A route I would probably cycle or longboard down again, but not walk. The Coastal Loop was a challenging walk, it took a lot to start and to complete, the urge to book taxi was often, but I persisted and did it!
Would I recommend to walk it, well maybe not, but I can see how it can be fun to cycling (and maybe I will return with my longboard). (Ps. I did walk it a second time, and it was actually much easier, mindset and the right shoes were what made it easier)
As mentioned in my previous blog with the planning of the route, I never thought I would walk the circumference of a country, and yes it is one of the 20 smallest countries in the world, but it is a challenge for me, I am not a sporty person, but I do love to explore. I divided it up into shorter walks across 18 days, and included the islands that are accessible. Plus I researched each area to see what 'hidden' gems it has to offer.
Stella at NSRCC Sea Sports Centre to Changi beach park
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| Reality: |
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| Activity: | Visited a kelong, caught our own fish and had lunch at Smith Marine Floating Restaurant
Where : Smith Marine Floating Restaurant & Kelong
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After much deliberation on when to do this walk, part on the Coastal Loop, I set out one late afternoon on my most feared part, day 3, off this little adventure of mine around the perimeter of Singapore. Feared might be the wrong word to use, rather, part I was not looking forward too. What awaited me was an outstretched and endless road, running the length of the airport runway.
This part was not only tedious but filled with construction trucks and a painful irritation in my knee, luckily on the right, you have the ocean. Or so I thought.
Sneakers on, backpack ready, with my husband at my side, we started where I finished leg 2. I am so glad he accompanied me, he knew what was lying ahead, and if it was not for his support, I might have succumbed to the urge to book a taxi and go home. He has cycled this route before, and mind you, I would probably not walk this again but, cycling would be lovely.
By the way, what was I thinking with the sneakers?
Coastal Park Connector
At 4 pm we started from Stella down the road and right onto the Coastal Park Connector, which leads to the Eastern Coastal Loop around the outskirts of Changi International Airport. If you have travelled by plane before, you would know it requires a significant amount of runway to taxi, take-off and land.
This scared me, as this is what I will be walking today, the length of a runway, plus some.
The distance does not scare me. It is the long monotonous road. Luckily the PCN starts with some beautiful views and sounds of the ocean. Here we were lead by a dog momma for a short while. (Have a look at our Igtv to see her) Or I like to think so. After about 800m, we reached the channel where the tranquil and green Coastal Park Connector joins up with the Eastern Coastal Loop.
Eastern Coastal Loop
Along the Eastern Coastal Loop, we passed many construction areas and numerous trucks making their way in the same direction we were heading. Caring on, I remembered that this area is mostly reclaimed land, basically new earth we are walking on.
Reclaimed land
As mentioned in my previous article regarding the East Coast, Singapore has increased in size by about 25%, this was done by land reclamation. Which includes most of the East Coast from Tanjong Rhu estate to the Bedok area. And so too around the airport, which is mostly situated on reclaimed land. The project started in the early 60s and lasted for 20 years.
Down the ‘runway’ with red bungalows
Walking for what felt forever down the long ‘runway’, well, not an actual runway but what felt like a one, we took breaks in the new little red bungalows along the way.
Thank goodness for those.
They are not huge, only space for two and a squeeze 4, but perfect to have a break from the sun, even though the weather was partly cloudy, you still feel it. After a snack and a stretch, we hit the road again. Then and there, that nagging pain arose in my knee again. Really, if it is not strenuous enough already with the long monotonous walk, now my knee wants to play a part too in this torment. The ever so popular question popped into my head, but why?
Why am I doing this? It is so out of your norm, out of my comfort zone.
Coming out of your comfort zone is tough in the beginning, chaotic in the middle, and awesome in the end… because in the end, it shows you a whole new world! Make an attempt.” – Manoj Arora
But why?
