It was a pleasant & cool morning! Duo Bui was excited about the trail she was going to embarked on with TC later! It had been many years since they last walked the trail together - Treetop Walk.
 |
| Entrance to Tree Top via the Venus Entrance |
 |
| Check this out if you drive |
The entrance and carpark looked a bit different compared to last time though...Duo Bui wondered if her memory was failing her as she gets older :p To make matter worse, she realised she have forgotten to insert the SD card into her DSLR camera!!! What to do with the camera body when no 'brain' is inside?? Arghhh!!!!!! Age is indeed catching up with her :( Lucky she had her phone with her and TC had brought along his camera (Thank you >.^)
You will not miss the entrance into the trail as the sign board is strategic, instructions on trail manners and map displayed is also clear and detailed.
If you drive, parking is available at Venus Drive. For carpark charges, you can check out here for the rates. However, if you don't drive, you would have to take a little stroll from the bus-stop at the main road (132, 163, 165, 166, 167, 640, 55 or 980 & Alight at the bus stop along Upper Thomson Road) before you see the sign above. The nearest MRT station here is Marymount MRT (Circle line) located 2km away from MacRitchie Reservoir Park.
 |
| Checklist of trail manners and an Overview of the whole MacRitchie Trail |
 |
| Duo Bui counted the number of 'circles' she stepped on as she walked |
 |
| Beginning of their walk... |
 |
| Stream of water |
As expected, the route was extremely wet and soggy.
That's not exactly a problem except that it slowed them down a little trying to hop around the extremely wet regions. Therefore Duo Bui would recommend that to walk the trail during dry season for safety reasons, especially if weather is bad. Iif you don't mind the muddiness and wetness like them, then be prepared to do a bit of washing up at the end of the walk and be careful of slippery stones and soft muddy soil. There are plenty of them along the trail.They were pretty lucky as there are several 'stepping stones' to help them get over some really wet areas. Therefore, Duo Bui would still suggest that the you walk the trail during dry season.
 |
| Stepping stubs |
The distance to the entrance of the TreeTop Walk is approximately 4.5 km (1.5 - 2 hour walk) from the reservoir park and 2.5 km (45 mins - 1 hr walk) from the carpark at Venus Drive. Therefore, a round trip including the TreeTop Walk is about 7 to 10 km (3-5 hours depending on your walking pace).
For Duo Bui & TC, these stepping stubs only the beginning as you can see from the photos, its a 'tough' mission...and this is one the easier ones as Duo Bui was unable to take those shots as she was figuring how to hop around the flooded areas in the forests >.<
It was tiring taking photos and jumping around, but it was fun ^.<
 |
| One of Duo Bui's favourite sights |
 |
| Listen to the quietness |
 |
| Smell the stream of water |
 |
| Greenie fruit |
 |
| Wonder what this species is known as? |
 |
| Treetop Walk - Here we come |
Finally they caught sight of this little sign board that reads 'TreeTop Walk'!
Yipeee! Although Duo Bui's fat legs were a bit tired but came to live again when she saw this sign!! She remembered the great feeling of standing on the hanging bridge and 'walking' amongst the tree tops!
Oh! Just be prepared that that some paths can be quite narrow and only allows one person to walk at a time.
Oops! Duo Bui did not sight any toilets or water coolers along the way so you must be prepared for it! Bring along your own water bottles, face towel to wipe of your sweat and probably a raincoat as well!
 |
| The Old, The Young |
 |
| The Dark, The Light |
 |
| A pretty bumpy road |
 |
| Which way to go? You decide! |
 |
| This way if you are going towards... |
 |
| Entrance to the suspension bridge! |
After an hour or so, they finally reached the entrance of the TreeTop Walk!
The TreeTop Walk (TTW) is the highlight that brings you through different stages of mature secondary forest. It is the first of its kind in Singapore, this free-standing suspension bridge connects the two highest points (Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang) in MacRitchie.
It also gives a bird's eye view of the community of plants and animals that live in the forest canopy. The total length of the walkway is about 250m and its height from the forest floor varies, with the highest point at 25m.
The TTW was officially launched by the Minister of State for Finance and Transport, Mrs. Lim Hwee Hua, on 5th November 2004. TTW also aims to promote an interest and appreciation of the natural sciences.
You must be waiting for a pic of the great bridge Duo Bui was talking about!! That you would have to stay tune to find out!
You must be waiting for a pic of the great bridge Duo Bui was talking about!! That you would have to stay tune to find out!
After Duo Bui & TC made their way across the suspension bridge, and after the fleets of staircase, Duo Bui realised that the paths ahead are getting more and more challenging! Her fat legs started to give way...she started to have vision of cold icy coconut juice and tasty lemon-tea! To make matter worse, her stomach started to growl!!!
