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Sunday, June 6, 2010
2nd nite cycling - a test of endurance
Where : Singapore Place : East Coast Park - Nicoll Highway - Padang - Boat Quay - Tiong Bahru Plaza - Cluny Rd - Kheam Hock Rd - Lornie Rd - McRitchie Reservoir - Thomson Rd - Orchard Rd - Spore Flyers - Indoor Stadium - East Coast Park When : 3rd June 2010 This is the 2nd nite cycling i had but the first in 2010 and many more to come =D Route planning solely done by F2 who promised the route that we'll be taking to be interesting and a test on individual cyclist's endurance level. Since i'm not so familiar with the "shortest" route to take us around, so i'll be doing the recruiting, promoting and informing interested participants. And so, one month before the date was chosen...discussion between me and F2 was regularly conducted. It wasn't a formal discussion tho bcos we have plenty of time in hand. Like it was mentioned earlier, route planning was done by F2 solely and he even reccee the route on foot to gauge the estimated cycling time. There will be two groups; first group are those staying in the East or for those who do not own a bike. And the second group were those staying in the West and own a bike. There's only 7 of us that owns a bike, thus those joining the first group is expected to be a large number. All were informed to assembled by 2030hrs at East Coast Area C4 to rent a bike. Bike rental ranging from $8-12/person for an overnite rental. As usual...there's always latecomers. But as late a person could be, i can't tolerate when one called up to say that he is still at home and looking at my watch its 1955hrs!!! And mind u...he stayed in the West of Singapore. How to reach East Coast when all that he plan was to reach East Coast by bus!!!! To cut story short and to cool my anger...we move off from East Coast at 2130hrs. There were a total of 18 of us. Whoa...thats a big number! I lost track of time as to what time my group meet the West side peepz. There were 5 of them from the West side. Before we proceed to Tiong Bahru Plaza for supper, two of the 18 decided to head back to East Coast as they were too tired. We bid farewell to Reen and Alan, and head for supper. After supper...cycle to McRitchie. But...its not that simple. We have to cycle pass a Chinese cemetery at Kheam Hock Road. It was spooky at first, but as we cycle pass..its ok though. From the cemetery towards McRitchie was the best route cos it was all the way down slope. Heheeee.... By the time we reached McRitchie it was 4am. Rested around less than 45mins. The West Side geng left first and the rest remained resting. Some took a nap, while others chit chat. So many, me included do not wanna take the same route back cos remember from the cemetary was all the way down slope...if its the same route..Gosh...wouldn't it be all the way up-slope? Hahahaa.... And so, we took a different route back...passing tru Orchard Road, Marina Bay Sands and at F1 track. The sunrise was super captivating, that was when we are on the bridge behind Kallang Stadium. We reached East Coast at 7.45am. Those who stayed far, went home first. Left with few of us who need to wait til 9am to return the rented bicyles.On an overall...it was a super tiring..a test of endurance. Really! Would another trip be organised again?? Of course! (: Labels: cycling, local, macritchie, nights, rambling
++ quoth nessie at 10:39 PM Back to Top | Home Friday, November 6, 2009
Sigiriya The Palace & Fortress in The Sky
Where : Matale District, Sri Lanka Place : Sigiriya Fortress When : 27 Oct '09  Sigiriya has got my vote for the best place I ever visited in Sri Lanka. Everyone should pay a visit and climb!
Sigiriya holds a story of its own. An interesting one...
A massive rock fortress built in the 5th century A.D. is an enduring tribute to one man's vision. Its reminds us of ancient royal hide - away a citadel steeped in history, replete with legend, betrayal and love. Datusena was captured and later put to death in a most revolting manner. Kasyapa though King was not at ease. Mugalan his brother has a legitimate claim to the throne. Mugalan who fled to India might come back with an Indian army. Haunted by these fears Kasyapa abandoned Anuradhapura, built for himself a formidable fortress on the rock of Sigiriya. Magul Maduwa
Was erected by spliting a rock in two and placing one split half upwards. On it was constructed the Magul Laduwa. There still remains a seat in the Magul Maduwa. The other split half was set a side and on it was constructed a small pond. Between the two split halves is a narrow path. On either side are small caves decorated with beautiful paintings. Route to Sirigiya and the Mirror wall Some sections of the route which were used during the ancient period to climb the rock cannot be used today, as certain section of the roadway are ruined.