Why am I torturing myself like this? I don’t even really like to walk just for the sake of walking. Yes, I know exercise is good, but I can do that in a park close to our home, like the Botanical Gardens. This is probably my most and least favourite reply. WHY NOT? Most favourite, as it got me here in Singapore, read about it in my About. And least well, why not complete this? What is holding you back? Pain, yes, but is it unbearable, will it cause damage? No, then what is it? Is it just the thought of doing a bit of a ‘boring’ walk?
Well, it is easy to book a taxi and say, yes, I did it. But who am I fooling? Only myself. I like to think that if I commit to doing something I will do it, no matter how long it takes. It is part of character building, completing whatever it may be you committed to, even when no one sees you. It is personal discipline. Like committing to taking the stairs, but today there is no one with you on level 1. Do you use the lift or the stair? The stairs, why? You will know if you did it or not.
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.” — Jim Rohn
So soldiering on slowly, bit by bit, resting in each of those pretty little bungalows, I did the whole 13.5km. And now I can proudly say, I did it, I might not do it again, but I did it! That proud moment came when we reached the traffic light crossing over to Changi Beach Park. Three cyclists also waiting at the traffic light, from a distance, asked if we just walked from the East Coast, where they cycled from. After answering ‘yes, they congratulated us with an expression of surprise. That was my proud moment where I could say, yes, we walked all the way!
Need to know
This long stretch has no toilets, the last toilet is on the Coastal Park Connector. There is also no vending machines or cafes, so make sure to take what you need with. I have read about too many people not taking energy snacks and other necessities with and even water on walks. In this humid tropical climate you always need to take water with and snacks to replenish your energy levels. Also consider what you need to protect yourself from rain and the sun and even bugs. For me suffering from sinuses, I did find that there is a lot of dust in the air, and yes, I am allergic to dust. A mask did help for this.
Activities
Smith Marine Floating Restaurant
This was an incredible experience, one of a kind here in Singapore. We spent an afternoon floating somewhere in the middle of nowhere in the Johor Strait. I never knew what these structures out in the ocean were. After some research, I found out that they are kelongs. A kelong is a wooden, floating structure, a fish farm.
When I found out the one was a floating restaurant. I had to book.
We caught our fish at the kelong, which they then prepared for us, by steaming it in soy sauce. We delighted on some of the best mussels, prawns and chilli crab that I have had here in Singapore. It was so fresh. The experience and food reminded me of Cape Town, especially Strandloper.
It was a lovely rustic experience to escape from the busy city. We ended our lunch experience with Cheng Tng desert on the deck facing Singapore.
How to get there? Contact them through their website. Set a date and time after which they will help to book a bumboat to the kelong and back, departing from Changi ferry terminal. They offer various sizes of set lunch. Read more about the details here. Take note they have set lunch menus, depending on amount of people.
Distance
Again, it’s been quite a walk, covering 13.3km. I dreaded the rather tedious and monotonous stretch, with little shade and no toilets or shops. But it is done. The up and coming walk will start at Changi Beach, to one of my favourite areas around Changi boardwalk through to The Coastal Settlement, which I will be walking solo.
A lone walker is both present and detached, more than an audience but less than a participant. Walking assuages or legitimizes this alienation. – Rebecca Solnit
Conclusion of day 3
Well well, what was I thinking wearing sneakers? I have done many hikes before, so I really do not know why I was wearing them? This will change with the next leg. Kids, learn from me, wear proper shoes, even if it’s on a paved paths or in the city. Shoes matter over a longer distance.
Did I want to do it? No. Did I do it? Yes. And glad I did. It was not easy as the path up on Coastal Loop is rather boring, which took focus and some determination. Will I do it again? Well, I will probably not walk it again but might attempt to cycle it.
But also never say never.
Happy walking! And see you on the PCNs!
xxx
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*Opinions expressed here are my own.
*Do make sure to follow current safety guidelines.
Want to know the East Coast part of hiking the circumference of Singapore went? Read more here,and here.
Want to see how I planned this challenge around Singapore, read more here!
Cool walk!
Agree cool walk