Labrador Nature Reserve - 拉柏多公园

12 March 2012

It was a lazy morning...Duo Bui woke up late that morning and rushed to pack her stuff! She was a bit sleepy but excited at the thought of a leisure walk at Labrador Nature Reserve >.<

Labrador Nature Reserve is a park of tranquility and natural wonders. It has a path built on the edge of the secondary forest that provides a prime view of the cliff side vegetation and a panoramic view of the sea.

It is very accessible if you take public transport. You can also take train and alight at Labrador Station, it will take you about 10 - 15mins to walk to Labrador Nature Reserve. If you drive, you can go all the way in...as there are several carparks along the stretch of the road as well as next to the entrance of the park...

Carpark A is at the top of the hill - it leads to the historical sites and the top of the aerial staircase that leads down to the shore and the Reserve.

Carpark B is at ground level. The shore is about a 10-min walk on level ground from this carpark.

During weekends, there is a bus that goes all the way into the Nature Reserve - 408. 

Service	Destination	Notes
SBS Transit Parks Services
408	HarbourFront Bus Interchange (Loop)	Operates Only During Weekends & Public Holidays

View Larger Map

Entrance to the park

Labrador Nature Reserve also known as Labrador Park (拉柏多公园), is located in the southern part of Singapore. 

It contains the only rocky sea-cliff on the mainland that used to be open to public but is now closed for safety reasons. Its a pity that we now could no longer admire the 300 metres Labrador beach where a variety of marine flora and fauna grow. Plants including the sea-grapes, sea-fan and red algae...

Since end of 2001, 10 hectares of coastal secondary vegetation and its rocky shore have been gazetted as a nature reserve.

Labrador Nature Reserve contains many historical relics from World War II and earlier. It has a long history, dating back to the 19th century. It played a significant role in the history of Singapore.

Broad walkway by the sea...

Duo Bui had a late night the day before and hence was still feeling sheepish when she reached the park and was not exactly in the mood to take any photo! BH Monkey on the other hand was looking wide awake and fresh >.<

However when she start strolling down the path...she felt rejuvenated..the smell of the sea water...the chirping of the birds 'recalled' her soul back ^.^

She took out her camera and started taking shots...

The entire nature reserve, together with the current park, used to be called Pasir Panjang Beach, or Long Beach. The area used to be coastal land at high tide, and rocky beach at low tide. 

After land reclamation took place, seawalls are formed together with the grassy park you see now...

Water cooler available to quench your thirst!

BBQ Pits and benches available in the park too..

Labrador was one of the five designated nature reserves established in 1951. On 10 Nov 2001, it was announced that Labrador Park would be gazetted as a Nature Reserve, which came to pass on 01 Jan 2002. As you walk the path around this little yet BIG park...open up all your sensory and get ready...not only will you you find interesting Flora & Fauna, you will learn more about the history of Singapore...

Reminder for park users...

A little history about the jetty

Huge roots..taller than we are

Huge spider feeding on its prey!! Scary! (Courtesy of Monkey)

Monkey Swing...is that what we call it? It brings back Duo Bui's memories when she was a kid...

Directions into the forest

Path into the secret garden...(Courtesy of Monkey)

Besides the natural areas they have yet to step foot into, Duo Bui noted that the park is fully 'equipped' with BBQ pits, fitness corner, jogging and cycling trails and a promenade along the shore...

Long Way up...Up and Away

Along these paths...you can find...

After climbing the long fleet of stairs up...both friends were almost out of breath...>_< well..guess not so much for Monkey but a tiny little bit for Duo Bui..haha...

There are several paths you could take depending on what you would like to see...

There are many signs inside this area and you will not feel lost..not so much as what Duo Bui felt during her previous walk >.^

More stairs...

Learn more about the plant...

Old fort...(Courtesy of Monkey)

Up here, you can find the old British fort - Fort Pasir Panjang.The cliff’s high vantage point led the British to identify it as a defence site to protect the entrance to the harbours of Singapore. It was one of nine sites in which the British had set up their batteries, and is part of the British overall defense system for Singapore.

