Tuesday, 17 March 2015

Evening walk around MacRitchie Reservoir

Last week I was 'home alone' for a few nights so one evening arranged to meet a few friends and walk around the MacRitchie reservoir. I've walked here a few times but always in the morning and towards the end of the 2-3 hour trail it is of course boiling hot. I thought that an evening walk might be even more enjoyable, with the possibility of a sunset and to finish off we could visit the Lava Bistro, which is closed during the daytime.
It was about 4.30pm and 28 degrees when we exited Caldecott MRT station. Lots of walkways from an MRT station to nearby bus stops or shops have coverered roofs to give shade from the sun and shelter from rain but the start of our route didn't have this and it still felt very hot.
I was surprised to see the following signs..
 the local area is called Toa Payoh and their Kindness movement have provided umbrellas for people to use, then leave at the shaded end for the next person-I couldn't help but think "..only in Singapore!"
 15 minutes later we reached the reservoir. It was very busy with lots of people canoeing and kayaking and also lots of monkeys looking to snatch any unattended belongings in search of food.




even the monkeys were looking for shade!


 We left the canoe clubs behind and headed off down the trail into the jungle. It's a 10 km loop around the whole reservoir, with an extra 3km if you include the wonderful Tree Top Loop but as this closes by 4.45 we sadly had to leave this out. 

  It must have been a runner's club night as to start with we were pursued and then overtaken by lots of runners, but after a while we were pretty much alone, which was lovely. Well apart from a few more monkeys on the way.



 lots of vegetation and some pretty flowers..







 ..and a very pretty bird with a vivid green back. I still haven't identified it, it was a bit like a pigeon but acted like a ground bird. Any ideas? Sorry not a great photo.
We walked quite fast and an hour later we were more than half way around, the temperature was now really pleasant and the evening light much softer than in the heat of the day.


 The last part of the walk is via a boardwalk alongside the reservoir. Because we had walked our route quite fast we completed the circuit before the sun had set and missed seeing any sunset. But our consolation prize was very enjoyable; a glass of wine and some very tasty pizza.


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