Hitchhiking in Singapore: Changi Airport – Dinossaur Mile – East Coast Park G Camping
14th of January, 2025.
I leave the hostel not so early in the morning, towards Changi Airport. What? Just to visit some nice place inside called The Jewel. But I am actually just going there because I want to see the Dinosaur Mile, which is located right outside the Airport; and from there I will camp in the beach, at a designated campsite spot. I walk for about 30 minutes to the most reasonable hitchhiking spot. It’s not great, as there’s not many cars coming this way, but it’s the only road which is not a big avenue.
It doesn’t take long until a very nice man from Singapore stops. He is a private driver but even though he’s not going to the Airport, he says he wants to help me, as he believes nobody else will stop for me. I disagree with him, but I don’t want to argue with him. Plus, he just told me that after we were already on our way. He used to have a different job but said it was to stressful, so now he’s a driver. I ask him about Singapore politics, and he explains to me that, people elect the president, but he has very little actual decision power. Plus, there is one strong party only, which tend to remain in the power for years. The Prime Minister is the one who pull the strings, and he’s not elected by the people.
At the airport, I first decide to do some writing, and even a post on my blog, before going around. It would ended up been a small mistake. I get to the Jewel first, located in a separated area, where there’s a man-made waterfall, falling in the middle of this room surrounded by plants. It’s actually a lovely place to admire. There’s also a huge waterfall panel, called the Wonderfall, which is also lovely! It’s located on Terminal 2. There are two other things I would like to see, The Enchanted Garden and a Sunflower Garden, but they are both located in the transit area.
When I am ready to leave, there’s a drizzle going on. After some time, it stops, so I carry on to the Dinosaur Mile. I love it! It’s super cool! I mean, to be completely honest, I think that the stickers they used on the walls are even cooler than the dinosaurs imitations, but still, everything looks really cool altogether. And they went through some intense work to do some of the dinos, like T-Rex, for example, to look nice and realistic. If you are a fan of dinosaurs, I would totally recommend this area. And it’s huge as well, even though been only one long hall. In some how, the sound of the airplanes also contributes to the atmosphere to look more real.
The only problem is that, towards the end, I have to rush a bit, as I see the rain coming strong. I only needed some more time, so you see, if I haven’t done my writing or posting on the blog…
Anyway, by the end, when I am already walking to a hitchhiking spot, it starts pouring rain. I run and hide under some trees. Luckily, a man saw me trying to catch a lift before the rain, so he made the u-turn and came back. When he stops, the rain is almost fading away already. He is a Singaporean too, and he drives me where I need to go: East Coast Park G Area.
This long area along the coast, by the beach, have camping spots, barbecue areas and bathrooms. The bathrooms have showers (cold water) and drinking water. It’s all very simple but clean and efficient. At least here in Park G. There is a family with two young couple and a baby camping here. They have a big tent, a cover area for chilling outside, and many cooking utensils. I’m guessing they are staying a few days here. They are from Singapore, as they tell me when I ask them if I can leave The Hulk under their care while I take the 30 minutes walk to the nearest place to get some food. They are kind and say there’s no problem.
I cannot by food at the local food stands at Bedok Food Centre because they only accept cash or Mobile Pay. Luckily, a lovely lady from one of the stands, guides me to a food shop only a block away, where they have an actual supermarket, and the prices are normal. So I get two bananas, one yogurt, a cheap granola, a sandwich for dinner / lunch, and then I spoiled myself a little by buying a package of popcorn and the cheapest chocolate, which happen to be one of my favourites, Twix, so I can have it later, while watching The Lord of the Rings.
I really like this camping spot. I think it’s a wonderful initiative of the government to keep this area so tidy and clean, available for the people to not only come camping and spending some time closer to nature, but also to do sports, walk or do some jogging, as many people come here to do. There are some other three tents a little further away, and I know they belong to a same group of people, who came together. The beach is actually nice, and I’m sure you can swim around, as the temperatures in Singapore can be quite high. There are many ships and boats in the horizon. I really wish I could spend more time here, either today or tomorrow morning, but as it turns out, I must leave tomorrow morning already.
Ah! The only not so great thing about camping here is the airplanes passing every two minutes. They cross right above our heads, so it’s very loud. I could sleep though, having slept by the highway so many times already.
10 Years Around the World 