Hot Springs Therapy

*alarm rang at 0620hrs*
*about to wash up when phone rang*
Y : "Its raining leh, how ? "
Me : *rushed to the windows and see that all is calm and no signs of impending rain* "no leh, its clear here"
Y : "Very heavy here .. don't think it will stop anytime soon"
Me : "Ok lor, call me if you decide to run later"
Y : "I'm going back to sleep then"

I don't like to return to sleep once I'm up (especially not on a weekend :P). So continued to wash up and seeing that the sky is brightening very beautifully without any rainclouds, I decided to head out for my run.

*phone rang at 0700 while I was wearing my shoes*
Y : "Let's run. Give me 30 mins"
*HOOOOOOOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

Ho seh! So gonna have a running kaki for the run this morning!! Was feeling tired and not sure whether I will be able to run so was definitely glad for some kaki company and hopefully will help spur me to run.

Today Y suggested we run to Sembawang where the hot springs is. Since I've never been there, I'm all game to check out the place. Y started very strong and I was very worried that I will ponchet too early in the run, so had to constantly remind him to slow down. We ran up Yio Chu Kang Road, into Jalan Kayu (really dislike running up the slopes there, without proper pavement and cars zipping past while other vehicles try to reverse out of those lots beside the roti prata stalls / cafes). We ran past the Seletar Airbase, along this little stretch parallel to the expressway, and just slowly trotted along the narrow path before turning into the airbase where the narrow roads made running almost dangerous. We have to be alert and to constantly watch out for the oncoming traffic, thankfully for Y who was leading the way and alerting me to keep to the side of the road each time an automobile approaches.

The route to the lower pierce reservoir seemed never ending. Didn't recall it to be such a long stretch ? But thankfully as we were running at a comfortable pace, and also taking walk breaks, the stretch wasn't too tiring. It was made even more enjoyable due to the beautiful day with clear blue sky and white clouds, and the occasional private jets that fly past. Looking up, they look like toys in the clear blue sky, very nice!

Got to the reservoir and was surprised by the tranquility of the place. Apart from a few joggers, the place was deserted. This isn't how I remember this place. Probably also because we got here later than the previous times, we didn't get to see people buying fresh "seafood" which I suppose were caught illegally by some of those enterprising "fishermen".

We continued on out of the reservoir, running along this stretch that opened up to civilisation - Yishun estate. We were blessed with pretty good weather. Bright but not too sunny so we weren't tortured by the intense heat even though we started our run much later today. We stopped at the first coffeeshop along the way for water and bio break before continuing on. In order to cover more mileage, we took a detour around the Yishun Park. The slow pace & 10 mins run / 2-3mins walk helps a lot and I don't feel the lethargy settling in (really have to apologise to Y for slowing him down !! Hope I didn't spoil his run :P). Near the hot springs, Y asked whether I want to take the 10min route to the hot springs, or to make a detour which will cover another 3-4km. I decided on the former (dun wanna over do it and I need to take care of my legs!) and was glad I chose that option because Y disclosed (much later) that the detour would mean conquering some steep slopes! -_-" want me to die issit? :P

We ended our run at the junction between Sembawang & Gambas Ave and took a leisure walk to the army camp which housed the hot springs. Quite interesting to see that they had built a pathway that led to the hotsprings. They have opened the hotsprings to the public and hence the pathway and the area around the hotsprings were well barricaded with barb wire fencing the area. I was relieved to see that the hotsprings was also deserted and there were only one lone ah pek and a couple soaking in their respective tubs of hotspring water.

The water from the hotspring was piped into three taps which was then used to fill the many pails (and tubs). There was even a bathtub at one corner which the lone ah pek was later seen enjoying a hot soak inside! Y was well prepared for the trip and brought along towels for the both of us (thanks for being so thoughtful and even brought one towel along for me!!!! *bow*). We took off our shoes and soaked our tired feet in a hot tub and just rested there while using the towel to clean ourselves. It was really shiok to have the warm towel over our faces, almost transported me into when you first hop on an airplane and the pretty stewardess will come around to hand each of the passengers a warm towel. Shiokz!!! It was really really enjoyable and refreshing to be soaking ourselves after a run. We spent like 45mins there before reluctantly leaving the place to head to Chong Pang village to fill our hungry tummies.

The brunch was dismal. We got to this coffeeshop and saw many people buying from this fried bee hoon stall. Y tried out the stall and found the food nothing to rave about. By the time he finished his food, we already saw 2 long queues forming at their stall!!! Dunno what's the deal really ..
My brunch was yucks too. The food was really the only disappointment this morning.

THANKS to Y for taking me to hot springs today. Sua ku me finally get to check out the place, and enjoyed the hot water therapy. I'm sure my legs are faring better after the soak! :P

So tired now, later how to go out ? :P Think I'm gonna sleep ...