Big People Only Hike

This is a significant year bcos most of us are hitting the milestone big 4-0. There were serious discussions on doing special stuff in celebration - photo taking, big people only gatherings...

We stopped bday gifts for years. We have come to a point in life where we are able to buy most needs and wants without having to wait for special occasions. This year, we revived it. Receiving gift (big or small) during bday just made bday extra special. I also realised the beauty of online shopping; everything can be bought online! No need to step out of the house to buy b-day presents leh.

What we did differently this year is also the Big People Only gathering. I missed the 1st one in the beginning of the year bcos of Zaky's TKD competition. The girls were raving about hike without kids. *Pout*

Finally I had the chance to indulge in one; I planned for a 2nd Big People Only MacRitchie Reservoir hike when it was my turn to organise. Hohoho. The response was good initially. Then there was feedback of haze and baby who didn't sleep well and the 3 Muskateers were left in the end. Hahaha. Never mind, we pressed ahead.

The plan was to meet at the amenities center. Aunty S nicely screenshot the map including the Meetup point.

Since I had time in the morning, I took a train to meet Auntie S at Bishan MRT and bus 156 together. Happy morning! No kids! I was lost on what to pack; usually there would be a truckload to carry when we hike with the kids.

Auntie S is familiar with the route as she does trail running in prep of her Spartan race. Since there were only the 3 of us, we intended to walk a little faster.  As usual, a customary picture before we start and looking very much alive.

The hike consists of a small portion of boardway and then trail tracks after that. I thought we were walking fairly quickly only to clock average speed of 5km/hr. Auntie S' Strava clocks impressive 9+km/hr average speed during her trail run training that that is much faster than my treadmill running. Hohoho. Don't play play.

Auntie SR commented that we were too slow and should aim for 6km/hr or it would take us too long to complete the trail. Wah! Come! We soon increased our pace and broke into a jog at times. The trail was tough with the uneven steps and loose stones. With that, we only clock 5.3km/hr.

At certain point, Auntie S broke into a jog and I followed, plugging in my headphone in prep but it all come to a halt when Auntie SR asked why were we jogging when it was supposed to be a trail walk. Haha. Win already, 黑白讲. But she was right, it was meant to be a "leisure" hike.

Auntie S' joy must be oogling at the other fit trail runners. From time to time, she will point out how fit this or that one is. Lol. Some of them were really good, you can feel their "wind" when they run past!

We continued to some break point before deciding to U-turn. The full 10+km route would take us too long to complete. With a short water break, we started our hike back. The way back felt shorter. Tadah!

We made it back! Still looking very much alive!

The hike wasnt as tough as I imagine. In fact, I had wanted to do the full hike if it not for the lack of time. However, the trail was really not easy on the knees and ankles. My right ankle hurts for the rest of the day. Old already.

Our hike ended with a McD bfast at Bishan. Life is good! Bfast without kids tasted extra nice; nobody is fighting over the hash brown. Hoho.

It was definitely an interesting hike without the kids and having to entertain the countless "are we there yet?" and "how much longer?". We had baby snake, monkey and even wild boar for companion.

The aunties didn't allow me to stop to take picture of the wild boar. Auntie S was worried about being attack and Auntie SR said that she had no more energy left to run away if the boar decides to chase us. Haha. Instinctively, I started wondering which tree can hold my weight and whether wild boar climb trees too. Lol.

I should get the kids to start hiking too in prep of the Mount Hallasan (Jeju) that I had planned to hike during our year end holiday. This particular route is not children friendly as it is too narrow. Time to organise another tree top walk. Hoho.

Mummy Lim