Colours Of Nature Part 3: Escapism In Hindhede

Our little family had been traversing lush, verdant nature parks the past few weeks. One of the more memorable moments was when we parked at the roadside near Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and munched on takeaway MacDonald's breakfast. 

The surrounding environs was full of the ubiquitous macaque monkeys that populated the nature reserves here. As we were chomping away cheerily, all 4 of us chuckled with mirth when we saw how a few adolescent monkeys playfully slid down the windscreen of the car behind us, almost as if it was a playground slide! Hilarious indeed.

The chuckles transformed into piercing shrieks of alarm as the few monkeys scampered quickly to our car, probably attracted by the sight of 4 humans munching on yummy food! One monkey perched on the left rear-view mirror just beside the passenger seat where I was, observing my hotcakes. 2 to 3 other monkeys scurried by the back of the car where Big Bee was, peeping at her Egg McMuffin. It was a sight to behold. We drove off in laughter and excitement shortly after, so that we could finish our breakfast in peace, away from the prying eyes of these monkeys!

After breakfast, we strolled amidst the luxuriant virgin forest and wandered into the Hindhede Nature Park. Under the lavish canopy of the antiquated giant trees, we experienced sweet, cool relief under an otherwise blazing sun. Such is the tender comforts of Mother Nature. 

We ambled off the beaten path and we felt like we were in another age, in another place - far far away from aloof, urban Singapore. We felt at one with nature, we felt at home amidst an intimate land of green. 

We meandered along the dirt path and stumbled into a playground purposely built to fit the loving embraces of Mother Earth. The girls had great fun sliding down the long slithering slide, clambering across a little suspension bridge and swaying on the tyre swings. We also stumbled up steep dirt slopes, balanced on thick fallen tree trunks, and observed pretty butterflies and shy spiders. 

At the end of an hour's walk, we chanced upon a small display of the endangered wildlife species in Singapore, especially in the nature reserves. It was very sad to reflect on the fact that Singapore used to harbour so much diversity of wild animals and insects, which had now dwindled to nothingness due to vile urbanisation. 

The Bees emerged from this journey, revived and rejuvenated, after a morning with the trees. And hopefully, with a stronger understanding of how important nature is to all of us on earth.