A Scenic Walk: HortPark

"This story begins at the end... it might seem strange to start a story with an ending. But all endings are also beginnings. We just don't know it at the time."- Mitch Albom

THE END!

Still smiling at the end of our 2-hour hike!

Last Sunday, our cell group* organized a hiking. The journey begins at HortPark, which is Southeast Asia's first one-stop centre for gardening-related recreational, educational, research and retail activities in a park setting. The meeting time was 4 pm.

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We took time to smell the flowers.

Our hike starts at the Alexandra Arch. At night, the bridge dazzles with colour changing LED lights.

photo: Alexandra Arch, with its curved deck and tilted arch, is designed to span the Alexandra Road like an open leaf.

On the other side is Gillman Village, a former British military camp in the early 20th century is now home to an eclectic mix of restaurants, pubs and art galaries. We then walked on an elevated walkway called The Forest Walk (1.3 km), which meanders some 50 metres through the secondary forest of Telok Blangah Hill.

photo: the raised walkway with heights ranging from 3 to 18 metres brushes the canopy of trees and offers a bird's eye view of the forest.

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photo: A stunning 360-degree view of S'pore from the hilltop

30 mins later, we reached The Terrace Garden, which is situated at the top of the Telok Blangah Hill Park. It has a series of semi-circular terraces arrayed with purple bougainvilleas.

After taking a short break, we continued our hike towards the Henderson Waves. At 36 metres above Henderson Road, it is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore. It connects the two hills of Telok Blangah Hill and Mount Faber. The bridge has a unique wave-form made up of seven undulating curved steel "ribs" that alternately rise over and under its deck.

photo: The curved "ribs" form alcoves that functions as shelters with seats within.

The Henderson Waves joins the Faber Walk, which meanders through Mount Faber Park. At 106 m tall, Mount Faber is also the second highest hill in Singapore.

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We took another break at the cable car station on Mount Faber (Jewel Box). Most of us were impressed by both the spectacular view as well as the decor in the toilets. Personally, I would rate it as the "best" public toilet in Singapore!

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photo: The slopes of this 56-hectare park are covered by dense secondary rain forest, and are home to many interesting plants and fauna.

After that, it was an easy downhill hike along steps and shaded footpaths, again through secondary forest. Thankfully, we were descending. Going the other way would mean climbing an elevation of 70 meters (or the equivalent of a 24-storey building).

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The Marang Trail ends at Marang Rd, which is just behind the Harbourfront MRT Station. We headed straight to VivoCity's Food Republic where I rewarded myself with a "sinful" plate of chicken nasi briyani & "teh halia" (ginger tea).

* cell group is a small group of Christians from the same church gathering together in the home of one of the members. Cell groups in our church are called Covenant Group, or CG, in short. In addition to worshipping collectively in the church building on Sundays, the CGs meet weekly at various homes spread across Singapore. CGs are intended to personalize Christian fellowship and forsters accountability, bonding and discipleship. Our CG meets on Saturday in Jurong West, from 4.00 - 6.00 pm. As Christians, and as part of God's family, we make a commitment to gather together to share our faith and to strengthen one another in the Lord. As you can see, it is not all serious! We know how to enjoy as well! :)

"Let us not give up meeting together, ..., but let us
encourage one another." - Heb 10:25

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Source of information: national parks' brochure on southern ridges