Finally, I made it... (Tanjong Pagar KTM Station)

This is probably one of, if not the only railway station in the world that generated so much controversies because of its location and ownership.

Located right inside the commercial district of Tanjong Pagar, this railway was built in 1932 during the colonial times and it's own by the KTM (Keretapi Tanah Melayu or Malayan Railways Limited in English), which is of course the railway operator of Malaysia.

Since the unexpected independence in 1965, the status of the railway has always been the bone of contention for the governments on both sides of the Causeway.

Owning to the fact that the railway line and its surrounding areas that started from this point to Johor Bahru, the nearest Malaysian city to Singapore, cut through the prime district of Bukit Timah belong to Malaysia that for many decades the Singapore government has not been able to go ahead with some of its plans to develop this part of the island.

It was only recently concluded that by next July, this operation of this railway station will be relocated to the Woodlands, the northern tip of the island, thus clearing any obstacle for the local authority to develop the stretch (finally!!).

Which its pending closure, it is not surprising to see shutterbugs armed with their gadgets to snap the grandeur of this transport hub before calling it a day.

SOME PICTURES OF THE RAILWAY STATION

The main hall of the station (just like those you seen in the old movies)

One of the things that really caught your eyes would be these mural paintings that deco the walls of the hall that depicted the early days of Malaya.

A reminder from the colonial past is the wordings that abbreviated "FMSR" - Federated Malay States Railway (I presumed).

On both sides of the hall, I spotted these two coats of arms of the two different entities during the colonial days - On the left is belonged to The Straits Settlements and on the right represented the "Federated Malay States" (FMS).

The shield of the Straits Settlements comprises symbols that represented the territories of that of Singapore, Melaka (Malacca), Pulau Pinang (Penang) and Lubuan, whereas the colours on the shield of the FMS were formed by the colours that represented the states of Selangor, Pahang, Perak and Negri Sembilan.

The time-table of the train services provided by the KTM.

Much to my surprise that the alighting platform of the railway is not a restricted zone as compared to the departing platform.

That the eatery right next to the alighting platform has always been a hit with those newly-arrived and the locals (was told this place sells one of the best "nasi ayam penyet").

Unfortunately, with the relocation of the operation of the railway station is being confirmed, I wonder if the famed "nasi ayam penyet" will be relocated together with this immigration facilities to Woodlands?

FOR MORE PICTURES OF TANJONG PAGAR KTM STATION, PLEASE CLICK HERE!!

Finally, I made it... (Kranji War Memorial)

One thing I came to realize is never trust a singular source, but opt for a plural option when looking for information on bus guide. I had learnt my lesson last Saturday when I visited the Kranji War Memorial.

Before I headed out from Sembawang, where I temporary staying put, I found from one particular source online that SBS 160 from Kranji MRT station was the only bus to the destination.

After a lengthy wait, I decided to peek at the bus guide and realized I had missed a few buses that would had brought me to the Memorial.

Eventually, I took bus 170 (being the first number that popped out after my blooper) and was told by the guide to alight "before Jalan Bumbong".

Bah!! another piece of the misleading detail as there is bus stop (pictured above) at the junction that lead to the Memorial!

I came to know about this memorial during my school days, as I was told that this is the burial place for those who died while fighting against the Japanese during the World War II.

The memorial is well segregated with tombstones of the deceased from British, Australian, Indian armies and local volunteering corps.

These are main landmarks of the memorial which are visible from as far as the MRT viaduct between Kranji and Yew Tee stations.

While the walls of the main building behind these landmarks were craved with names of those who sacrificed during the war.

The stone is place in front of the main building of the memorial with the words "THEY DIED FOR ALL FREE MEN" craved on it in various languages.

Behind the main building is another stone wall which craved the names of those Indian soldiers who died during the services.

Those Indian soldiers who served and died in service were buried at the plot behind the main building.

For some, if they were able to identify who they were, their tombstones were written as in this manner (A SOLDIER OF THE INDIAN ARMY).

While those who were lucky, their name and rank and other details were marked on their tombstones (like this sepoy from the 14th Punjab Regiment, Khan Muhamad died at the age of 21 at 8th September 1942).

A shot of the main building from one side of the lawn.

These deceased gave their life while trying to prevent (but unsuccessfully) the Japanese from crossing over from Straits of Johor (partial hidden but pictured above with the skyline of Johor Bahru) during a miscalculated move that led to the fall of Singapore in 1942.

While this memorial is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, this place is also served as a State Cemetery as the burial ground for the presidents of the Republic (which I believe is administrated separately from the main cemetery).

However, only two of those deceased presidents of the Republic were buried in the State Cemetery, one of whom was President Benjamin Sheares - the second President of the Republic (pictured above).

While the founding President, Encik Yusof Bin Ishak had his tombstone located on a remote corner of the burial grounds (pictured above).

Finally, I made it... (Sugei Buloh Wetland Reserve)

I always wanna go to Sugei Buloh Wetland Reserve, but never find an appropriate time to do so, until this morning.

After I boarded the bus outside Kranji MRT station following a 10 minutes wait, the next thing I knew was I had to walk my way into the Reserve (as I was informed that only on selected days, the only bus to the Reserve will stop in front of the entrance).

Under the light drizzle in 15 minutes, I found myself standing outside the entrance of the Reserve with this sign (pictured above) along Neo Tiew Cresent.

There was a small printout I overlooked that I thought it was free entry on weekdays, only to realized that is meant for non-school holidays!

So after paying a dollar admission charge, I begun my trail along this north-western end of the island with my newly-purchase camera for a trial out session.

SOME OF THE PICTURES ALONG THE TRAIL

The main bridge that bridged both sides of the Reserve, with the shelter as a planning stop for the start of the day and resting point at the end of the day.

Enjoying my first scenery of the Reserve (pictured above), it was peace and quiet until some "intruders" entered...

Saw this deserted bee-hive along the trail, good the bees were "out-station" at that point of time

And Johor Bahru (JB) is not that far away actually...

What's a Wetland Reserve without the presence of this creature above here?

Initially, I thought this stick (pictured above) was a crocodile, but it was...

A close-up shot of this plant (is it edible?)...

I got this bird-eye view shot from the "Aerie" - the main observatory tower of the Reserve.

It was fun in the end, but the only complain beside the walk is the mosquitoes, that's all...