Nature walk - Henderson Waves

Da and I had set the alarm in our mobile phones to ring at 6 am today. However, when the music came on, sigh... it was so difficult to get up! We were supposed to meet WC and SC at the Redhill hawker centre at 7.30 am today. We arrived late. Fortunately, WC and SC had arrived earlier and bought breakfast for everyone. Da ate fried carrot cake while the rest of us ate vegetarian bee hoon.

After a hearty breakfast, we drove our cars to the public carpark located next to Seah Imm hawker centre (opposite Vivo City). Hmm... the parking costs S$4 for a whole-day parking. Not too bad, actually. As our cars would be under the sun for several hours, we parked the cars under the shade of a large tree.

Our nature walk started at the foot of Mount Faber Park. Gosh... it is quite a long trail! It was unlikely that we would be able to complete even half of the trail today.

Before we started on the walk... it was time for a group photograph. Aha! You only get to see the photographer below. As for the rest of us, well... do check out WC's facebook! WC had brought along his new Canon camera. The equipment was so bulky that he needed to strap the camera bag around his waist.

Oh dear... When we started our climb on the Marang trail, we realised how unfit we were! Well, I speak for SC, Da and myself. WC was energetic and he was even able to help push SC up the flight of stairs.

Finally! Flat land was in sight. After climbing several flights of stairs, we finally reached the top. Actually, with the benefit of hindsight, we started our journey at the correct end of the trail because after this were downward slopes and stairs. Along the way, we passed by many sulky faced children who were walking in the opposite direction. They must have started their trail from the other (easier) end and hence found the going getting tougher as they progressed along the trail. Many of these children passed remarks such as "You mean there is more to walk?", "How much longer?", "I'm tired!"... *grin*... The adults that we passed by seemed to be faring better than the young ones! tsk, tsk...

When we reached the top, there was a lovely breeze blowing. Ah... time to slow down our steps and to enjoy the lovely flora and fauna. There was also a breathtaking and panoramic view of the city from the top. Just imagine... if you live in a house situated at the top... What a lovely view to enjoy every day!

We took our time with our trail as we tried to identify the buildings that we saw in a distance.

Finally! We reached the peak of Mount Faber. You can take a cable car from Mount Faber to and from Sentosa. When my brothers and I were younger, there used to be a dessert stall located at the top of Mount Faber selling bubur cha cha. That location is now replaced by a high-end restaurant known as "Jewel Box".

It was certainly a panoramic view from the top of Mount Faber. WC and Da could not help but stop to admire the view.

As we continued along the trail, we came to the fork that would lead us to Henderson Waves. At 36 metres above Henderson Road, Henderson Waves is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore.

Henderson Waves connects the two hills of Mount Faber and Telok Blangah Hill.

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

I will be honest with you... after a while, I lost track of which bridge and which trail I was on. All I knew was "keep walking". At the rate we were going, it was unlikely that we would be able to last much longer. My legs were still able to walk but the heat of the sun was getting a little unbearable.

Along the way, there were several interesting signboards that were displayed.

Not only did we pass by families pushing babies in strollers, we also saw several dogs along the way. Other than the Jack Russell Terrier that you see in the photograph below, we saw a Shitzu with shoes.

Finally, we saw Alexandra Arch in sight.

Alexandra Arch 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 forest of Telok Blangah Hill Park.

We had originally intended to continue on the trail. The next pit-stop on the trail would have been the HortPark. However, when we saw a bus stop beneath the Alexandra Arch, we decided to end our trail at the Alexandra Arch with the intention to pick up from where we left off another time.

As the bus heading towards where our cars were parked was on the opposite side of the road, we walked across the road to the bus stop.

While waiting for the bus to arrive, I could not resist taking a photograph of one end of a large development whose collective sale exercise was successfully completed in May 2009.

When the bus arrived, we boarded the bus and enjoyed a cool ride back to where we parked our cars.

As we were all thirsty and a little hungry, we alighted at the bus stop in front of Seah Imm hawker centre. Would you like some ice jelly cocktail?

Da ordered some Indian rojak to be shared amongst the four of us.

It was an interesting morning. We have decided that the next trail that we embark on would be a continuation from where we left off today. We would probably start at the HortPark and make our way to Kent Ridge Park. I look forward to the next nature trail.