Thomson Nature Park + Inner Thoughts

Good Morning Blog,

2023 was coming to an end, I thought of going for a short hike somewhere else to have some deep reflection. Extracted contents from my main blog page. This will not be focus on Thomson Nature Park, but rather having some self-reflection over something which in my head for a long time.

Clear weather which expressed how I felt today.

I will be expressing my thought process while hiking so it is a long-winded one.

Access While Low Tide

Good Morning Blog,

Today was my 2nd day of leave for 2023. My friends wanted to go to the island and needed me to bring them along. Although I had gone to the Island with XY and BW... Since I had promised I would fulfil my words.

Today's weather would be a chilled one.

I checked today's tidal schedule, and it seemed like there was a low tide in the morning timing. I only hope today won't dampen my mood.

No Water Island Visit

Good Morning Blog,

XY and BW decided to take a trip to Lazarus Island while in Singapore. XY had to return to Singapore temporarily to sort out his citizenship issues and BW had some leave days to spare. It was a farewell for XY and a first-time experience for BW.

Thank Heaven for such a sunny morning.

I decided to take a trip to the island, as this was the first time I had visited it with my close friends. I expected it to be a fun and relaxing experience.

Tanglin Halt Green

Good Morning Blog,

On my first day when I started to clear my leave, Ai wanted to go for a hike with me.

Today's morning was perfect for a hike!

I heard that this was Ai's first hike, so we started something simple, to hike along the green corridor.

Old Bird Bird Park II

Good Morning Blog,

It's a long weekend this week because of Deepavali, but I didn't get enough rest at all. Had to attend different meetings/groups with different agendas. I only had today's morning window for myself.

Thanks, Heaven that it was a dry and sunny morning.

Today I would want to re-visit Bird Bird Park (in case, you had missed out on my previous visit) because I saw a picture of a monorail 🚝 track taken by one of the urbex rangers. I wanted that shot! And this place will be taken over by some companies by the end of this year.

Bintan - Nirwana Gardens

Hi Blog,

What exciting news for me that I got a chance to visit Bintan Resort! I heard a lot about that place but only had a chance to explore that country with someone who has experience there.

I foreseen that there won't be food for a vegetarian nerd like me so I will go with some backup.

Why so? Usually, those who go to Bintan resorts are families, couples, and a group of friends... I am single... Bringing my mother to the resort is not a great idea without anyone who can or anything to keep my mother entertained...

Finding That Wall

Good morning Blog,

Thank God it's Friday! I was troubled about where should I go next. Why so?

I woke up very early for my medical appointment and the doctor would usually give me a day's mc; so I was thinking about my next destination after mc.

Eventually, I can't decide... Wanted to go for island sun tanning or exploration or a quiet hike or go back home and sleep.

CCK Forest

Hi Blog,

This place which I was to go, to does not have its name, naming it CCK Forest, seemed meh... Anyway, this place got me wondering if anything was interesting or not. Why don't I make my way there to see it myself?

Hmm... It seemed hazy... It seemed like our neighbour was burning the forest.

I guessed that it was a good opportunity to explore before it got worse.

Old Bird Bird Park

Hi Blog,

Today's morning where would I be heading to? Recently, I saw someone share an interesting place on their social media that looked familiar... My gut feeling told me the time had come and after enquired about the entrance...

It's time to explore before it was gone.

Yes, as titled, you might already know where I was heading, right? Let me show you around if you still don't have any idea.

Tampines Quarry

Hi Blog,

Tomorrow was Voting Day so our school was tasked to become a counting center so we were asked to leave the premises slightly later (half day you may ask). But... On the night day, I had a class to attend... So much time for pocket time.

What shall I do with this time?

As titled, I decided to go for a short exploration at Tampines Quarry. I had visited there for like the third time - The First and Second were in 2017, and the third was in 2018. Today will be my fourth time. I would like to see the changes.

Yishun Forest

Good Afternoon Blog,

I decided to clear this one from my list - explore Yishun Forest!

I don't know how to access it or what to expect there... Because I saw one of the Facebook posts and the hiker didn't wish to share much detail about it...

Honestly, I saw that Yishun forest many times, I dare not explore alone unless I am certain of what to look for.

Easter Dover Trees

Hi Blog,

The feeling of burden or relief after finished my blog posts was indescribable. Today I wanted to go hiking!

Where shall I go to?

Hmm... 🤔 After a careful and quick thought, I explored Dover Forest. I remembered that Dover Forest was in the midst of deforestation to make space for new buildings, but I saw many hikers still posing in pictures of the West zone of the Dover Forest.

