I attended a training workshop on tuesday and wednesday nearby Harbour Front and Vivocity. During lunch time, it suddenly rained during fine weather. Well the monsoon season is here so rain or shine is rather unpredictable. Always bring along the umbrella.
Anyway, this is the view of Sentosa during the sudden rain storm. White gigantic clouds took up most of the horizon, a dash of blue sky in the corner.
Storm Clouds over Sentosa
Yes, I love the rain! 🙂
I have been trying to get sharp pictures of these birds for some time now. They are very fast moving and it is rather hard to catch them in action.
I have seen these birds every time I was at the rivers. They hover over the water, then suddenly dived into the water, catch their food and away they fly. Maybe next time I can get a shot of them diving and catching their food.
The water was rather muddy as it just rained and the debris had overflowed the catchment area due to the higher water level. Those trees on the right frame with the long roots in the water are mangrove trees. Very important for the eco system. I found out later that if loose rocks instead of concrete were used for the river bank, plants have a better survival rate after re-constructing the river banks.
So important to nurture our environment for the future generation.
The beach here on the left side of the coast is a bit rocky. Not the place for swimming. But they are wonderful landscape to photograph. When I have a bit more time, I will try using one of the filters and have fun with the editing. Depending on the angle of light, sometimes the water looks a deep blue, other times green.
Have a great day ahead!
Colourful flowers to chase away the monday blues.
My mom called these “chicken shit” flowers – a direct translation from our native language. Never really notice before the flowers come in many colors. Upon closer look, the young buds look like stars before blooming to maturity. Some species have different colors right in the middle of each flower – quite a colorful array.
Have a great week ahead.
These are early views of the Punggol Waterway – the water canal that will run from Punggol Reservoir to Serangoon Reservoir.
Early views, by that I mean that construction is not completed. The basic structures are there, the rest “akan datang” or “coming soon”. When it is completed, people can canoe and kayak in the water canal while pedestrians and cyclists can enjoy the views along the water canal.
These pictures are taken near the Punggol Reservoir, one section of the Punggol Waterway.
Punggol Waterway – Sunrise
Sunrise at Punggol Waterway - near the Punggol Reservoir
As you can see, there is an LRT track on the background. There are steps into the water canal that can also serve as seats. There are several types of seats along the canal. More pictures below.
How To Get Here
At the end of the Punggol Park Connector, you see this.
End of Punggol Park Connector
Look carefully and you will see two well-beaten path on the right side. Step over to the clay path and see what is behind the construction.
Punggol Waterway from across temporary dam
This is what you see if you are standing on the temporary dam. This is the view when walking towards the Punggol Waterway.
Heading towards the Punggol Waterway
The circular structure stands exactly in the middle of the bridge, over the water canal. A closer look of the bridge.
Bridge over Punggol Waterway
No cycling. Dismount.
Over the Bridge at Punggol Waterway
In the middle of the bridge.
View over the bridge at Punggol Waterway
Seats along the water canal.
Seats at Punggol Waterway
More seats at Punggol Waterway
The Gabezo
A look back of the bridge and the gazebo
Gazebo - viewing platform - in the middle of the bridge - Punggol Waterway
Gazebo - Viewing Bridge - Punggol Waterway
Climber Plants
As you can see climber plants have been planted along the sides and frames of the structure. Once they are grown (and if there are flowers), they will provide shades from the sun and will be a beautiful sight. A nice viewing platform to catch sunrise or sunset and the surroundings.
Temporary Dam
Temporary Dam
I am pretty sure this is a temporary structure to provide a bridge across the waterway. There is another dam at the other end of the waterway. Haven’t explored the other side. Don’t want to be a bit of a nuisance, after all, construction is still on-going.
Once the go-ahead is given, I am sure the dam structures will be removed and the bridge as shown earlier will be the main gateway to get to the other side and be a part of the park connector.
Looking forward to the next development.
For early pictures of the other end of Punggol Waterway at Serangoon Reservoir, click here and here.
Update : The original article was written way back in 2011. Since then, the PCN tracks have been opened to the public, though some sections still need some improvements.
To get this view, you need to pass by some routes.
Park Connector Network along Punggol Beach
How to Go to Punggol Beach
From Sengkang Riverside Park Connector to Punggol Park Connector
From Sengkang, go to Sungei Punggol or Punggol River or Punggol Reservoir as it is now known. Pass by underneath the TPE/SLE expressway and you are on the Punggol Park Connector.
At the end of the route, cross over either the right or left side. Right side – clay path. Left side – walk along the the river’s bank edges stone path. Both paths are uneven tracks, wear track shoes not slippers.
Clay Path at Punggol Park Connector Network
Note : This is an old picture. The dam has been removed so this path is longer there. Walk along the river’s edge and the track will lead to the Jewel Bridge at Punggol Waterway.
