Walk like an egyptian boat asia, ssf annual - Mediactive Pte Ltd

FEature
FOCUS
Fitness
On Foot
We continue with the
second part of our
feature on walking
trails in Singapore.
Stretch those sea legs
and take a break from
the ocean. All you
need is a pair of good
walking shoes and a
sense of adventure.
Most trails are free
a d m i s s i o n u n l e s s
otherwise stated.
CEMEtERy tRAILS
There is something about cemeteries that strike a peaceful
resonance in the hearts of many. In land scarce Singapore, these
tranquil plots (with the exception of Kranji War Memorial &
cemetery) are being exhumed to make way for redevelopment
for our burgeoning population. Before they disappear for
good, take a nature walk to these resting grounds.
Kranji War and Military Cemeteries
9 Woodlands Road
In memory of allied soldiers who perished in South-east Asia
during World War II are never-ending rows of graves dotting
manicured lawns. Some are identified only as “known unto
God”, while the names of more than 20,000 soldiers who
died in the line of duty are engraved on a hilltop memorial.
The first two Singapore presidents, Yusof bin Ishak and Dr
Benjamin Henry Sheares, are also laid to rest here. Opens daily,
7am-6pm. For more information, call STB Tourist Information
Centre at 1800 736 2000.
Bidadari Christian and Muslim Cemetery
Upper Serangoon Road
Bidadari was derived from the Sanskrit word widyadari, meaning
a nymph or fairy. The now defunct cemetery was once the
multi-ethnic and religious burial grounds of Protestants,
Catholics, Singhalese, Hindus and Muslims. Now an open park,
a tendril of winding roads weaves among elegant mature trees.
Wild shrubbery attracts a diversity of fauna with more than
50 species of birds sighted including woodpeckers, starlings,
bulbuls, kingfishers, orioles as well as rare residents like the
spotted wood-owl. Sharing the landscape are chameleons,
monitor lizards, black spitting cobra and countless insects.
Bukit Brown
Off Sime Road and Kheam Hock Road
A looped terrain around an open grassland with varying
gradients adds to the difficulty of the walk. Famed for being
the cemetery of Singapore’s famous pioneers, tombstones
around the trails provide a comforting distraction as they are
literally works of art and a showcase of a wealth of symbols
testament to the cultures that laid their loved ones to rest.
Brush away the tangled creepers to uncover dragons, phoenix,
plum blossoms, peonies, gentle Chi’lin, ferocious tigers,
gargoyle like temple lions and even turban clad Sikh guards.
The Bukit Brown site as a whole is slated for redevelopment,
though heritage and environment civic groups are pushing
for its conservation.
For more information, call National Parks Board Helpline
at 1800 471 7300 or visit www.nparks.gov.sg/
nautique jul/aug
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