Last but not least

Over the span of one and a half month, we went to 5 different nature attractions of Singapore namely Pulau Ubin, Singapore Botanical Garden, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Fort Canning Park.

At the attractions, we were able to experience and learnt about the importance of Mother Nature. They also provide one with a beautiful and tranquil environment to relax and escape from one's hectic lifestyle.

This project allows us to find out about places previously unknown to us and learn more about our country. It also taught us the significance of teamwork as each one of us had to contribute to the project either in the form of research or writing the blog entry.

Isaac: Great job! Sums up everything we have done and what we ca do more in the near future!

Ann Gie : My favourite is Singapore Botanical Garden

Vicky : I love Fort Canning. So clean and nice.

Silvia : Of Course, I went to clean up the place before I brought you guys there. (Just kidding)

Wanshi: For me, I prefer Pulau Ubin :)

Siyi: Bukit Timah has the best view, I can never forget that Quarry!

Before we end, here are some nature attractions we did not go to and the upcoming attractions of Singapore.

Upcoming attractions

Marine Life Park

Location: Resorts World at Sentosa

With 700,000 fishes in 20 million gallons of water, Marine Life Park is set to be the world's largest oceanarium. This attraction in Resorts World at Sentosa has research and education fundamentals so as to educate and enhance the importance of the oceans to the public. There will also be a showcase for ocean science education, research and stewardship.

In the Park, chances will be given to the public to admire dolphins up close. They can also dive with or feed menacing Tiger sharks. A wading pool allows children and adults to venture in shallow water for intimate interaction with reef fishes and serves as an introduction to the wonderful but depleting coral reefs in the oceans. Another highlight would be the whale-shark exhibition in the park.

The park has an innovative design, many engaging programmes and great skills in animal care. The beautiful-landscaped Marine Life Park will provide rich entertainment and education for visitors.

Target Completion: 2010.

Isaac: This would be open together with Universal Studios, definately won't be cheap but it is worth the money.

Ann Gie: I cant wait for it to open so that i can see a real life shark!

Vicky: We can still go together even though the project have ended!

Silvia: Yeah ! I love dolphins. :D

Wanshi: I doubt the entry ticket would be cheap!

Siyi: We can save a dollar every day!

Gardens by the Bay

Location: Marina Bay

Gardens by the Bay represents National Parks' vision of creating a City in a Garden. It will capture the significance of Singapore as the premier tropical Garden City with an excellent environment in which to live, work and help make Singapore a leading global city of the 21st century. A well-spread garden ambience and quality living environment will be put in place. It will complement and complete the necklace of attractions that have been planned for around Marina Bay.

Through plant-based edutainment, science and art displays of plants, garden craftsmanship and floral artistry, Gardens by the Bay will bring out the garden in our Garden City. Ultimately, Gardens by the Bay will help develop the lifestyles and recreational activities of Singaporeans and tourists alike through high-end educational and entertainment opportunities and a supportive green infrastructure.

The 101-hectare Gardens by the Bay site is made up of Bay South, Bay East, and Bay Central across the mouth of the Singapore River.

Target Completion: Phase 1 of the Gardens is scheduled to open in the year 2011.

Isaac: This would be rather, a hybrid eco-nature and arts-culture place.

Vicky: Wow, another high end ecotourism attraction.

Wanshi: I think this might be be another ideal place for wedding photos :D

Siyi: It's going to be a must-go for tourists in the future.

River Safari

Location : Mandai

It will be created out of the 89- hectare compound of the Zoo and Night Safari and contain animals from the 2 attractions. Some things to look forward to are boat rides, freshwater habitat and new species previously unseen in Singapore like panda.

The aim is to increase the public awareness of freshwater habitat and water wildlife.

Target Completion: 2011

Ann Gie : The cute pandas will be located here.

Silvia: Pandas are cute, but not their eyes!

Wanshi: With this attraction , we could get closer to the wild animals like CROCODILES!

Siyi: I'm part of their family, I have Panda eyes: (

Isaac: Bamboo yum yum!

Existing Attractions

Butterfly Garden & Insect Kingdom

Location: Sentosa's Imbiah Lookout

Details: There are 1,500 live butterflies from over 50 species to flutter around you as you enjoy the cool outdoor atmosphere.

The Live Pupae house allows you to watch the blossoming of new life and being able to admire up to 3,000 species of the world's most beautiful and rare insects. Among them is the largest Dynastes Hercules Beetle ever recorded.

