Wednesday, June 26, 2013

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. 

10 comments:

  1. That trail. Wow. The wooden decking is beautiful.

    Cute kids! I imagine this is a richly rewarding experience for them. And it all seems so thoughtfully planned.

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    1. It was a beautiful trail though only part of it called "Henderson Waves" was that cool cedar decking. It was an overpass over Henderson Rd.

      My sister is a fantastic planner. I would have never thought of taking a cooking class. The instructor also does corporate events and that's where I think she learned of it.

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  2. I would love to attend a cooking class to learn about the local cuisine. What a grand idea.

    The wooden decking is an awesome piece of architecture and quite the eye-catcher.

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    1. The cooking class was great. Bridget and I took a cooking class at Pike's Market in Seattle where a local chef took us through the market picking up local, fresh ingredients then prepared us lunch.

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  3. That's a cool walkway through the tree tops....I take it you guys weren't carrying plastic bags?

    dom

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    1. No plastic bags or food on our person. My brother inlaw said that he has never seen any monkeys on the trail but then again, he is meticulous about following those kind of rules.

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  4. That walkway through the trees is so cool. It must have be a beautiful experience to be up so high and see all the flowers and foliage.

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    1. Being up high in the trees also allowed you to feel what little breeze there was. Also, it pushed us to finish the trail before the thunderstorm came in.

      I'd recommend the walk to anyone. Tomorrow morning, there is another walk planned in the same area as well as a visit to the "wet market".

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  5. Now I'm on Google looking for recipes.

    Beautiful images. I also enjoyed that walk through the tree-tops.

    They are creative in their architecture. Wish we had more of that imagination in the states.

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  6. I keep thinking about the chewing gum ban. I hate gum. I bet you could run your fingers under the railings without them coming back smelling of masticated mint.

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