Zapped off most energy

Woke up at 7.15 am today to go for a treetop walk and a Japanese Shrine visit in MacRitchie area with my platoon mates. Met up at Novena mrt to take a bus to Venus Drive (the nearer entrance to HSBC treetop walk). We walked some distance before reaching the ranger station and had some close encounters with some monkeys.


We continued our stroll and we reached the treetop walk within a short period of time. The scenery is great and the walkway is indeed rather high at around 4-7 storeys high. Took some pictures as well.

After the rather short treetop walk, we headed back to the ranger station walking along the wooden steps and stairs.

Ks had planned the entire route for us and we were all following his directions to Syonan Jinja, a Japanese shrine built during World War 2 which was destroyed subsequent to the war. The remnants are as photographed.

However, these are only the concrete remnants at the corner of the once extensive shrine. Thus, we followed a trail, then a narrow trail, then a narrow trail with many obstructions towards Syonan Jinja. The journey was rather unpleasant as we were all sweating profusely, had cobwebs sticking to our skin, had to cross streams which have muddy banks and the journey is long and tiring. Got quite irritated by the ocassional mosquito bites, trips nearly caused by roots, thorns we have to avoid and the whole outfield experience which we had suffered so often in NS.

After the long outfield hike, we finally reached the foot of Syonan Jinya. Climbed several flights of stairs before reaching the Purification Basin. I was quite disappointed to find no buildings at the location which was rumoured to be haunted. Felt quite stupid as we had trekked so far to find just one basin and several big concrete coins.


We decided to go back through the other side and it was a bad choice as the journey was tougher and the path narrower. We took some time to navigate the correct route of advance using the markings on trees and plastic bags tied around branches and sticks as markings. After a looooong time, we finally got out of the forest. Walked 400 metres to Jelutong Tower and the scenery on top is great as well.

Walked quite a distance to get out of MacRitchie passing by the reservoir and Singapore Island Country Club golf course. Saw several monitor lizards along the way.

Fed some tortoises as well.

Ks and daryl came to my house later and i helped to dye Ks's hair using his Gatsby gold ash but it turned out neither gold or ash in colour. The colour is not really obvious and it is dark brownish maroon in colour under sunlight. Played several rounds of pool before they headed back home for dinner.

A really tiring day for me as i did not have enough rest and the trekking was exhausting.