Serangoon Reservoir on a quiet Friday evening
A quiet evening at Serangoon Reservoir……
I was there on Friday evening. The birds were chirping, the water was still with the occasional ripples and the light slowly darkened to a soft golden glow in the distance.
It is rather crowded here during weekends, so if you want a quieter atmosphere, come during weekdays for a relaxing time. Enjoy the peace and quiet!
Have a great weekend!
The heat is on………….
May and June are usually the hottest months in Singapore. Humidity and heat can really dampen one’s outdoor activity but with enough precautions, enjoy your outing!
This blog’s posting has been reduced somewhat while I concentrate more on cycling these days. It is enjoyable to cycle but after a few encounters with heat exhaustion and ultimately the beginnings of heat stroke, this article is as much to share information and also as a reminder for myself.
Heat exhaustion comes about when your core body temperature exceeds 37 degrees celsius.
Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
If heat exhaustion continues without treatment, heat stroke follows. Core body temperature could reach above 40 degrees celsius. Extreme heat stroke is a medical emergency. Get treatment and help immediately.
Symptoms of Heat Stroke
What to do when you encounter these symptoms? Treatment for Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Those treatment suggestion comes from personal experience. We all have our ebb and flow in energy level. Know your strength and weaknesses. Build stamina by slowly increasing the distance over time. Those taking medicines like diuretics, antihistamines, sedatives, tranquilizers, stimulants, some medications for heart and blood pressure medications, anti-depression medications are more prone to heat exhaustion.
Additional, bring along sweets or lozenges for that quick sugar rush to counter that dizziness. Medicated oil can help to treat nausea and relieve muscle cramps. Even if you are jogging or cycling nearby your home, always good to bring your handphone, a few dollars and cents for venting machine, bus or cab fare, your IC, atm or credit card for emergency money. You never know when you may need them.
While the temperature is climbing and humidity is cloaking the air, take care while walking, running or cycling outdoors.
How to Avoid Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke When Hiking, Jogging or Cycling
Cycling at Punggol Road
If you face that situation, on your own, feels like the distance home is so so far away….. Think of your family, friends or whatever keeps you going. Break down the distance to home in stages.
Think of one landmark on the route, example, that toilet around the next bend. March on and when you reach it, think of the next goal – maybe that food court at Changi Village. Next goal and the next one. So on and so on. Always remember to sip water continuously along the way. Stop if you must, take that 5 minutes break at a bus stop. For those who cycle, push the bike to conserve energy uphill if necessary.
When cycling, I do find that flat terrain use up more energy than undulating slopes. Or maybe it is just personal preference and fitness level. I would rather cycle along the slopes of Yio Chu Kang and Mandai Road than the Coastal Road and ECP. Part of the reason – there is no need to cycle downhill so there is time for recovery. So if you have a tendency for heat exhaustion like me, choose a route that best fit you.
So take care everyone while outdoors. Prevention is always better than cure. Be safe.
Relates Link
Understanding Heat-Related Illness — Symptoms
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke
Heat Exhaustion
Understanding Heat Stroke
Heat Stroke
Medications and Summertime Heat
Would you come with me on a hike? It is early morning, mist lingers above the water, birds are chirping, sunlight is especially dazzling. Walk slowly for this view….
Walking path to the Serangoon East Dam and the Beach
Where? Walk of the Damn….oopps…wrong spelling. The dam….you know…. the Serangoon East Dam and the coastline opposite. 
After the walk, let’s see what is on the other side of the path…….a stormy beach….
Incoming thunderstorm
It is monsoon season in Singapore towards the end of the year. Usually mid afternoon showers which can bring along flash floods in some areas if there is relentless rain. Best time outdoors – in the early morning. Watch those storm clouds racing in the distance. Storm chasers, let’s go chase those storms!
For the most part, I had taken lots of sunrise pictures. Sunset photography – occasionally.
This is the sequence of sunset pictures taken while I was at the Serangoon Reservoir East Dam during the super moon evening this year. The left frame shows the Nature Walk section of Punggol Promenade while the right side shows the opposite edge of Coney Island Singapore. Watch how the light conditions change in a matter of minutes.
