During our World Bicycle Day ride with the Brompton gang, Vida offered to take us on an early morning ride along the Green/Rail Corridor.
This is Singapore’s great rail trail. It runs 24km, from the city centre to a crossing to Malaysia, along what was formerly a railway line used for “commuting and transporting goods between Singapore and the rest of the Malay Peninsula at the beginning of the 20th century. With the return of railway land to Singapore in 2011, the Rail Corridor forms a continuous open space through the heart of Singapore, and presents an opportunity for communities to shape this space, and forge new memories together.”
Wisely Vida suggested that we start early to avoid the heat. So bright and early at 7:00am Vida met us outside our hotel to start, what would be, a 36km ride along this beautiful green corridor and the Alexandra Canal PCN. The route we took is shown below and is available on Strava from this link.
The Rail Corridor is a very pleasant and popular ride. It surprises by offering such a beautiful green corridor to enjoy Singapore. The views above are of the original Singapore Railway Station and of a beautiful sunrise. As we continued on there were more pleasant surprises such as a Yayoi Kasuma pumpkin and one of the original rail bridges.
When I tell most people that I took my Brompton to Singapore they seem to suggest that there are no hills and that there is only city! But Vida made sure that we were aware of at least one hill and I can confirm (as any casual view of a map of Singapore would) that there are plenty of green spaces and wildlife. I should have taken a picture of both the steepish hill and the macaques that crossed our path – but you’ll just have to trust me.
Of course a morning ride wouldn’t be complete without a breakfast stop. We stopped at the Railway Mall for a cheeky pau at Nam Kee Pau (they seem to be everywhere in Singapore). Yum.
Coming from a country that is apparently suffering from a housing crisis, it is fascinating to see how differently Singapore handles housing. I think all Australian’s should contemplate this quote from the Singapore Housing Development Board:
Singapore’s public housing has housed an entire nation – today, more than 1 million flats have been completed in 24 towns and 3 estates across the island. HDB flats spell home for 80% of Singapore’s resident population, of which about 90% own their home.
Perhaps our housing crisis is a collective decision about what we are willing to accept? – There are other ways – The reason I mention this is not because I am writing a political blog – but rather because Vida took us to the 47th floor rooftop garden of Dawson Skyville, a public housing estate. I would have to say, that I have never contemplated entering a high rise public housing estate in Australia. It is an interesting contrast that in Singapore these estates are seen as “public spaces” where anybody can enter. It was eye opening with stunning views. Here are a few photos.
Vida got us back to the hotel around 11am and with just enough time for her to race back home for a virtual work meeting. Thank you Vida for sharing with us your Singapore. We hope to see you again sometime soon.
We freshened up and had light French lunch with rose at Merci Marcel followed by a little siesta.
After the siesta we left the Bromptons behind and used public transport because we had a fancy meal planned. But before we shimmied up to the restaurant to be wined and dined we did some exploring around the Sultan Mosque. This included a visit to the delightful Konditori Artisan Bakes and Patisserie.
The streets are bright and lively here.
Keen readers of this blog would be aware that there is a strong focus on libraries from one of the contributors (not me). But even when that contributor is not physically present her impact is still felt. Somehow we ended up in the main branch of the Singapore Library. So for your library folk here are some pictures.
The finale for the day was a degustation at Seroja. I could try to describe it – but I’ll leave it to short quote from their story and some photos. You’ll be hungry just looking at them.
The restaurant shares the same name as the lotus flower in Malay, a significant cultural symbol for various peoples in the Malay Archipelago region. To me, it represents the commonality in our diversity, how we are similar yet different and the beauty of this harmony.
At Seroja, I celebrate the familiar flavours of the Malay Archipelago that I grew up with and am continuously inspired by. Our food and beverages uses spices and herbs that are native to the region that give our food its distinctive character.
