(above) Southern Islands

Discovering the Southern Ridges
The Southern Ridges comprises a 9-kilometre chain of green, open spaces spanning the rolling hills of Mt Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park before ending at West Coast Park.

It is an area steeped in history and is home to some of nature's greatest gifts of flora and fauna. It is also one of the best spots in Spore to catch panoramic views of the city, harbour and the Southern Islands.

Two prominent connections stand proudly along the Ridges today.
Henderson Waves - Spore's highest pedestrian bridge - spans Henderson Road to connect Mt Faber Park to Telok Blangah Hill Park.

The other link, Alexandra Arc, looks like an opened leaf across Alexandra Road. It continues to Forest Walk, which is made up of an elevated walkway for pedestrians and earth trail for cyclists through the secondary forest of Telok Blangah Hill Park.

Together with a series of other interesting trails, they provide a seamless link through a soothing sanctuary of greenery that was previously not accessible.

(above) Marang Trail

Marang Trail
Distance 0.8km Walking Time 15mins
This trail extends from Marang Road, just behind the Harbourfront MRT Station to the cable car station at the Jewel Box on Mt Faber. An easy walk of steps and shaded footpaths through secondary forest, Marang Trail covers elevation of 70-metres (or equivalent of a 24-storey building).

(above) Mt Faber

Faber Walk
Distance 1.0m Walking Time 15mins
Faber Walk meanders through Mt Faber Park, one of the oldest parks in Spore and ends at the Henderson Waves. The slopes of this 56-hectare park are covered by dense secondary rain forest, and are home to many interesting plants and fauna.

At its peak the park offers panoramic views of the southern part of Spore and the Southern Islands. At night, the park transforms into one of the more romantic spots on the island, where people can enjoy breathtaking sight of the city's twinkling lights and ships at sea.

(above) Henderson Waves

Henderson Waves
Distance 0.3m Walking Time 5mins
At 36 metres above Henderson Road, Henderson Waves is the highest pedestrian bridge in Spore. It was built to connect the two hills of Mt Faber and Telok Blangah Hill.

The bridge has a unique wave-form made up of seven undulating curved steel "ribs" that alternatively rise over and under its deck. The curved "ribs" form alcoves that function as shelters with seats within.

Slats of yellow balau wood, an all-weather timber found in South-East Asia are used in the decking. Look out for carvings on the slats marking the height you are at on various points along the bridge.
The wave-forms will be lit with attractive LED lights from 7pm to 2am daily, giving the bridge illuminative glow.

Hilltop Walk
Distance 1.0m Walking Time 15mins
Hilltop Walk runs through the 34-hectare Telok Blangah Hill Park, once gathering place for trading communities that flourished in the area in the early nineteenth century. The trail connects on one end with the Henderson Waves and the other with the Forest Walk leading to Alexandra Arc. The Terrace Garden at the top of the park offer a stunning 360-degree view of Spore.

(above)Elevated walkway - Forest Walk

(above)Earth trails - Forest Walk

Forest Walk
Distance 1.3m Walking Time 20mins
The Forest Walk, a steps-free elevated walkway with earth trails, meanders some 50-metres through the secondary forest of Telok Blangah and connects to Alexandra Arc. The raised walkway with heights ranging from 3 to 18 metres brushes the canopy of trees and offers a bird's eye view of the forest.

The modules of the elevated walkway derived their design from the triangular-shaped leaves of the fast growing "Mile-a-Minute" plant. The ground level earth trails a more rugged experience, bringing you closer to yje wildlife found in the area.

(above) Alexandra Arc

Alexandra Arc
Distance 0.8m Walking Time 5mins
The bridge with its curved deck and tilted arch, spans Alexandra Road like an opened leaf. On the Hyderabad Road side, the bridge is connected to HortPark- the gardening hub via Floral Walk. The bridge dazzles with colour changing LED lights everyday between 7pm and 12am.

