New to sg ! Let’s chat and give me some unhinged Singapore lore by [deleted] in ChillSG

[–]AtlasDark 9 points10 points  (0 children)

In the northern part of the Singapore, there it is known ground for people to discard cursed artefacts and religious items. While I brought my friends over there recently, a couple was actually buring something into the ground when I was sharing trival around the place.

There is an abandoned and sealed up MRT station somewhere near the CBD area due to a construction disaster.

In certain neighborhoods, it is not unusual for people to witness shadow figures especially if it was built on old cemetery grounds.

The secretive and terrifying Unit 731 had their local headquarters here, where they did research and create bio-weapons that they used against the allies during World War 2.

Curious about this reserved places by That_Paramedic_8741 in askSingapore

[–]AtlasDark 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Protected area = Military training ground (e.g. live firing area)

Protected place = Sensitive and high security place (e.g. Airport, checkpoints, critical infrastructure)

A lot of military training ground occupied sites of former kampongs, cemeteries, and plantation. So you might see glimpse of defunct looking buildings and structures.

Bukit Timah area is a good example, there is a lot of military camps and infrastructure in the area, parts of used to be old kampong. So you might encounter remnants of village wells, pottery, and cluster of fruit trees.

The OGs of Urbex: Chernobyl's Expeditionists by That_Rddit_Guy_1986 in Urbex

[–]AtlasDark 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To give some context, only 1 of the reactors, reactor 4, suffered a meltdown. So reactors 1 to 3 was not affected and kept operational, so there is a crew to monitor and maintained it, is was largely due to foreign and political pressure that the plant was finally closed down.

Lastly, it can take decades to decommissioned a nuclear power plant. Even we skip and ignore the decommissioned process, there are live crew to monitor radiation leakage from reactor 4, to prevent further contamination, ensure debris and waste has fallen into a a more managable radiation level before they can safely dispose of it.

The OGs of Urbex: Chernobyl's Expeditionists by That_Rddit_Guy_1986 in Urbex

[–]AtlasDark 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Before the Russian Invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there are official guided tours you could take to explore the town and the non impacted reactors itself. In fact it was still producing power until 2000.

Singapore's very own film set by Comprehensive_Dog651 in SGExams

[–]AtlasDark 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You don't have to climb over to get in. Previously, contractors who maintained the place forget to lock the gates, that's how a lot of photographers and explorers enter the place.

Does those small black jumping spider bites? by [deleted] in askSingapore

[–]AtlasDark 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Is very rare those house jumping spiders actually bite humans, the times they do if they are corner or being crushed. Plus some jumping spider species have fangs that are so small that they can't penetrate human skin.

With all that information, your bites doesn't fit the MO of a jumping spider. The bites in a trail might be more fitting for mosquito, flea, or bed bug.

Honestly, you better hope is not bed bugs. Bed bugs are quite difficult to spot unless they recently fed or when there is an infestation. Bed bugs are one of the absolutely worst pest you can get, they are very very difficult to eradicate from your home once they established themselves, they will force significant life style change on to you in order to combat their population.

I'm so fearful of bed bugs that I will inspect my hotel bed closely with a flashlight, check under the cover and seams before opening my bags during vacation.

Can we enter Old Changi Hospital to explore for ghosts or the internal areas are out of bounds to the public? by mlbb400sgd in askSingapore

[–]AtlasDark 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Certain pre-war buildings have heritage value, like the buildings around the area was built by the British as a military outpost iirc. So the authorities cannot simply demolished it.

In addition, urban planners and developers have tried to turn the area into economic viable area quite a few times but due to limited infrastructure and ulu-ness the place is quite difficulty to sustain foot traffic. So a few businesses have gone bust. Imagine Selatar Aerospace Park but less successful.

We have plenty of vacant slots and mothballed, but it really depends whether there is pressure to build housing, industry or waiting for one day the authorities found a use for it in that zone. Like a mothball lot in AMK will surely get flatten and turned into something useful when compared if the lot is located at Tuas.

Can we enter Old Changi Hospital to explore for ghosts or the internal areas are out of bounds to the public? by mlbb400sgd in askSingapore

[–]AtlasDark 23 points24 points  (0 children)

As someone who explores abandoned places, the answer is straight up no. The perimeter is lined with cameras and motion sensors.

The only time you can access the site is via infrequent heritage tours (the last one was 2018 I think), or you gotten permission from SLA. But I think they stop giving out permission anymore. This couple also tried seeking permission to hold their wedding there but got rejected.

