SUNGEI BULOH WETLAND RESERVE EXTENSION

It's green, it's clean, it's not a latrine.

By gent

December 8^th, 2014

It's all new.

The National Parks Board just unveiled a SGD29-million, 31ha extension to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. It features a 1.3km-long coastal walk that offers a vast view of the Kranji waterfront, looking right into our neighbours along the Straits of Johor. It also features trails on mudflats and scenic routes under the canopy of the secondary forest.

The first thing that struck me upon entering though - apart from the obvious greenery - was this beautifully constructed arrival centre.

Singapore in a nutshell.

I can’t even recall the memories of when I was here before but I’d probably enjoy these kid-friendly facilities even more than I do now, even if it was just a pulley-float across water and an obstacle course with the difficulty level of eating a marshmallow.

It’s fun. Get on. Get over it.

This is the Little Heron Deck, featuring sculptures of mudskippers.

The suspension bridge spans 150m as it takes you through the canopy instead of atop it unlike say, the TreeTop Walk at MacRitchie.

Malaysia is so close.

Bird-watches and nature-lovers came in droves on the Sunday I was there, and yet there wasn’t enough to drive me insane. That is a good thing.

The Sungei Buloh Masterplan seems to encapsulate a mixture of mud, sea and sky. If I could upvote this I would do it 9000 times.

When I grow up my ambition is to be this guy.

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This is depressing.

“Shocking” would be understating it. It’s really hard to imagine the amount of trash that gets thrown into the waters and gets washed up on areas like this that are unreachable.

Deep down I’m hoping this becomes one of the most important photographs I will have ever taken because of the inherent message…

One can hope.

Back to normal transmission

It was tranquil. Perfect for a little respite in the unwavering heat.

You’re never too old for a selfie with your favourite people.

Also if you have a kid that shouts at you and demands that you take him to Changi Airport instead of this place which apparently “is bad and I don’t like it”, you need to kick him in the throat, father in the last photo. What is wrong with you.

These bulbous structures provide brief shade and cooler temperatures within. I don’t know how they do it but entire buildings should be made out of these designs.

It’s good to have a like-minded buddy around when you’re trekking through such trails. Also good to know how to take photos of your buddy so that he doesn’t kick your ass. Thankfully, he wasn’t 9 girls and I only needed to make just one attempt without the need for any filters to impress no one in particular.

This bridge apparently can be lowered or raised depending on the tide but seemed like nature had different plans and a punch line somewhere.

THE turtle has a leaf for a hat.

Unlike at the zoo, I really enjoy seeing wild life animals roaming around nature without the need or capacity to kill me.Also this turtle has a leaf for a hat.

It has a leaf for a hat, everyone. OMG.

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Sometimes there’s just nothing left to say. Places like the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, MacRitchie Reservoir, the Southern Ridges or the Green Corridor are locations we deserve to protect and enjoy whenever possible amidst the drudgery of life, no matter how cliché it sounds.

I truly enjoy taking photographs and cycling, but nothing makes me happier than to immerse myself in nature.

To get here was only a train ride to Kranji MRT station where a 10-minute bus ride takes you to the entrance, and for that I thank you, Singapore, for even trying.