Railway Trek

A few weekends ago, on 10 July, we joined the throngs of curious Singaporeans at the abandoned Bukit Timah railway tracks and bade farewell to a historical monument that had been so much a part of our lives yet remained modestly in the backgrounds of our consciousness. 

It was a sweltering hot morning as we trudged along the railway tracks. What struck me was the hundreds of Singaporeans who had already converged on the tracks, despite our nation's usual aversion to the blazing sun and humid, windless weather. 

I usually detest crowds of any sorts, but these legions of people seemed rather comforting in our common alacrity to caress the dame of our nation's railway history with our multifarious footmarks. 

Hubby, Big Bee and I were busy snapping photos of the majestic tracks, whereas Little Bee marched stalwartly on the rocky and uneven tracks. The tracks were beautifully maintained, and I loved the splendid juxtaposition of the wooden tracks against the granite rocks. 

We crossed the prominent Bukit Timah railway bridge dauntlessly, despite a "no crossing" sign! The Bees were almost melting in the heat by now, but we continued our trek tirelessly. 

What I loved most about the trek was when we traipsed onto the small and rather decrepit signalling station and the many rail tracks alongside it. We explained to the Bees the intricacies and importance of signalling for trains. They were intrigued. 

We explored around here for a considerable time, and we particularly loved the dense primary forest around us. We ambled along the dirt track in the woods for a while, admiring all kinds of little colourful wild flowers and unkempt shrubs whilst listening to the contented chirpings of unseen birds. 

It was amazing how the silence of the forest permeated us, despite the crowds, almost as if everyone was hushed in their expressions within the presence of many verdant giants. 

Hubby and I fervently hoped that this green abundance would not be destroyed like so many of their predecessors before them, just to make way for yet another cold, unfeeling and utterly uninteresting urban landscape.  

It was noon by the time we decided to leave the refreshing forest for the hustle and bustle of a typical city life. We were glad that the Bees got to see a crucial pillar of history that shaped Singapore into who we are today. 

More importantly, we wanted them to see how civilisation and wild nature could exist harmoniously alongside in the past, unlike the senseless destruction of woodlands in most parts of Singapore to make way for dire over-urbanisation now. 

The Bees looking for mimosa and other interesting plants...

I have an uneasy hunch that we would not be seeing much of this breathtaking wilderness in time to come, despite our government's claim that they would be preserving this green belt "amidst other developments". Let's hope I am wrong. 

More photos here!

The Bees were fascinated that these were not just another set of serial numbers, but represented the year in which the Bukit Timah railway bridge was built.

I loved the intricate architecture designs of the bridge

We are so in need of such quaint, tranquil dirt tracks amidst gorgeous wilderness in Singapore! 

Sisters trekking together, hand in hand

Onward we march...

Big Bee was trying to emulate Hubby, who had earlier on posed for a photo as a "victim" trapped on the tracks!