愿者上勾

Went for a family gathering last Sun, 2 Sept at the Bottle Tree Park (81 Lorong Chen Charu). This private park is located just opposite Yishun Stadium. The seven-hectare park includes a Chinese seafood restaurant, a small pond which allows children to catch "long kang" fish (ie guppies) using a small green net, a prawning pond and a fishing pond. The Bottle Trees, also known as Brachychiton Rupestris which are native to south-west Queensland in Australia, can be found at the park. There is one other outlet carrying a similar name, Bottle Tree Village located at 60 Jalan Mempurong.

I joined my eldest brother, J for fishing in the afternoon. It drizzled on and off. While waiting for some action, the workers came in a lorry with containers of fish on it.

When I was a teenager, I used to follow J on some of his fishing trips. The more memorable trips were those at the reservoir - fishing is illegal (you got to keep a look-out for patrol boats); the reservoir is such a big area (we really didn't know what to expect); you don't get too close to the coast line (beware of lurking crocodiles); and you stay clear of the stray dogs (these are of a different kind as compared to those hanging around human-populated areas). Those were the days...

At about 4.15pm, just when my nephew came with his parents, the fishing line became taut and yes, J got a fish!

"Fishing" of prawns is not as easy as it seems. You need to have an acute sense of touch (when to lift up the rod when there is a bite and the right amount of force to use when lifting up the rod) and it can get quite tiring holding on to the rod.

We had dinner at the Chinese restaurant at the park. Food is so-so and prices are a tad expensive. The restaurant was well-patronised so reservation is recommended.

Check out the website here: http://www.bottletree.com.sg/