Opening Time: 9.30am - 6.30pm daily (Last entry: 6.15pm)

Admisssion: Adult- SGD 16, Children- SGD 10

Vicky: I want to go. I love butterflies!

Silvia: We were supposed to go there instead of Fort Canning but the entrance fee is quite expensive.

Isaac: Not as bad as Night Safari I guess?

Labrador Park

Location: Along Labrador Villa Road off Pasir Panjang Road

The Park is a pleasant of nature to wonder about. The park offers a beautiful view of the sea. You can climb up Staircase built on the edge of the secondary forest will see the cliff side vegetation. There is a variety of bird species in the park, including the Oriental Magpie-robin and Black-naped Oriole. Squirrels can be spotted while taking a stroll along the park. The popular things in the park are the World War II Memorial Plaque, Look-out points and Jogging paths.

Opening Time: 24 hours, park is lit from 7.00 pm to 12.00 am

Admission: Free

Silvia: That mean we can go there anytime we want? Sound fun!

Siyi: I went before: D

Isaac: A great spot for fishing! History monuments are also inside, much learning of the place can be done.

Hay Dairies

Location: No.3 Lim Chu Kang Agrotech Park Lane 4, Singapore 718859

Hay Dairies produces fresh goat's milk for sale. The farm also welcome visitors on Group tours or family outings. There you can see how goats are taken care of and the process of making goats' milk. Feeding of goats is allowed with the purchase of the given food. Goats' milk can also be bought there or ordered for home delivery.

Opening Time: 9am to 4pm

Admission : Free

Silvia: Personally, I prefer cow's milk to goat's milk.

Siyi: Goat's milk has a bad smell, I went to the farm once: D

Isaac: Try Goat's milk, smell is one thing, but the taste is really good.

Night Safari

Location: 80 Mandai Lake Road

The Night Safari is the world's first wildlife park built for visits at night. It offers a never seen before unique experience of exploring wildlife in a tropical jungle at night. Through the use of skillful lighting technique, a view over 1,000 nocturnal animals of 100 species in vast naturalistic habitats can be seen.

At the night safari, the places to go are Fishing Cat Trail, The Leopard Trail, Forest Giants trail, tram rides, Himalayans foothills and many others. The new attraction is the Fragrant Walk which is a scented trail filled with 4000 over species of fragrant plant.

Opening: 7.30pm to 12am

Admission: Adult- SGD 22, Children -SGD 11

Vicky: It will be wonderful if the entrance fee were a little cheaper. I never went there before.

Silvia: Shall we go there one day when we are richer?

Isaac: Why not go during events? They are more interesting.

Avifauna Breeding and Research

Location: 2 Lim Chu Kang 3A Singapore 719842

Established in 1975, Avifauna Breeding and Research Pte Ltd has been one of the largest unique bird breeding and research farms in Southeast Asia. Their aim is to breed high quality pets for people. Parrot breeding are their top priority in their research.

Opening Time: (Appointments only)

Silvia: How do we make the appointment?

Wanshi: By callling them?

Isaac: Yes. It is not really for mass tourist but for students like us, tehy would welcome us for our studies.

Orchidville

Location: 10 Lorong Lada Hitam, Mandai Agrotechnology Park, Singapore 778793

Orchidville is the biggest orchid farm in Singapore, it occupies 43 hectares of land in the Mandai Agrotechnology Park.

Orchidville is strongly re-enforced by the Singapore Government to help in succeeding high-technology based products, agro-tourism and agro-related service businesses. It is a place for edu-tourism for students, events are also held there and there are retail shop that sells unique orchid souvenirs.

Opening Time: 8am to 6pm

Admission: Adult- SGD 16, Children- SGD 10

Vicky: Wow, the flowers of Singapore have a farm too.

Siyi: Imagine how much orchids there are!

Isaac: Plenty for you to fill your house.

Zoo

Location: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826

The Singapore Zoological Gardens is setup in a rain forest setting, be inspired by the wonders of nature with the "open concept" of Singapore's Zoo. It is home to 2,500 from 315 species, 16% of which are endangered species. The Zoo has gained a high reputation internationally for its conservations and breeding programmes.

Opening Time: 8.30am to 6.00pm

Admission: Adult- SGD 18, Children- SGD 9

Isaac: I have double checked online with Singapore Tourism Board, this is indeed an eco tourism place.