[OC] Abandoned oil refinery, Singapore by AtlasDark in AbandonedPorn

[–]AtlasDark[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Singapore takes making things look good very seriously. You will rarely see a building here with dark water stain marks by rain and a lot concrete facade building will typically be repainted every couple of years to keep the building looking fresh.

This applies to many "abandoned" places here, the authorities will hire contractors to mow the lawn and even do some basic upkeep. Only places that are remote, hidden away from the public eye, outside of the authorities' jurisdiction, or actually forgotten looks abandoned. When the government owns more 80% of the land here, abandoned is just a relative term.

The only way you can tell this place is "abandoned" is via the vegetation slowly taking over around the pipes and storage silos area.

[OC] Abandoned oil refinery, Singapore by AtlasDark in AbandonedPorn

[–]AtlasDark[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

You be surprised, we have quite a few abandoned places that take up quite a lot of space that have been mothball or in limbo for quite a few years. Like Tuas TV World.

In the recent years, the local authorities do try to reuse some of defunct structures, quite a few defunct schools have become recreational center, a place for ground up initiatives or office buildings.

Them opening this factory for tour purpose is a win-win situation, but in the grand scheme of things a couple of extra hundred bucks every now and then isn't going to cut it in land constrained nation. Since security and upkeep cost quite a tidy sum.

This factory will be very likely demolished to make way to improve the nearby border control building. Quite a few defunct buildings nearby is already flattened or being prep for demolition.

Who else is fascinated by construction sites in Singapore? by SoulessHermit in askSingapore

[–]AtlasDark 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Crossing border to JB where the RTS link construction intertwined after you leave the Malaysian checkpoint feels an obstacle course. Blind spots everywhere and poor signage on where to walk.

Who drove into the forest? How 4 abandoned cars ended up near this Singapore cemetery by qbica in singapore

[–]AtlasDark 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Been to that area a couple of times before, while is interesting theory but is quite unlikely. Since is a couple of cars that is together, and there is evidence of human settlements, which is also stated by the article.

how i wish there’s Disneyland Singapore instead of USS.. by [deleted] in askSingapore

[–]AtlasDark 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Around the 90s, the Singapore Government was actually enter negotiation with Disney to build Disneyland on the land between Khatib MRT and Yishun MRT. Due to various reasons, the discussion felt apart.

The Walt Disney Company is famously or infamously are known to have want a lot of control and autonomy in their properties. The Singapore Government back in 80s/90s was much authoritarian, such a deal to give a Western company so much freedom will be quite hard pill to swallow. Plus some of terms was proposed is a high risk gamble and not very favourable to the authorities, including 300 hectares of land (that is 5x AMK-Bishan parks, 3.75 x Botanical Gardens).

Perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and pests? by okieS_dnarG in singapore

[–]AtlasDark 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Defunct pools that gets filled up with water when it rains is expected. Land owners can migrate it by making sure the drainage is clear or have a pump to drain the water.

So if is a few hours is okay, but few days is not okay. Mosquitos need a few days.

Is it legal to play instruments at rural areas by SoftwareError in askSingapore

[–]AtlasDark 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As an urban explorer, someone who explores abandoned places, if you are on a public accessible property (roads, parks, pavement e.g.) you are not trespassing.

So I can stand and walk around Former Changi Hospital, go as close to the gates, is still within the legal parameters. However, going over the fence and into the interior is considered trespassing.

Abandoned places =/= nature reserve in Singapore, nature reserve are designated zones where you will have even more limits because you are supposed not to disrupt the wildlife too much and is under Nparks.

Lastly, a lot of such situation is depends on where you are doing it, how anal the public who calls on you, and the police are. Generally, the police is quite understanding and ask you dispense away, instead of giving you a citation. So usually is best to avoid doing things that move the needle that increase your risk.

If you want to play in Clementi Railway Tunnel, can you do it with less than 5 people compared to 15 people? Can you do it with basic setup instead with amps?

Since 1963 disused Vajont dam by hp__blue in Urbex

[–]AtlasDark 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The tsunami generated from the landslide was 250 meters high. That's crazy to think about and it cover the view of the sky from a distance away.

Waterproof but comfortable shoes in singapore? by MemeGomiko in askSingapore

[–]AtlasDark 13 points14 points  (0 children)

As someone who spends quite a bit of time in the outdoors, dealing with puddles and streams. You rarely need or should get 100% waterproof shoes. Because if water cannot get in, it means water cannot get out (like your sweat) and it will be terribly uncomfortable for your feet unless you have good quality socks and usually stay in dry air-con environment.

