Balestier

5th stop:A date with Sun Yat Sen

When the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Villa opens after the renovation, do give this place a go. Being there (standing outside of it) was quite an experience on it's own, we saw other visitors from China who was there too, i feel sorry that they couldn't go in, i mean, even though their country have a lot historic buildings, but to come to a foreign land and find it's importance and influence is something, well, that's what i was feeling anyways. But when you do come, PLEASE, find a legal parking slot! Parking slots is limited there, but you will wait for a parking slot, if not, you will be slapped with a parking offense which will become a traffic offense, and you will find some shortage in your piggy bank...

monuments could be seen in the courtyard

seems to be depicting something about the revolution Sun Yat Sen have embarked on...

Sun Yet San's villa is actually located within a housing neighbourhood!

article that mentioned its temporary closing for renovation work

We were actually all excited with the thought of going into the place where this chinese revolutionalist once resided to make his plans! But unfortunately, the place is close for renovations :(

But anyway, its good that we manage to locate the place and would definately make a trip down when its re-open to public again!

It surrounding is actually really serence and peaceful!

But, this is also the place where huda got a parking letter from the traffic police!

*A place worth remembering*

_____________________________________________________________________

Did you know:

1) Originally called Bin Chang House and built around the 1880s by Boey Chuan Poh for his mistress named Bin Chang

2) Renamed by the new owner, Mr Teo Eng Hock for his mother to live in.

3) Mr Teo was a supporter of the Nationalist cause in China and offered the place to Dr. Sun Yat Sen, as the Southeast Asian Headquarters of his revolutionary movement from February 1906.

4) The house was under 6 different Chinese businessmen - Lee Kong Chian, Tan Ean Kiam, Chew Hean Swee, Lee Chor Seng, Yeo Kiat Tiow and Lee Chin Tian.

5) It was later donated to the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) to be preserved.

6) The road Tai Gin, means "big man" and refers to the Chinese revolutionary leader, Dr. Sun Yat Sen.

4th stop: lights that flickers!

When you enter the Balestier area, the light shops are the very first that will welcome you...but, obviously, we skipped "Start Here" and went off somewhere else...So getting back to the entry of lights was rather comical, we actually had to make a "legal" u-turn after Upper Thomson, which is quite a distance from Balestier...it was quite funny i thought, having make another "grand" entrance to Balestier...I wonder how this place looks like at night...uuuu...all the lights!! Welcome E.T!

i've heard of...

biology,

scientology,

sociology,

but never

LIGHTOLOGY!

Lighting mart? whow!

The one shop that appears a plenty would be shops selling lamps, lightings and bulbs! There are so many of them along balestier road!!! those above are perhaps the few we manage to snap while the car is moving past!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Did You Know:

1) There are almost 40 lighting shops in this area, on both sides of the road.

2) Divided into 2 kind of shops, the first - sells to the general public

the other - supplies lighting contractors

pit- stop - i want to dedicate this to huda :)

world peace?

our companion - birdie!

showing off her shots! hahahaha

dedicating to huda :)

got to thank her for making this heritage tour around balestier a much accessible journey!

we manage to travel around balestier in the comfort of a private transport!

though, we did meet with some misfortune in terms of the traffic later.... which i'll post later for all to view below . but still, the trip is enjoyable and thanks gal!

love*

not-so-lovely letter from the traffic police for parking outside Sun Yet Sen building.

3rd stops : the architectures!

Balestier point and its unique geometric structure! :

This one was a bit tricky to "find". I was somehow convinced that i drove past it while on the way to the very first stop, but alas, i was wrong, haha, for the Balestier Point, you kind of have to keep an eye open especially if you are driving...the "boxyness" of this building is rather unique especially with the contrast of the old school buildings around this area...

Inspiration for the Gallery Hotel you think?

Hoover hotel:

huda capturing the best shot with her camera!

say *cheese*, buildings!

there are quite a variety of buildings along balestier road!

here are some other interesting buildings! :

old housing estate :)

charming in its own ways

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Did You Know...

1) Built in 1986, it is an award-winning residential cum shopping development which derives from the original cellular housing project called Habitat 67.

2) The renowned architect is Moshe Safdie in Montreal, Canada.

3) Something unique about this development is that every home have their own terraces and gardens in the sky.