Jurong Bird Park

Location: 2 Jurong Hill, Jurong 6259258

It occupies 202,000 sqm and house 9000 birds from 600 different species. It is divided into areas namely the Jungle Jewels, Waterfalls Aviary, Southeast Asia Bird Aviary, African Wetlands, World of Darkness and Penguin Expeditions. There are also 2 interactive bird shows which allow the public to see the birds in action.

Opening Time : 8.30 am to 6.00 pm daily

Admission: Adult- SGD 18, Children- SGD 9

Isaac: Applies to this too.

Underwater World

Location: 80 Siloso Road, Sentosa 098969

It is a well known oceanarium that 2500 marine life from 250 species from around the region. Some examples are sea dragons, jelly fishes, stingrays and moray eels. To show its commitment to conversation and breeding of marine life, it is involved in various environmental project.

After touring the Underwater World, you can head over to the Dolphin Lagoon which features the friendly pink dolphins.

Opening Time: 9am to 9pm (Last entry 8.30pm)

Admission: Adult- SGD 22.90, Children (above 3)- SGD 14.60 and Children (below 3)- Free

Ticket allows single admission to Dolphin Lagoon and Underwater World

Ann Gie : Wow, so many attractions, I never even heard of some of them!

Vicky: Me too !

Silvia; Make that three !

Siyi: Okay, what about a four: D

Isaac: Its never to late to try them all soon!

Itinerary

Time	Venue	Description
Day 1
0900 Hours	Pick-Up Point	Get on-board Bus and leave for Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
1000 Hours	Bukit Timah Nature Reserve	Arrival at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Set and ready to hike the Nature Reserve. Two Choices: Route 1 & Route 2, both trails are of easy difficulty and leisure hiking of the Nature Reserve to embrace the environment. Route 1 is about 45minutes and Route 2 is about 35minutes. A 20 minutes break will be given before starting on Route 2 Route 4, meant for tourist that wants a challenge in climbing the Nature Reserve. The Trail is 1 to 2 hours long.
1200 Hours		Lunch
1300 Hours	Pick-Up Point	Leave for Botanical Gardens
1400 Hours	Botanical Garden	Arrival at Botanical Garden. A 2 hour tour will be conducted. You will go to places such as the Swan Lake, National Orchid Garden, Symphony Lake, Evolution Garden and many more.
1600 Hours		Head to Visitor's Centre for refreshments.
1700 Hours	Pick-Up Point	Home Sweet Home

Time	Venue	Description
Day 2
0900 Hours	Pick-Up Point	Get on-board Bus and leave for Fort Canning Park.
1000 Hours	Fort Canning Park	Arrival at Fort Canning Park. A 2 hour tour will be conducted. You will go to places such as the 14th Century Walk, The Keramat Iskandar Syah, The Archaeological Dig & Exhibition, The Parit Singapura, The Fort Gate, The Spice Garden, Fort Canning Green, Battle Box, Raffles Terrace and ASEAN Sculpture Garden.
1200 Hours		Lunch
1300 Hours	Pick-Up Point	Leave for Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve.
1400 Hours	Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve	Arrival at Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve. Proceed to Visitor Centre to screen a 10 minutes show about the Nature Reserve. Tourist will first go to Kranji Nature Trail and then to Mangrove Boardwalk. After that, tourist will take Route 1 where it starts at the main bridge. It passes the Main Hide and Aerie Hide, a 18-m tall tower. It will also pass the Aquatic Plant Pond and Freshwater hide.
1800 Hours		Dinner (At the cafeteria)
1900 Hours	Pick-Up Point	Home Sweet Home

Time	Venue	Description
Day 3
0900 Hours	Pick-Up Point	Get on-board bus and leave for Changi Ferry Terminal.
1000 Hours	Changi Ferry Terminal	Arrive at ferry terminal and hop on to small boats and head for Pulau Ubin.
1030 Hours	Pulau Ubin	Arrival at Ubin Jetty. Head over to Ubin Town for early light lunch. After lunch, Rental of bicycles and set off.
1100 Hours		Head to the east side of ubin. Attractions: Sensory Trail Mangroves
1300 Horus		Head to the north side of ubin. Attractions: Farms Fruit Plantation Kampongs Rubber Plantation Beach
1500 Hours		Head to south side of ubin. Attractions: Quarry Bukit Puaka Mangroves
1700 Hours		Head back to Ubin Town for dinner.
1800 Hours	Ubin Jetty	Leave Pulau Ubin and head back for the bus.
1830 Hours	Pick-Up Point	Home Sweet Home

Isaac: This was an Itinerary that i believe would be most suiting for a 3 days tour.

