Hiking/ Exploring the Island

artvandeley · Post by **artvandeley** » Thu, 27 Mar 2014 7:45 pm

Hello everyone,

I am Rajat, 26; been here for just over a month now. I was looking forward to exploring/ hiking - in and around Singapore. I did Pulau Ubin last weekend, and had MacRitchie Nature Trail on my mind for this coming weekend.

Anyone interested in some weekend activity?

Also, any suggestions on outdoor things one could do here are much welcomed.

Cheers.

Ada Glitter · Post by **Ada Glitter** » Thu, 27 Mar 2014 9:25 pm

You could join Singapore Trekking Group. It's a great way to see the island and meet new people. You can find them on Facebook.

artvandeley · Post by **artvandeley** » Thu, 27 Mar 2014 10:39 pm

Hi Ada,

Thanks a lot for the suggestion! Will check it out.

Ada Glitter · Post by **Ada Glitter** » Thu, 27 Mar 2014 11:23 pm

No worries. Watch out for the monkeys at MacRitchie!

the lynx · Post by **the lynx** » Fri, 28 Mar 2014 8:58 am

More to suggest:

Islands:
1. Pulau Ubin - done
2. St John's Island/Lazarus Island and Pulau Seringat

Hiking trails
1. Macritchie is good. Plenty of trails to explore in, including canopy bridge. That alone will keep you coming back for few more times.
2. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve - linked to Macritchie too
3. Bukit Batok Nature Reserve
4. Mt Faber walk from Seah Imm all the way to Kent Ridge (passing through the famous Henderson Waves and canopy walk)
5. Sungai Buloh mangrove reserve

Ada Glitter · Post by **Ada Glitter** » Fri, 28 Mar 2014 10:19 am

@ the lynx

I have been to most of the places you mentioned and have enjoyed the walks. Though I must say I found the pollution at Sungei Buloh quite shocking. Such a shame as it is such a beautiful wetlands area. Do you know if it is always so bad? We saw loads of plastic bags floating in the water and draped over tree branches, massive barrels and just general rubbish everywhere (but mainly in the water).

artvandeley · Post by **artvandeley** » Fri, 28 Mar 2014 10:30 am

Hi,

Thanks a lot for that list! Much appreciated. I see some names that I didn't come across in travel magazines/websites so far, which is always better. This list should easily keep me busy for the next couple of months.

Any of you lazy bums interested in covering these trails over the coming weekends, do get back!

Cheers

the lynx · Post by **the lynx** » Fri, 28 Mar 2014 2:02 pm

Ada Glitter wrote:@ the lynx

I have been to most of the places you mentioned and have enjoyed the walks. Though I must say I found the pollution at Sungei Buloh quite shocking. Such a shame as it is such a beautiful wetlands area. Do you know if it is always so bad? We saw loads of plastic bags floating in the water and draped over tree branches, massive barrels and just general rubbish everywhere (but mainly in the water).

Shame, I must have been there when it was recently cleaned up. The sight of the rubbish like you mentioned must have been very appalling. But I have yet to go to Pulau Ubin for Chek Jawa mangroves so I'd like to know which one is better in comparison.

artvandeley · Post by **artvandeley** » Fri, 28 Mar 2014 3:49 pm

Ada/lynx,

Could you guys also please advise on islands around Singapore, which may not necessarily be part of Singapore, that are a short trip away. I have been to the Indonesian island -Bintan. Any other islands (Malaysian?) that are good for a weekend getaway? I heard that Malaysia now offers visa on arrival as well, like Indonesia.

the lynx · Post by **the lynx** » Fri, 28 Mar 2014 4:07 pm

artvandeley wrote:Ada/lynx,

Could you guys also please advise on islands around Singapore, which may not necessarily be part of Singapore, that are a short trip away. I have been to the Indonesian island -Bintan. Any other islands (Malaysian?) that are good for a weekend getaway? I heard that Malaysia now offers visa on arrival as well, like Indonesia.

It depends on your passport actually. You check if your passport is eligible for VOA on the internet.

Since you mentioned islands outside of Singapore...
Indonesia:
1. Batam (a boat ride away - nearer)
2. Bali (direct flight)
3. Lombok (for Gili island clusters) (direct flight - plus boat ride if you're getting to Gili)

Malaysia:
1. Tioman (a 2-hour drive and a boat ride)
2. Sibu island (same)
3. Perhentian/Redang (a 1.5-hour flight away and a boat ride)
4. Penang (direct 1.5-hour flight)
5. Langkawi (my favourite - direct 2-hour flight)

There are other islands even closer, but it requires a combo of land transport, flight and boat ride so it will be troublesome.

artvandeley · Post by **artvandeley** » Sun, 30 Mar 2014 1:41 pm

Lynx,

Thanks a lot for that list! Direct flights to Bali and Langkawi as mentioned by you, and the much reasonable fares from Air Asia do make these destinations hard to miss!

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Hiking/ Exploring the Island

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