Lightning Never Strikes Twice

Having taken out my bandage prematurely, I decided to wake up extra early today to take on the Treetop Walk. It's NOT that I wanted to remove the bandage, but I simply couldn't stand the itch anymore. So out came the bandage, and in came the idea of doing the Treetop Walk today. I went out of the house before my brother left for work, which was at around 0745hr. Driving down the all so familiar road towards SLE, I had to keep telling myself that I'm NOT going to work today. The Treetop Walk is accessible from McRitchie Reservori (4.5km) or Venus Drive (2.5km), off Upper Thomson Road. I had chose to go by Venus Drive because of the shorter distance to walk and to drive.

With the sky slower getting darker and darker, I prayed that the good weather would hold until I finished this hike. To quote Joanne, I have become a dundee this week. Following the dirt track, I started my trek on Peirce Track. The trickle of the stream, the bird chipping brought me back to the day when I was strolling in the Botanic Gardens in Melbourne City. But slowly, the terrain got tougher and it soon became a workout for me. Along the way, some people were coming back from their morning runs. Maybe I should consider doing this before work every morning.

Along the way, I heard some noise. Looking up, a monkey was scratching itself on a tree. The sight of this monkey gave me a shock. Then I laughed at myself. Of course there would be monkeys here, I'm in a forest! Hahaha! I forgot the instructions from NPB's website state that the terrains here is graded as moderate to difficult. Soon, I realised I would need another pair of trekking shoes if I were to do this more often. I think I would as I seriously wanted to bring myself closer to nature after this bout of illness. There! Another reason for me to go shopping!!

After walking for 2.5km, I reached the entrancet of the Treetop Walk. The Ranger stationed at there told me to not spend too long on the bridge as a thunderstorm is brewing, and this is a one-way route. Worried about how to get back to Xabi, I asked about the return route to the Venus Drive Carpark. He told me there is a route at the other end that leads back to the Ranger's Station. From there, I can go back the way I came, to Xabi. Relieved, I opened the gate and walked on. A Chinese couple was there. The air is so fresh!! I can see McRitchie Reservoir from here! Enjoying the breeze and view, I slowly make my way across the bridge. But with the sound of thunder drawing nearer and nearer, I had to make my way down the canopy soon.

Turning around, I spotted a monkey sitting on the rail of the bridge. Torn between going back to take photo of it. It was SO near me. But the sensible side of me thought otherwise and I opened the gate and started my journey back to the Rangers' Station. Little did I realised that I had a shot of the monkey leaping from one side of the bridge to the other, before it disappeared into the forest. The Chinese couple had left earlier. With the thunder getting louder and nearer, I quickened my footsteps down the steps. Hmm... good thing it was all going down. Unlike the trip up, I was almost out of breathe when I reached the entrance. Lo and behold! I couldn't be more wrong! After three flights of steps down, there was a flight of steps leading up to God knows where!!

After that flight of stairs, there was another and then another. So this should be the most difficult terrains since I came into this secondary forest. Suddenly, the entire forest darkened. Thunderstorm is almost here. I started jogging to get myself out quickly. Overtaking the Chinese couple, the truth of not staying in forests during thunderstorms finally hit me. It's scary. Out of nowhere, I saw a flash of light. Oh no! Lightning! Then another flash, and behind us, we heard a loud crash. Glancing back, we realised the second bolt of lightning had strike a tree, sending the tree crashing. I broke into a run and charged towards the Rangers' station, which is about 1.2km away. The Chinese couple nearly went the wrong way, and I shouted out to them that it's the other way!

The rain started coming down. We ran towards the Rangers' station. But realised we could not make it there in time. Along the way, there was a resting place. The three of us seek shelter there, together with another guy. Soon, it was pouring. Some Caucasians continued their treks in the rain. The Ranger Station is only 0.6km away. But that does not include the 2.5km I had to cover before I reach Xabi. Bored, I squat at a corner, taking pictures of rain drops falling on leaves. I realised people does silly things when they are bored, and the thought of Stone Platoon came into my mind. I smiled to myself.

With the rain getting less heavy, I decided to walk out of the forest. This downpour could go on forever, and I don't want to have an endless wait here. Plus, there is no reception here. Mum will get worried if she can't get me on my phone. So I put on my cap, and braved the rain. Thank God the rain didn't get any heavier. But the rain made the tracks more difficult to walk. It was slippery at certain point, and I had to detour onto the main road before I hopped back into the trail again at the junction. The stream at the entrance had became a small river. The signs that siad no fishing suddenly had another new meaning. People would get drown here during thunderstorms. I managed to get to Xabi at 1100hr. I thought Mum wouln't even realised that I had been out. But I left my house keys hanging at the gate and got an earful from her.