We are currently on a green binge. We scour the map of Singapore looking for any and all forested areas and designated parklands. For a while, a giant swathe of green space south of the Central Catchment Area and just south of Macritchie Reservoir has intrigued us. Only a few roads cut through this green space and there are no parks there. Under closer inspection, we could see that this area near Mount Pleasant, is the site of an old Chinese cemetery. We've always enjoyed visiting cemeteries, especially ones with some history and this one certainly looked to be the biggest and oldest on the island. Getting there wasn't easy and when we finally did, we were greeted by a decrepit, crumbling gate. This kind of thing is hard to find in Singapore. Moreover, we expected a Chinese cemetery to receive the respect and upkeep it deserves. Inside, more of the same. Barely visible trails led into thick forest, to overgrown grave sites. The trails off the main loop were more dense than we have yet encountered in Singapore and we stepped carefully and lightly, afraid that the next step would turn up a scorpion, a snake, or worse! We didn't see any wild animals but did find some ramshackle homes -- forest dwellers, near homeless hermits, another Singapore first. Staying on the main road, we found a peace and tranquility here that is very hard to find in Singapore. In the end, it was hard to leave. It was a hot day so two hot boys did manage to convince us to move on. We didn't have to go far: we visited the nearby Champions Golf Course for a round of miniature golf and then finished the day off at Turf City and the Grandstand. Aptly named, the giant, old grandstand is now a shopping and dining enclave in the heart of one of Singapore's most prestigious neighborhoods. The views of the city from the top of the 7-storey upper deck were beautiful and the Indian food downstairs was probably the best I've had!
No comments:
Post a Comment