Day 9: Punggol Point to Changi Point

Its Wednesday and its been a hectic week. As a result, I've had to reduce this week to 1 walk.
Today I go from Punggol Point to Changi Point. Both are in the northeast and a good distance from the apartment.

I start out early, up and out at 7am. For the sake of time, I taxi to Punggol Point. 
By 8am, I'm checking out the early risers catching fish on the pier.

The pier at Punggol Point

This place is cute. It looks like a good place to take the kids, with a park, the water, a few restaurants, and the promenade that hugs the coastline.

I plan to head east today. But I'm also curious by nature, so first I head south to check out these carriage shaped cabins that caught my eye. Its a quaint place to stop and a unique experience for Singapore. There are stables next door giving those staying here a chance ride in the "Wild West".

Cabins at Punggol Point

Well now I'm off. I head east along Punggol Promenade:

The area itself is interesting. Three hundred fifty years ago, there were rubber plantation, followed by poultry and pork farms, and then hydroponics, before finally giving way to urbanization. Catholic missionaries also set up shop here. In its worse moments, Punggol Point was one of several locations during the occupation where the invaders massacred the local population.

But Punggol has always been known for its seafood, be it fishing or restaurants. To echo the past, I snapped this shot as the sun was rising:

A fisherman dwarfed by Malaysian Industry

Up ahead, I think I see more coastline but as I get close, I see that it is actually Serangoon Island. The island is very close to the mainland and forms a channel between the two.

Serangoon on the left, mainland on the right

The channel is dammed (not haunted) on both sides. On the near side is the bridge that I walk across to try to get a peak of the island (no luck!). On the far side is the east dam...  a pretty impressive structure.

The east dam at Serangoon

In an earlier post, I has spoken about Singapore's need for water independence. Here is an other inventive move for a country with restricted land mass, to make that happen. By blocking off the channel between the mainland and Serangoon Island, a new reservoir has been created. Rain water, collected from the inland run-off pipes I seem to be so obsessed with, filters into the reservoir to provide drinking water for the population. I never would have thought of that.

So, now I'm taking in the sights, putting the pieces together and I'm not walking. I gotta keep pace, so I round the corner of the picture above, which leads to this red bridge.

The red bridge to Lorong Halus Wetlands

I take the wavy part and then cross over. There's a film crew here and I catch them filming me. If you find out what documentary I'm in, send me a mail.

The bridge heads into Lorong Haus Wetlands. This area used to be a dump from the 70's to the 90's.
Now, water that is mixes with the trash is cleaned naturally via vegetation, like these reeds, before it filters into the reservoir.

Reed beds at Lorong Hous Wetlands

I stroll through the wetlands and then head out of Punggol and into Paris Ris. Its the next part of my journey. First, I pass through some more farmland. Here I also see several camouflaged, military cargo planes fying out of Paya Labar Airbase which is located just south of this field.

Heading east along Pasir Ris Farmway 3, I spot this water way which should lead up to Pasir Ris Park.

The creepy waterway

 However, even in Singapore, it looks a little unsettling, so instead hold the course and head towards town. Now, I'm surrounded by HDBs again. My take away is that Pasir Ris Town is under major development. Most of this part of the walk looks like this:

Walls surrounding development blocks

Instead of having single developments, whole city blocks are being constructed. Its a lot of noise, but I appreciate that these walls are providing much needed shade.

I head up Pasir Ris Drive 3 and looking for the entrance to the park. I see this side street and duck in.

Landed houses in Pasir Ris

In Singapore, along with HDBs, there are also neighborhoods of landed houses. These types of houses are typically 2 story, quite spacious, and modern. They remind me of Europe or Hawaii. It's much quieter here.

Seeing a back alley, I sneak past a few back yards and pop out at Pasir Ris Park which overlooks the Straits of Johor. The view is lovely, the best beach yet in my opinion.


The view at Pasir Ris Park

 This park is part beach and part Mangrove Forest. It looks like a tropical island. On the water are floating fishing villages which add to the view. I would love to visit one of those villages.

Another one of my favorite signs.

The park provides places to camp out and these BBQ areas. It was quite busy for a Wednesday. 

Further along there was cool open air theatre.  



Open air theatre at Pasir Ris Park

I take a break here to stretch my legs and adjust the shoes. I'm 3 hours in and I have a way to go.
Off again, I keep straight across 2 different water ways until I hit the Loyang River. There's no bridge here, so I head south back to Pasir Ris Drive 3 and turn left onto Loyang Avenue. I'm now in Changi, the northeastern most area of Singapore and my final destination for today.

Its still a long walk and while interesting to see, there's not much to share; mostly construction, an industrial park, and the outskirts of Changi Airbase.

Barbwire and old houses at Changi Air Base

I keep straight on Loyang Avenue heading Northeast. If I had been thinking, I would have headed left up Cranwell to the Changi Beach Club. The Changi Coastal Walk is accessible there and its a nice walk along the Straits. However, as I near the 4 hour mark, I'm getting overheated and not thinking straight. Its over 90 now and I have just a little water left.

I do decide to turn left at Halton Road, which passes through some nice Black and White houses, part of a retirement complex. On the other side, I finally hit the coastline which is lined with boat clubs and a resort for military personnel.

At long last, I round the corner to Changi Point Ferry terminal and Changi Village.
I stop the clock here and I have a seat. I grab a cold water, a little Char Quay Teow, and now rested, I head on home.

Hawker Center and shops at Changi Village.

 Its been a pretty busy week workwise and vacation is around the bend. Next walk will be a few days away. Just 2 walks to go.

Total route: 13.17 miles. 4 hours, 00 minutes.

Walking total to date: 96.2 miles in 26 hours and 20 minutes.