The first walk for the Golden Year 2016
hosted by Kirthika and Adrian was held at Bukit Timah Natue Reserve on 3rd
January 2016. Despite the possibility of a wet weather, ten of us including two
children gathered at the car park eagerly looking forward to the walk, as the
Reserve is a home to thousands of species of plants, some very visible and some
not so visible to an untrained eye.
(Bukit
Timah Nature Reserve, Photos by Ramanathan)
Instead of taking one of the tracks to the top of the Bukit Timah
hill, we had to explore a different route, due to some work that was happening
in the Nature Reserve. Adrian led the way forward through some parts of the old
rail track leading towards one of the Quarries. Due to the rains for the past
few days, we expected the track to be slightly muddy. Fellow trackers returning
to the base, warned us of muddy tracks ahead, and we plodded on with care
hoping to save our shoes from the mud. The greenery surrounding us was
refreshing and at the same time beautiful and they kept re-inforcing the fact
that we need to protect and sustain the forest, if we want to experience the joy
of being with nature.
(Bukit
Timah Nature reserve. Photos by Rama)
We reached the Quarry after making a short and difficult climb
towards one of the old railway bridges. The view at the Quarry Site was breadth
taking, like you see in some old Chinese paintings. We spent a few
minutes at the spot, enjoying the view and also took some group photos, after
which we started the return journey. I took the return journey to the hosts'
home through Hill View road which had broad side walks with lots of greenery.
Some of us took another track, back to where we started.
We reached the hosts home at about 10.10 am and met
some of our fellow members who had come directly to the home for the collective
meditation. We started the meditation shortly after 10.30 am. It
was a simple and meaningful session with some beautiful prayers being read by
some of those celebrating their birthdays in January. We had a good brunch with
lots of variety. We would like to thank Adrian, Kirthika, their two children,
together with Kirthika's parents Mr and Mrs Ramanathan for hosting the walk and
the meditation followed by the brunch.
Best Wishes for the New Year!!
-
Ramachandran
No comments:
Post a Comment