We have come to the end of the green journey. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did! See you.

Ann Gie: Goodbye, it was fun while it lasted ! Sorry about the right hand side of the table border but we cant seem to make it appear

Vicky: Yes ! It has been such a good experience , traveling to diffferent places and experiencing them. I had never had such a wonderful feeling before.

Silvia: This has been a good opportunity for us to enjoy the nature. If not for the project, i think most of us will not take time out to visit these places

Wanshi: Through this project, we get to see the other side of Singapore and have a better knowledge of our own country. Hope you enjoy the green journey with us :D

Isaac: I agree with Silvia. Many of us Singaporeans should ask ourselves this, "Have we been able to embrace Singapore's nature truly?". For people out there who have no idea of places we went or talk about, please do give yourself an opportunity to venture into those places. Discover Singapore like you never did before. Make your very own Green Journey. Lastly, I'm thankful to all 5 of my teammates for being wonderful in the Green Journey.

Sungei Buloh

Trip #04 - Sungei Buloh

Background Information

History of Sungei Buloh:

The 87ha wetland was selected as a nature park in 1989 and was publicly opened by Mr Goh Chok Tong in 1993, 6^th December. A massive number of 100000 visitors have visited Sungei Buloh by 1994. The Sungei Buloh fund was set up with the help of HSBC in 1997 to support its nature outreach programme. There are also schools adopting the park such as the Woodlands Secondary School in 1999, Commonwealth secondary and Hillgrove Secondary in 2001 and 2002 respectively. In 2002 1^st January, the 130ha Sungei Buloh was officially gazetted as a nature reserve and renamed Sungei Buloh wetland reserve. Also, Sungei Buloh was the central for migratory birds from all over the world thus was included into the East Asian Australasian Shorebird Site Network, recognised by the Wetlands international. In 2003, Sungei Buloh wetland reserve was recognised as Singapore's first ASEAN heritage park.

General rules for visitors:

• No poaching


• No fishing (no fishing lines & nets allowed into the reserve)


• No vandalism


• No setting of fire


• No pets


• No radio/loud hailer/musical instruments


• No bicycle/tricycle (except baby pram)


• No releasing of animals


• No smoking


• No littering


• No plucking of leaves & flowers


• Be as quiet as possible


• Keep to walking trails

How to get there:

• Board SMRT bus number 925 from Woodlands interchange


• Stop at Kranji Reservoir carpark


• 20 minutes walk from the bustop

*Do note that the bus will stop directly outside the reserve on Sundays and public holidays.

Operating hours:

Days: Monday- Saturday

Timing: 7am-7.30pm

Days: Sunday & Public holidays

Timing: 7am- 7pm

Admission fee:

Days: Monday-Saturday
Adult price: Free
Child/ student/ senior citizen price: Free

Days: Sunday, Public holidays and School holidays
Adult price: $1
Child/ student/ senior citizen price: $0.50

Before entering the reserve, a 10 minutes audio visual show in the theatre will be screened for visitors.

Time slots:

Days: Monday-Saturday
Time: 9am, 11am,3pm,5pm

Days: Sunday & Public holidays
Time: 9am-5pm (hourly)

Guided tours:

Booked guided tours are available at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve for $60 per group of maximum15 people. Booking is only available at either 9am or 3pm on Mondays to Fridays, with one month's notice. The tour is about one hour and covers the whole mangrove boardwalk (3km).

There are also free guided tours on Saturdays at 9.30am and 3.30pm (excluding public holidays). However, it is based on first-come-first served basis.

Admission fee apply to both booked and free guided tours to the mangrove boardwalk on Saturdays, Sundays, Public holidays and School holidays.

Educational Activities:

• Prawn Watch

Date: 7 February, 18 March, 18 April, 16 May, 30 May, 13 June, 27 June & 25 July

Venue: Prawn Pond, Route 2

• Nature Hunt: questionnaire to do with children at Sungei Buloh


• Young Naturalist Programme: get a passport and take part in activities to earn badges and complete the passport


• Wireless learning trail on the mangrove board walk.

