Friday, July 29, 2011

A walk along Balestier Road - Sim Kwong Ho Shophouse


Madam Sim Cheng Neo a female developer owned many properties in Balestier Area. One of these is the shophouse called Sim Kwong Ho Shophouse at 418 Balestier Road just at the junction of Balestier Road and Jalan Kemaman.

The shophouse has been restored, modernized and converted into a budget hotel.



It is interesting to observe the designs on the shophouses. There were animals, birds, dragons, etc. There's some that come in the design of a dragon with bat's wings.



Instead of the usual Chinese warriors that are depicted on doors of Chinese homes as symbolic guardians, the shophouse has Sikhs as its door guards as they were often employed as policemen in the colonial past.

You can read more about the shophouse from heritage trails website.

For other sky watchers, please hop over to Skywatch blog

4 comments:

Thomas Lee/Lee Lip Pang said...

Nice capture,i haven't come across this type of elaborated decoration
in Malaysia.

My SWF

Alexander said...

Many years ago, I used to live around this area! :D

Have a good weekend.

Alexander
Alex's World! - http://www.kakinan.com/alex

Rajesh said...

Beautiful architecture. It has been restored very well.

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

That was a pleasant walk. Thank you very much!

WHEN PLANETS PLUMMET

When planets plummet
And comets careen,
It’s the strangest sight
You ever have seen.

When drunk stars stagger
And comets collide,
It’s time to look up
As you go outside

To stare at the sky
Where the strangest sight
Is the moon-faced thing
That you see at night.


© 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher


Menacing Sky