boon's log 4803.04
A stroll along memory lane...
Decided to take a walk down Campbell Street, Penang last weekend during the long Hari Raya holidays. It was quite a walk (especially in the hot weather). There is a mixture of new and old, happy and sad moments as I strolled along memory lane. Here are some of the images I captured while strolling down memory lane...


Campbell Street Arch, as you enter from Penang Road.


One of the many street markets along Campbell Street. This one sells more of non-wet items (i.e. clothes, utensils, etc.). You can also see the KOMTAR (KOMpleks Tunku Abdul Rahman) tower at the background.


Busy street with endless signboards along Campbell Main Street


A sad picture. This young kid was forced to "work" at his young age. We saw another similar-aged kid (probably the sister) doing the same thing somewhere further down the road.


Timeless time-pieces - these 8-Day Key Wound Clocks are always a favourite, anytime. They will never go out of trend.


Old Friends. Here is an "Ah Pek" (elderly man in Hokkien) fetching another 2 "Ah Peks" around in a "Trishaw"


Here is a picture of another street market. This one sells more of wet food items (e.g. fish, vegetables. etc).


"Back-lane" industry? Picture of a "kopitiam" (Coffeeshop in Hokkien) at the backlane between two rows of shop-houses. Judging from the way the shop was setup and the age group of its patrons, this shop must have been here for a very long time. Medicated Tea, anyone?


Hey! The Headquarters of BoonSpot.blogspot.com!

Well, that kinda concludes my little tour along one of Penang's infamous and oldest streets. Like I mentioned it is a mixture of bitter-sweet experience. Campbell Street was built in the 19th century and was then a hot spot for brothels imported from China. It was aptly nicknamed "Sin Kay" (New street in Hokkien) or if coarsely put, "New Chicken" meaning "new/fresh prostitutes". This kinda ended after the war and recently the government has poured in funds to re-furbish the area and has made it to be an attractive pedestrian-mall (cars are allowed to drive along this street at certain times). A lot of heritage buildings are still seen standing tall along the street and is the main ingredient in making this street a famous spot for tourists, as compared to the reason tourist flock these streets back in the 19th century...

boon out...