Singapore Wilderness MacRitchie

You can take one of the shorter loops, or you can walk across to Bukit Timah like we did!

We have just been on an outing with MAE teachers to MacRitchie,
What an interesting day we had.
As always this walk proved to contain wonderous things,
And it is right on the doorstep of the city.

Carolyn, Genieve, Bob and Ruth on the Treetop walk.

We assembled at 9:30ish at the Lornie Rd carpark.
When most had arrived we set off.
We stopped briefly when we met up the our second group of arrivals.
We entered the rainforest heading to wards the Treetop walk.
That was the last we saw of the main group,
But they did leave arrows to show where they had been.

We made the most of the nature around us.

From the treetop walk you become aware just how close the city is,

On the floor of forest you wouldn't have a clue it was so close.
What a teasure this pocket of rainforest is.

The Greek proverb says it all, throughout the walk are some interesting quotes. Such words of wisdom.

If you have the opportunity pause on the Treetop walk,

Study the trees,
They really are full of life,
At times you catch a glimpse of some interesting birdlife.

Ruths prize find of the day, a caterpillar.

She has searched for one in the wild here,
Finally Bob found her one.
Not sure what it is though?
It sure was hairy.

We usually do see monkeys at MacRitchie.

But this time there seemed to be so many,
They were in large groups throughout the forest.
They were entertaining and looked very healthy.

The look on the face of this monkey is really interesting,

I wonder what he is thinking.

I couldn't work out if this wee fellow was trying to get in!
Or trying to get out?

Take a look at the teeth on this guy,
He was only yawning here.
I wouldn't want those latched on to my leg.
Remember these are wild animals.
A Little Monkey Story
When we stopped at the Ranger station for a brief rest
Ruth had a scary encounter. She had just sat down on a seat. She had her backpack on her back.
A larger monkey was eyeing up the people as they arrived. He took one look at Ruth and made a beeline toward her. When he was within three meteres he leapt at her back pack.
She Screamed and jumped up, he fell back down on the ground. He looked dejected and for a moment I though he was going to make another attempt at her bag. We are not sure but we think he might have noticed the wet wipe tissues stuffed into her outer pocket and thought it was food. When you are near places where humans go to eat the monkeys can be a real pest. We have seen them destroy the tranquility of someones picnic down near the carpark at MacRitchie. Be warned don't have plastic bags or food out in front of these guys, they are hardened food snatchers.

We found out today that there are two kinds of Monitor Lizard,
We think this little guy was the other kind to what we usually see around.
He kept us entertained while he hunted bugs beside Rifle Range Road.

He was brightly speckled,

He couldn't care less about us.
Notice the enormous hole for his ear.

Not my best photo but,
That is my finger right next to this ant.
Any bigger and I think you could put a saddle on it.
The were lots of these enormous ants out on the path.

John Muir must have spent some time in amongst the trees,

His quote certainly is true for MacRitchie.
We enjoy coming here,
Every time you do there is something new to learn.

Singapore Wilderness Sungei Buloh

Back in Singapore with a Day off,
Time to explore,
New camera has helped to make me poor,
Sungei Buloh is close to our door.
Yeah Right!

This is a treasured wetland on the northern tip of Singapore.
It is visited by a variety of migratory birds.
Across the waters we could see Johor Baru, Malaysia can be seen.

The park is well maintained and there are many hides to observe the birdlife from,
Along the pathways there are many interesting living things to keep one amused.
The tower gives a good view over the very tidal ponds.

So many different varieties of Egret,

Wading through waters that are spilling with life.
A great way for a boy from the bush to charge his batteries.

The monitor lizards along the pathways are enormous,
This fellow was close to 2 metres from head to tail,
We gave him the right of way.

During lunch at the cafe a troup of otters arrived,
They caused amongst the Koi in the pond,
Eventually departing with their catch,
A solid Koi about 60 cm long.

Bugs, Butterflies and grasshoppers are always,

Bigger, Bolder and Brighter,
In the tropics.

