Trekking up the small road uphill, we saw a dirt track to the left of the small road. I said to Isaac, “That’s the entry point, we need to turn in and continue trekking, this would soon lead us to Keppel Hill Reservoir”. As we continued trekking, there was a cross road inside the forested area, turn right or go straight? Using my scouting instincts, I decided that we go straight. Just a bit more, we were going to reach our destination that we wanted to explore. I saw a foot path opened up by human beings, my explorer and orientation instincts told me, follow this path, let’s go! In no time, we reached this lost world of Keppel Hill Reservoir.
Passing by this road in the Southern part of Singapore for a fair number of decades, the lush greenery forest were pretty much left untouched. This part of Mt Faber has always been a landmark of significance and importance, from her high point overlooking part of the Singapore harbour, giving directions and signals to the ships entering into Singapore’s harbour. Although Mt Faber wasn’t able to grab the headlines and publicity like her neighbours Sentosa Island and Vivo City, Mt Faber played an important role.
Near the foot of Mt Faber, Keppel Hill Reservoir, was an abandoned reservoir that was discovered in September 2014 by National Heritage Board (NHB). There were news coverage on Today Online and Straits Times. Most recently in May 2019, they were news reporting on regular heritage tours being organised by My Community to visit Keppel Hill Reservoir on Mt Faber. And Sentosa. The two news articles gave a good summary of the history behind Keppel Hill Reservoir.
In between 2014 and 2019, there were a number of articles and coverage on Keppel Hill Reservoir, visiting, exploring and photographing them. Looking back, I was kind of late in visiting this lost world that I like to call it. During that past few years, my photography stories coverage were pretty widespread, thus I wasn’t able to do so. I have to confess that I do miss my exploring days with my camera, backpack and hiking boots, whether it was old places or the nature areas.
Upon arrival at the Keppel Hill Reservoir, I stood in awe, admiring the lush natural beauty and tranquility of this abdandoned reservoir. The birds were singing in their beautiful voice, the kingfishers were fishing from the other end of the reservoir. The afternoon sun rays were shining through the thick forest canopy and onto the water, while we were sheltered from it at the other end.
Is this a lost world, how many more of such places do we still have in Singapore? How much do we know of our own roots and history? This year 2019 is Singapore Bicentennial year, have we search, ask more and learn about Singapore’s history, heritage and roots before the year 1819?
This is my ongoing Canon EOS RP Explorer Stories Series production, exploring and searching for roots, rootedness and home, in Singapore Bicentennial year.
Created with flickr slideshow.