Hello, I blog!
I share all my sporadic and toilet thoughts in here, because I am random like that.
Breathing in Nature
After my appointment at the cardiologist’s earlier in the day, I set off for some scenic exploration in the western parts of Singapore yesterday, particularly Hindhede Nature Park and Little Gui Lin å°æ¡‚æž—.
Major thanks to the mum for driving me around. Recent health events left me with sliiiiiight physical limitations but I wanted to be up and about anyway, so yay! Thankfully, the scenic spots we explored today were pretty accessible without too much exertion as well.
The weather was pretty awesome for photography. Clear blue skies with little white fluffy clouds to add some character and variation to the captures. A little too warm for my liking, though – but this is Singapore and I am a Singaporean (who is unfortunately, still yearning a little too much for cold weather) – so I’d better get used to this all over again.
We stumbled upon the Hindhede Nature Park by mistake, actually. En route to Little Gui Lin å°æ¡‚æž—, we made a wrong turn and while trying to right that wrong, somehow spotted a sign leading to Hindhede Nature Park and decided to take a look around.
Hindhede Quarry.
The Hindhede Quarry was located within the Hindhede Nature Park. A mere ten minute walk along a wooden boardwalk would easily take you there. There were a couple of little huts along the way (mmm, picnic!), and quite a few playground fixtures (which I soooo wanted to play on, but nearly impossible with a DSLR dangling from my neck).
The lookout point overlooking the quarry was quiet. It helped that it was a weekday and barely a soul was there. (So I could enjoy the view and take my time without any kids and families ruining the atmosphere. Heh.)
Hindhede Quarry, with satellite towers in the background.
I was looking around for a boardwalk that takes you right next to the water’s edge but there was none. It would be really great if we could get up close and personal with the rock formations at the quarry too. Mmm, ideas for boardwalk extensions, anyone?
There were a few more quarries in the vicinity but I’d leave those for another time, as they involved longer treks. Oh, and yes – keep a lookout for some squirrel sightings as you walk on the boardwalk! I spotted this really adorable fella, but it scooted away and eluded me when I tried to photograph it. :(
Little Gui Lin å°æ¡‚æž— was just a short drive away from Hindhede Nature Park. (You know, judging by the maps in the street directory, I’ve decided that people living in the western area of Singapore are really, really lucky because they have loads of nature spots in that area to unwind. The eastern park – where I live – has barely anything.)
Rock formations at Little Gui Lin å°æ¡‚æž—.
Little Gui Lin å°æ¡‚æž— is actually really, really pretty. However, being located right next to a built-up housing estate takes some of the beauty away. Facing the lake, the sound of engines rumbling from the cars and buses on the main road directly behind is clearly audible – which is really a pity. Ah, well. Ear plugs should work, huh?
Oh, there is a school directly beside Little Gui Lin å°æ¡‚æž— as well, which means dating students were aplenty, not to mention groups of rowdy students just looking for a place to hang out. But they were mostly confined towards the far corner of the park, so it wasn’t too bad.
Hello there!
Strolled around for a bit, and found a couple of really awesome hiding spots (which were unfortunately, already occupied by dating couples so I’ll try my luck again next time). The park isn’t that big, so it should be a pretty friendly place to explore. There used to be a hiking trail lurking around somewhere but I heard that it was closed a few years’ back because of landslides (!!!).
Guilin Park, with condominiums playing peekaboo in the distance.
Note: The condominiums you see in the picture are located a couple of streets away. Whereas directly in front of that lake (and the rock formation) were several high-density housing blocks.
Yeah, like I said – I really envy the people living in the immediate vicinity of Little Gui Lin å°æ¡‚æž—. Imagine waking up to a view like this every single day. I guess having a scenic spot so close to a housing estate has its pros and cons.
The place is really accessible as well. There’s a bus stop just in front of it, and it is a mere five-minute walk from the train station. Or perhaps I shouldn’t rave too much about how accessible it is before the place starts to get overly crowded. Hmm.
Would most definitely continue poking around the various scenic spots in Singapore. Perhaps one or two a week – sounds like a good plan, no? And yeah, to also return to those I’ve already visited to satisfy my shutterbug urges.
(The above exploration only took slightly less than two hours. I couldn’t exert myself too much at the moment, but managed to see a lot despite it all. (; Having a car – and a mum willing to drive you – really helps. But … I want to head back again to have a thorough walk around in a few weeks. Who’s in?)
Humankind – Eet ees doomed!
A best girlfriend has summarized what I generally feel about humankind oh so beautifully in her blog.
life is unfair, and that is personally a huge problem area, as i, for the life of me, cannot stand injustice – and day after day, i see things, hear things and read things which enrage me. things showcasing the hard fact that people are cruel, selfish, inconsiderate and evil, that they love stereotyping, gossiping, slandering, elevating themselves and putting others down; that people continuously repay good with evil and i remember asking c. in tears and consternation, “how can people be like that? why are people like that?†and i repeatedly asked where human decency was. (source)
I too, find myself asking the same question time and time again.
Even though I’ve long accepted the fact several years ago that the human race is doomed, I still find myself getting shell-shocked (which later leads to extreme fury) at the many injustices that human beings do to one another.
The prevalence of the internet only makes it all worse. The cloak of anonymity further releases one’s inhibitions, leading human beings to do further wrongs to one another without fear of reparation – although that is a separate issue altogether.
It was only today I discovered that – while I always thought I was a realist – there are several aspects in which I am more of an idealist than a realist. Human behaviour is one of these aspects.
Then again, who am I to judge? I have been dealt with much shit from some people around (which too, made me yell “why the fuck are people like that?”). But likewise, I have also been dishing out my fair amount of shit to other people. So all’s fair and square I guess. For now.
I still cling on to the hope that somehow, someday things may change.
That people will act with more consideration for other people, to pay more attention to others’ feelings, to learn to see things from other peoples’ point of view, to think more logically than emotionally, and for people to be more aware of what they are doing (perceptual salience of oneself leads to one’s conscious attempt to portray oneself more favourably).
But yeah, too lofty hopes up there.
Meanwhile, I’ll just live my own life and not let any of the shit get me down, or get in my way. When it comes to creating my own happiness, I will have to take charge – because the world is too screwed up to derive happiness from any other source. Not to mention how I have awesome friends for support. (And them, likewise!)
Holiday bucket list (Around Singapore)
Just three more days before my Final Exams end, and just slightly less than two weeks more before I am officially released from the iron grip of Eff Why Pee. (A more affectionate name for FYP. Hahaha. I’ll definitely miss it when it’s over.)
Here I am, already planning what I want to do when my month-long, much-deserved December break finally rolls around.
Where I want to go:
1) Chek Jawa Nature Walk at Pulau Ubin.
2) Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
3) The Southern Ridges & Mount Faber
4) Marina Barrage
5) Kusu Island
6) St John’s Island
7) Hindhede Nature Park @ Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
8) Bottletree Park @ Yishun
9) Little Guilin
Anyone wants to go with me? :/
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