Some days I was initially disappointed when I see the clouds – mostly grey sky. Just lingering for a few minutes more at one location can turn out to be the best decision ever. Composition wise, I prefer the vertical versions because the intense colours are much more highlighted. The next morning, the sunrise was indeed spectacular.
Have a great weekend and Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all those celebrating!
Sunrise at Serangoon Reservoir with Lorong Halus Wetland in the backgroud
Here is a sunrise collage of Serangoon Reservoir, taken at Punggol Promenade facing Lorong Halus Wetland.
In the early morning when the wind is still you see perfect reflections in the water. Very serene when there is mist and vibrant when a colourful sunrise radiates on the horizon. It is a great location for dawn and sunrise photography. Very peaceful with the sounds of birds chirping while waiting for the day to awaken.
There are many photos of these areas in this blog because this place is the gateway for my weekend trips when cycling to Punggol Beach, Pasir Ris Park or Changi Beach. It is also convenient that I can reach here within 10 minutes from my home.
So wherever you stay, I encourage you to explore your surroundings for pockets of nature and just chill out!
Map of mountain bike trails at Tampines Bike Park
An unplanned visit to Tampines Bike Park turned out to be an interesting and fun trip. I will certainly be back for more later.
I entered via the trail on the right side, next to the car park. I found out later that there was another entrance. I assume this is through the car park. People need to sign in for the BMX tracks and take a course before they can cycle there.
In any case, I saw that signboard after cycling about 5 mins. That red patch “You are Here” is the location of the signboard. There are only two huts for shelter here. Always check for the weather forecast and bring along water before coming here. This spot is a good place for a short rest as there are two wooden seats there.
Signboard and wooden seat at Tampines Bike Park before reaching the Pond section of the trail
A short distance from here is the second hut with a view of the two ponds, as shown in the previous post – Tampines Bike Park – Nature and Tranquility. I love the tranquility of this section of the trail.
Onwards, cycle further into the forest trail. Loose sandy soil were a wee bit tough to cycle after a long respite.
The primary forest trail at Tampines Bike Park
Soon you will pass the substation. Did not take any picture, next time I will.
After that, more sandy trail.
Sandy mountain bike trail after the substation at Tampines Bike Park
Further up, there is a slight incline to the hilltop. I opted out of this since I was not wearing a helmet and the mountain bike had no suspension whatsoever.
Note – all cyclists please wear helmets if you plan to cycle the more adventurous trails here. Up until that incline, the trail is pretty flat.
From pictures posted, the hilltop shows a beautiful view of the surrounding area. Something to look forward next time.
Location of Tampines Bike Park
If you don’t own a bicycle, you can rent one at SunPlaza, just across the road from Tampines Bike Park. Alternatively, rent one from the bike kiosk at Pasir Ris Town Park. Cycle along the Tampines Park Connector to reach here.
A look back at Tampines Bike Park before I head home. More to come!
Tampine Bike Park – the ponds and hut section – taken from the bike mirror.
Peaceful scenery along the river in Interlaken, Switzerland
A revisit to a familiar place – Interlaken in Switzerland. A quiet morning walk along the river. It was winter and not many people were outdoors on that sunday morning. Peaceful, misty, serene – all that you hope to see while on vacation. If only, everyday is that peaceful.
Photo for the day – as seen from Punggol Beach – twilight at Pasir Gudang. Waited a while after sunset to get this view at 7.31pm. The lights had been switched on and reflected on the water while the blue sky still lingered and golden rays of sunlight still rested on the horizon. A few minutes passed and the night scene darken all too soon. Time to go. Have a great weekend, everybody!
Glowing red lights reflection at Serangoon Reservoir at Dawn, 3 minutes before Sunrise
It is really a lucky streak to have seen a red sunset and a red sunrise on consecutive days. Yesterday was a red sunrise. This morning, the light was even more spectacular. I call this neon red because the sky was really glowing with red lights. Taken at 6.54pm about 3 minutes before sunrise. The best colors usually comes about a few minutes before sunrise. Straight from the camera with no editing. I will attempt HDR blending modes one of these days. Focusing on silhouettes for the moment. Have a wonderful Sunday, everybody!
