Eh hello everybody! Uncle Tot here again! You all remember last month I go Southern Ridges and kena stared down by monkey? This time ah, I level up already - go MacRitchie some more bring my nephew Jason (the Instagram generation one) to try kayaking!
Wah lao eh, let me tell you first - if you scared of heights AND water, maybe this story not for you. But if you want to hear how 58-year-old uncle like me can survive TreeTop Walk (my legs shaking like kena earthquake) AND first time kayaking (nearly flip the whole thing), then sit down, grab your kopi, and listen to Uncle Tot's latest adventure!
You know la, Uncle Tot always like to act hero. So when Jason say, "Uncle, you very boring leh, always just walking walking only," I buay tahan!
"Boring? BORING?! Okay la, you want excitement? We go MacRitchie, do the WHOLE TreeTop Walk circuit, then Uncle Tot show you how to kayak!"
(Actually ah, Uncle Tot never kayak before in his life. But cannot let the young generation look down on us mah!)
This time I really prepare until like going army exercise! After last month's Southern Ridges experience, I know cannot anyhow go. MacRitchie is 11km loop if you include TreeTop Walk - that's like walking from Tampines to Bedok and back!
The Backpack SituationMy old backpack from Mustafa - the zip spoil already, one strap hanging by thread only. So I finally invest in proper gear - the Helikon-Tex Groundhog backpack. Wah, this one got so many compartments, I can organize until like those Marie Kondo people! Water bottle got special pocket, snacks got their place, even got small pocket for my Tiger Balm (essential for uncle, okay!).
But here's the smart part - I also wear the Helikon-Tex Bandicoot waist pack! Why need two bags? Aiya, you young people won't understand - phone, keys, tissue, medicated oil, sweets for energy, mosquito repellent - all these MUST be within reach! Cannot every time want to take something must remove whole backpack right?
Remember I told you about long sleeves? This time even more important because TreeTop Walk got no shade at all! I wear the Defender Mk2 Ultralight Shirt Short Sleeve - this one ah, so thin I thought sure useless one. But actually the technology damn power - sun cannot burn, wind can go through, sweat dry super fast!
Below, of course wear my trusted this outdoor tactical shorts- the same type from last adventure. Already proven can survive monkey encounter, confirm can handle TreeTop Walk!
Two things I bring this time that SAVED MY LIFE (okay la, exaggerating, but really very useful):
Uncle Tot and Jason meet at Windsor Nature Park Car Park. Wah, even early morning already got so many people! Got serious runners with those compression tights, got tai chi groups, got photographers with lens longer than my arm!
Jason wearing his gym clothes - those designer type that cost more than my whole outfit. "Uncle, you look like going to war sia," he say, looking at all my tactical gear.
"War? This IS war! War against mosquitoes, against heat stroke, against dehydration!" I tell him.
First part very shiok - wooden boardwalk over the water. Can see fish swimming below, got monitor lizard sunbathing on the rocks (this one REALLY big, like dinosaur!), morning mist still floating on the water surface.
Jason busy taking photos for his Instagram story. "Uncle, this quite nice leh!"
I think to myself: "Wait la, young man. Wait until we reach TreeTop Walk, see you still can selfie or not!"
About 2km in, near the Sime Track, we kena the funniest traffic jam! One GIANT monitor lizard (I swear ah, longer than Jason is tall!) decide to cross the path. But this fellow take his own sweet time, walk walk stop, look here look there, like he window shopping at Orchard Road!
All the hikers just standing there waiting. One angmoh tourist so excited, taking photos until his wife have to pull him back. "It's not a zoo animal!" she scold him. Uncle Tot almost laugh out loud!
Remember my monkey advice from Southern Ridges? At MacRitchie, SAME RULES APPLY! But here got different type - long-tailed macaques. These ones ah, even more garang!
One section near Jelutong Tower, whole troop of them occupied the path! The alpha male sitting right in the middle, grooming himself like he at salon. We all have to slowly walk around, nobody dare to make eye contact.
Jason want to take photo, I quickly push his phone down. "You siao ah? You want them to snatch your iPhone 15?"
After about 5km of hiking, we finally reach the entrance to TreeTop Walk. But first, must climb the KILLER STAIRS! Jason counting - "145... 146... 147..."