Thanks to TC who happened to bring a mini pack of Oreo!! It provided that little bit of sugar she needed at that time, if not TC might just have to drag her out of the forest >.< She can't help but admire TC's consistency and pace throughout the walk, "Carry so many things, not tired ah?" Duo Bui wondered and hoped that she can be as fit as TC one day!
After exiting the TreeTop, they entered a forested area that took them quite a while to conquer, but Duo Bui knew she will not get lost because she can relay on TC who is the super expert! ^.^
By the time they saw broad daylight again, their shoes were already dirty and muddy to the core >_< ! Though still thirsty and tired, but Duo Bui was awed by the greens our busy city contains!
By the time they saw broad daylight again, their shoes were already dirty and muddy to the core >_< ! Though still thirsty and tired, but Duo Bui was awed by the greens our busy city contains!
 |
| On the right - Golf Course |
 |
| On the left - Part of our reservoir |
 |
| The water level was pretty high that day and the path is narrow |
They followed this trail, crossed some forested zones and reached MacRitchie entrance in about an hour plus. It took them about 3.5hours to walk the trail from Venus to MacRitchie Reservoir! ^.^ It was a long walk, but Duo Bui felt that it was a great trail as there are many things along this trail which are capable of activating our senses and lifting our spirit! So why not check it out yourself to experience the fun of it!
(2) Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (武吉知马自然保护区）
It was another bright sunny morning that day! Duo Bui decided to bring her parents for a leisure walk up the famous Singapore Hill known as Bukit TImah Nature Reserve! This is not a new place to her, her parents brought her here countless times when she was younger. Duo bui loves the reserve, or should I say its this reserve that ignite her interest in trekking and hiking in the greens! It may be a simple path (assuming you follow the well paved road up to the hill top) but the music of the forest and the fragrance of the greens has a great therapeutic effect >.<
The name Bukit Timah is borrowed from the tallest hill found in the area of the same name, which is also the tallest geographical location in all of Singapore. Bukit means hill in the Malay language, while Timah means tin, although tin deposits are not found in the area.
How to get there?
If you drive, check out the map. There is a small carpark right in front of the Visitor Center.
If you are taking public transport, you can take the following buses:
SBS: 170
TIBS: 67, 75, 171, 173, 184, 852 and 961
What you will see there? (Not exhaustive! Depends on your luck! ^_^)
It was another bright sunny morning that day! Duo Bui decided to bring her parents for a leisure walk up the famous Singapore Hill known as Bukit TImah Nature Reserve! This is not a new place to her, her parents brought her here countless times when she was younger. Duo bui loves the reserve, or should I say its this reserve that ignite her interest in trekking and hiking in the greens! It may be a simple path (assuming you follow the well paved road up to the hill top) but the music of the forest and the fragrance of the greens has a great therapeutic effect >.<
The name Bukit Timah is borrowed from the tallest hill found in the area of the same name, which is also the tallest geographical location in all of Singapore. Bukit means hill in the Malay language, while Timah means tin, although tin deposits are not found in the area.
 |
| Entrance to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve |
If you drive, check out the map. There is a small carpark right in front of the Visitor Center.
If you are taking public transport, you can take the following buses:
SBS: 170
TIBS: 67, 75, 171, 173, 184, 852 and 961
What you will see there? (Not exhaustive! Depends on your luck! ^_^)
 |
| A dedication to... |
 |
| The way up..up..and away |
 |
| Up and Up some more |
 |
| A hut in sight! |
 |
| Learn as you walk |
 |
| You can choose the rocky path! |
 |
| Or this way up! |
 |
| Top of the Hill |
 |
| Blue Skies & White Clouds |
Bukit Timah was one of the first forest reserves established in 1883. Back then, all the reserves were worked for timber with the exception of Bukit Timah Reserve. By 1937, the forest reserves were depleted under economic pressures for development. However, three areas, including the Bukit Timah Reserve, were retained for the protection of flora and fauna under the management of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
In 1951, further protection of the reserves were provided by the enactment of a Nature Reserves Ordinance and the establishment of a Nature Reserves Board for the administration of the reserves, now designated as nature reserves, which total some 28 square kilometres in area. Today, the nature reserves are set aside for the propagation, protection and preservation of the indigenous flora and fauna of Singapore.
 |
| A huge hut at the tip of the hill for all to rest |
 |
| Going downhill!! |
 |
| Walk with care! |
The slope is extremely steep!! That is one of the special feature of the reserve I guess. Hence you are strictly reminded not to run especially when you are going downwards at this part of the hill.
The primary activities at Bukit Timah are strolling, running and hiking. There are specially allocated mountain-bike trails. The reserve is also popular mong athletes training for mountain-climbing.
Naturalists also treasure Bukit Timah for its variety of plants and animals!
Oh, and you will definitely see lots of monkeys and squirrels over here, but please do not feed them!
 |
| Monkeys everywhere here! |
Do share your experiences with us if you have also walked these trails before!!
Stay tuned for more green ventures with Duo Bui!!
