Singapore treats -Southern Ridges Trail

One of singapore's treats are its well kept hiking trails and parks. While the tree top walk is a famous tourist attraction less is mentioned about the southern ridges trail. So one of these weekends me & hubby decided to find out the wonders and views of the SOUTHERN RIDGES trail.

The trail consists of marang trail-Faber walking-handerson waves-hilltop walk-forest walk-Alexandra bridge-Hort park and canopy walk! The total trail spans 14kms and there are plenty of refills n stops for a leisurely walk. Here is a glimpse into the walk with pictures

We started from harbourfront mrt exit D in late afternoon, I bet the trail is even more exciting in early morning. But we wanted to try a moonshine walk. Sure enough there were sign boards everywhere to lead us on. Here is the marang trail start.

Beautiful Stone steps cut across the path with greenery all around you! This place looks straight out of Rudyard Kiplings Jungle book!

This is view from top of mount faber..beautiful isn't it. The city dotted with green.

On top of mount faber there's a happiness bell. Ring the bell for happiness😊

Couples tie small bells around the bell of happiness. Quite a romantic place I must say! It had a beautiful koi pond and a small cafe with a wonderful view.

Moving on there are many varied flora and fauna in the park. Perched atop thick canopies it offers bird watching opportunities. Good luck watching feathered friends with binoculars. You can also spot several species of flowers like this one

This walk is quite a treasure trove and reveals its wonders one after another. You can step back in time and educate yourself on Singapore history with beautiful engraved walls adorned with graphics on Singapore's history. 

The mural above is titled Singapore today where diverse races and religion co exist in harmony!

Next on the trail we were greated by the spectacular view of the Henderson waves bridge which has a uniquely interesting architecture.

The bridge itself is quite sturdy and stable and amazing sky view can enjoyed atop it. We took a few pictures here.

Moving on to the hilltop walk, there are exercise areas and benches to catch your breath. 

We proceeded to catch the sunset on the forest walk which is a grated walkwy atop lush green canopies and foliage, just intime before dark

The forest walk spanning through the trees

Sunset seen from the forest walk.

We moved ahead to the Alexandra bridge.The Alexandra arc is beautifully illuminated during evening and the strategically placed lights bring out the beauty of the landscape to a spectacular view.

While there, it is impossible to decline the invitation of the samosa chaat at SP Jain canteen. So we gave in to the drool worthy samosa dipped in yoghurt and variety of chutneys asking to be devoured 😋

Moving on, we crossed on to Hortpark to catch the beautiful full moon from the canopy walk

The canopy walk takes you up through several winding staircases was a great calorie burner and offered the much awaited view of moonshine above the city. Here's our prized picture 😊

Pretty isn't it!

My tryst with Bharatnatyam

Bharatnatyam, a 5000 year old Indian dance form is still practiced and enjoyed by many dancers and patrons around the globe. The graceful art still has its roots and references to the oldest Indian text on dance, natyashastra and abhinay darpan. 

My tryst with Bharatnatyam started casually enough when I was looking around to join some form of Indian classical dance and chanced upon a Bharatnatyam class near my house.

While I was in India the dance class did not have a separate batch for working women and I started naively with 6 year olds..for once I was the tallest student of the class at 5' 2" and boy! what infectious energy and enthusiasm the kids have. I struggled to match pace all the while learning the Adavus or basic dances stances in Bharatnatyam. We also learnt the various Shlokas describing various bhedas (hand /neck/head/eyes etc.) 

Like most classical art forms the education in Bharatnatyam is also oral best delivered by an able guru or a teacher. It lays emphasis on a respectful relationship between the teacher and the student, each class starting with a namaskaram to the teacher and God.

When I had graduated from basic steps to korve, garland of gestures as they are called, I got a chance to perform for my company's foundation day.

A like minded friend immediately came to assistance and together we choreographed a dance on Harivansh Rai  Bachhans Classic poem " koshish karne walo ki haar nahi hoti" ~ translated those who persevere never lose.

Here's the full poem

Bharatnatyam dances usually choreographed on Tamil poems were reintrepreted for North Indian audience and was very well accepted. 

Here's my picture in full costume.

Link to performance:

http://youtu.be/MZPv9-UsOzY

When I moved to Singapore after my marriage I was determined to continue my dance education. 

I am currently learning under Alpana arts Clementi centre. 

Arya my teacher has had her dance education from kalashetra, a renowned university in music and performing arts in India. Her graceful movements are testimonial to years of hard work that go into making of a dancer. She's not only a wonderful dancer, but also a very kind and helpful teacher.

In the video below my teacher Arya demonstrates patakha hasta vinoyoga.

https://instagram.com/p/5lkgNWHBt-/