Finding Random Storage Ruin

Hi Blog,

Right after I touched down in Singapore safely from Japan, my twelve days oversea trip. I had to take a taxi back home... More bleeding from my wallet... But I know I need some rest after that...

So I decided to go exploration in the next day!

But I will go and meet up with my friend, Ben, for a lunching before he continued his work.

ShiFen and JiuFen Revisit

Hi Blog,

After our short visit to Yehliu Geopark, the next stop will be Shifen and Jiufen. What amazed me, is that there is a new express route to Shifen and Jiufen!

The route cuts directly through the mountains.

Because based on my Taiwan visit previously, the bus took a longer route, along the shore for beautiful sceneries... Or I wondered... They just didn't take this route on purpose.

Yehliu Geopark Revisit

Good Afternoon Blog,

On our last day in Taiwan, we thought it would be a great idea to explore other places in Taipei by booking transportation to Yeliu Geopark, Jiufen and Shifen. We thought it would be our private transportation but...

...we were wrong... it was a tour guide bus...

Not sure what EK had booked from... I scanned through Klook, and there were many such tours and transportation in the app. I think... EK (he helped us to book) might go for a cheaper option...

921 Earthquake Museum

Good morning Blog,

Some of them felt that we should spend some time out from Taipei hence we decided to visit Taichung today.

This was 7.30am, usually this time in Singapore, it won't be that bright.

We went for a simple breakfast and set off to get to the high-speed train (there were some hiccups like providing an expired passport detail from the team and I was blind to identify the problem)...

Qingtiangang Grassland 擎天崗

Hi Blog,

What a long tiring first day in Taiwan... and on the second day, everyone seemed to take their time to catch up some rest especially it will be some exploration to do today.

We had our breakfast near our Airbnb even though I wanted to skip it but it will ruin for everyone... Ate until having a bloated tummy...

Well, travelling in a group is always about compromise. It is a second day then I should follow through first. Anyway, where are we going today? We will be heading down to Yangming Shan 陽明山國家公園. Honestly, it is a big unknown to me... Hope it is safe and easy.

Confucius Temple 孔子廟

Hi Blog,

To continue our first visit after we landed in Taiwan - to visit Confucius Temple. I had to thank Heaven for this particular arrangement because ZQ and I always wanted to explore it, but we were uncertain about finding the time in our busy itinerary. Additionally, we understood that not everyone shared the same enthusiasm for this visit.

Because the operation time for any shopping store is 11am and we had plenty of time after breakfast, so they decided to visit the temple.

Why do I feel grateful for this opportunity? Because there are many possibilities like the team might want to split up or visit somewhere else. But I felt touched when they felt it was right to pay Confucius a visit.

Tuas TV again

Hi Blog,

Today was an exciting trip for me because I got a chance to visit my favourite place - Tuas TV World again. Today's trip was not about me going there myself, I want to save my trip there by knowing the situation...

Yes! Reached here at ease! Thanks to P for driving us here. I saw there was a guard guarding the entrance of Tuas TV.

There was someone picking me up to that place, if any unsuccessful attempt at Tuas TV, we had a vehicle to travel elsewhere.

Searching for the Searchlight

Hi Blog,

It was great to have a long weekend, especially on Monday, to reduce Monday's blue effect. Today, I was invited to join a group by WS and S to look for some locations which I had yet to find.

Getting ready. Thank Heaven for such nice weather as there were storms at the later part of these days.

As titled, they told me that today they will try to cover as many as they can. Let's see what it is and what I missed.

Finding Veranda Banyan Tree

Good morning Blog,

As usual, my weekend routine is to go hiking. Hopefully one day, I will just cycle with my waifu regularly. I guess it is due to there being a place that I need to clear from the list.

Good morning Mr Sun. Great to have you with me on my today's exploration.

I thought of revisiting this site - old Jurong road to snap some scenes and also collect an item nearby.

Cave Path

Hi Blog,

Yippee! Long weekend and that Monday morning was mine! Time to go for a short exploration.

Thanks Heaven for such good weather!

Yes, as titled. Today I was thinking of knowing where and how to get to the cave in Singapore. Based on the map app, it seemed like an easy task.

Old Jurong Road B Trail

Hi Blog,

Yes, as what you were reading, today morning I planned to explore a new place; not new but an old place going to be removed sooner.

Thank goodness, today's weather was good. I guess it is my daily ritual to look at the sky and greet Mr Sun.

So you may ask me what is Old Jurong Road B trail. The letter B means Bulim. I don't put on the title and separate it because... Mine isn't official or more informative than those pages here and here; mine was just a personal journal experience.

