Bill Watts
Well-Known Member
No doubt some of you have heard of Tiger Balm, the Asian cure all. It made the two brothers, Haw and Par, very wealthy. With the money they made they built a fine villa to live in and then surrounded it with illustrative statuary, including the 10 courts of hell, depicting something like purgatory. They also built a smaller version in Hong Kong, but it has long since closed and been redeveloped.
On their demise the gardens eventually passed into government ownership and they were opened to the public. An entrance fee was charged but since the gardens were sited (at that time) well out of town they were under visited and eventually the entrance fee was waived. Over the year the gardens fell into disrepair and a couple of attempts to revive them did not go well. Recently a private company has taken over the gardens and they are looking good again, they now charge to visit the 10 courts of hell to pay for the upkeep of the gardens.
Incidentally this is the only place I know in Singapore where bare chested females can be seen (mermaids, see below)
Camera: Olympus Air A-01
Lens 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 (28-84mm equiv.)
On their demise the gardens eventually passed into government ownership and they were opened to the public. An entrance fee was charged but since the gardens were sited (at that time) well out of town they were under visited and eventually the entrance fee was waived. Over the year the gardens fell into disrepair and a couple of attempts to revive them did not go well. Recently a private company has taken over the gardens and they are looking good again, they now charge to visit the 10 courts of hell to pay for the upkeep of the gardens.
Incidentally this is the only place I know in Singapore where bare chested females can be seen (mermaids, see below)
Camera: Olympus Air A-01
Lens 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 (28-84mm equiv.)
