Self Realization lesson 2

Till last year, I get angry very easily and quite frequently. I become so obsessed with myself that sometimes I dint speak to my wife for more than 24 hours. This looks quite crazy and unbelievable to me now if I look back in a hindsight in the sense how can I hurt myself and others for so long. Yes, when we get angry we are the first one to get hurt. But today, I think if everything or small small things keep on making me angry, then doesn’t it mean that I giving my control in hands of others. 

For instance, think if the people have the power to play with my mood, then how can I expect my mood to remain stable. Give it a thought. First of all, we have to understand that I should have complete control over my thoughts. If someone had said something rude or harsh, I have a choice. I have a choice to react instantly or to respond. I have a choice to become angry or to ignore or to put myself in his shoes or to remain calm. People can only say rude things but they cannot enter inside us and control our thoughts. It is very much possible that we can have control on our thoughts even faced by something unfavorable. I would only advise to keep your remote control with you. If you are driving to your workplace and in the midst of traffic jam, everyone seems to work against you like Autowallah giving you side, Bike rider driving rash and you are losing your temper, then you need to look back and go deeper to understand how weak you are if everything external is enough to make you disturb. Sorry, No you are not weak at all but you have forgotten that you have the remote control of your happiness. You just have to remind yourself that no one has the control to control your mood. I can pretty much understand that inculcating such thought process can be difficult and time taking but there is no harm in adopting this and practicing. One thing I am sure it works. It works for me, it will work for you. It has worked for thousands of souls out there. Just believe it and remember your task when something is making you angry, it’s time to snatch your remote.

 Check my another post in this series Self realization here.

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Trip to Singapore - 4 : Southern Ridges Nature Trail

13 September 2015

The southern ridges consist of 9 Km beautiful track that offers splendid views of Singapore and nature. This place is again not so famous among tourists but being a nature lover who loves to walk in open and green spaces to breathe some fresh air, I was very much attracted towards it.

There are various small nature trails interconnected by bridges each having identity of their own but still they are called as Southern ridges.

Below route that starts with Marang trail and terminates at West coast park. It passes through numerous famous places in sequence below:

Marang Trail à Mount Faber Parkà Henderson waves àHilltop walkàForest walkàAlexandra Archà Hort parkàKent ridge park.

Sequence that I covered as part of my walk is as below (took me 2 hours to cover below 4-5 km track at leisure pace) :

 Marang Trail à Mount Faber Parkà Henderson waves àForest walkàAlexandra Arch

The Marang Trail obtained its name from 

the Marang fruit, more commonly 

known as Johey Oak

There are many entry and exit points. Most famous entry is either through Marang trail or directly starting from Mount Faber Park if you are not interested in taking too many stairs ( Marang to Mount Faber consists of only .8 km but with elevation of 70m) and ending your journey at Alexandra Arch passing through Henderson waves and beautiful forest walk.

I started my trail from Marang trail which is simply exit ‘D’ from Harbour Front MRT station. This trail is less than 1 Km and should take you to an elevation of 70 meters (equivalent of a 24-storey building) at top of Mount Faber which is 2^nd highest point in Singapore. It is bit difficult and I was sweating profusely when I reached at the top but the views were worth it. Cable car was starting from this point to take you to Sentosa Insland. But today I was on my mission of visiting southern ridges. 

This sudden elevation is the reason that many people booked cab till Mount Faber and starts their walk from this place.

View of Cable cars on their way to Sentosa Island Via Harbour Cable point

Mount Faber Park. Very Clean. Cars and Tourist
Buses were quite frequent on this track. It has
dedicated shaded place for peddlers.

After capturing some panoramic views and continue my path, I reached Henderson waves, structure not to be missed.

Me posing at Henderson Waves

Various small tracks of Southern ridges and their distinct identity

 It’s the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore         and constructed in wave like fashion.           It would be difficult for me to further describe it in words so sharing its pictures. Wave forms will be lit from 7 pm -2am every day and looks magnificent. 

View of the city from Henderson Bridge

Continuing on my path and saw numerous paths going in different directions with proper signboards however at 1 or 2 places they were missing so I had to wait until I saw some joggers to inquire the route to forest walk. It was quite easy.

I was very excited once the Forest walk started. It looks amazing. It consists of 1.3 km track of crisscross metallic structure that offers you an unique experience of walking through the forest at a height of 3 to 18 meters from ground. It was descend for me so I didn’t feel tired. This part of the route I enjoyed most and covered with very easily.

1 point to note that I saw most of the people going in opposite direction and it looks to me that that path is also quite famous among locals. Then there is Alexandra Arch that connects to the HortPark but as this point, I took exit and begin to wait for bus for my Hotel at Orchard Road. Lighting hours for Alexandra Arch are  7 pm – 12 am daily when LED lights keep on changing and keep you spellbound.

Alexandra Arch

It is at this location famous B-school SP Jain Institute of management is located having main branch at Mumbai.

I took this exit from Alexandra Arch to take Bus
 from SP Jain School of management.

Finally, I can say this trail is not as difficult as MacRitchie trail and offers numerous entry and exit points. People can directly come by Cab to see the Henderson waves.

Finally, when I completed this track I started dreaming of covering this trail in a rainy season with carrying umbrella and thought how beautiful it will be. Thought not the entire track, but Forest walk is pretty much safe in a rainy season. Also, Forest walk is lighted from 7 pm – 12 am & 5 am – 7 am daily. Seeing this , I came to know this place is more famous for evening and night time walks as compared to morning walks.

This place is worth and every nature lover must visit this to experience bliss especially in a densely populated urban jungle of Singapore.