(above) HortPark the Gardening Hub

Floral Walk HortPark the Gardening Hub
Distance 0.3m Walking Time 5mins
HortPark - the Gardening Hub
Distance 1.1m Walking Time 15mins
Located at the base of Alexandra Arc, Floral Walk offers a delightful stroll along a path lined with flowering plants.

It forms the gateway to HortPark. This is Southeast Asia's first one-stop centre for gardening-related recreational, educational, reserach and retaill activities in the park setting.

Some park highlights include attractive themed gardens as well as outdoor display plots showcasing designs and ideas for home gardening.

The 23-hectare HortPark connects to Kent Ridge Park via Canopy Walk.

(above) Canopy Walk - Kent Ridge

Canopy Walk
Distance 0.3m Walking Time 5mins
Canopy Walk links the 47-hectare Kent Ridge to Reflections at Bukit Chandu- once known as Opium Hill and site of one of the kast battles of Spore in WWII and HortPark the Gardening Hub.

Elevated 16 metres at the centre, Canopy Walk takes you through secondary forest with groves of Tembusu, and dominant trees of the adinandra belukar. Move quietly and you may see some of the rich widllife thats lives there, such as squirrels, sunbirds, doves, lizards abd white crested laughing thrushes.

(above)Kent Ridge Park

Tips for park patrons:

• Dress sensibly in comfortable clothes, hat and walking shoes.
• Drinking water, snacks and insect repellent are part of a basic but very good survival kit.
• Speak softly. Stay alert. You'll see and hear more.
• Do not leave anything behind & take nothing but pictures when you leave.
• Do not feed wild animals. You do them more harm than good. Help save them by not feeding them.

Labels: alexandra arc, henderson waves, hort park, kent ridge, local, mt faber, rambling, southern ridges

++ quoth nessie at 9:27 PM

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Southern Ridges again! (now with Alphas Air)

Where : Southern Ridges
When : 03-Feb-09

Wehee....I went for another walk to the Southern Ridges again today! Weather was good! Cloudy, no scorching sun. And its a little windy. This time its a group of four girls. Emi, Fizan, Circa Gorda and myself. Same plan; start from Marang Trail. But this time the walk ends at Museum Reflection of Bukit Chandu. This is my second visit to Bukit Chandu and i still love the theatre show.

Well of Reflection (exterior)

Well of Reflection (interior)

I learnt something new today! When we were in the museum, there were a class of student listening to a talk. I overheard from the speaker that each time the clock strike 5pm, the drain cover would makes noise. And ever once a Malay family was at the area. The family had a baby with them. Strangely, the kid cried non stop. hmmm...so, buddies who love to go ghost hunting; 5pm Bukit Chandu?! keke..

And it came to my thoughts...the opening hours of the museum is 9am to 5pm. Why can't the museum open after 5pm especially during weekends and PH? hhmmm....must go find out! (haha im scared la. Maybe you wanna find out for me and i update my blog of your findings...yea? ha ha)

Lieutenant Adnan from the Malay Regiment

Something i didnt notice on my last visit to HortPark

Labels: historical, hort park, local, rambling, southern ridges

++ quoth nessie at 6:57 PM

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Monday, February 2, 2009

'Touching" moment

A visit to a friend's place today ends in a 'touching" moment. Her mum had just done her operation to remove a growth in her cervix. I have been to her house couples of time, and each time without fail her mum would serve her guests food. Ranging from heavy meal like mee soto or as simple as "jemput-jemput bawang", My friend's mum reminds me of my mum's character. So warmth, motherly and happy to entertain guests. Always.

I am happy and glad that the operation went well. During the visit, i saw her being chirpy and entertained her guests as normal. But only God knows hows she is feeling.

When its time to say leave the house, as i "salam" her, i couldn't hold my tears. She reminds me so much of how my mum was when she was sick and entertaining her guests who pays her a visit. To Puan Siti Zaharah...Semoga sembuh sempurna dan dikurniakan umur yang panjang. Insya Allah dapat menunaikan haji pada tahun ini. amin.

Labels: hmmm

++ quoth nessie at 3:01 PM

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