Some time ago I heard that a stretch of boardwalk was opened at the coast of Changi. It was supposed to be part of a 35 km park connector network in the East, slated to be finished around 2008. When that day comes, there would be an uninterrupted trail from Changi Point to East Coast Park (yay!). I could not wait until 2008 to check out the trail at Changi, hence the trip on a cloudy Saturday [25 Oct 2003].
As
seen above, the Changi boardwalk stretches from Changi Beach Club to Changi
Sailing Club, and beyond. From left to right: Sunset Walk, Kelong Walk, Cliff
Walk, Sailing Point Walk.
A grueling bus ride brought me to Cranwell Road (1st right), an unlikely place
to find a charming trail. All around this place were military camps and prisons
utilising colonial period buildings. Venturing deeper into a narrow road, I
finally found the Changi Beach Club! Inspecting the map, I was resolved to bring
what I see to the civilised world.
Changi Beach Club appeared to be a nice resort. I started my exploration along
Kelong Walk, one that stretches to the sea and made to look like a kelong with
its rustic stilts. People were fishing for sea creatures along the boardwalk,
oblivious to the cloudy weather.
Sauntering
to the extreme left end, I realised how short the path was. Sunset Walk was
named for the supposed nice view of the sunset. I wouldn't wait for that. Time
to head back and find the other end. To the right of Kelong Walk was the slightly
raised Cliff Walk. I kept looking for a cliff but there was none. I think I
was at most 3 metres above the beach at any point on the path. The interesting
sights were the little enclosure (3rd left) that seemed very cosy, and the solitary
tree standing at the beach.
Walking on, I came
across the workshop where the sea crafts were parked. It reminded me of my childhood
days when Pa would bring us out to sea on a speed boat. Those were the days
when you need not have a licence for everything.
I came to the last
stretch of the boardwalk. It stretched through the dining area of Changi Sailing
Club, where enviable folks were enjoying themselves by the pool or feasting
or looking out at the sea. I
read the boardwalk cost $3.5million. It was quite unbelievable (I mean the price)
because the distance seems so short now that I'd covered all of it.
I had to get out
of the place, out of thirst and exhaustion. Not before I noticed the creepy
building on top of the slope, inviting me to explore. The wind was blowing,
the stairs were enticing. I had to follow it. Changi Hospital - I saw that name
on SPI [Singapore Paranormal Investigators] website. As described, a tablet
at the end of the stairs read: No Entry. Who cares, the second I ventured
beyond the point, 2 fully-grown dogs started barking at me, their master stood
up from his chair to challenge the intruder. He was dark, clad only in white
shorts and exposing his big belly. I know I wasn't welcomed and so walked away.
Asking for an interview and a photo shot would seem overboard.....