This is my first time stepping into Balestier area. It has been an exciting and enjoyable trail. Everything is new to me. The area, the places we went and the information we learn about. The National Heritage Board had done a good job in putting up the markers to inform others of the history behind the different places. Actually, in the early part of the trail, I find it a waste of time walking all around because the information on the heritage markers are similar to the one on the NHB heritage trail website. It was only at one of the Sim Kwong Ho shophouses that I realise the goodness of going through this trail.
It was through this trail, I can see with my own eyes the beauty of the architectures. There were also certain points the website did not put up, such as how run down the Shaw studio has became. Though certain buildings were preserved, Shaw studio is seems to be left to rot. The markers outside wrote the greatness of the Shaw studio in the past, but what we saw is a close gate. Maybe, someone or even the government could do something about this place. Try to bring back the glorious days by turning it into a museum?
Another point to note was that the water point was just there. There is no markers or no signs saying about how the water point came into existence. If i did not know the history behind this, I would not understand or even realise it's for anyone and everyone. If this happens to me, how about the new-er generations?
The rest of the historical places like the shophouses has been use for commercial purposes. It may be open for commercializations, but if the tenants do not realise or understand the history behind this buildings, how can we be convinced that there is really preservation of history being done here? For example, the staffs at Hoover hotel do not know the history behind the name. I am stumped by their answer. Maybe they are being ignorant, or maybe it only happens at this hotel. What if it's true that the tenants do not the "Greatness" about the buildings? Maybe one day, these buildings too have to give way to new roads or buildings in the years to come. It is when these days comes, I believe, the memories of these places will slowly dissappear.
