Hot Spring @ Sembawang

Yet another quick decisive plan to check out this place (Sembawang Hot Springs). It is well known, quite possibly even very well visited. 

Nestled within the grounds which were supposedly part of the armed forces area, the government sort of 'carved' a mini path and park to allow access to the public to this gem of an area. Many years ago (maybe 10?) there was no park but just a path to some water taps to allow the public to access the hot water. Back then people bring their own pails or rather there were pails for one to fill up, find a corner to sit and douse your weary feet into it. 

Today, its a well made, but small wading pool like area with some seating around around it. To be honest, give the area there, they could have made this pool a lot larger and allow a lot more people to sit around and enjoy the hot spring water.

Anyway Josh and me set out at 620am to pick up BG and the RK and took a 30 min or so drive to Chong Pang / Nee Soon area. There is a HDB estate with MSCP (Block 115B) and from my 'research' seems to be the nearest parking area if one wants to drive. Its a short 600-700m away from the MSCP; a rather pleasant walk as the sun started to brighten the clear skies above us at 7am. The weather was perfect, cooling, windy. We passed a large longing and a vast array of gardened flora and fauna...saw a coffee plant but where's the fruit??

Due to safety distancing measures, there was a queue to the hot water pools. We waited for very long and only managed to step in for a minute or two as there were many people still waiting. Unfortunately those who are occupying the spots were really taking their time leading to an even longer queue forming eventually. Sad to see this as the area is actually quite huge but the pool area is small...perhaps NParks will give some 'enhanced' design thought to maximise the # of people able to enjoy this wonder / rate occurrence in Singapore at any one time.

We planned to cook 'Onsen' eggs (never had the opportunity as the last 2 times I came with RK, we cycled...). RK brought eggs with him and I, some basic utensils and traditional egg flavour enhancer (basically pepper and light soy sauce lah...). We had a small plastic shallow container with eggs which we placed under running hot water (70 deg C) and basically left it there, well, at least planned to for 20 minutes. 

We took it out a tad early (maybe 15 mins? and btw, my clumsy self dropped an egg while draining the water). Some elderly guy told us to put it in for at least 30 mins or something so we just put it back it for another 5 mins or so (still well below 30 but close to the google-searched 20 minutes). The results were yummy eggs! Personally, it could perhaps be a bit better if left for a bit longer time...maybe 5 more mins? 

Nice outing and it will be even better once the pandemic rolls over and safe distancing becomes a matter of the past!