These section have been renovated installing iron railing and small bridges and as such the climb is not a difficult one. All the small mountain peaks on the step rock and the space have been used and according to a magnificent ground plan the constructional work has been completed. On the western and northern sides of the steep rock face, runs a gallery or pathway which provides access to seemingly inaccessible summit, shielding this pathway is plaster wall, so highly polished that even today after fifteen centuries of exposure to sun, wind and rain, one can see one's reflection in it, Hence the name "Mirror Wall". On the polished surface are the Sirigiya Graffiti, recorded by processions of visitors to the rock in this path, after the death of King Kasyapa.  The whole stretch used to be glossy and one could owns reflection. There it got its name "Mirror Wall". This is one of the ancient graffiti found on the wall. Others are simply work of vandalism of mischief visitors. Sirigiya Paintings Above the Mirror Wall is well sheltered pocket or cave. This could be approached by a spiral stairways and the famous frescoes can be seen. Not more than eight could enter the cave at once as the pocket or cave is small. Epigraphical evidence and also one of the Sirigiya Stanzas refer to the existence of 500 such portraits, but only 21 remains today.  The spiral stairway leads to the frescoes  From bottom till top of the rock, its filled with these artistic painting on the walls. However, only little were left. People visiting Sirigiya could understand that the architecture, painting and layout of the city, underground and surface drainage systems have reached a high standard during such an early period as the 6th century A.D. The wall abutting the most encircling the fortress is one of the most arresting features. It is clear that these frescoes represent the highest achievement in painting in ancient Sri Lanka. Main Courtyard After passing the "Mirror Wall" on climbing the left side are stone traps made during that period. These traps are built on a number of small stones and on these are placed a large stone. The traps are made to ward off any invasion by the enemies. The stone can be hurled down to destroy the enemies.
At the end of the "Mirror Wall" is a large courtyard. Above the courtyard are a number of hornets nests. To ward off any danger coming from the hornets, when they get stirred, there are small caves covered with nest to protect the people but it is not sufficient for a large number of people. The courtyard is 108 feet in length and 216 ft, in breadth. The entrance is decorated with front paws. There still remains the front paws and some section of the stairways.
The Sirigi rock itself is similar to a lion sprawling on the ground. The name Sinhagiri or Sigiri is derived from it. From the lion's paw onwards, it is a difficult climb, although railings are installed. The King's Palace The Summit of the rock is nearly three acres in extent. This was entirely for building of the palace. There are remains of the foundation of the palace and a section of the buildings.  There is also a pond filled with water and close to the pond is a seat. There is no doubt that the pond is for the bathing purpose and adjoining it is the changing room Top of the fortress.... Its breath taking  Can you believe that at the top of the hill there's monks living in it??? They were once the residence of the fortress   What I observed... any point of the time I turned to see the standing Buddha. The Buddha is always has its face smiling at us. Word of advise: Do NOT entertain the locals who offered to help you during your climbs. They could be setting their price for help that we don't even need. (Trust me, its COSTLY.)  These steps are so narrow. SCARY....!! Labels: hiking, historical, overseas, rambling, sri lanka
++ quoth nessie at 9:00 PM Back to Top | Home Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Butterfly park close
Where : Hyderabad Road Place : HortPark When : 8th June 09 Went to HortPark bcos wanted to see the newest attraction i.e the Butterfly Park. No luck. Reached at almost 5pm and its closed. sad...sad...  That's the Butterfly Park As i was talking to a friend earlier this morning...my interest with macro still lingers in me. Should i be getting the macro lens or telephoto lens? If i do get the macro lens, sad to say Spore surrounding/environment does not have much to discover using macro. Even if i go Botanic Garden or Sentosa, how much newer stuffs could i snap during my each visits? Either that, or the flowers or the leaves spoilt the outcome of the photos.  Look at its leaves! Spoilt the whole pic right????? Telephoto? hhmmm...i'm still can't decide! argghhh!!!! And...i still got a long way to shoot better macro pics!  Anyways, here's Alexandra Arc by day and nite...   As i leave HortPark...  Hv a great evening everyone! Labels: alexandra arc, hort park, local, nights, rambling, southern ridges, sun
++ quoth nessie at 2:31 AM Back to Top | Home Thursday, June 4, 2009
Fastest recorded McRitchie hike ever!
Place : McRitchie Reservoir When : 4th-June-09  Where could Sporean usually go for group gathering or catching up with old friends? Dine. Shop. Movies. Me? khehe....i'll opt for nature walk. Hiking. Cycling. So, today im hiking with OBL and Amy! We have not been seeing each other for more than three years after one after another got posted out from our first posting. I have intially wanted to go Ubin again, but not all three of us know how to cycle, so i planned for a hiking trip instead.  Took Time-Off today cos im working the noon shift. Weather isn't promising to start the day. It has been a wet night and in the early morning. But still i'm thinking positively and prayed that it'll stop raining. It did. Alhamdulillah.... Had breakfast at Novena Square and we set to hike. Started hiking at 11.20am. And i must say that this is the fastest recorded McRitchie hike that i ever had. We ended the hike at 1405hrs!!! Amazing stamina that Amy and OBL had! No resting and no slow walk!! Wohooo.....  The day ended with me buying all the overdue items that i need to purchase; my tripod and original Canon batt. Got them at last! Peace..... y(@.@)y As the day approaching to an end, SK sms me and asked for a confirmation whether i'll be meeting her this Saturday. Okie...since no plan has been made, i'm ON. SK : We meeting this Sat? Where you plan to go? Me : Shall we watch "Monsters vs Aliens"? I heard its funny! SK : Hooray, watch movie. Where you wanna watch? Khehe...its so funny when SK said "hooray, watch movie". Hahahaa.... I think each time my friend ask me out and ask for a suggestion where to go. My answer most probably be McRitchie...Bt Timah...Ubin...? wakhahaa.... Sorry dear friends...maybe you ladies/guys should not ask me for suggestion. But instead tell me where u peepz wanna meet up k? *wink*wink*  Labels: hiking, local, macritchie, rambling
++ quoth nessie at 10:04 PM Back to Top | Home Friday, May 29, 2009
Crazy about ubin? Yes, I am!
