Following my time spent watching primates at the Singapore Zoo, I decided I wanted to have a true nature walk. After some research I chose the wonderful trails and primary forest surrounding MacRitchie Reservoir.
On a very hot, sweltering day in Singapore (and let’s be honest, every day in Singapore is hot and sweltering) I hopped on a local bus from Chinatown to transport me north to MacRitchie. I was dropped off rather unceremoniously as the bus driver halted, looked at me, and said something akin to “Get off. This is your stop fool.” Luckily once I stepped off onto the concrete bus stop and headed towards what looked to be the only body of water at my current location I was greeted by a friendly local who proceeded to inform me that yes, this was indeed the place I was looking for. A few minutes later I was much more informed of my surroundings and headed down a cement sidewalk towards the entrance. The path led up and over a small hill and immediately the area opened up. The reservoir was large. Very large. Rowboats skipped across the water like mosquitoes. A handful of people were enjoying the day by walking on the path that gently curved around this end of the reservoir and towards the entrance to the nature trail.
I followed the curve of the path and a few people when I was met with the first (and not the last by far) monkey. Little did I know how thick the monkeys presence were here in the park. I would soon find out.
The path turned from cement to gravel and dirt while a large sign showed a map of the surrounding park and trails it contained. I was brimming with excitement. Finally I could take a non-guided, non-tourist, very local walk around a park and nature reserve. I had been disappointed with the lack of parks and independent trekking options in Thailand and was ready to go enjoy a day out walking in a decidedly peaceful, non-tourist way.
As I hiked the 13km trail I came across the occasional runner, water bottles in hand to combat the heat. It didn’t take long before I met the other denizens of the forest. The inquisitive monkeys.
I also came across a local couple stopped midway on the trail looking into the underlying brush. Seeing my camera attached around my neck they made sure to stop me and point out the monitor lizard a few feet from the trail, digging into the roots of a tree looking for a mid-morning snack. I was delighted to discover this as I probably would never have seen it if they hadn’t brought it to my attention.
The day grew on and my legs started succumbing to the heat and distance before I finally reached the destination I sought for when I picked MacRitchie Reservoir: the canopy bridge. The suspended bridge hung just at the treetops, providing a magnificent view of the surrounding forest and any monkeys that might be inhabiting the trees along the way.
Alas, there were no monkeys during my walk across the bridge, but the view was great and the breeze was refreshing. I spent 15 minutes resting, relaxing, and taking in the full view all around me. As I started my way to the other end of the bridge my eyes caught the distinct movements of monkeys. And not just one. They were thick on that side, mostly loitering on the bridge and the surrounding trees. Once I came closer they scattered, disappearing from view into the safety of the branches. The trees swung as if being pushed by a breeze, but the only disturbance causing the motion was the flight of monkeys climbing up, down, or hopping from tree to tree. I stood motionless for a time, hoping to coax them out of their hiding places. It didn’t work though, since I could be easily seen out in the open and they were not foolish enough to come out. It was also a good sign that they didn’t come close to me begging for food either, as there were signs in the park warning visitors not to feed the monkeys. Since the monkeys were not looking for food, it seems the visitors have been taking the sign’s warning message to heart.
I continued on from the bridge and looped around to a second exit in the park. By this time I was thoroughly exhausted, yet happy to have a day in which I did something that was exactly what I was looking for. No tricks, no fees, no tourist stands. Just a nice walk in a local park, visiting with friendly locals and sharing inquisitive looks with the forest’s residents.
And leaves the size of my backpack. Clearly this was no walk around the lake in the hometown where I grew up. Monkeys replaced deer. Monitor lizards replaced squirrels. Leaves measuring 2-3 feet replaced the smaller oak and maple leaves from back home. Yet that is exactly why I decided to take this trip: to trade in familiar sights, sounds, and sensations for the chance at foreign experiences. To view the world and all of its nuances from my own perspective.
Looks like me you and Peters! I cannot believe that leaf is the size of your backpack! Pretty cool seeing.
Yeah that leaf was huge. It was nice to go for a nature walk and see some totally different things from home.
I hope the leaves in the lizard picture aren’t the same size as the one in the backpack picture. If so, that lizard is HUGE and quite scary 🙂
Looks like a cool place.
Good question – but no, the leaves by the lizard are normal leaves, not the gigantic Jurassic Park leaf like the one by my backpack.
I would have stopped and cried to see that bridge. Did you have to cross it?
I did cross it – it was the reason I decided to go to MacRitchie in the first place! It was well worth it too!