Things to bring:

• insect repellent


• water bottle


• cap


• umbrella (optional)


• poncho (optional)


• money


• camera

Dress code:

• Bright comfortable clothes


• Covered shoes
  

Our trip

Members present: Anngie, Vicky, Siyi, Silvia,Wanshi

Absent: Isaac

Time-check: 11 AM

Vicky, Ann Gie, Siyi, Silvia and I met at woodlands interchange and decided to grab some snacks before taking bus number 925 to Kranji reservoir car park. We were not sure where to stop at and even missed the stop. But the kind bus driver stopped in the middle of the road to let us alight before the bus U-turned back to Kranji interchange. We took a 20 minutes' walk from the Kranji reservoir car park to Sungei Buloh, which is about 1.5km away. On our way, we walked past a crocodile farm, where crocodile meats are sold, and also an aeroponics farm.

Kranji Reservoir Bustop

Map on how to reach Sungei Buloh

What a long long way to go...

Crocodile farm

Vicky: I was very excited to look for crocodile when we get in!

Ann Gie: I still have no idea what aeroponics mean.

Siyi: I am looking forward to any air-conditioned places! :D

Wanshi: Me too~ it was a scorching hot day :(

Silvia: If only we went on Saturday or public holidays.. Then the bus will bring us inside. :(

Isaac: I totally overslept, sorry!

Time-check: 11.20 AM

All of us felt tired and sweaty when we finally reached the entrance to Sungei Buloh. There is a signboard indicating the operating time of the reserve. It shows that the gates will be closed at 7pm but last tickets will be sold at 6pm. As we walked further deeper along the route, we reached a route splitting in 2 directions. On our right, it leads us to the main entrance and on our left, it is the drop off points for taxis and buses.

Us!

Information is available in 4 different languages!

We purchased our entry ticket at the counter in the visitor centre for $0.50 each as it was a school holiday. We will need to step on a sponge before entering for cleaning purpose. Maps can also available at the counter and they even encourage the visitors to reuse or recycle the maps. How earth friendly!

Facing the opposite site of the counter, there is a signboard indicating the Dos' and Don'ts at Sungei Buloh and beside the counter, there is a room called the Nature Cove. Books about wetlands, birds and plants can be found there! The room is air-conditioned and wireless broad band is available so it would be a comfortable place for research and studies to take place. There are also some displays of different butterflies and the awards received by Sungei Buloh. Strictly no food and drinks are allowed in the room.

Recycling bins are also found there and we should do our part in saving the earth by recycling our unused plastic bottles or cans after finishing our drinks, or by recycling the maps.

Main entrance to Sungei Buloh (Visitor centre)

The Nature Cove

Butterfly specimens

Silvia: This is my favourite place. There is a lot of books about nature... And it's air-conditioned.

Isaac: Must be a really sunny day that day.

Recycling bins

There is a cafeteria located near the entrance to satisfy the hungry visitors with some snacks before and after exploring Sungei Buloh. Some food sold there are ice-cream, chicken wings and tidbits. As toilets can only be found at the entrance, be sure to take a leak before starting the journey. There are also lockers outside the toilet so visitors could leave their belongings in a safe place and carry on their activities without any worry. Before we started on our exploration, we went to check out what we would expect to see at the different areas of Sungei Buloh in the nature gallery.

The cafeteria

A nice art frame outside the toilet

A toilet for the handicapped

Lockers outside the toilets

Ann Gie: The food is quite expensive so if you are eating there, bring more money!

Siyi: Money Money Money~

Wanshi: Yeah i agree! Maybe we should prepare our own meals.

Silvia: I like the locker! It's free-of-charge and we don't have to carry our heavy bags along with us.

Isaac: Picnic next time shall we?

In the nature gallery, there are fish tanks consisting of many species of fishes from the wetlands. For example, Spotted Archer fish, Humpbacked Mangrove Cardinal fish and Talipia fish. It educates the visitors about the habitat and ecology in Sungei Buloh. There is also a big map there and routes will light up when we press the buttons below the map.

Animal statues were also present at the nature gallery to tell the visitors what to expect at the different routes and boardwalks. There are also small models about Sungei buloh’s past and a big “hill” with a crab on top of it.

Vicky: If we were to travel using ALL routes, it will add up a total of 15km!

Siyi: That will be about a third of the whole distance of Standard Chartered, we can start training for next year.

Silvia: Really? But I'm not interested in running.