Do you see light?...(Courtesy of Monkey)

" Sometimes when you thought things are bad..don't despair..have faith..gather strength..Open your eyes to see,open your heart ears to listen, open your heart to feel...there are people in the dark holding your hand, walking with you and guiding you towards light once more ^.^ "

As you walk further uphill, you will discover more...

More about the tunnel...

Nicely built toilets..

NParks office can be found here...(Courtesy of Monkey)

A nice little cafe at the top of the hill

Cosy place to take a rest...

The friends did not have a chance to enjoy themselves at this cafe known as Eco Gourmet Cafe though as the day is still young >.^ but Duo Bui will go back one day and share with you what she discover ya?!!

Walk further up and you will find this...

Any idea?? Make a guess! (Courtesy of Monkey)

Well..there is definitely more to see at Labrador Nature Reserve than these!! Duo Bui will share more with you in time to come!


Have you checked out this park? Have you also walked the Labrador Coastal Broadwalk? Would you like to share your experience? 

Feel free to log on to http://twitter.com/DuoBui (Twitter, please join in to tweet!)https://tinyurl.com/GreenExperience (Survey, the result will be out on this blog by end Apr 2012)

Do continue to follow and share my blog ^.^ More green episodes coming up!!


Stay Tuned!

WAPCN (Part II)西部冒险记2

Can you believe it?

It is the second time Duo Bui is retyping this entry because the one she did earlier just POOF got deleted in a split second!!! Its only till than that she realized what it means by The Blink of an Eye!!!

Argh!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a day :(




7 March 2012


Duo Bui woke up earlier at around 0800hrs, she beamed as she walked to the window..
The sun was warm and the wind was cool! What a great day to do her walk!


Duo Bui packed her stuff and reached Dairy Farm Nature Park with her gears and...

Sausage MacMuffin Meal

Duo Bui stomach growled as she looked at it..

It was not meant for herself, it's a treat for her buddy - Birdnest-Headed Monkey (BHMonkey) who had taken time off to walk the trail with her in case she get lost, haha!

Hahahaha...

Cyclist on the go!

Duo Bui also noticed that today's Dairy Farm Nature Park seemed slightly different..it seemed more vibrant..as she waited for her friend, she couldn't help but felt that a park is a great place where friendships are forged, bonds developed and targets achieved as she saw..

Uncles drinking and chit chatting, cyclists saying hi to old and new friends, and gearing up to cycle to their new destination!

Route towards Dairy Farm Quarry & Singapore Quarry

The friends stepped up and started their journey at around 0925hrs..This greeny way is the path to take (right of the resting area) as they planned to visit both Dairy Farm Quarry & Singapore Quarry.

They quicken their steps so as not to waste too much time.

They saw a signboard as they walked down the path

 

The sign boards points them to a narrower path that leads them to their destination...

Going uphill...

While they enjoy the sun and the natural fragrance of the trees, they admired the variety of tree species around and BHMonkey also caught sight of something related to him - Bird Nests!!! Hahahaha!

Bird Nests

As the friends chatted away...they realised they have reached a diverging lane... 

Left of Right?

There's no sign board?!! "Which way should we go?" Duo Bui asked BHMonkey...

"Life is all about making choices. Making a responsible and meaningful decision is not an easy task because choosing one means forgoing the opportunity to explore the other path...and sometimes you may not even be sure if that path could be a better option because you never had that chance to experience it. However, it is also about making the best out of the decision or the choice that you have made and you will also find  beauty and uncover new things along the way >.<"

In the end, BHMonkey decided that they should take the path on the left as it seemed more 'well-travelled' i.e. more botak than the other path! ^.^ They walked and wondered  if both lanes would merge further down the route..it did!

'Rocky' path 

Follow the sign

From this point, it will take another 1.4 km to Singapore Quarry...Along the way, they sighted...

They felt like hobbits as they walked through these 'giant' plants

Lovely coloured petals in the Sea of Greens

Can you see it?

Duo Bui was enjoying the serenity of the surrounding when she was suddenly stopped by BHMonkey! He pointed to the floor! Duo Bui squinted her eyes so hard and it took her a while to find the 'thing' BHMonkey was pointing and managed to snap a short before it flew of!

