Altitude: 163.3m

Armed with backpacks (circa 2003), water bottles, digital gear (cameras for me and binocs for S) and insect-repellant-d legs/arms/ears/necks, S and I finally set off to conquer the highest altitude in Singapore.

Yes, okay, scoff all you want. Our highest altitude is mere flatland compared to the Mt.Everest, but the nature trails are definitely worth a hike for the explorer in you. Although there really isn't anything much to see apart from trees, we did manage to spot squirrels, pigeons (colourful ones!) and families (and families) of monkeys.

Having grown up under the watchful eye of my overprotective dad, nature trails and treks were never really part of the weekend agenda. From what I can remember, we did go for one or two nature walks, but all that mysteriously died down after I turned 7 (and probably around the time when the little sister flatly declared that she was tired and didn't want to climb the hill halfway through our hike. Mind you, it was just the boring path up and down). Such a pity really, because shouldn't a childhood be filled with adventure and exploration? Shouldn't it be about kids learning more about nature (without the parents fussing around their grimy offsprings?)

Well, S (the more seasoned hiker/climber/lopper/survival expert) and I decided to go for the Green Trail- which looked really promising. We thought we were doing great - all the way until we reached the mid-point and saw the two grannies that were in front of us at the start halfway through their stretching exercise. Can you say Embarrassment (with a capital E) any louder? My only consolation is that we made it to the end and back down well ahead of our targeted time frame of 3hours.

And of course, we had to go for our breakfast #2. Rounded up our healthy morning exercise with the not-so-healthy iced milo, teh tarik, plain prata and muffins from the local bakery - pure bliss.