Hike to Woodlands Park East - 2

The Park although not a big one, however, there are ample space for early bird residents for their daily doses of Taichi, breathing exercises or brisk walking. We explored the top of the hill in the pleasant cool weather after the morning shower. There is a path that leads down the hill to the community garden. It was started by a resident named Mr Ganesh Kumar. With the help of volunteer residents it has grown into a well-kept garden with over two hundred flowering plants and shrubs. 

 

One of these on the left is the Passion Flower plant of the Passiflora family. So called because the thorny spikes resembled the crown of thorns worn by Jesus when He was crucified. The species found here are red, whereas there are those with yellowish-white petals and blue thorns.

Also here, on the right is a large Hibiscus which I have seen at Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. There are many types of plants like Sunflowers, Bamboo Orchids, Leopard lilies, Screwpines,   Calladiums, Sulphur Aders and so on. More than enough to spend the whole morning taking photos.

Naturally, with so many plants around, one would expect to find equally colorful butterflies, birds, bees and dragonflies here. Indeed, many have made this garden their home. 

We even met the son of Mr Ganesh Kumar who has taken over the reign of upkeeping the garden.

A friendly man, he told us the names of some of the plants that we were not familiar with. He sportingly agreed to take a group photo with us.

Here in the garden, there is a small aviary with some colorful budgerigars. After chatting with Mr Ganesh Junior we bade him farewell. 

This charming garden at Woodlands Town Park East I would definitely visit again. As we were delayed by the morning shower and there were other places to go on our hiking trip we had to hasten our steps as the weather turned and looked like it would rain again....