Isaac: I didn't know Sunei Buloh was so big. Interesting?

Time-check: 11.45 AM

There is a theatre beside the nature gallery where screening of a video on Sungei Buloh will be projected. We did not went for the audio visual screening because when we reached there, it was 11.45am so if we would like to watch the screening, we will need to wait till 1pm for the next time slot.

This is Silvia, one of our group mates, with her lame action :D

Silvia: Wow! I'm on BLOG!! :D

Screening day and timings

The first place we went was the Mangrove Boardwalk. The flooring was special as it was covered by wooden stilt structures throughout the walk. We were greeted by cicada calls and butterflies when we entered. There are a lot of flora and fauna in the boardwalk. Some examples are bird nest ferns, Muntingia calabura, Nerita that were grown on trees and many more.

It was high tide when we went so we did not manage to see the mud lobsters or crabs. However, we did saw a giant mudskipper and some other small ones on the mudflats. The whole walk is about 500 meters long and there are barcodes at different areas to explain the plants found there, through the wireless learning trail.

This is how the barcode look like for the wireless learning trail

Vicky: But we didn't manage to get the meaning of every code because we don't have a guide):

Silvia: Yup! :(

Time-check: 12.40 AM

Before we enter the three routes, there was a signboard full of articles about Sungei Buloh and warnings like "Do not enter the routes during storms" and" Beware of crocodile" can be found. This will ensure the visitors know how to react when they encounter emergency situations.

Silvia: We didn't get to see any crocodiles. :(

Isaac: Maybe they are scared of you.

Next, we crossed the main bridge before proceeding to Route 1. No fishing was allowed at the main bridge and some photographers were at the bridge, taking photos of the shorebirds. The dustbins there are specially designed by the school students who adopted Sungei Buloh.

Safety barricade were set up to ensure the visitors safety

A monitor lizard swimming across the pond near the main bridge.

Tortoise: "hey wait for me!!!"

Silvia: Too bad! You are too slow. You can win rabbit in a race, but not a monitor lizard in swimming.

No Fishing at the main bridge

Species of fish found at the main bridge

Silvia: Can you see a white thing in the photo? It's a bird flying in the air.

Route 1 is basically a route surrounding two big main ponds where migratory birds can be found during different seasons of the year. After crossing the bridge, there was a bird observation hide 1A for visitors to admire the different varieties of birds. But to our disappointment, we only saw a group of tailor birds after staying for 5 minutes. Club cars were also parked there so that the rangers could reach the destination immediately when accidents occur.

In each observation hide, there will be pictures and information on the kind of migratory birds that we might see.

Views from observation hide 1A

Isaac: This is B-E-A-Utiful

There were 5 bird observation hide and 12 observation screens in Route 1 so during the migratory seasons of the birds; one can take a holistic view of the birds at different angles. Hotline number can be found at the observation hides and observation screens. Besides the birds, we also saw a row of attap houses through the 1.1 observation screen.

Silvia: Guess who took this photo? It's.... Ann Gie!

All observation screen look like this. It is ensure that the birds will not see us when we see them!

Silvia: Now you see me...

Silvia: Now you don't...

Take note of the emergency numbers given

After crossing observation screen 1.1 and 1.2, we reached platform 1 where we could see the shores of Malaysia!

Mangrove trees

Borders of Malaysia

Silvia: We are so near to Malaysia.. Can we swim across?

Isaac: If you want to be arrested, why not? =)

The currents at the platform are very strong!

Silvia: I agree. It must be due to the wind, because I almost got blown away by the wind.

Mangrove swamps along the way

Observation hide 1B

Views from observation hide 1B

Platform 2

Route to observation 1C

Views from observation hide 1C

Along our way in Route 1, we saw 3 gigantic Monitor lizards and all of them blocked our way so we need to hurl stones and sticks at them to distract them so we could continue our journey.

Vicky: I'M THE BRAVE ONE!

Siyi: Please, me and Silvia too! Wan Shi and Ann Gie are scary cats!

Ann Gie: The lizard seems more afraid of us then we were of it.

Wanshi: Oh my god! It was really scary man! :0

Silvia: It might think that you are scary too. A weird monster with purple feet. xD

Time-check: 1.30 PM

Dustbins were located at different areas of Route 1 so people could throw their litters in them and not on the ground. We went to the Aerie which is located at the centre of Route 1. It is 18 metre tall and at the top most level, we found special floor patterns of different leaves found in Sungei Buloh. At the aerie, we could see a panoramic view of Sungei Buloh.

