Hey, today is my birthday! Its a late start today as I'm dropping the kids off at school, but its also a short walk. The plan is Woodlands to Yishun: about 7 miles. I take the MRT and I'm walking at about 9:30am. Its 83 already, so its going to be a hot one.
From the MRT terminal, I grab this great northern view of the Woodlands skyline:
Heading downstairs, I go east to make my start across the north side of Singapore. The scenery in this part of the country will be quite repetitive. That's because this is considered "the 'burbs". For the next 7 miles, I'm expecting to walk past HDB flat after HDB flat. And so far that's holding true:
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| HDBs along Woodlands Avenue 7 |
It's a pleasant walk. Each series of flats has a color scheme and some of them are quite lively. Many have open areas at the bottom where people can gather and create a sense of community. With regard to these walks, I particularly like using the covered pathways in some developments since they keep me out of the sun.
This is nice but its also repetitive. After 3 miles I need more, so I decide to abandon my route and go rogue. I head north up Gambas Avenue to look for Woodlands Crescent Park, but I have to abandon the search due to a massive construction project. So instead, I turn east down a park connector which runs along a drainage line. I showed a picture of a small one back in day 3. That one would feed into one of these. If you hang around, you'll see that they get even bigger.
The water has to go somewhere interesting, so I follow it down to the Sembawang River where it drains. Here, I take this shot where workers are in the process of dredging from a small floating platform. I watch as with each scoop, the dredger tips up and I expect the platform to tip into the water.
Crossing over the river, I head north and then east again along Admiralty Drive. More HDBs.
Then, finally a break. Right at the corner of Admiralty and Wellington Circle: a empty field.
Its just a short hop now across the field to then left up a small flight of stairs. I now on Canada Road and the start of the Sembawang Black and Whites.
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| One of the famous Black and Whites |
This is a large development. Each house has a large yard, perhaps an acre which is unheard of in Singapore. The Black and White Houses (or Bungalows) are called that due to their color. They were occupied by British Government Officials and Military due to the Naval Base (now the Sembawang Shipyard) being is just a short hike north. Today, they are mostly populated by Expats. Its a nice change of pace and there are plenty of trees to provide shade.
I'm following the houses now, heading northeast, up King's Avenue where I pass the shipyard and finally reach Sembawang Park. The park is busy this morning, there young students here doing outdoors classwork. There were some great looking trees as well.
Heading through the park, I stop at the water front to watch the fishermen. In the distance is the Straits of Johor and Malaysia.
Its a beach and a park and its peaceful. I decide to walk along the beachfront when I pass by this house:
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| The Beaulieu House with two fine gents |
It is known as the Beaulieu House and was built in 1910 to be used as a seaside resort. Later owned by British Government officials. Today, it serves a restaurant. At 11:30am is quite crowded.
I consider a stop in as I could use a break, however for the past hour the clouds have been slowly building and thunder has been rumbling in the distance. I still have 3 miles to go so, I take one last picture of the beach before I press on.
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| The beach at Sembawang Park |
I'm headed inland again. However, I don't make it more than 5 minutes before the heavy downpour suddenly starts. The rain and the lightning convince me to call it a day. Saturday's also a short walk, so I'll pick up the distance then.
Total route: 8.82 miles. 2 hours, 26 minutes.
