Aug 20, 2014

Fun for Free Singapore: Venus Loop, MacRitchie

This post is part of the FUN FOR FREE SG series of blog train, brought to you by a group of mum bloggers. We’re sharing on one fun and free venue a day in the month of August. For the complete list of places, please scroll right to the bottom of this blog post.
. . . . . . . . . . ~ ~ ~ . . . . . . . . . .

Today, I'll be sharing with you another fun and free place to be with your little ones: Venus Loop, a small part of MacRitchie nature trails.

 MacRitchie situated in the core area of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR), it is believed that it boasts a rich biodiversity with over 500 animal species. Together with MacRitchie, the CCNR now consists of a mixture of young and mature secondary forests with virgin primary forest surrounding the reservoirs.

 As you may already know, MacRitchie Trails is a 20-km network of forest trails and broadwalks winding through the forest, to allow public to experience and appreciate nature. TreeTop Walk is another key attraction of CCNR. Whilst, Venus Loop is less mentioned.
"The MacRitchie Forest Trail at Venus Drive meanders along the banks of a forest stream that is full of freshwater life. Here live dragons and damsels, freshwater crabs and prawns, the Puff-faced Watersnake, Pygmy Halfbeak and Saddle Barb." from Toddycats.

We first stepped into this loop through Toddycats, and have been visiting the place several times on our own ever since then. It is a great place to escape from hustling and bustling city. Well, we do hear car engines vrooming by but frequently we hear crickets or cicadas chorus. Even if it is just 30 minutes to tug ourselves inside here, walk through the cool shade of trees, I feel tranquillised. Immersing oneself in the mother nature is a very good way to de-stress, imo. Best of all, the place is able to keep Little Bomber busy and ask one hundred and one questions, it is an alternative playground to her. Interestingly, Little Bomber would start to scan the trail when she steps into the path, looking out for rocks, stick/branches, little animals, squirrels especially we encountered many times.

Forest play!
My elder daughter, on the other hand, pretty reluctant to join us the trail. She felt intimidated, I reckon. It was pretty the same when we went to Sekeping Serendah. Coming from a very comfortable living in the urbanised world, dirt (or mud when after rain) and uneven path, annoying insects getting close to her, being alone surrounded by the lush green are quite equivalent to her being threw out of space. It took us a while to overcome her mindset. She is showing more willingness to walk and find fun along the way on the second time we went. Awesome, isn't it?!

Part of Venus Loop.

There was once, we wanted to walk further towards TreeTop Walk,  alas, when we saw 1.5 km away, we went back to Venus Loop. We could not gauge the time as we not sure how much difficulty of the trail will be to the kids. It was approaching to dusk, beyond the permitted time roaming in the forested area. But guess what, Jiejie wanted to come back for the TreeTep! 

These, beyond Venus Loop.

Kids should be getting closer to and experience the real beauty of a nature more. This trail is very suitable to young children, in my opinion. It is not only having a cleared path for walking without the need to swat away plants and insects, there are informative signs to lead you through. You can u-turn any time if kid is acting up. But, bear in mind that, it can turn out to be a very great experience for you and the kid as the forest canopy and tall trees offer nice shade and results in a cool and relaxing walk. You will totally forgotten that you are in a city. It's a bonus if you spotted small animals along the way. We did! But too slow to take out the camera to snap=(.

 Do prepared for some mud. Mosquitoes? The kids were wearing mosquito repellent patch. I believed, two patches enough to protect 4 of us from any attack (ha!).

 NParks has a very detail guide for anyone who's keen to have a day of nature expedition in MacRitchie. If you decided to visit the place soon, do note the following Trail Manners too:
Texts from NParks
How to get there:
The nearest bus stop is Opp Flame Tree Pk along Upper Thomson Road (53071) and the following bus services call on it: 132, 163, 165,166,167,855 and 980.

The nearest MRT station is Marymount (Circle Line). Take Exit A and catch feeder bus service 410 from the bus stop (53121) between blocks 302 and 306 Shunfu Gardens. Alight at Thomson View Condo (53061, 5 stops later). 

Trail is closed on every Monday except Public Holiday. Trail official opening time is shown in the map below.

Time spend on completing Venus Loop: estimate an hour (or less).
Source: NParks

Lastly, as NParks always advise, please do not enter the nature reserve and forested areas during stormy weather as such inclement weather may cause trees and branches to fall. Do note that when planning to go outdoor, dial-a-weather at 65427788 for weather forecast.

. . . . . . . . . . ~ ~ ~ . . . . . . . . . .

Tomorrow, we have beautiful Mommy Blogger Ting sharing her favourite #FunforFree destination - Road Safety Park! Ting is a Stay-home mom (and maid) to two lovely boys, age 5 and 1. She blogs at Miracule, about her experiences on family, motherhood, homemaking, breastfeeding and growing her own vegetables! Head over to her blog tomorrow as she brings you to the Road Safety Park at East Coast, where all children will ask to go back again and again! 
. . . . . . . . . . ~ ~ ~ . . . . . . . . . .

Can't get enough of FUN FOR FREE SG venues? Here’s the whole list – 31 days of free fun in Singapore! This list will be updated regularly; you will be able to click on the location to be brought directly to the blog post when it goes “live”.

12 Aug: IMM by Mad Psych Mum
20 Aug: Venus Loop, MacRitchie by Scrap Mum Loft
by at
folders ,

5 comments:

  1. Unknown8/21/14, 2:22 AM

    Wow this looks wonderful! When poppy was about 2 we brought her for the tree top walk. She fell asleep halfway and had to be carried! Lol

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sweetday8/22/14, 5:29 PM

    Yes, Venus Loop is one amazing place to look at our very own rainforest besides that in the Botanical Garden. When I visited with Toddycats, there was a lot of monkeys (near the forest edge) too. I hope the LTA would consider re-routing the proposed Cross Island MRT Line away from our nature reserves.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Susan8/25/14, 1:51 PM

    I wanted to cover the tree top walk for this blog train but hubby was not keen to bring Sophie along because of the distance. Looks like the Venus loop may be more doable. Hope my little xiao jie survives this. Haha.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unknown5/7/16, 8:58 PM

    Hey PC! We did this walk again today and oh my gosh we are TIRED OUT! 5 hours! Venus Loop, up to TreeTop Walk, then down and all around on the boardwalk. Wonder how our calves will feel tomorrow :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. pc5/9/16, 11:07 AM

      Thanks for letting me know! My pleasure;). So how are they now, hahaa...

      Delete

Thank you for visiting ♥. And thank you for commenting;).

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
"让生命稳稳流动（也）是我的功课之一。" by Bubu Tsai