I wondered how much of the brickwork the wooden safety barrier was intended to contain, and even how sturdy the boards were. Would they hold a brick falling from the roof or would it plunge on through the boards and onto the sidewalk below?
The Merlion was created in 1964 for the Singapore Tourism Board. With the head of a lion and the body of a fish resting on a crest of waves, it symbolizes the founding of Singapore. In the 11th century A.D., a Javanese prince thought he saw a lion on the island so he named the island Lion City - Singa Pura. The fish body of the Merlion symbolizes the city's origins as a fishing village. This is one of five Merlions in Singapore today.
Clearly the laundry-pole-out-the-window is a local cultural thing. I wonder what happens if you lose a garment? On a street like Pagoda Street you could probably find it in the street but if it comes off one of those poles from Block 335B, it could almost end up anywhere!
It's interesting looking at Google Street View around here. Pagoda Street, and the whole Chinatown area, has been spruced up in the intervening years. Pagoda street itself appears to be a pedestrian street now so there is no Google Street View of it but if you take a Street View drive along South Bridge Road and stop at the eastern end of Pagoda Street and look at the building you'll see the same roof lines.
Below the official flag of the state flies the unofficial flag - the daily laundry. No hiding the unmentionables here! Rather, everything is put out on display for everyone to see.
This sign was in the restroom of a bar in Chinatown, Singapore. Talking with the locals, it was aimed at the older generation of locals who had grown up without flush toilets. But the sign was in English! I kept wondering who was tasked with enforcement while feeling glad it wasn't me!