Singapore - Day 3, Walking Through the Treetops

This morning, we got an early start and went in on the same bus with my sister. After having coffee, my brother in-law took Bridget and I on a hike through the tree tops. The metal walkway was about 30' - 40' above ground level through the canopy. From this vantage point, we saw a lot of birds, leaves and flowers that we wouldn't have been able to see from ground level.

 Plus, being above ground level, we got a good view of the surrounding area. This really demonstrates the contrast between the old and the new in Singapore. Here property is valuable enough that buildings are being demolished instead of being refurbished since they could build taller, more modern buildings on the same plot of land and make more money.

This kind of shows our elevation above ground level and how the leaves are mostly in the upper part of the trees. There were signs warning about monkeys and how agressive they have become. They have learned to associate store plastic bags with food and will come after you if you are carrying one.

The trail was about 4 miles long and wasn't all scaffolding and metal walkways. Here it wound around the larger trees and soon started a series of switchbacks as it ascended the hill. Fortunately for us the smoke and smog level was down from what it was last week though it still wasn't very clear. In the distance we could hear thunder as rain was approaching.

We eventually left the walkway behind us and started to descend a series of stone stairs and stone walkways as we worked our way back down the hill to the highway.

The wooden decking of this bridge over the highway undulated up and down like waves. The metal shelters provides protection from the rain in case you get caught out on the trail and all of them were fitted with security cameras as the local authorities don't want anyone living in them. We were told that this is a popular venue for taking wedding photographs due to the spectacular views of the city from this vantage point.

One of the new housing developments is this artistic structure with bridges linking the upper floors together within the structure. At first I thought it was still under construction but in spite of appearances to the contrary, it is done and occupied. There is a lot of government funded housing within the city as the average resident wouldn't be able to afford housing. The cost of a unit is supposedly based somewhat on what you can afford. You are not allowed to sell the unit unless you are buying another.

In the evening, my mom, sister, here two sons and daughter met with another friend from her work, also from the Corvallis area, to attend a cooking class where we learned to make three local dishes. Kueh Pie Tee, Inche Kabin and Sambal Goreng Serai Udang. The instructor, at the far right in the photo, taught the class at her home in an outdoor kitchen.

After preparing the dishes, we sat down for dinner enjoying what we had prepared. Quite a lot of very tasty food. Spicy but not "hot" even though chilies were used in the preparation. I think the food is a blending of flavors from China, Malasia and India.