WAPCN (Part I)西部冒险记1

5 March 2012

0815 hrs, Duo Bui grabbed her gear enthusiastically and got ready to step up on her journey through the greens!


When she stepped out of her house, she realised "Oh Gosh! It doesn't look good!"


But!! She decided that she should press on no matter what!


So she reached Segar Station (LRT) at around 0835 hrs...






As she wasn't quite sure which side of the canal would lead her to Zhenghua Park, so she asked the uncle who owns the stall at the corner of the station for direction. He was very kind to point her the way, Duo Bui felt it was a good start!!


0845hrs, she started out from Bukit Panjang Park Connector.




As she walked along the canal, she noticed that the sky was darker than before, she prayed hard that it would just be a passing phase...

Constructions are going on on both side of the canal, it was noisy and disturbing while she walked the connector, she understands that this is inevitable and she believes that once they are completed, this 4-m wide track would be a more conducive route for recreational pursuits.




She realised that there were not many people on this track...She reckoned could be the either because its a Monday morning or because of the poor weather..


Only silly Duo Bui would decide to start her venture on such a bad weather :p


PCN - Park Connector Network

Didn't see any monkeys that day...

Drawings on the track

Park Signs

Duo bui reaches the end of the canal and started walking on the track parallel to the expressway. She appreciated the many signboards put up by NParks to remind people about...



1) what should/ should not do...

Many little benches & lamps...not forgetting the dustbin

2) direction signages...
3) what to look out for...
There are also many benches for people to rest their feet after a long walk...


Very thoughtful indeed..


Around 0910hrs, Duo bui found herself in Zhenghua Park...

What is this? 

Concrete vs Nature

Along the track she saw many interesting floral...


She can sense the breeze on her face...


She can hear the birds...

Lonely runner...

Then she felt something on her head, something she hope she would never get to feel that very moment


RAIN!!!!!!


Ahh!!!!!


She grabbed her cameras and search frantically for shelter...


Alas!!!


No shelter!!!!


Duo Bui rampaged he bag and dug out her red raincoat, put it on to protect all her gear and pressed on to search for shelter!!!

Shorea Materialis

Shorea Ovalis

Shelter!!!!

After charging through the rain and strong wind, singing in the rain, Duo Bui finally found shelter!

After repacking and ready to continue, she realised that besides shelter, she could not find any toilets too! It would be quite difficult especially for people who are walking long distance who needs to hydrate themselves constantly...

So Duo Bui would suggest those who are walking through this trail (WAPCN) to be equipped with umbrellas/ raincoat, water, finger food (in case you get hungry), handphone (in case of emergency but network is relatively weak especially in the nature reserves) and necessary medication. However, do carry light especially if you plan to travel long distance and remember to go toilet before starting your walk ;)

Duo Bui continued her walk through Zhenghua Park in the rain...

Moving out of the linear park

Going downslope to another side of Zhenghua Park

Almost made a wrong turn to somewhere else here..should turn left if
you are heading to Dairy Farm Nature Reserve

Canal view...water is flowing fast

Nice flower..but anyone know its name?

Entrance to the forested zone of Zhenghua Park

Duo bui 'braved' through the 'storm' and reached a forested zone! She stopped there and contemplated for a while whether she should enter..somewhere which she is unfamiliar with...what could be the possible danger she might encounter? How long is the walk before she gets to the other side? Is there any road sign inside? What if she get lost and she couldn't call out because there might not be any network?

Well, stubborn as Duo Bui is, she stepped into the unknown...her heart pumping really hard, keeping her fingers and toes crossed that things would be great :p

Entrance

A few steps into the park, the coldness breezed her skin, the wetness sipped through her skin, she quickly pick up her mobile and dialled to her friend who 'accompanied' her as she literally run through the track without the opportunity to admire the greenery and enjoying the rich biodiversity there...and she almost lost her way if not for the signs!

A fallen tree blocked the way out, Duo Bui make her way out nevertheless

Finally Duo Bui gets out!

It was almost 1005hrs when Duo Bui reaches the exit. On the other side of the road is Dairy Farm Nature Reserve!

Finally!!!

She was so glad and thanked her friend profusely for staying with her throughout her track in the forest!

However Duo Bui would still advise all not to walk tracks like this alone especially in weather like this as help may not be readily available when you need it.

A photo-shot after she crossed the road

The raindrops continued to fall, Duo Bui hurriedly cross the road to the next destination...

Dairy Farm Nature Park!

Reminders for walkers of the park

Map of park is provided a the entrance to help you in the planning of your route

Tired as she is at that point of time, Duo Bui was excited because she had always wanted to visit the park! She took big steps towards the park and finally, she saw something that makes her pump really hard...

TOILET!! You can imagine how glad she was at that very instance!! >.<

Road towards Wallace Education Centre & Wallace Trail

It was a cold and wet walk uphill..


Nevertheless, Duo Bui felt calm as she could smell the sweetness of the flowers and the freshness of the trees..

Peace...

Though the walk was lonely, Duo bui felt happy as she was able to forget sadness and embrace nature..


Then she caught sight of this...

Unforgettable sight, indescribable feeling

Wallace Education Centre

Cow resting  underneath a tree..MOOooooooo

Do You Know?

Wallace Education Centre houses the Wallace Environmental Learning Lab (WELL), as well as an interpretative centre where visitors can learn about the changing landscapes of Dairy Farm and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve through various exhibits. It is established by NParks and Raffles Girls' Secondary School, WELL is a holistic programme where primary and secondary school students will be able to discover more about Singapore's natural heritage through engaging hands-on activities. The Wallace Education Centre, WELL, and the Wallace Trail have all been named after Alfred Wallace, in honour of his contributions to natural science. A contemporary of Charles Darwin, Wallace is the other "father" behind the theory of evolution. 

WELL

Gallery in the Centre

Duo Bui took a walk in the Education Centre..


The gallery is simple but shows the rich history of its development over the many decades...


On another note, there are toilets and water-coolers here but network is not so good at certain parts of the building and parts of the trails... 

Wallace trail...deeper into the park

Cow still Moo-ing away

The rain stopped and the wind is cool, Duo Bui stepped out of the learning centre...and wonder if she should continue on this trail...1100hrs...

Duo Bui contemplated as she walked downhill and reached the foot of the park at around 1120hrs and decided that she would come back again on another day to complete her quest of the WAPCN!


She found that at the nearest bus stop - 700, 700A will bring you to Bukit Panjang Interchange and 966 will bring you to Woodlands Interchange. So for those coming to Dairy Farm Nature Park directly, you can either drive here or hop on these buses at their respective terminals or check the SMRT Bus Guide!


To be continued...