Unique patterns of leaves on the floor

Views from on top of the Aerie

Roof top of the Aerie

Time check: 1.45 PM

Route 2 was only beside the Aerie and measures about 5km long. After a 10 minutes' walk away from the start of Route 2, it started to rain heavily. We had no choice, but to stop at one of the shelters provided between observation screen 2.2 and 2.3. While waiting for the rain to stop, we were stung by a group of mosquitoes. So after discussing among the group, we decided to continue our journey when the rain started to get smaller.

Silvia: I realised that it is not a wise decision to stay in the shelter. There's a lot of blood-thirsty mosquitoes.

Isaac: Repellants to use my friend!

We continued walking on Route 2 and came across the prawn pond, but did not find any prawns because the tide was too high due to the heavy rain. We went deeper to take a look at the tower hide where we saw 3 big stray dogs, and decided to go back to the visitor centre because the rain was too heavy to go on further. It was a pity that we did not go to the outdoor classroom and the mangrove arboretum, which is the longest boardwalk in Sungei Buloh.

Heavy rain!

Signs were set up to guide the visitors along the way

Prawn pond

The tower hide

A lazy monitor lizard "sun-bathing" after the heavy rain.

We did not walked into Route 3 due to the bad weather. But from the official website of Sungei Buloh, we will be able to find freshwater ponds at the western end of the reserve and might even be able to spot water birds like Bittern and the White-Breasted Waterhen. The route measures about 7km. We took about 2 hours to complete Route 1 and part of Route 2.

Vicky: Such a waste ): But I had fun seeing people being stung by the mosquito! (I only had 1 bite)

Ann Gie: You are abnormal, how come you never get stung as much as us?!

Siyi: She bathed in insect repellent before she came! I know what to do next time~

Silvia: Bathing in it is still not enough. She drank 2 full bottles so her blood also contains the insect repellent. That poor mosquito must have died without knowing why it died.

Time-check: 2.30 PM

Upon returning to the visitor centre, there was a cleaning area for the visitors to wash their feet after the trip. After washing up, we decided to take a look at the price in the cafeteria and found out that a chicken wing cost $5.90!

Also, when we were trapped at the shelter, we were in dilemma whether to call the hotline as we were stuck in the middle of nowhere. So, we went to ask the ranger at the information counter what will happen if we had called the hotline. She said that only emergencies will be attended like people fainting or injured but not for in our case.

Overall, the trip can be quite boring at times because there were not many different varieties of birds there at this time of the year and we did not get to see small creatures like the tree-climbing crabs and the mud creeper. We even got mosquito bites as souvenirs, but we did have a close encounter with 6 monitor lizards and it was exciting.

Vicky: My leg was the dirtiest and it even looked like as if I just got my leg tattooed!

Siyi: I totally agreed! You should bath more!

Silvia: Exciting to me, but a shock for you, Wan Shi. * Evil laughters

THE END OF JOURNEY~~~

Suggested Itinerary-

Time: 10.30am-10.35am

Things to do:

1. Purchase entrance tickets
2. Take note of the Dos and Don’ts
3. Visit the Nature Cove

Time: 10.35am-11am
Things to do:Roam around the nature gallery

Time: 11am-11.10am

Things to do:View audio and visual show at the theatre

Time: 11.10am-12pm
Things to do:Guided tour around the mangrove boardwalk

Things to look out for:

• Mudskippers
• Fishes
• Mangrove plants
• Sea hibiscus
• King Fishers
• Mud lobsters
• Shellfish
• Barnacles
• Butterflies
• Birds

Time: 12pm-12.30pm
Things to do: Lunch at cafeteria






Time: 12.30pm-1.30pm
Things to do:Route 1

Things to look out for:

• Monitor lizards
• Mudskippers
• Spiders
• Shore birds
• Otters
• Observation hides
• Observation screens

Time: 1.30pm-3pm

Things to do:

Time: 10.30am-10.35am

Things to do: Route 2

Things to look out for:

• Outdoor classroom
• Prawn pond

Time: 3pm-5pm

Things to do: Route 3

Things to look out for:

• Cattail
• Lotus
• Water lettuce
• Water banana
• Water lily
• Aquatic frens
• Dragonflies
• Yellow bittern

Time: 5pm

Things to do: Home Sweet Home