So the Salomon X-Trail was held at Punggol on 22nd Nov 14. It featured 'trail' running through the punggol waterfront (wouldn't consider running on the dirt path next to the road a trail run). The route showcased the transformation of the Punggol waterfront, from what it used to be, a swampland to a developed heartland with a scenic view filled with various integrated parks, developed waterfront and amenities.
Back then, this part of Punggol was a little known secret for photographers, people who loved fishing as well the more adventurous ones who were looking for bits of unknown Singapore to explore. I remember hopping onto one of those fiddle bus routes, armed with a sketchy map which i got off one of the photography forums and headed for some of the marked sites, not knowing how the terrain would be like and was treated to a visual surprise to how such a quaint location existed in Singapore, a place that remained 'wild' that has not been transformed into a nice little nature park with proper polished walkways and stuff like that. It was like wanderlust in my own country, taking the evening off to just wander round these places, not knowing where i might end up nor find along the way. Each moment there was an adventure in its own right, from bashing the thick jungle, trotting across the dry lalang fields or walking through the big monsoon drains, seeing where it would lead me to. Also back then, there were no smart phones with GPS to guide me along and navigation was based on a sketch maps and the tall HDB landmarks to guide me back to civilisation for there were no road lamps to mark those areas.
As i ran through the route, it felt as though this place transformed into something which I was no longer familiar to, a place i used to wander around armed with Nikon D80, aimed at capturing some parts of the 'wild' punggol which i knew would disappear in time to come. And that time came 5 years later. Now, 7 years later, the places in this album has become nothing but a memory of Singapore's past, leaving us, poor city folks 1 less natural destination to get away from the bustling and stressful city life. Though I wish that these places remain untouched in this little island, I know that reality of this small city state is that it has to grow to flourish. Wished i had taken more time to go about photographing this transformation before it disappeared. Now these empty vast grassland has become nothing but a distant memory, replaced by developed spaces with high rise buildings, park connectors and eateries. But i guess this large plot of reclaimed land has to developed eventually after it is settled.
After witnessing the transformation while running through the 10km race route that used be an isolated stretch of land, I had an immense urge to dig out my old archives and share what i saw in 2007. Here's a glimpse of what Punggol used to be, and the things that I'll miss about it.
Pristine Lalang fields
After the Salomon X-Trail 2014 run
Back then, this part of Punggol was a little known secret for photographers, people who loved fishing as well the more adventurous ones who were looking for bits of unknown Singapore to explore. I remember hopping onto one of those fiddle bus routes, armed with a sketchy map which i got off one of the photography forums and headed for some of the marked sites, not knowing how the terrain would be like and was treated to a visual surprise to how such a quaint location existed in Singapore, a place that remained 'wild' that has not been transformed into a nice little nature park with proper polished walkways and stuff like that. It was like wanderlust in my own country, taking the evening off to just wander round these places, not knowing where i might end up nor find along the way. Each moment there was an adventure in its own right, from bashing the thick jungle, trotting across the dry lalang fields or walking through the big monsoon drains, seeing where it would lead me to. Also back then, there were no smart phones with GPS to guide me along and navigation was based on a sketch maps and the tall HDB landmarks to guide me back to civilisation for there were no road lamps to mark those areas.
As i ran through the route, it felt as though this place transformed into something which I was no longer familiar to, a place i used to wander around armed with Nikon D80, aimed at capturing some parts of the 'wild' punggol which i knew would disappear in time to come. And that time came 5 years later. Now, 7 years later, the places in this album has become nothing but a memory of Singapore's past, leaving us, poor city folks 1 less natural destination to get away from the bustling and stressful city life. Though I wish that these places remain untouched in this little island, I know that reality of this small city state is that it has to grow to flourish. Wished i had taken more time to go about photographing this transformation before it disappeared. Now these empty vast grassland has become nothing but a distant memory, replaced by developed spaces with high rise buildings, park connectors and eateries. But i guess this large plot of reclaimed land has to developed eventually after it is settled.
After witnessing the transformation while running through the 10km race route that used be an isolated stretch of land, I had an immense urge to dig out my old archives and share what i saw in 2007. Here's a glimpse of what Punggol used to be, and the things that I'll miss about it.
Cornie Island (left) can be seen while walking through this dirt path, now made into a clean cycling and walking road with benches and shelters along the way
Hideaway for people to come and get out of the bustling city life
Large open fields of nothingness
My Fav lalang fields
Relaxing walk out by the tranquil waterway
Reclaimed land waiting to be developed
Songs of nature as birds and small animals flock round the area
Matilda house (then), now surrounded by high rise buildings
And of course lots of vegetation that makes a good trek in
Gone fishing: What Punggol End used to look like with its old school pier and police outpost
Pictures taken 2007, Nikon D80, Tamron 16-50 f2.8/ Tokina 12-24 f4
