Nature's magic in metropolis

Singapore Invites, launched by the Singapore Tourism Board, encourages residents and people from around the world to invite their family and friends to experience Singapore together. In the third of a five-part series, nature lover Jonathan Tan shares a side of the country where different ecosystems co-exist in a harmonious manner
Jalelah Abu Baker Straits Times 8 Nov 15;

With its vibrant ecosystems and rich biodiversity, Singapore is a paradise for nature lovers, according to Mr Jonathan Tan, 20, a full-time national serviceman.

The seed of love for all things nature was planted after a school trip to Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean when he was 16 years old.

There, he saw migrating red crabs earn their own "pedestrian" crossings, and something about how people on the island live as one with wildlife struck him.

The trip inspired him to seek out nature in Singapore, and as far as he is concerned, he has struck gold.

"We are in a modern metropolis where we have rainforest, coral reefs and mangroves within half an hour of the city centre," Mr Tan said, referring to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the Southern Islands and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

Further from the city centre are the Chek Jawa Wetlands on Pulau Ubin, an island off Changi Point in the eastern part of Singapore. There, Mr Tan, an aspiring ecologist, providesguided tours.

Chek Jawa is home to rich biodiversity, he said. When the lagoon there experiences low tide, marine life such as starfish, sea cucumbers and sea anemone can be spotted amid one of the largest seagrass meadows in Singapore.

At the same time, hornbills, sea eagles, snakes, monkeys and wild boars also make appearances.

"Animals here are used to humans, so they don't run away, whereas in other countries, where they are hunted, they hide," he said.

Chek Jawa is one of the places that Mr Tan would like to take his Korean friend, whom he has not seen for about two years, if she visits Singapore.

"It is where land and sea come together. They are not separate, but parts of a whole," he said, adding that one can find six different ecosystems, including mangrove forests, rocky shores and extensive seagrass beds, existing together.

One of his most memorable sightings on Chek Jawa is the blue dragon, a sea slug known for its electric blue feather-like covering.

It is such chance meetings that make places of nature so special. "What you hope to see, you don't see. Instead, what you aren't looking for just appears in front of you. That's kind of the magic of it," he said.

Those who are really lucky may even get to see sea snakes and dugongs, he added.

Chek Jawa is a 45-minute hike from the Pulau Ubin jetty. Bicycle rental and taxi services are also available for a small fee. A one-way ferry trip to Pulau Ubin from the Changi Point Ferry Terminal costs $3.

Besides Chek Jawa, Pulau Ubin has other charming spots, too.

Abandoned quarries are good for spotting birds such as herons, and the Ketam Mountain Bike Park is the perfect environment for birds such as the blue-throated bee-eaters and baya weavers.

Durian lovers can also feast on the King of Fruits when it is in season - Ubin residents sell the creamy fruit from their own trees.

Apart from Pulau Ubin, other nature sites that Mr Tan would take his Korean friend to are the Southern Islands, the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.

On the fringe of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve are two trails, the Venus Loop and Mandai Forest, that are accessible at night. Visitors may chance upon owls, the sambar deer and civet.

On the beauty of Kusu Island, which is part of the Southern Islands, Mr Tan said: "You can be looking at coral in front of you, and further in the background are skyscrapers, the city and the Singapore Flyer."

UNEXPECTED FINDS

What you hope to see, you don't see. Instead, what you aren't looking for just appears in front of you. That's kind of the magic of it.

MR JONATHAN TAN, a full-time national serviceman, on what draws him to Singapore's nature reserves Brought to you by the Singapore Tourism Board

Idyllic escape to Southern Islands
Jalelah Abu Baker Straits Times 8 Nov 15;

If Mr Jonathan Tan were to invite his Korean friend to Singapore, an idyllic getaway to the Southern Islands would certainly be part of their itinerary.

The Southern Islands, managed by Sentosa Development Corporation, include Kusu, St John's, Lazarus, Pulau Hantu and Sisters'. Getting to them requires taking a ferry at a fee. Visitors can swim, sail, go scuba-diving, snorkeland fishthere.

Kusu Island, which means Tortoise Island in Chinese, is most famous for its wishing well and Tortoise Sanctuary. It is also known as a pilgrimage spot.


St John's Island offers a magnificent view and has lodging which comes with a kitchen. The island is connected to the uninhabited Lazarus Island by a causeway. Lazarus was originally known as Pulau Sakijang Pelepah, or Island of One Barking Deer and Palms.

Pulau Hantu is made up of two islets - Hantu Besar (Big Ghost) and Hantu Kecil (Little Ghost). Both have shelters and picnic areas, while Hantu Besar also has two swimming lagoons and a public toilet with fresh water.

The Sisters' Islands are home to Singapore's first marine park, comprising Sisters' Islands and their surrounding reefs, and the western reefs of nearby St John's Island and Pulau Tekukor. The park's ecosystem supports marine life like coral, anemone, seahorses and fish.


Wildlife, forest and history by the reservoir
Straits Times 8 Nov 15;

One of Mr Jonathan Tan's favourite nature sites is the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, the largest of the nature reserves in Singapore, covering more than 2,000ha of forest.

It houses the Lower Peirce Reservoir Park, where one can spot snakes, wild boar, flying dragons and, if lucky, the sub-species of the banded leaf monkey endemic to Singapore.

Officially opened in March 1912, it is Singapore's second reservoir. It was planned as an extension of the first reservoir, MacRitchie, to meet growing demand for water in Singapore.


Originally named the Kallang River Reservoir, it took on the name Peirce in 1922 in honour of the service of Mr Robert Peirce, municipal engineer of Singapore from 1901 to 1916.

It became known as Lower Peirce to distinguish it from a new upstream reservoir that was created in 1975.

The forest that lines Lower Peirce Reservoir's banks is considered a mature secondary rainforest and retains many rubber trees and oil palms.

In 1999, a 900m boardwalk, the Lower Peirce Trail, was opened for public use.

Following a policy change by the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the water intake tower and bridge at Lower Peirce Reservoir were gazetted for conservation in December 2009.


WHERE TO GO
Jalelah Abu Baker Straits Times 8 Nov 15;

Nature enthusiast Jonathan Tan offers ideas on how tourists can enjoy nature in Singapore.

BEST SPOT TO CATCH SUNRISE:

ST JOHN'S ISLAND

Visitors may stay overnight on the island dotted with casuarina trees. They can watch the sun rise against the backdrop of the city.

BEST SPOT FOR BIRDWATCHING:

SUNGEI BULOH WETLAND RESERVE

The reserve is recognised as a site of international importance for migratory birds, some from as far as Siberia, to escape winter. It is well-known among birdwatchers.

BEST SPOT FOR SEA BREEZE:

CHANGI POINT (NEAR CHANGI VILLAGE)

From there, visitors will be treated to a view of Pulau Ubin, Pulau Tekong and Johor, Malaysia. It is also a good spot for reflection, according to Mr Tan.

MOST FAMILY-FRIENDLY SPOT:

BISHAN PARK

Home to a family of otters, the park has streams where children can catch small fish with a net.