Several months ago I was in the vicinity of Tanjong Pagar, Wallich Street, Peck Seah Street and Tras Street.
And because I happened to have Nikon Pink with me, out she came of her pink case on my trundles around the area,
It wasn't the entire Tanjong Pagar area that Nikon Pink took that day, however.
In fact she was very specific.
So, instead of capturing the housing blocks of Tanjong Pagar Plaza in her memory, she decided it more worthwhile to take picture of this century-old Chinese temple Seng Wong Gong that sits solidly on the its own plot of land at the junction of Peck Seah Street and Gopeng Street.
There're a couple of stories associated (exclusively) with this Chinese Taoist temple and although I won't recount them here, I'm sure they will resonate with anyone who's interested in Chinese supernatural folklore.
Nikon Pink also decided to take picture of the entire Peck Seah Street looking towards Chinatown, and in particular, the site where a former Workers' Quarters used to be.
It's really interesting how architecture and infrastructure can transform a place entirely from how one remembers it to be.
It used to be much darker and dimmer here during those times when there was a large field and a large tree.
It also used to be a series of staircases that led four stories up from the ground floor leading to (spacious) apartments on either side.
That entire building, of course, is long gone now.
It got torn down about a decade ago.
I'm not sure if it's accurate, but the actual site of that building might today be the driveway entrance of Sofitel City Center, a hotel brand that brings to mind convenience, (luxury) ambience and business-like atmosphere, and which, at Peck Seah Street forms part of Wallich Tower.
That wasn't all the pictures that Nikon Pink took.
There was one (for nostalgia's sake) of International Plaza too- taken precisely because the building still holds a 70s vibe, and which will soon be en-bloc as well.
Sometimes I wonder what International Building was before it became International Building, but there probably aren't many who know.
Or at least I so think.
From this street- Gopeng? I walked along the car park behind the old ROV that would have been very familiar with everyone and anyone who ever had to come take their driving tests there.
The Grandparent did.(Maybe)
The Parents did, too.
If this building was known as the old ROV (I'm not really sure what it is now) then right across it was the lesser known but just as significant Custom House at Maxwell Road.
An information plaque- courtesy of National Heritage Board- now stands at the front of the building, and a very good thing it is too, because it didn't leave out the presence of the Film Censor's Office nor the Maxwell Road Post Office either.
Perhaps it might not be so important in the grand scale of things.
Like, hardly anyone talks about the Film Censorship Department (in those days) and the role they played, but then again, times change, and who knows, of what importance it one day might be, and the influence there might be, too?