Several members of SAS, Singapore
take pride in being fitness and nature enthusiasts. Many of them gathered for
the monthly walk at 8 am on Sunday, 3rd December. This time it was
held at Coney Island Park situated within Coney Island, alternatively known as
Pulau Serangoon, a 133-hectare island located off the northeastern coast of
Singapore. The 50-hectare Coney Island National Park besides being rich in
history, houses a wide variety of habitats, including coastal forests,
grasslands, mangroves, and casuarina woodlands. It is home to a wide variety of
fauna and flora, some of which are critically endangered. Some plants at the
park are presumed nationally extinct in the wild.
It is worthy of mention that
enthusiasm for participation in these walks, which had been dwindling earlier,
has now been steadily rising. Let us give a loud shout-out for the sizeable
group that enjoyed the walk at this park that has its rich bio-diversity in a
rustic setting. The lush greenery offers much to explore for bird and nature
enthusiasts.
This Sunday morning offered
Singapore weather at its best. The morning rain shower having subsided, the sky
was cloudy and the breeze was cool. After an exchange of cheerful greetings, we
all set off at a brisk or comfortable pace that suited the individual walkers.
Our group covered an age range from
8 years to 70 years. Sophia and Anjali, the youngest amongst us strode ahead of
all into the park. Kiruthika soon came rushing to keep a close watch on her
daughters and ensure their safety.
During this walk we had the
opportunity to chat with Sophia about her adventures so far and the one she
liked the most. Most willingly she shared her experiences during two family
trips: one to Mount Ophir in Johor and the other to Endau Rompin, Malaysia. She
narrated, “At Mount Ophir, we went on a night walk where we saw spiders and
then a whole lot of fireflies! And the next day we climbed over rocks. The
height to which we climbed was around 50-60 feet. Our guide was surprised that
we could do it!” We discussed the terms ‘abseil’ and ‘rappel’ which refer
to a controlled descent off a vertical drop, such as a rock face, using a rope.
Of the trek at Endau Rompin, Sophia
shared this story, “We we returned to our camp, my father discovered leeches
under his trousers, sucking his blood.” Anjali piped in knowledgeably, “We
should sprinkle salt to get rid of leeches.” It was amusing to see Sophia constantly
checking details with her mom, whom we labelled as her ‘encyclopedia”.
Conversation while walking is
entertaining as well as informative, isn’t it? Candidly I shared with Sophia,
“You have had so many more adventures than I have! You are lucky indeed.”
We had entered the park through the
West gate and we walked on the footpaths that led to Beach A, Beach B; past
Beach C and finally, towards the East Gate. Along the way, we saw the ocean
waves lapping at the shores among the mangroves, beautiful flowers and colorful
leaves, heard melodious birds’ songs.
But soon it was time to return to
the assigned meeting point. In the playground nearby, I spotted an empty swing
which beckoned to the child in me. Without hesitation, I sat on it and enjoyed
taking it higher and higher into the air. The delightful breeze blew my grey
hair wildly about. A young parent who was highly amused at this sight could not
restrain from observing, “You are really enjoying the swing, aren’t you? How
lovely!”
Assembling at at our hosts’
residence, we enjoyed the usual meditation followed by Sanskrit sloka
recitations by Dr. Sheel Aditya and Jaishree as well as readings of the
Mother’s and Sri Aurobindo’s writings.
The power of prayer cannot be
underestimated. We all prayed to the Divine Mother for Shashi Bhai who is
undergoing medical treatment. May She grant him physical and mental strength at
this difficult time and bless him with an early and complete recovery.
The session adjourned after the
sumptuous brunch lovingly arranged by our hosts Ritesh and Upali Thacker. We
express our gratitude to them for their warm hospitality.
-
Anju Aditya
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