A snake story
This snake also dropped in to the cafe for lunch.
He was on the handrail right next to one of the tables.
The couple seated at the table noticed hime halfway through their lunch.
After they left and the otters were performing the cafe worker came over,
She nearly placed her hand on top of the snake.
I warned her, she screeched with fright.
The snake lept up and into the water to swim to safety.
Such a small snake that was pencil thin, could leap a long way.
Beware of sleeping snakes, they spring to life very quickly indeed.

As we left midafternoon we noticed a familiar beasty,
A wasp, strangely Ruthy didn't stop too take a photo.
Remember they are bigger, bolder and brighter.

Our impression of Sungei Buloh.

Great place to see nature in the wild on Singapore Island.
We will go back again.
By the way the new camera, EOS 500D, is good too!

Dealing with the Ashes

One of the important family days while we were home

involved a trip up to mum's tree,

Only this time,the purpose was to lay Dad's Ashes to rest.

I think the tree is about the healthiest in the grove.

We had quite a gathering of family for the day.

It was good to catch up with them all.

Ian spread the ashes around the base,

While we all looked on,

It was a time of reflection.

Following a toast and a few nibbles.

IIt was back to Ian and Brigid's for lunch and a catch up.
Thanks Ian and Brigid and family.


It was good that Auntie Helen got over for the day.
She is looking very healthy.

Katie, Loryn and Geoffrey,

They are so grown up now.

I am not sure what Mother and sons are cooking up here,

But I suspect I heard all about it.

Craig, Danni and Baby Lucas,

What a proud Mum and Dad.

Penny, Jason and Logan,

It was so good to see them all again.

Femy was looking healthy,

Here she is on her way, leaving Ian's.

Ian and Auntie Helen ,
Deep in Conversation.

The time together as family that day was so brief,

But the conversation and stories told will live on for a very long time.

It was great to spend that time together as family.

Christmas Day

The Howes family spent Christmas in Blenheim with Lloyd and Anna,

We had a fantastic day, starting with Champaigne and Bar-B-Que,

A walk to the river with a picnic of nibbles and a swim,

Followed by an evening of relaxation and enjoying each others company.

Bradley, Lloyd and Logan,

Just what are those three boys up to?

We left Bradley in Wellington and picked up Logan on the way to Lloyd's.

Bradley followed on Christmas Eve.

Anna and Lloyd were still working so we kept ourselves busy during the day.

Bicycles and wine trails can be fun.

The scenery around Lloyd and Anna's house was spectacular.

Golden hills, wild flowers mixed with warm days and cool evenings


The Christmas day trek to the river for a swim.

Ruth was keen to try out the fire poi
It went well until the poi collided.

Logan seemed to get the idea very quickly.

Anna was very clever,

Even trying some tricks.

Zena enjoys life with Lloyd and Anna.

She still grabs the lead and takes herself for a walk.

A dog that was proud of her Christmas present.

She did not know what to do with it.

But she was keen to bury it for later.

Lloyd and Anna,

They did a great job of playing host,

Thanks you two!

We are so proud of you both.

December In New Zealand

You know it is Chrismas in New Zealand

When you see the Pohutukawa in Bloom.

One of the Highlights of going home for December is seeing these flowers again.

Ruth had been away for 18 months, sadly I was home earlier to attend a Family funeral. We both think that New Zealand has the best beaches in the world. Definitely the best we have seen anyway. Lloyd doesn't think that we should tell anyone this.

Papa Aroha is still our favourite place to escape to and just chill out.

The sunsets go down nicely with a fine NZ wine.

We were lucky enough to have one of the boys, and at times all of them with us throughout the three and a half weeks.
It was great sharing our few days at the caravan with Bradley.

We still climb trees.


Even Ruth was up to the challenge.

The view from the top is always worth the climb.

We do miss our caravan,

Every night we get stay in it, we treasure.

Long may it last.

There is no better way to unwind than fishing,

Putting the boat in with the tractor on a calm day.

And escaping for a few hours,

What better way to relax?

And we got a feed of fresh fish for both nights.