Also, Henderson waves and Alexandra Arch along with the Forest walk were selected for the competition to seek the best concepts for bridges. Being at such places, one can imagine cultivating greenery and nature is a culture and if people really want they can create gardens and nature friendly places anywhere. Shortage of space is not an excuse for the government to shy away from developing the parks. This is 1 important lesson that every country should learn from Singapore.

  

For the more information refer the below site literally having all the details one wants to refer before beginning his trail: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

If you like to read about my other blog on MacRitchie trail, refer here

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Trip to Singapore - 3 : MacRitchie Reservoir Trail

11 September 2015

Mac Ritchie Reservoir is nature’s park for those who love the open areas and fresh air and want to appreciate the nature in all its Glory.

Macritchie is not very famous among tourists. It is a place which is generally visited more by regular Singapore citizens or expats working here for several weeks. But, it you are nature enthusiast and wild life lover or practicing for marathon or runner, then you cannot afford to miss this place.

There are numerous beautiful reservoirs that bound Singapore’s nature reserves namely Bedok reservoir, Jurong lake, Pandan reservoir, Serangoon reservoir, Fort canning reservoir but the more famous and bigger are  MacRitchie Reservoir, Lower Peirce Reservoir, Upper Peirce Reservoir and Upper Seletar Reservoir out of which MacRitchie is the oldest and most beautiful one. Macritchie is supplying water to the island even long before British settlement. As a gateway to unspoiled forest and waters, the park is a popular venue for schools and organizations to conduct cross-country events, allowing participants to run through various trails while embracing the wonders of our native biodiversity. The iconic MacRitchie bandstand continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many Singaporeans, and is often used to host performing arts presentations.

For the more information refer the below site literally having all the details one wants to refer before beginning his trail:

https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

I started from Reservoir Park at 11 am and completed 11 km trail at around 3pm. Though I was quite tired but the beautiful sceneries and landscapes and professional runners kept me motivated to complete the trail. And once finished I was rejuvenated like never before. Below are the views as soon as I started my trail. I was mesmerized. This beauty amidst corporate jungle of Singapore is unimaginable.

Either one can start his trail from the main gate from the reservoir park which is having designated parking area, changing clothes area, bath section, restaurants or from the car park at Venus drive. Those interested to see Tree top without much walk can opt for Venus park entrance. Entrance is free.

Reservoir main entrance à Tree Top walk is around 5 km

Venus main entranceà Tree top walk is 3 Km

Tree Top Walk is a  free-standing suspension bridge spanning
Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang, the two highest points in MacRitchie 

Total length of the walkway is about
250m and its height from the forest is 25m

Since walkway allows only 1 way traffic, the total trail would be 7-11 Kms depending on your entrance. You can also take exit from the middle but those are not having enough signboards and can confuse you and lead you to join main area only after some excursion. Prefer to take any exit in middle only if you are local or well equipped with routes. I was feeling quite tired after 6 Km and then ask one of the guy how to exit in between. He told me 1 way but that was so confusing that I preferred to complete the 11 Km trail.

Once you cross this bridge, then starts the endless series of stairs. I was wondering why they are not ending. 

But once they completed then started the most beautiful part of the Reservoir, walk by the river, nearly around 5 km. Its a paradise for photographers. 

And then finally the last picture the glimpse of which told me that I was near to the point from where I have started. Yes, The feeling of completing it cant be defined in words. Its an experience that Will always stays with me. Also, Forgot to mention that I covered this track alone and even without listening to music but listening to sounds of nature. That was bliss. 

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If you like to read about Southern ridges trail in Singapore, refer here.

Dubai Diaries 3 - Amazing Tanoura Dance (Egyptian Folk Dance) in Marina Cruise

Dhow Cruises are very famous in Dubai and they are one of things to do do without which your Dubai trip can't be said completed.

In Dubai, there are 2 places that offers Dhow cruise experience: Creek and Dubai Marina. Generally, tourists have dont much time and they prefer to choose one. Also, Cruise at Dubai maria is not very famous and it is also expensive as compared to cruise at creek. But it is far far better and I advised tourists to go for cruise at Dubai Marina. I was in Dubai for long time and have tried both. I am saying this out of my experience that you prefer Dubai Marina cruise and if you want to see Dubai creek also, use the common boat which is almost free ( 1 dheerham ) and used by the local people to commute but reserved your evening cruise in Marina only. Local boats are not available in Dubai Marina.

The one thing 1 can say that you can try groupon that generally offers very cheap tickets for various site seeings like Desert safari, Burj khalifa fast access ticket and cruises. 

Also, while most of the cruises that run in Dubai Marina are kind of luxurious and very expensive, there are very few Dhow cruises also. And those cruises offer very good entertainment and food as compared to cruises in Creek.

Dubai Marina is the world’s largest man-made wharf or dock. It is an entire community of world class expensive hotels and sky scrapers beautifully built architecturally  different shapes which is treat to eyes along an artificial canal carved along a 3 km stretch of Persian Gulf shoreline.

As we boarded our cruise, initially we were welcomed by juice and dates and then this famous Dance show was organized before dinner. You will see this Tanoura everywhere in Dubai in desert safari packages, hotel dinner packages everywhere and Everytime you will see it, you will be amazed only and left wanting for more. You will really appreciate the dance. Sharing the recording done by my wife in her phone, not any professional video but decent enough to give you idea.

Hope you have enjoyed the Dance. 

This tour was organized by ALpha tours, one of famous operator but instead of booking directly, you can check their deals at groupon also.

Please comment if it was helpful.

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