Where : Pulau Ubin Place visited : Chek Jawa, Nordin Beach When : 29-May-09 Crazy about ubin? Yes, I am! Kheheee....
And so I went ubin cycling AGAIN. It was planned to be on May-21st but due to some health related problem to one of my friend's son, it was postponed. Even tho the original group member couldn't make it today, well...any number could make a group outing right? *wink*wink* Same place...same location...Chek Jawa. Nordin Beach.Weather's is perfect for sun-tanning. Thank God! Alhamdulillah.... First point; Chek Jawa. But we have an escort today. Its this buddy here...
It keeps trailing us everywhere! I guez doggy is hungry. Sorry boy, we don't bring any food. Beside our special escort, we spotted so many monkeys today at Chek Jawa. The number of monkeys spotted is extremely alot. We got quite scared. For fear that they might "attacked" us thinking that we could have food in our backpack. Fortunately, we walked out of Chek Jawa safely. Its the durian season now.
We can't resist but got to look for couple of durian for ourselves! Heeee.....Found three. Dump it in our basket and cycle to Nordin Beach for durian session! When we reached Nordin Beach...so much efforts are put in by Asheen and myself to crack open the durian!But....
Couldn't spent so much time at Nordin Beach as dark clouds hoovering over the sky. Gonna rain soon. Cycle back to jetty...its 4.30pm. How fast time flies when you're having good times...
Bid Ubin bye! bye! Will be dropping by again in June. Hope i get to taste Ubin's durian. FOC! Heee..... Before Asheen, Circa Gorda and myself call it a day, we had our early supper at Changi Village. As we sat, an uncle from this stall below ask for order to be made but we were so engrossed looking at the menu that we didn't notice him. When Circa Gorda realised that the uncle is talking to us, she gestured her hand to say sorry-later. But i guez this uncle take it too hard. When we made our order for two fried kway teow with cockles, he pretended not to hear (even tho Asheen made the order at the stall's entrance and repeated her order twice!). Not just he pretended not to hear, he doesn't even cook or serve us our order. Whoaa...isn't that too much?! Anyway, who's losing business? Its gonna be him. Cos we will patronise other stall. And btw, he's not the only stall selling fried kway teow with cockles! duh!!!
It's so sad to know that with recession period now, some still can be so arrogant and is pushing away business from coming in. hhmmm.... Labels: changi, Chek Jawa, cycling, hmmm, local, rambling, ubin
++ quoth nessie at 8:50 PM Back to Top | Home Friday, May 8, 2009
Chek Jawa, Mamam & Nordin Beach - Ubin
Where : Pulau Ubin 
Reached Ubin @ 11am. Oh! always...always never to forget getting a map at the Information Kiosk. Just in case u might get lost in Ubin for those who's not used to Ubin route.  I've been to Ubin several times, but this is the only time so far i encountered the guy who manned the Info Kiosk being unfriendly as compared to those that i met before. I guez he must have gotten on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Hahaaaaa... Rented the bike for S$7 for the whole day, we started cycling. First stop : Chek Jawa Wetland. I didnt expect much to see at Chek Jawa today as i've checked the tides..its 2.7m. So don't even expect to see seagrass.  When we reached Chek Jawa, couldn't see anything cos its high tide. No seagrass, no crabs, no mudskipper....Anyways, the scenery in Chek Jawa has always been so serene and calm. Love it!   Coastal broadwalk @ Chek Jawa There's two beach in Ubin that you could visit. But it isn't as good as it was many years ago. For example, the Nordin Beach. Due to water erosion, this is what happen...  Both the beach; Mamam and Nordin Beach has fences put up along its coastal line.  Mamam Beach  Nordin Beach Cycle to just three location in Ubin took us till 5pm. hmmm.... As we set to leave Ubin...im feeling so sweaty AND...looking forward to the next Ubin trip!   The sky getting cloudy now as the day almost comes to dusk. If it has been like this the whole day, i won't be getting a good tan. I love my tan! Geee..... Labels: beach, changi, Chek Jawa, cycling, local, rambling, ubin
++ quoth nessie at 1:08 PM Back to Top | Home Thursday, May 7, 2009
McRitchie-McRitchie Hike
Place : McRitchie Reservoir Start Point : McRitchie End Point : McRitchie When : 2-May-09  It has been quite often that i hike in McRitchie that hiking in a pair these days doesn't bothers me at all. Where in the past i would hike in a group of more than 4 person (min), now...two to go. kheheee.... Okie...so i set to hike again. This is the umpteen times i hike but the first time i hike taking along with me my DSLR.                         Even tho today's hike is done after my nite shift duty, I don't feel tired at all. Heeee.... Labels: hiking, local, macritchie, rambling, treetop
++ quoth nessie at 11:43 PM
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