Lower Seletar Reservoir

Lower Seletar Reservoir, originally uploaded by Jerry Tok.

2nd weekend in a row. I went to explore Lower Seletar Reservoir near Yishun.

My sister was kind enough to sent me and my nephew Nick from Woodlands. The inflatable kayak with the pump, paddle and life jacket weighs about 10kg, still a manageable weight.

While we are setting up the kayak, a few curious people stopped and watch. One uncle ask me if kayaking is allowed in Singapore. I pointed the Paddle Lodge to him. Since they could rent out kayak, it goes to show that kayaking is allowed.

I applaud the PUB for their new approach towards usage of resevior in Singapore. In the past, PUB prohibit any form of activities at the reservior. Back then they view water as a precious asset and has to be kept away by the public. Over the year, Singapore and her citizen matured and PUB wanted to use a different approach. Instead of keeping people away, they let people interact with it so that they can value and understand the importance of keeping our reservoir clean. Over the past few years, I think this new approach works. More people take up water sports such as kayaking, dragon boat, wake boarding, fishing and etc.

Since the Kallang River flows to the Marina Barrage, it is essentially part of Marina Reservoir. And Kallang River stretch all the way to Bishan Park, about 10km from the Marina Barrage. If you want, you can kayak from Bishan Park to Kallang MRT to Kallang riverside part to Indoor stadium, under the Sheares Bridge, past the Singapore Flyers, Esplanade, Merlion and eventually reach the Helix bridge. I can imagine how scenic that would be. When I've done so, I'll share with you my experience. This will be the route, I've map it for visualisation.




I must say I enjoy fresh water kayaking better. Cleaning up is easier as i don't have to rinse my whole kayak. Assuming the reservoir water is pretty safe, I just wipe dry the kayak with a cloth.

Kayaking on calm water is so much easier as compare to the waves and strong wind of the sea. I've took a video to demostrate the calmness of the water.



What you are hear in the background is an aircraft from Youth Flying Club. They were doing circuits. I don't think I've every been to a place in Singapore like this-Surrounded by water, greenery, and with aircraft flying over you.





Via Flickr:
Orchid Country Club in the background