THE JOY OF WALKING (2)

After talking about it for many years, hubby and I finally made it to the Bedok Reservoir Park last weekend for an evening jog cum walk.  And, it was our first time there, after being residents in the eastern part of Singapore for over 12 years!  I know this has taken too long.

Bedok Reservoir Park with the 88-hectare Bedok Reservoir in it, is located along Bedok Reservoir Road which holds some very fond memories of my teenage years.  In my recent posting on Goodbye Mr Lee Kuan Yew, I have mentioned about coming to Singapore for holidays when I was young.  During my upper secondary school days, after I became more independent and was allowed to travel with friends, I had made a few visits to Singapore with a very close childhood friend of mine on school holidays.  We would stay with her relatives who owned a flat in Bedok Reservoir Road.  Then, the housing estate was still pretty new, and the reservoir area was not developed into a park yet.  However, the time spent with my dear friend and her relatives in Bedok Reservoir Road, formed beautiful memories which I still cherish to this day.

It took hubby and I close to an hour to complete the 4.3km track of the reservoir’s shoreline that evening, and we registered 7000+ steps.  It was a very lovely walk.  There were many joggers, walkers and strollers, but the beautiful greenery and the tranquility of the reservoir against the backdrop of setting sun simply made our exercise very enjoyable.  I also noticed that there are quite a number of nice facilities there.

The first thing I spotted as we walked in to the park …. a water cooler!  That’s nice but perhaps, NParks can consider adding a couple more along the running track. 🙂

Wawawa Bistro by the Reservoir

Fishing deck for the fishing enthusiasts

Water sports such as sailing, kayaking, canoeing, wakeboarding etc are allowed on the reservoir but we didn’t see any of these activities when we were there, apart from some fishing activities.  I have read that the water-skiing competition in the upcoming SEA Games 2015  in June will be held here at this reservoir

What a beautiful living environment for the residents of this area!

Forest Adventure (Aerial Tree Obstacle Course)

Campus of Temasek Polytechnic, seen from the jogging track

Part of the track along the reservoir shoreline

A fruitful mango tree!  It reminded me of the old mango tree in my parents’ home and how I used to enjoy harvesting the fruits together with my aunties, during my school days.  That mango tree is gone for many years now.

The hilly part of the park.  A great place to rest and relax,  to enjoy the beauty scenery and be soaked in its serenity.  It is also a great place for picnic and other activities etc. 🙂

The Floating Deck, another great spot to make a stop

Too bad, it was too cloudy to catch the sunset.  Hubby and I have seen very beautiful sunset (not just once but a few times) while touring Japan but somehow we still haven’t had the chance to see one in Singapore.  I suppose it needs a bit of luck!

The fitness corner seemed well made use of …

…. so was the playground

And, what are these? So many poles for hanging bird cages!

I also spotted a lone solar panel.  Still wondering what it is for, and why only one panel.

After sunset

Perhaps, many are not aware that Bedok Reservoir was actually a sand quarry in the early years of Singapore’s independence.  Thanks to the great work by the authorities in converting it into a reservoir by the mid 80’s. Together with Bedok Reservoir Park, they make a great place for many to enjoy.  Singapore is a very small country in terms of its land space (about 718 square kilometre) but has a high population density of about 7,618 people per square kilometre(*) – a number too high for comfort, in my opinion.  Nevertheless, I am thankful that there are still many parks and greenery for us to enjoy.

(*) Calculated based on the the total population of 5.47 million (according to data on countryeconomy.com) as of end 2014.

THE JOY OF WALKING

Recently, hubby and I have embarked on an intensive jogging/walking and stairs-climbing routine.  When I say intensive, I mean doing it on a daily basis within a duration, and with a target to register at least 10,000 steps a day (using the Apps available on our iPhones to measure the steps).

Why 10,000 steps?  Well, this is not new but a recommended number by the exercise experts.  There has been research that supports the benefits of this recommended number such as weight loss, increase physical activity and reduce blood pressure, to name a few. We all know that it is important that we do not take our health for granted, and prevention is always better than cure regardless of our age groups.

