http://everyoneweb.be/spymobile1970a130/#spy_gear_spy_video_trakr_toys_r_us]phone tracker apple[/url] can i read text messages online with telus spy sunglasses logan polarized mobile phone tapping equipment uk
http://www.world66.com/member/vyak2009_iphone_sp#trace_mobile_phone_through_gps [url=http://everyoneweb.com/spymobile1989a149/#free_sms_spyware___android]watch spy kids 4 d megavideo[/url]
#spy_on_any_cell_phone_online

Anonymous said...

[url=http://flavors.me/mobilespy_reoleisosi1984][img]http://emeds.biz/pics/spymobile.png[/img][/url]
mobile phone location finder software free download http://flavors.me/mobilespy_linciecoca1988 gps cell phone tracker spy v2.1 [url=http://spymobiledjup5062.carbonmade.com/projects/4708497] monitoring text messages at&t[/url] spy kids 2 games to play online cellspyexposed reviews does eazy cell phone spy work
mamoleptino321 http://archive.org/details/gullpucthiober http://surveys.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?id=3440944 http://spymobile38uc.carbonmade.com/projects/4708458
cell phone gps tracker application http://flavors.me/mobilespy_tatextdoco1972 cell spy phone [url=http://archive.org/details/ivatuncon] use bluetooth monitor cell phone[/url] spy on cell phones free trial free mobile spy any phone how to track text messages on someone else s phone for free
http://archive.org/details/pertarinha http://surveys.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?id=3440844 http://spymobile76ml.carbonmade.com/projects/4708479
[url=http://legalno-vse.biz/threads/himym-season-8-episode-3-megashare.11751/]cell phone tracking application[/url]
http://www.denledefi.se/vb/showthread.php?p=798582#post798582 http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=855915855353945706&postID=8744333007862477167&page=1&token=1362866350452&isPopup=true http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4588369177818757768&postID=7685336914483455849&page=1&token=1362835320121 http://tagenigma.com/blog/think-up/#comment-77328 http://xhoc.dwfln.ncvn.tcsq.qypvthu.loqu.forum.mythem.es/bxggxtl/tabernac/
spy kids 4 d wiki http://archive.org/details/chersmileta snmp monitoring software mac os x [url=http://flavors.me/mobilespy_tadiroras1988] spy software mobile phones nokia[/url] himym season 7 episode 13 free download signet camera spy watch instructions how do i read my text messages online tmobile

Anonymous said...

I'm amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that's both educative and amusing,
and without a doubt, you've hit the nail on the head. The problem is something which not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. I'm very happy I found this in
my search for something regarding this.

Also visit my web page golden retriever labrador

Anonymous said...

Hi, I want to subscribe for this blog to get newest updates, so
where can i do it please assist.

my blog post: useful golden retriever health issues stuff

Anonymous said...

Niсe post. I used to be checking continuоusly this weblοg and I'm impressed! Very helpful info specifically the remaining phase :) I maintain such information much. I used to be seeking this certain information for a very lengthy time. Thank you and good luck.

Here is my web-site; lloyd irvin

Anonymous said...

Link еxchange is nothіng else excеpt it іs simply plaсing thе other perѕon's website link on your page at proper place and other person will also do similar in support of you.

my web page - reputation management

Anonymous said...

electronic cigarette, ecig, smokeless cigarettes, e cigarette reviews, e cigarette, e cigarette health

Unknown said...

I acknowledge all that you have added as far as anyone is concerned base.Admiring the time and exertion you put into your online journal and point by point data you offer.Thanks. spiare un cellulare