Cycling in Marina East

Ok, motivated by Siyang's punggol trip, I felt I should share too.

When I was still in secondary school, I like to cycle to places within of reach from my house. One of which is Marina East. At that time, it was a totally untouched reclaimed land where there are growth of spontaneous secondary vegetation. It's a getaway from the buzz of city without getting too far. Once, when I was travelling along Benjamin Sheares, I was shocked to see a golf course pop out from the whole piece of land.

Well, reclaimed land live on borrowed time, waiting for development. We must understand that conservation is difficult on such land but meanwhile we can still enjoy right? What if some threatened species can be found there? Should we then protect that whole piece of reclaimed land? Don't think its practical to. Best solution will be to try to move these species to another site bah. Previously, people wanted to protect Marina South because of some ducks. Well, the ducks can still fly away and we shouldn't waste the cost of reclaiming the land just for some ducklings. Have to be realistic because this world is not idealistic.


On my way there, I crossed Geylang River and saw people doing some catching in the river, wonder what can be harvested that caused so many people to be there.


The entrance of Marina East has a new facade... which is the golf course.


After a long bumpy cycle to the south, I reached the beach of Tg Rhu. Definitely there are Rhu trees (or Casaurina trees) around...haha. Seen in that area are seashore morning glory, the species that will invade the beach first.

Before the reclamation of the Changi/Tanah Merah shores, undisturbed longshore currents used to continuously carry sand to the old Tg Rhu which looks like a spit over the mouth of Geylang and Kallang river. Of course its not this part now cos this part is the reclaimed land. It should be the part where a lot of condos are.

Ria warned us if we visit this portion of East coast to explore shore during low tides, it may be dangerous... cos it is a gay beach. I risked and dont care, still come and take a look. I remember way long ago when during sec sch, I saw a nude man. And I quickly cycled away. Phew..


And surprisingly, there is a portion of mangrove hiding behind this corner of protection from breakwater.


This breakwater extends all the way out which gives a great view!


And I zoomed to Sister Islands! Hope to return there soon.


The other direction gives a view of the building of Marina Barrage, background is the city.


A typical look of how a reclaimed land looks like.


Admists all the green, something red caught my attention, so I stopped to take a shot.


While trying to take a shot of the resting bird on a deadfall, somehow, we now cannot escape from the new Ferris Wheel.


I am always fascinated by this plant..the leaves are so big..

updated: This is the giant taro/yam (Alocasia macrorhiza). Thx Marcus


This should be a zebra dove.

From this website by Ria, http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/birds/Geopelia_striata.htm :

Zebra Doves are the smallest of the terrestrial doves found in Singapore. They feed on grass seeds, preferring to forage on bare ground or short grass, scurrying about with rodent-like movement. Unlike other doves, they forage alone, or in pairs. Their coloration camouflages them wonderfully against the ground. They are more shy than the Spotted Dove and fly off into nearby undergrowth at the first sign of danger.

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Coming up soon will be a post on Marina City Park, which will be closed from June 1st.