Tag Archives: Nature

Evaluation

The perils of perceptions

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“The hardest part about listening is to not fill in the blanks with your perceptions – to clear the mind and be willing to understand something new” – Amy Larson

Did you know that Singapore’s primary vegetation has been reduced to 0.16% of a total land area of 714.3km2? (Khew, Yokohari, & Tanaka, 2014). Does this lead you to believe that Singapore cares about nature? Probably not, but read on and you might be surprised.

During our time in Singapore many people, myself included, commented on how the main difference between Outdoor Education (OE) in Singapore and Australia, is that Australia has a much larger focus on connecting people to nature. This statement is true, as long as we perceive nature as the wild, abundant, spacious wilderness type environments that are common to Australia and Australian OE programs. But what if we broaden our perspective of what nature is, or can be?

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Evaluation

Golden specks and golden nuggets

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Singapore is full of small specks of nature; Australia is full of beastly nuggets of nature. Singapore’s areas of natural treasures are microscopic compared to Australia’s natural areas. Never the less gold is gold, and it should be treasured no matter the size.

Singapore’s natural spaces are very beautiful, some are human made natural areas. Its virtually impossible to get lost in the wilderness in Singapore. One minute you may be walking along in the forest, next minute your shocked back into the constructed world as you see tall buildings or hear the sound of cars. On the contrary in Australia it is most certainly possible to get lost for days and days in the wilderness, with no MRT services close by!

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Evaluation

Experience: the architecture of understanding

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During my first few days in Singapore, I struggled to see nature as I knew it. Let me take you on a short photo journey of my personal development and understanding of nature and Outdoor and Environmental Education (OEE) in Singapore and compare and contrast this with Australia.

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A view of the high ropes course at our accommodation

This is what I woke up to on day 1; beautiful! I was up and ready to explore. We went to Gardens By the Bay and visited the Cloud Forest, Flower Dome and Super Trees. I was blown away by the architecture, beauty and information provided not only at these locations, but at many others throughout the trip. However it was only when we got to week two that I actually thought to myself: ”Wait a minute…what do these places do for OEE in Singapore?”  

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Reflections

“Cleaning from the heart or from the wallet?”

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Nature is experienced in many different ways around Singapore. It comes in many forms; natural, secondary re-growth, and human-made.

These natural spaces attract people. Humans leave footprints and rubbish. Singapore has a reputation for cleanliness in every area of the city. But are the Singaporeans cleaning from their hearts or from their wallets?

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Reflections

Humans are small but connections are big

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In the dark of the morning it came.
I’ve never experienced anything quite the same.
Shaking the ground beneath us,
Creating quite a fuss.

The power of the storm I wish to discuss,
My already slim hours of sleep I had to adjust.
The timing quite correct,
A reminder that we need to respect,
Something that society so often rejects.

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Reflections

As time goes by…

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Isn’t it funny how easily my mind has changed.. Within the first couple of days of my visit to Singapore I was and still am, absolutely blown away with the amazing Cloud Forest, Flower Dome and the Super Trees.

It was so interesting to see all of Singapore’s finest and spectacular gardens on display. At this point in time of the trip, I felt that I was heavily involved in the ‘tourist’ mindset. I was asking myself… are all of these attractions just for show? Which is what Lexie has also talked about in her blog, that I found interesting to read her thoughts, similarly we shared some mutual ideas.

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Reflections

Natural Wonder…

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Nature…what is it, and what do we mean when we use the term nature or natural environment? The context and meaning of these words is no doubt different to each person you meet and each country you visit.

My mind automatically invisages a natural environment as being expansive, wild and practically untouched – nature in it’s rawest form – of which I am so used to back home within Australia. Prior to coming to Singapore, despite having done some research, and chatting with folks who had been to Singapore before, it had never crossed my mind how such a small and urban country would be able to incorporate and value the minimal nature that they had.

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Discoveries

Bike Ride Day #2

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What does 1/2 day bike riding look like in less than 1 minute? You just witnessed it.

This video is a time-lapse of 1/2day bike riding we undertook under guide Nam Jim. The 2nd man in Singapore to gain a University level qualification degree in Outdoor Education (through LaTrobe University, Bendigo) he is a wealth of knowledge and currently heads  up the Raffles Leadership Institute in Singapore’s number 1 school. He is a passionate man with a background in Outward Bound Singapore and has major plans for the future of Outdoor Education in this country. Through his expertise and willingness to share we explored a majority of the East Coast of Singapore including history and environmental impact through use of a network of Connector Paths.

Discoveries, Reflections, Thoughts and feelings

Travel with Fin, a man tall and thin.

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Travel with Fin, a man tall and thin.
In a place full of buildings, he finds beauty within.
Surrounded by those who look different to him.
Fin begins to realise that they are his kin.

Fin’s travels started as he stepped off the plane
Ducking his head to avoid the pain.
His first thoughts were “wow this place just isn’t for me”
“Ducking and squeezing, too crowded you see”.

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Discoveries

Commuting with Nature

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The train takes off and I look around, the space is empty. Don’t get me wrong, the train is full, standing room only. People commuting but no one connecting. It feels as if the only common voice here is the automated announcements over the speakers. People on their phones, some headphones in, some eyes resting, some looking around. I feel the sounds our group makes are a welcome relief as the bubbling conversation & laughter fill up an otherwise silent carriage. We are connected with one another. I wonder about others.

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