An old picture of the path on the temporary dam
After that, you will see this.
Old picture of uncompleted track at Punggol PCN. It is now completed.
This is what I called the third shelter along the Punggol PCN here. When this picture was taken, the track was not completed yet. Use the Jewel Bridge to cross over the other river side.
Shelter at the Punggol PCN
Cross this bridge.
Dismount before the bridge
Punggol Dam
That greenish building in the far distance is the Punggol Marina Country Club. It is across the road.
Punggol Marina Country Club
Punggol Marina
After reaching the Punggol Dam, turn right, cross the road where the Punggol Marina Country Club is. You can see this track from across the road. Watch out for vehicles. Some bumps before and after reaching the road across.
PCN behind Punggol Marina Country Club
Watch out for vehicles before crossing this route.
Beware of vehicles at the Punggol Marina Country Club
A right turn and you are finally at the Punggol Beach.
Photographs along Punggol Beach
Punggol Beach with Johor in the distance
Sea View along the Punggol Beach PCN
Fishing at Punggol Beach
Across the bridge, more views.
Crossing the Bridge
Punggol Beach viewed from the bridge
Heading to Punggol Point and the Jetty
Cycling along Punggol Beach towards Punggol Point
Resting area – park seats.
Seats across Punggol Beach
At Punggol Beach.
Rocks at Punggol Beach
Punggol Beach - Left side view
Boat reaching the Punggol Jetty
Punggol Jetty
Viewing Platform at Punggol Jetty
The right side of Punggol Beach is still boarded up. There is a signboard that shows “Punggol Promenade”. This will connect with the PCN along the Lorong Halus Wetland, Sungei Serangoon. A lady chased us out before we could explore further. Just pictures for now.
Punggol Promenade at Punggol Point
PCN at Punggol Promenade, Punggol Point
Note : This was written before the official opening of Punggol Promenade at Punggol Beach. It is now opened to the public. No food stalls just yet. There is a drink venture machine next to the Police Post at the Jetty entrance. During weekends, the ice cream vendor is here at Punggol Beach.
If you don’t want to walk, jog or cycle, take Bus 84 from Punggol Bus Terminal and stop here. When the food and beverage outlets are fully opened, there will be such a big crowd.
Enjoy peace and quiet here during your leisure time.
Update : Bus 82 no longer stops at Punggol Beach (Punggol Road end). Now Bus 82 stops at Punggol Interchange. From there, take Bus 84 to reach Punggol Beach.
2nd Update : Many things have changed since this was posted. The PCN tracks at both ends of the Jewel Bridge at Punggol Waterway have been completed.
3rd Update : For a continuous circuit, walk, jog or cycle further on the right side of Punggol Beach to reach the rustic path at the Nature Walk section of Punggol Promenade. See glimpses of Coney Island on the opposite shore line. At the other end, the track connects to Punggol Waterway at Serangoon Reservoir and Lorong Halus Wetland.
Look closer in the water and you will see a creature swimming across it. These are closer views. Not too sure what animal it was. I suspected it was a monitor lizard. Surely not a snake as the swimming pattern was rather different. Only the head was visible.
Next time you are nearby, take a closer look in the water. Never know what you may find. 😉
Hidden Pool along gravel path to the dam at Lorong Halus Wetland
This pool and greenery is located next to a gravel path if one takes a bit of time to explore a bit of a curiosity.
Yes, I am a curious cat who just loves to explore. I did see a bit of a well trodden path and came by to investigate. Calm water reflection. It looked dirty but within there was life. Somewhere in the bushes, birds sang to one another, insects buzzed by and it seemed a great place to just seemly watch by.
On one morning, saw a guy with a tripod and a big camera – a serious bird watcher. The gravel path caused a noisy sound. I would suggest if you are on a bicycle, push the bike instead of cycling because the crunching sounds startled the wildlife. The sound is softer if walking instead.
See you on the next post.
Here is a picture of the day. Early morning, a cloudy sunrise. Those fluffy white clouds in the upper range are called “clouds corridor” if I am not mistaken.
I read a book in the library recently on the different types of clouds. Those “clouds corridor” are usually fast moving. Those heavier clouds in this picture, if they linger on, may well become storm clouds. Where we are in the tropics, it is not unusual weather after all.
See you on the next post.
Somewhere along the Park Connectors Network (PCN) along Sungei Punggol or Punggol River are these images.
On one side of the river canal are private houses.
On the other side, are kampong style houses.
If you have never seen a banana plant, here is a picture.
Please don’t pluck. These belong the people who planted them.
These are the sights along the PCN at the Sengkang Riverside Park, on the left side of the Anchorvale Community Centre.
Admire these sights but do not disturb. Have a great day ahead!
HASAYANG'S TRAVEL AND PHOTOS 