"Travelogue - Bukit Batok"

What I enjoyed most about doing this task was when I was researching about the places. I got to know so many things about the landmarks that I had never known before. It was truly amazing to know their history and how they were and what they were used for in the past.

The challenges that I faced when I was trying to find out more of the places. Some places like the temples had hardly any information about them. The search would mainly show the location of the place. It was also a challenge to look for a reliable source to find information, I had to look through many sites before I found a reliable source. And another challenge was interviewing the people, there were very few people around.

All the landmarks I chose were very scattered away and very far from my house. They would take me approximately half an hour to reach there. As a result, I did not go out to take photos or interview people. If I got another opportunity to do this task again, I would choose landmarks which is closer to my house and not so scattered away.

Bukit Batok Memorial

The Bukit Batok Memorial is located on top of the tranquil Bukit Batok Hill upon which once stood two war memorials built by Australian POWs to commemorate the war dead of the Japanese and the Allies who fought during the decisive Battle of Bukit Timah in Singapore during the Second World War. The two memorials were destroyed after the war and only the road and stairs leading to them formerly marks its legacy today. English bombardier Stanley Warren of the Changi Murals fame, belonged to one of the work parties that built the stairs and a road named Lorong Sesuai, leading to the two memorials on top of Bukit Batok Hill. The Japanese had originally planned just one memorial called Syonan Chureito for their war dead but the POWs asked the Japanese for permission to build a memorial to their own war dead near the Japanese memorial and had been given permission and materials to erect a 15-foot (4.6 m) wooden cross behind Syonan Chureito. The Japanese had hoped to capitalise on the propaganda value of acceding to the request. The Japanese engineering commander-in-charge of the POWs then was Colonel Yasugi Tamura. About 500 Australian POWs mainly from the Artillery, and Infantry battalions, encamped at Sime Road and Adam Park were marched back and forth each day between the job site and their camp and worked tirelessly until both memorials were completed.

Pictures of Bukit Batok Memorial

Bukit Batok Nature Park

The park is developed on an abandoned quarry site in 1988.Today, the undulating terrain and serene ambience of the park attract joggers and hikers. It is suitable for a peaceful walk as the serene ambience of the park brings out an ideal atmosphere. A picturesque pond situated at the foot of a high cliff wall near the entrance of the park runs deep and still-a relic from the mining days of the region. The undulating terrain and meandering footpaths through the lush secondary forest lead to look-out points reaching more than 10 stories high. Visitors can also enjoy activities including bird watching and foot reflexology.

Pictures of Bukit Batok Nature Park

Here is an interview about Bukit Batok Nature Park

Bukit Batok Town Park

The area used to be a granite quarry before it was closed off. In 1984, The Housing and Development Board had intended to fill the quarry up and build a road on it. Instead, it was converted to a pond since the area had a pleasant look to it. The surrounding areas were also beautified and made accessible by placing granite blocks on the retaining walls and adding footpaths, lights and seating. In 1996, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) linked the Town Park and Nature Parks via park connectors to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Sungei Pandan to enhance the residential landscape for the area around Yishun and Bukit Batok.

Pictures of Bukit Batok Town Park