Author: chin hee weng

I met Terence at Scorebot while trying to get to know Scorebot's A.T.M. on forex trading. He suggested to me to join SHC. I am in trading of mineral ores and mining in bauxite and sea sand. Before the mining boom three years ago, I was in bird's nest business, both cave and house bird's nest. For business and leisure, I play golf, badminton, scuba diving, fishing, snorkelling, harsh run, jogging etc I worked for Sinar Mas Group and had been stationed in Indonesia and China for 9 years. Indonesia is my second home (not second family) as the business is related to there. Hello to all SilverHairsClub members.

Strong EarthQuake in Padang

I have received many calls, sms and emails after the strong earthquake in Padang on 30 Sept 2009 evening to check whether I was in Padang or get hurt or not. I appreciate your concern and the care and love you people shower on me. I would like to post it so that I can inform more people about what is happening in Padang especially to SHC who have travelled to Padang and Bukit Tinggi.

For the past 4 days I have been calling our lobster friends Mr Tham and Ms Ho frantically on their mobiles and home lines but not accessible. To my great relief I received a call this morning from Mr Tham and Ms Ho saying that they are safe and are in Solok now. Their house in Padang had collapsed totally. Luckily the workers have not returned from Hari Raya and nobody is hurt. They told me that the quake is so strong that it was literally shaking constantly. Although they are seasoned by the on and off quakes in the past, this time was so strong that they were scared and terrified.   

The hotel which Terence and I stayed in Padang, Hotel Mariani (oposite Hotel Bumiminang) is collapsed totally. One Singaporean, John Lee was buried in the rubble for 25 hours when Hotel Mariani collapsed. He was alive and rescued. Long live to him.

We hope and pray that Padang (and many other surrounding towns) and its people will overcome this natural disaster. Amen.

By Chin HW   

A trip to Padang and Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatra

I am impressed by some of the SHC members who volunteer to lead members to visit certain places where they know well.  I woud likewise volunteer to introduce a trip to Padang and Bukit Tinggi in West Sumatra where I personally go to frequently in the past.

Padang is the capital city of West Sumatra Province of Sumatra island. The people here is of Minangkabau descent and dialect which is simliar to Melayu in Malaysia. Bukit Tinggi is a mountain resort and a great place to relax. Around Bukit Tinggi we can go to Haran Nature Reserve, Singkarak Lake, Jam Gagung, Japanese Tunnel ( people still believe Japanese hide tons of gold in the secret compartment in the tunnel during World War ll). Many tourists are attracted to come due to the cool climate and peaceful ambient.

Tiger Airways fly from Singapore direct to Padang on Tue, Thur and Sat and take only one hour. The air fare is cheap and cost of travel is relatively low. My good friend is a big lobster and sea cucumber distributor in Padang. Those who like lobster or crab can eat until you vomit. Unknowingly to most people, West Sumatra produce the most cave bird’s nest in the world. Each harvest total 3,000 kg of bird’s nest.   

So far, the following had booked air ticket and confirmed going

  1. Chin WH
  2. Pearl Goh
  3. Shirley Wee
  4. Ann Lim
  5. Gingko
  6. Terence Seah
  7. Cath Yeo
  8. Tim Liu
  9. Freddy and
  10. Lisa Ong
  11. Helen Wong
  12. Lawrence Lee
  13. Sock Cheng
  14. Karen Thio
  15. Lorraine Chia
  16. SK Chua
  17. Helen Kuek
  18. Eileen Lee
  19. Paul
  20. Peggy Kong
  21. Jane Loh
  22. Victor Wee
  23. Rose White
  24. Lawrence Khan
  25. Marg Tian
  26. Lucia Tan
  27. Derrick Tan

  Click here for photos