Former CD Centre

Hi Blog,

Supposed to work hard weekend but I got a bit burned out due to some reasons that happened these days... I wanted to skip today's urbex trip but the organizer wasn't involved in my burnout so I will attend neutrally.

Today's weather seemed gloomy which explained how I felt these days... Anyway, so where was I heading to?

I felt that I should not put up any actual naming for that place yet, so for now, I will just keep it discreet as it should be.

Fort Siloso & Tanjong Rimau

Hi Blog,

This one I had been waiting for an opportunity! And I don't care anymore, I decided to go for it!

Thanks Heaven for the wonderful weather today! Yesterday it was raining somehow... But the sky was God-sent.

Where was I going to? Based on the title, let me show you a bit and explain what's up with today?

Closing Golden Mile Complex

Hi Blog,

I read it somewhere that Golden Mile Complex (also known as Little Thailand) was closing for redevelopment before 11th May 2023. WS invited me to join his team to explore that place. Usually, I only visit that place for Malaysia bus coach services and other than that, I don't go there for food or any. It will be a great opportunity to have a closer look at it.

The morning sky seemed gloomy and since we would be inside the building it wouldn't affect us.

You may read more about this place its redevelopment news and interesting information. Here, I won't cover much of the history or any useful information about Golden Mile because there are other websites which did better than me; I only journal my last visit there without any proper writing.

Finding Old Hideout Shelter

Hi Blog,

Before I went for an afternoon activity and was supposed to go for a hike with my friend but they couldn't make it... So it was my Me-time moment!

So where was I planning to go?

I wanted to revisit the same place because there are some locations that I missed out on after checking on some expert hikers who visited that place.

Forgotten Jurong Crocodile Reptile Park

Hi Blog,

To continue from my previous trip, exploring an unknown closed factory (here), WS suggested exploring one more place nearby. Jurong Hill and Jurong Crocodile Reptile Park. After we were near there, the former Bird Park was near too. We wondered, can we enter or not?

As we stood in front of the closed and highly secured Bird Park entrance I looked up; I didn't notice that there was such beautiful stained glass before. At least, I got to see it before it was gone.

Since it was closed and let's give that place a bit of time, I would love to visit there again. Then next was to visit Jurong Hill.

Unknown Waste and Strap Company

Good Morning Blog,

Remember that I told you that my urbex journey was coming to an end because not many places in Singapore were covered?

Thanks, WS for agreeing to bring me to places which added to my urbex experience.

Today we will be exploring one place as titled. Location won't be revealed due to it is best to keep it away from public eyes and low profile.

Closed Oil Refinery Factory

Hi Blog,

Recently I went to an abandoned concrete factory and following up on today's trip - I registered for a paid visit to this closed down Oil Refinery Factory in the North.

Hmm... Gloomy weather though but I believe since it was paid for, it should stay open.

I have a question... Why paid? Hmm... Paid to get in? Paid for a guide?

Abandoned Factory

Hi Blog,

Recently, WS shared with me one exciting location and I was supposed to have a hiking trip with Az but due to timing constraints, I had to postpone Az's and will hike with him again.

Gloomy weather today because I just realised I didn't manage to transfer some photos before I started my trip below... And deleted it from my camera. Not a nice feeling to have...

As what you had read in my title, yes! Today I will be going to visit an abandoned factory! Let's go!

Hempsey Hill Ruins

Hi Blog,

Last week, I came to Dempsey Hill to find the ruins which some hikers posted on Facebook but somehow... I got the wrong pin. (blog post) Then after consulting a few other hikers.

ZN texted me that he must step out hence he will join my today's exploration.

Back to the wrong pin, I guessed that the one who gave willingly did give me the right one but expected me to look around. As I watched LS's video, it seemed like it was there...

Finding the Rabbit Hole

Good morning Blog,

After my Saturday long-day event, I went home in the morning and caught a nap... Until noon...

The weather was so good that I should not just sleep throughout and since my emotions were still darkened yet, so...

Since I decided to explore only a little, this seemed doable based on the map...

West Side of Keppel Hill

Hi Blog,

After yesterday's hike with Mr L and his friends to visit the Great Banyan Tree and a new discovery (for me) beside Keppel Reservoir, I decided to go on my own today.

Thanks, Heaven didn't rain in the morning.

Nowadays, there is nothing new and exciting location in Singapore so any newer places are always exciting for me. (I just have to stop visiting abandoned building locations)

2023 First Hike

Happy 2023 Blog,

I was half motivated and half tired today but since it was a good sunny morning, I should not waste the opportunity.

So where shall I be hiking then? Honestly, there was nothing new left to cover, but I will take it as a self-reflection hike.

Hence it will be a short mediocre hike like my future hikes.