My legs burning like tao huay! Good thing I bring my Helikon-Tex water bottle clipped outside - can drink while climbing, don't need to stop!
Okay la, Uncle Tot admit - when I first step onto the suspension bridge, my heart beat until I think Jason can hear! 25 meters above ground, the whole bridge SWAYING when people walk!
"Uncle, you okay or not? Your face like green color!" Jason concerned.
"Green? That's... that's the reflection from the trees la!" I bluff him.
But you know what? After the first 50 meters, Uncle Tot got used to it already! The view really spectacular sia - can see the entire forest canopy, birds flying BELOW us, even spot some squirrels jumping from tree to tree!
Pro Tips for TreeTop Walk:
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After completing the TreeTop Walk loop (about 7km total), we reach back to MacRitchie Reservoir main area. Jason says, "Uncle, you said wanted to try kayaking right?"
My legs already jelly, but cannot lose face! "Of course! Uncle Tot scared of what?"
At the water sports centre, the young lady ask, "Sir, you kayaked before?"
"Many times!" I lie. Jason give me the side-eye.
She explain the basics - how to hold paddle, how to steer, what to do if capsize (WAIT, WHAT?!). I just nod like I know everything.
Getting into the kayak - wah lao eh, this one should be Olympic sport! The kayak keep moving, I try to sit down, almost do split! Jason laughing until tears come out, but guess what? When his turn, he also almost fall into water!
Finally both of us in our kayaks, floating like lost ducks.
Here's where my Helikon-Tex Field Towel become hero of the story!
15 minutes into kayaking, Jason's paddle technique CMI (cannot make it) - he splash water until like playing Songkran! My whole shirt wet already! But this microfiber towel - just wipe wipe, squeeze out water, can use again! Even can help Jason wipe his phone screen (he panicking his iPhone kena water damage).
Okay la, Uncle Tot confess - almost capsize is bit exaggerating. But got one moment when I try to take photo while holding paddle, the kayak tilt until water almost come in! My Groundhog backpack (waterproof compartment, smart right?) saved my spare clothes and wallet!
Jason shout, "Uncle! You trying to feed the fishes is it?"
After spending 6 hours there (3 hours hiking, 1 hour kayaking, 2 hours resting and eating), here's Uncle Tot's honest review:
MacRitchie is like Singapore's own National Geographic channel! Here's what you can spot:
My nephew ah, brought his expensive camera, want to be next David Attenborough. See one monitor lizard, he go super close, lie down on ground somemore for "dramatic angle."
The lizard turn around, open mouth (you know they do that to regulate temperature?), Jason SCREAM and jump up so fast, his camera strap wrap around his leg, he nearly trip and fall!
The best part? He accidentally took burst mode photos - got 50 shots of grass and his own shocked face! I laugh until stomach pain!
The next day, wah lao eh! My whole body aching like kena beaten up! Climbing stairs at home also must hold railing! Jason WhatsApp me: "Uncle, my legs worse than after gym leg day!"
But you know what? TOTALLY WORTH IT!
The combination of hiking through the forest, conquering TreeTop Walk (my fear of heights still there but at least I did it!), and trying kayaking for first time - this kind of experience money cannot buy!
After this MacRitchie adventure, Uncle Tot really appreciate good gear. My old Mustafa backpack confirm cannot survive - would have broken halfway! But the Helikon-Tex Groundhog backpack distributed weight properly, never hurt my shoulders even after 11km.
The Bandicoot waist pack was genius idea - phone and snacks always within reach, no need to keep removing backpack. And that Field Towel? Not just for sweat - used it to clean muddy hands, wipe kayak paddle, even as cushion during rest!
Most important - the clothes. My ultra lightweight shirt and tactical shorts dried so fast after the kayaking splash fest, I didn't need to change! Jason in his cotton gym clothes? Still damp when we reach home!
MacRitchie is not just another park - it's Singapore's adventure playground where you can pretend you're in Amazon rainforest (with proper toilets and vending machines nearby la).
Whether you garang warrior type or leisurely walker type, got something for you. Just remember:
Next time you go MacRitchie, remember Uncle Tot's adventures and mistakes - learn from them! And if you see one uncle in tactical gear looking scared on TreeTop Walk, come say hi!
