The Southern Ridges Canopy walk was the first event of the year organized by the Australian Alumni Association which brings together several Australian universities. When I was told that we would be trekking the Southern Ridges, I quickly surfed the National Parks Board website and this is what I discovered:

- The Southern Ridges comprise a 9-km chain of green open spaces spanning the rolling hills of Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park before ending at West Coast Part (lucky thing we stop at Hort Park!)
- It is home to the Henderson Wave that spans Henderson Road connecting Mount Faber Park and Telok Blangah Hill Park. At 36 m above ground, the 274 m long and 8 m wide bridge is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore (another record for Singapore!)
- It is also home to the Alexandra Arch that crosses Alexandra Road from Telok Blangah Hill Park to Hort Park

This got me all excited until I found out that we had to be at the start point at Telok Blangah Hill Park at 7am. Amazingly, I did manage to get there, just "slightly" late, and the event started with the usual photo taking ceremony


The Melbourne University Team

Committee Members drumming support!

and after that we were ready to start the trek…. and taking that cue, the skies opened and poured rain down on us, but that didn’t stop us and we continued with the trekking


Starting the trek

Yay! We are finally starting the trek

The rain did not last long and after it stopped, we were able to enjoy the fresh smell of the trees and plants that make up this wonderful park. It did somewhat remind us of Melbourne and its “four seasons in a day” name tag. Our alumus members broke into two groups with Michael/Rachel leading the first group and Agnes/Lily the second, there were many photo opportunities and time to make new friends.



Say cheese!!

Great Goodie bag!

Standing on the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore

At the end of the walk at Hort Park, there was some light refreshments arranged and as a special treat, our alumnus has a dedicated room with scrumptious selection of food especially for our alumnis.


Breakfast at last!

Yummy food

While enjoying this hearty breakfast, it also provided an opportunity for our members to mingle and interact.

Members get together

Members enjoying the food

Photo opportunity!!

AAS group photo at the end of the walk

In all, it was a tiring but fulfilling event and the best part was getting to know fellow alumnis in Singapore and the free t-shirt