Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Fascinating Keong Saik Road - WW

A friend wanted to take a look around Keong Saik Road, I tagged along. He was planning to film a short movie here. I was trying to learn filming from him.

I was told Keong Saik Road was a red-light district until the 1980s. A shop assistant pointed to the red numbers above some doors. In the past, that indicated the house was a brothel. O.O


I particularly enjoyed walking along this colourful corridor. We posed for some pictures.

There is a temple of the Goddess of Mercy. I wonder if the occupants of the brothels prayed here.

I was fascinated by this street scene where these strong young men were unloading bags of flour. Each man carried 3 bags of flour on his shoulder. One bag of flour weighs 10kg. I couldn't even lift the bag of flour. :P

This is such a fascinating place, I want to learn more about its history. I'll have to go back another day.



First Commenter - lina

37 comments:

  1. Love the colorful corridor. Old school charm. :)

    Wah, the man sure are strong. Can carry me or not? Hihihi

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  2. BTW ECL,
    Have to thank you about mentioning me being a good mystery shopper way back... I was offered a chance to be one, you know. All expenses paid for at the hotel. How to resist? :p

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  3. Interesting corridors ECL but I was also fascinated by the trio of hunky labourers!LOL!

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  4. Great Place for film making. hope to see you rfilm the soonest.

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  5. Oh yes,go back and tell us more, this sounds v e r y interesting to me !!

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  6. Happy WW! Lovely pics!!


    http://happilyblended.com/2009/09/wordless-wednesday-school/

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  7. Love the picture of temple of Goddess of Mercy.

    Coffee is on.

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  8. I'm sure a street like that has a million stories, a lot of them unhappy, sadly

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  9. Interesting descriptions along with the images.

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  10. Interesting place! Now this place no more a red light district? The red numbers above the door means it is a brothel? That certainly make it easier for both the customers and the service provider. LOL!

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  11. Ecl,
    I hope you will tell us more of this place after you have delved into its history.

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  12. I love visiting places and learning about the history. Great pictures :)

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  13. looking forward to yr short film... Good luck! :)

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  14. Ouh...now only I know that the red light indicates it is a brothel huh! :)

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  15. So you are learning filming ECL? When you will roll out your next film? LOL :p

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  16. the colors the textures are all so beautiful, I love to see new thing! TY ECL!

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  17. thanks for sharing this side street district...it's amazing how that stretch became such a red light district before. no flour lifting for me too, just the one in boxes =)

    happy WW!

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  18. Thanks for that short history trip. I seriously didn't know the story behind it.. Thanks for sharing! :)

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  19. The place looks very interesting. I also love your shot of the colorful corridor. Happy WW!

    My entries:
    Moms... check nyo
    Yummy-as-can-be

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  20. nice.. singapore has many history too! didnt know about the red number thingy.. =P

    kenwooi.com

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  21. Interesting, I didn't know about the red number. I love walking along those corridor, it has so much history to tell!

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  22. all the best in your filming endeavours.

    it's great to get a taste of its intriguing history.

    speaking of red light district, it reminds me of Amsterdam. it is famous for the many Amsterdam brothels behind red lid windows and sex shops there. :)

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  23. i'm so skinnylah and i could barely lift the bag of flour too. :)

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  24. hope you'll go back there again sooon and tell us more about this fascinating place.

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  25. Great pics. Historical buildings like this should be well preserved. I am sure Sg do have laws for 100 yrs old building like here in Penang.

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  26. What a fascinating neighborhood, thanks for sharing a glimpse with us.

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  27. And good luck to your son in the army. Thankfully I've still got another ten years before I have to send mine off!

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  28. That sounds like a very interesting place. So looking forward to more history on it.
    Have a good day.

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  29. A great filmmaking location. Intersting hearing what the numbers above the doors meant.

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  30. Beautiful ECL! I especially love the long walkway shots!!

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  31. Hi I'm doing some research on the legalization of prostitution in Singapore, mainly of the brothels that lined on both sides of keong saik road in the 60s. Would you know if these brothels are legalised?

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