Just how easy or difficult it is to achieve 10,000 steps a day? I would say it is not that easy but not impossible with some conscious and good effort.  Simple ways could be like walking to/from the nearest MRT station instead of taking a bus, climbing the stairs instead of taking the lift.

But of course, these are still not enough to achieve the desired 10,000 steps.   Hence, we are making an effort to jog/brisk-walk on a daily basis.  Our dilemma which I believe is also common to many Singaporeans, is about having time and making time for such exercises.  It is really not so easy given the long working hours, and the tiredness after a long day of work.  I would say we are making good progress since early this month, after hubby settled with a special work arrangement for a temporary half day work from home with his boss.  So we are making full use of this duration.

An average of 11,000+ steps since early April 🙂

As we jog/walk more, we began to venture out to areas slightly further away from where we live.  We began to use the park connectors a lot, and are getting to know our neigbourhood better.  I am enjoying and am beginning to appreciate the Park Connectors Network that we have in Singapore.  Thanks to the great job by the NParks (National Parks) Singapore!  The park connectors have provided very convenient and pleasant paths for people to exercise despite the limited land space in Singapore.  Greenery, shady and flowering trees, shrubs and colourful flowers aside, there are also fitness equipment, children playgrounds, benches etc. within the park connectors.  What else can we ask for?

Last week, after our visit to Tulipmania 2015, we had a walk along the bayfront area, from the Gardens by the Bay to the Marina Barrage bridge, in the dusking sky.  It was our first time to walk this part of Singapore.  It’s such a beautiful area.  Perhaps this explains why many have chosen to exercise there in the evening.

Our pleasant surprise that evening….. can you guess what they are?

We saw 6 wild otters!  We have read reports on wild otters being sighted in different parts of Singapore but little did we expect to see them, right there in the Marina area!  No wonder we saw signboards reading “Otters Crossing” along the bayfront area.  I hope these otters could find enough fish and food to eat!

Marina Barrage

Bayfront skyline after dark

Gardens by the Bay & Marina Bay Sands

Singapore Flyer

The night joggers

It looks like we have to move beyond our neighbourhood, explore other park connectors on the island and at the same time, get to know and appreciate my homeland better.  It is like killing two birds with one stone. 🙂

ANOTHER NEW YEAR

This morning, hubby and I went for our first exercise for the year.  At last, after not being able to do so for many months due to hubby’s very hectic work schedule.  With the project now implemented, I am praying and hoping that year 2015 will be a better year for him in terms of work-life balance and his health.

The weather this morning was lovely.  Cool and windy.  It was so good to be back exercising in our Lao Di Fang (老地方, Chinese words meaning our regular place).  I hope we will be able to do it regularly this year as part of our efforts to live well and stay fit.  We are all responsible for our own health and exercise is one way to achieving it.

On the eve of new year, we had a late home-cooked dinner since hubby didn’t get home from work until past 10pm.  Our meal was a little special this time though simple.

New Year’s Eve dinner at home.

Salad in ponzu (sauce made from soy sauce and citrus juice) and olive oil

Cold green-tea soba, for the first time

In Japanese tradition, people eat soba, called toshikoshi soba (年越し蕎麦) on the eve of New Year to let go of the hardship of the year or to ward off evil spirits, and also to wish for long-life.

Simmered daikon (radish) with chicken wing, also my first attempt

The recipe is from Cook Japanese with Tamako again.  We really liked it.

We then topped it off with a small glass of plum wine (梅酒) and a small piece of cheese cake each from Snaffles to complete our simple yet satisfying meal to end the year 2014.

2015 is a special year for Singapore as the country celebrates its 50 years of independence.

Taken on 30 Dec, 2014, this is a beautiful 2-minute montage of sketches and graphics on the milestones of Singapore, on the facade of the iconic Fullerton Hotel. This projection was created to commemorate Singapore’s 50th year of independence in 2015.

Whatever the celebrations there may be, I just hope that 2015 will be a year of good health & great joy with less heart-breaking tragedies and catastrophes around the world.  To those who have lost their loved ones in the QZ8501 tragedy on 28 December 2014, may they overcome their pain and grief, and move on with their lives.

May you have a blessed 2015.