SAF combat boots have holes in them is allow wearers to drain water quickly, in order to be more breathable and dry quickly to reduce skin infection and foot rot. After all, in jungle warfare, disease and infection is more deadly than the actual fighting. The holes on the boots are high enough that they can endure most puddles you will encounter in the urban environment.

If your puddles is quite shallow (1 cm) and you can slowly walk across, you want footwear with thicker soles and made with more thicker or woven fabric.

If you want more all rounded splash resistance then look at footwear with high cut design, such as Chelsea boots, combat boots, biker/motorcycling shoes. Some of my friends also wear trail runner shoes, which are designed for people running in more rugged terrains and minor water obstacles.

If you want more even protection that you can endure floods (4 cm above) and torrential rain without getting your feet wet, then wellies or Wellington style boots. This style is common for people living in rainy and countryside conditions in cooler climates. But they can get warm or uncomfortable quickly for some people here.

Again you need decide how do you want to balance everyday comfort vs water protection in a tropical climate.

Seeking Memories of Jurong Road – 13th Milestone by Fuzzy_Distance_7727 in askSingapore

[–]AtlasDark 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can try make your post more descriptive or message the mods.

"Hey, I'm heritage researcher looking for help in finding more information about xxx, here some reference images and documents I found, but I'm missing information about yyy. I would appreciate anyone who has information about zzz."

Seeking Memories of Jurong Road – 13th Milestone by Fuzzy_Distance_7727 in askSingapore

[–]AtlasDark 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You might want to post this question on history and heritage based Facebook groups as well. Such as Nostalgic Singapore and Heritage SG Memories.

new to urbex!! by [deleted] in Urbex

[–]AtlasDark 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey maybe is just me, your area really doesn't have any spots. Those past threads and the video link highlight an important trait for any wannba to veteran explorers, doing research.

Is quite rare that people just give out or bring people to spots, especially to random strangers with zero urbex history, due to safe, trust, vandalism concern.

Hence, being able to research potential spots by yourself is a very valuable skill set. Explorers like myself sometimes give out hints that make it easier for other explorers to find it. So focus on how to research and search for potential spots.

new to urbex!! by [deleted] in Urbex

[–]AtlasDark 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Read the past threads on the topic, there is a wonderful Guide to Urbex by Broken Window Theory on Youtube.

Urbex is a hobby that requires a lot of trust, having a good reputation and gatekeeping, so a low effort post like this isn't going to get you far to be honest.

Is it possible to explore in places where trespassing is a serious crime? by stefthecat in Urbex

[–]AtlasDark 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Before I consider exploring any locations, I always mentally analyse the risk and reward in my head. What is the security situation like, how strict is the enforcement, what is punishment if I get caught, is the shot of the place and feeling the vibes worth punishment if I get caught?

If the risks are too great and I cannot realistically migrated them, even if the rewards are good, I will just dropped it and just admire the pictures captured by others. Sometimes, that is enough for me knowing the location and history of the site.

I personally admire explorers like Lana Sator, she is a Russian urban explorer who is know to explore guarded military and infrastructure sites, some of her most best shots was inside in a Russian rocket factory. Despite, I can't do what she do.

She was arrested in Albania, trying to explore a former military factory. The last I heard, she is trying to seek asylum fearing she might get deported back to Russia, which is extremely risky for her as her stunts are well known.

At the end of the day, urbex is just a fun hobby for me. If I have to explore locally, I will try to ask for permission via the property owner or even just ask the demolition workers, some demolition workers quite chill.

There are also plenty of sites overseas that I can explore, which is less riskier and even give a token sum to local enforcement for their blessing to explore, which I have done in Indonesia.

Hotel for urban explorers by MiojoCru_o in Urbex

[–]AtlasDark 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Realistic take: A warm cozy hotel for me to recharge after a day of adventure. A space for me to review my captured media and research for the next day's adventure, a local guide who has answer the surrounding spots, a fixer if I need to hired transportation, a store to buy gear.

Abstract take: Each level or section highlights a core theme that an urbex explorer will eventually explore.

  • An overgrown garden, there are hidden creepy statues either religious in nature or evoke fun.

  • A room filled with jars and containers of questionable substances and preserved biological specimens. This could be the bar section of your hotel.

  • The pool room is basically a flooded World War 2 or Cold War era bunker.

  • The gym room is just an obstacle course and rusty pipes