Found it?! Bingo! That's right! It's a butterfly!

From its colour, Duo Bui suspected that it is the Dead Leaves Butterfly (also known as Kallima Inachus). Do you Know that Dead Leaves Butterfly is one of nature’s great magicians. When its wings are closed, it looks like a dead leaf hence able to avoid predators with its camouflage. It spends much of its time resting with the lush environment and have a diet of plants and rotting fruit. It differs in appearance during the wet and dry seasons as it takes on a richer brown color during the rainy seasons. 

Residences at the far end sighted

They ended up on a track that is parallel to the main road, took a glance at the map and decided to take a walk towards Dairy Farm Quarry to take a look...

Noisy path

Directional Signs

The Quarry?!

Morning Glory

They took about 10 mins walk and reached....

A Dead End!!!

No Trespassing!! State Land!

It was to their surprise that the route leads to a dead end! They had no choice but to turn back and walk onto the route that leads to the Singapore Quarry..

Spot the Bird!!!

Road is wider and well-paved

You will bypass Dairy Farm Adventure Centre

At this junction, you can either proceed to Hillview PCN or proceed on the SIngapore Quarry...
The friends walked uphill towards Singapore Quarry..

Towards Hillview PCN

This way towards Singapore Quarry

Look carefully...What do you see!

Can you find it? Yes! Its the blur-looking greenie! 

Duo Bui & & BHMonkey stood there for a long time staring at the worm, who is tryng so hard to climb upwards, but it is not an easy climb. It kept swinging side to side and kept falling downwards instead...it then continues to climb back up..it didn't give up...it just kept trying...

Come on! Join me!!

BHMonkey discovered a fleet of stairs leading to out of the trail and suggested that they check out what is on the other side!


Duo Bui pondered at that point...


"Sometimes people are so afraid to move on because we fear...we are worried of the 101 things that could happen if we take that step...


Sometimes we just think too much...


We can always find out more and analyze the situation before making a decision...


Sometimes, things may already be in place but we just lack that little bit of courage...


Sometimes we might just be WOWed by our own decision..."

To their surprise, its paradise out there...the background garden of those who lives here..

They took a while to walk around the little patch of grassland and admired the beautiful sight...


They then returned to the route and continued their journey towards Singapore Quarry...

Quiet & Cool

It's a easy walk as the main road (walking trail) is well paved...


One can really feel the peacefulness and serenity as you walk along this path...


As there are no shelter along the way, Duo Bui would suggest those who intends to walk this trail to check the weather forecast before proceeding...

Along the main route, there is an alternative trail - Mountain Bike Trail

They are nearing their destination!! The lady coming downhill told them that they would be expecting to see dozens of monkeys uphill!!!

 Duo Bui stared...wow!!

They have reached their destination!!!

Welcome to Singapore Quarry!

Dozens of Monkeys playing around the huge drain

Playing with each other

Presenting to you - Our very own Singapore Quarry

Reminder to all not to release animals into the lake

Singapore may not have Grand Canyons, magnificent Alps and Mountains...


But just by sitting there at the Singapore Quarry..


Helps to connect one's mind and  soul to the surrounding..


It calmed Duo Bui's mind and erased unhappy memories..

Panoramic View of Singapore Quarry 

Duo Bui and BHMonkey spent some time enjoying the serenity of the quarry then took a slow walk downhill and caught sight of an artistic-looking tree...

Remember the Dairy Farm Adventure Centre? Once you reached the centre, take the trek opposite and carry on towards Hillview PC..

Towards Hillview PC... 

You will reach the junction of Dairy Farm Road

As a lot of construction is going on and there are no obvious road signs or markings of the Hillview Connector route, the two blur fellows encountered some issues on deciding where to go so that they would still be on the WAPCN track...


Finally, the two friends decided to call it a day and continued on the Hillview PC on another day... :)


Have you ever travelled WAPCN or walked any other trails before? Have you ever done park hopping on foot, by rollerblades or on a bicycle? Ever had an exhilarating park experience that you want to share?  Please help to complete a simple survey form http://tinyurl.com/GreenExperience and join me in Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/DuoBui to share your experiences! 


Do continue to follow my blog, more coming up >.<