Thursday, August 6, 2009

Tropical rainforest of Sentosa has good and bad side

Tropical rainforest of Sentosa has good and bad side
Although the lovely waterfall left a great impression in STOMPer Adventurer's heart, he wasn't very glad with the steep trail, which he felt would be dangerous to the elderly.

Says this STOMPer:

"These pictures were taken at the forest near the cable car station at Sentosa. As I was walking through the forest I noticed this waterfall with water cascading down the rocky slopes. This is a source of water for the macaques which spend much of their time on the trees looking for food.

"Part of the jungle trail suddenly becomes the head of a monster with black and red eyes.

"Part of the trail is too steep and is dangerous to the elderly. This should be replaced with steps with metallic railings.

"The Imbiah boardwalk winds its way through the forests and you get to see spiders and butterflies.

"As I came to this rainshelter I was overjoyed as I wanted to rest my tired legs. But when I saw the snakes coiling around the pillars I beat a hasty retreat as I am ophidiophobic. The green snake sent a chill down my spine. I wish SDC will build simple rainshelters without the snakes to frighten the young and the old."

Tropical rainforest of Sentosa has good and bad side
Tropical rainforest of Sentosa has good and bad side
Tropical rainforest of Sentosa has good and bad side

I've visited the Sentosa Nature Discovery and Nature Walk a couple of times before, and while it doesn't quite compare to the trails in many of our wilder areas, I have to say that it does a very good job in showing visitors a very different side of Sentosa, nicely tucked in amongst the huge showy tourist attractions.

The 'monster' with the black and red eyes is a feature of the Dragon Trail, which connects to the Nature Walk.

I have to take issue with the person's statement that part of the trail is "too steep and is dangerous to the elderly". I mean, seriously? It's a nice wide concrete path. It's not a dirt track littered with rocks and tree roots. Yes, some people might have problems navigating even a concrete path like this, but if I may be a little insensitive and politically incorrect, you wouldn't expect people with such severe mobility problems to be using these trails, do you?

For crying out loud, the trails are a breeze, compared to the trails in many of our nature areas. You could push a stroller up and down these paths and give your infant a headstart in appreciating the value of these forests.

And as for the last bit, oh give me a break. I'll admit that I find it hard to empathise with people who have phobias of animals, but I am not convinced that the mere sight off a bunch of snake sculptures (and not very realistic ones at that) could strike such fear and terror. Besides, I fail to see what's so frightening about snakes. Yes, they are meant to be respected, and you should never get too close to a snake, especially if you're not sure if it's dangerous or not, but calling for the removal of these sculptures just because you're afraid that children and old folks will be frightened is simply ridiculous.

I guess you can't please everyone. In any case, I hope Sentosa Development Corporation understands just how ludicrous these requests are.