In 2008 QR brought me to Keppel @ Marina. (Psst, I know we are not on talking terms lately and I heard he tendered. So I just want to wish him well and hope he will find his avocation if he is still lost.) After that, google told me there lies a Long Ya Men (Dragon's Teeth Gate) in Singapore and I made up my mind to visit it again. (I used the word again because that night I did not realise I already saw the Dragon.... Teeth. Only after my re-visit did I realised the place looked familiar.)
As usual I 'jioed' my trek mate - CL. Haha I know she is smug that she probably is the only one I will ask along on such treks. I have to admit when I am used to something, I will not consider changing due to my lazy nature. And since she asked to meet up before she MIA in SG for 2010, I just thought it should be time to realise the sunrise in Harbourfront and walk in Labrador park with her as mentioned in the previous afterthought. However this is March, the rainy days season. So though we had a good climb up the trail, we could not catch the sun hidden behind the clouds. Thus my photos of the sunrise wasn't as splendid as previously. Sigh.
Then we headed back to Harbourfront as I wanted to use the ladies before we walk towards Labrador park. (Yes we wanted to walk instead of taking a bus but.. I come to that later.) Passed by Mcdonalds and got sidetracked to have breakfast (to replenish her battery). The only thing I have not tried is the cereal McFlurry and was thinking can I have that as breakfast. Well nobody has ice cream for breakfast but there's the cereal component. Plus CL say I never conform to the norms afterall (eh not true though). After much deliberation, here's my breakfast...
After breakfast, we were just about to start our Labrador 'expedition' when we caught sight of the rain. So we spent an hour standing and talking and people watching in Harbourfront haha. When the rain finally ligthened, we decided to take a bus down.
While walking in, these flats caught my interest. I kind of like the wooden windows.
Visited Villa Rain Tree Resort and Spa again, this time in daylight. The night view is nicer though my night photos of it were yucky haha. Anyway not publishing the day view either.
Time for my Labrador Nature Reserve Walking Trail following the guide given by nparks here.
Sidenote: I missed the casemate in Luxembourg. I had also missed the casemate in Labrador Park.. because admission ticket is required and nobody was open for operation when I was there. Sigh.
The 6 inch gun barrel
An authentic war relic discovered at the former Beach Road Camp in 2001. These cannon, aimed south and seaward with concrete barriers behind them, were originally intended as defence from coastal attacks. However, during the 1942 invasion, the Japanese attacked from the North. In the battle for Pasir Panjang, these guns aided the Malay Regiment by firing high explosive shells at enemy troops advancing along the coastal road. Tunnels and bunkers beneath the battery were used to supply ammunition and to hoise the troops.
Labrador played a significant role during World War II. Military installations were built on the highest points (now inside the nature reserve) overlooking the reserve below.
A machine gun post in this area is one of several war relics you will see. This bunker was built to guard 12-pounder guns on the hill right above.
Red beacon
Served as a navigational guide in the maritime history and marks the shortest distance between Sentosa and mainland (about 240m)
Dragon's Teeth Gate (Long Ya Men)
It was originally a natural rock outcrop that stood in the waters just off Labradors' shore. These waters now house Keppel Harbour, Singapore's main port since the 19th century. This rock outcrop used to serve as the gateway to Keppel Harbour's western entrance, acting as a navigational guide to sailors travelling through the narrow channel.
The landmark was blown up in 1848 to widen the channel for modern ships to sail through. What stands today is a symbolic replica of the original. It was installed in 2005 for the commemoration of the Singapore Celebrations for the 600th Anniversary of Admiral Zheng He, the famous explorer.
Why Admiral Zheng He you wonder? Let wiki tell you the story..
From as early as the 13th century, the Keppel Harbour waterway between Tanjong Pagar and Tanjong Berlayar and Sentosa Island had been used as a passage for ships sailing from the Straits of Malacca to the South China Sea.
In the early 1400s, the great Chinese navigator, Admiral Zheng He, could have sailed past this strait when he came to Nanyang (countries south of China) to visit every major port to set up diplomatic relations and bring back envoys to pay homage to the Ming emperor.
It is not conclusive but the Long Ya Men mentioned in his exploration records appears to be the same as that recorded by trader Wang Dayuan who, travelling extensively in the southern seas for about 20 years, provided the first description of sailing through the Keppel Harbour waterway.
Wang's record describes it as the waterway that "runs between the two hills of the Danmaxi barbarians, which look like dragon's teeth..." The dragon's teeth referred either to the prominent granite outcrops which overlooked the western entrance to Keppel Harbour, or the hills on Sentosa and the Mount Faber range.
So desu ne!
Suddenly I remember the history of Keppel Harbour in Major General William Farquhar exhibit @ NLB. Keppel Harbour, originally New Harbour, was named after Admiral Sir Henry Keppel. However it was Farquhar who discovered the deep water harbour at the western entrance to Singapore in August 1819 and called it New Harbour. He constantly advocated and argued for its use even though most of the town continued to grow up along the Singapore River. In his book, Memoris of the Raffles Museum in 1953, Carl Gibson-Hill, last British director of the National Museum opined that 'it would have been farer to have called it Farquhar's Harbour.'
Hmm sometimes it really is a matter of ..fate? Or as I was discussing with a friend, 'Life is unfair... but due to its unfairness, Life is ever-changing.. and as Life changes, can we change for better or for worst too.' As I firmly believed, 'unfair' is but a childish word that has little effect.
Halfway though the walk, CL had to leave as she had a 2nd appt but I decided to proceed on with my umbrella. I'm glad I did as at least it is something I accomplished. Righ now other than Old Ford Factory which I don't think I will visit unless I am in that area, I guess I am finally done as an internal tourist. Unviversal studio and casino and integrated resort?? Hmm I'm so keen yet. I have this strong urge, this wish, to not be in SG this year. i don't know how or what I must do.. And my mum's sad words still ring in my ears to haunt me.. But judging the behaviour exhibited in my job search.. And the feeling after I finished Labrador Park (and finish being an internal tourist)... I guess I should be resolved to do what I am supposed to do long ago.
A few days later…
While at the airport to send CL off to UK, I suddenly remember a decade ago, where I tried to send doc off to Canada but failed to see her. It took many years later to catch her in SG again. Sincerely, I want what's best for CL so if it means not seeing her for several years, if it is necessary then let it be so. That's why I chose to send her off... (other than the fact I have the car and I like to visit airpot).. hmm but right now, not catching sight of her makes me recall back doc's incident... Hmm... And I suddenly wondered when is it my turn?
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