MacRitchie Reservoir

Not just another recce session but the recce session to MacRitchie Reservoir.

Depending on your physical conditioning and sense of adventure, there are ~5 different tracks for you to choose from. Being a self profess fit and adventurous guy, I have decided to choose the longest ~11+KM track which is touted as "moderately" challenging.

As the weather has been relatively good (few clusters of cloud but not raining), I have set off with just a small bottle of water. The initial concrete path soon vanishes and without any warning, I have started to walked on the muddy track. It takes a while to get used to the humid but once you have overcome this, the journey is pretty much easy.

The best part of taking a walk here is the ability to get up close to nature and I thoroughly enjoyed this relax and "scenic" route.

After walking for ~2hrs, I finally reached the HSBC Tree Top Walk. Though I am suppose to be on top of the trees canopy, somehow I felt the trees are pretty grown up as I could not have a good view around.

It takes about the same time to walk back and immediately I am looking forward to explore another track which is touted as "moderate / difficult" challenging.

Family Pictures over the weekend.....

Punggol views before it is gone....

Before (2007)....................................................Now (2009)

It has been 2 years since I ventured back to the same location and it is visible that things has changed. The above pictures shows the growth that has been happening during this period of time.

This trip back to Punggol with my pals seems different!

I remember vividly back then, this was a very deserted place. It was a miracle if you find someone venturing around this place. However as a progress for another 2 years, this place has been injected by more colours and life. During the 2hrs+ stay here, I could see fisherman-wannabes, photographers, hikers, wakeboarders and scramble-bikers..... you have to be here to see this!

As I tracked deeper into the Punggol End, some interesting "pond" could be seen. This was well hidden and blends into the nearby greenery/forested areas. Usually this scene could only be found in other countries or nature parks..... it was a pleasant surprise to me. The water at the "pond" was pretty clear and I could see the bottom of the "pond"....much to my surprise

Track through such terrain....................................The "Pond".......................

All these activities of photographing, trekking and searching for "ponds" excites me it co-exist with the housing estate and are triving with lots of life in it. However while travelling further into this mystic world, I soon realised the sad fact that in the name of modernisation, this place will soon be transformed into a "grand" housing estate.

You could see from the pictures below where construction work has began by deepening of the river and laying the foundation for bridges. The waters around it was very very brownish and it looks kind of scary....... very contrasting from the earlier "pond"!

With a tinge of sadness, I hope the new development here will be able to blend into the nature instead of destroying everything God has given and provide. God bless!