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There is a long and large corridor in front of No. 155 Tai Ping Street. It was in fact not an open area in the past. It should be the location of another house. But because the house collapsed, and the owner had no money to rebuild on the same location, resulting that it is now an open area for placing miscellaneous articles, like old furniture, bicycle and plants.
This is No. 155 Tai Ping Street, Tai O.
It is a two-storeys brick construction. It is said that this old house should have about 100 years history. In the past, at the back of this house, it was a salt field of Tai O.
Outlook of the front portion still looks good.
We can imagine it should be a house of prestige and glory in the past.
It should have about 500 square feet on the ground floor.
On the number plate, '15' can still be clearly seen.
Same as other old houses, there are too many miscellaneous articles on both sides. The result is that the usable area is only about 200 square feet on the ground floor.
This wooden staircase leads to the first floor.
Walking along Wing On Street and then Tai Ping Street, there are fewer shops and more residential old buildings. But one block at the front should be missing, it is at the address of 155 Tai Ping Street. Anyway, there is still an old house of two storeys which should not be solely constructed by cement. It should be a combination of wood, cement, green brick and rock. There is a balcony with metallic railings on the first floor. On the ground floor, the main door is in the middle. On the first floor, there is a door and a window, leading to the balcony.
Inside the house, there is a wooden ladder leading to the first floor where bedrooms locate. There is a main altar at the rear portion of the living room on the ground floor. But many miscellaneous articles, which should have no great value, are found in the living room. They include tools and wooden bench, all these should be the remnants of former workshop. If the miscellaneous articles can be cleared, the usable living room should be sixty percent larger. Even though the house is old, we do not sense there is an old smell.
The owner is a man of sixty something, who is still living with parents and relatives in this house for many years. His parents are both nearly one hundred years old. The house should definitely have more than one hundred years, which was built in the Qing Dynasty (清朝). He said they are poor and have no money to rebuild the house as those of other neighbours. In addition, the front portion was collapsed, leaving the rear portion which is now their living place. At the back of the house, it was the salt pan, which formed an important part of Tai O history.
Islet Relics /2014
