Author: Terence Seah

Updates:
12 pax have confirmed flights for this trip. Once 20 pax is reached, we will stop. Hotel and transport will be confirmed for 20 pax only. As this is peak season in view of beautiful weather, please whatsapp +65 9489 4360 to participate in discussion.

Terence Seah

* * * * * * *

This year, Loi Krothong is celebrated on the 23th Nov 2018 which is the full moon of the 12th Thai month.

The travel period will be 10D9N, with Loi Khrothong included. This date is very romantic, and the plan is to celebrate the occasion in Chiangrai. Participants will get to loi a floating Krothong along the river and watching it float away. There will be fire crackers, fireworks, floating upwards lighted lanterns and a Loi Khrothing dinner. I hope members will be able to dress traditional thai costumes during the evening.

Our trip will start from Chiangmai city 1N, then up to Chiangrai, the Golden Triangle, cross the Laos border and back to Chiangmai city. We are planning to go to Doi Angkhang and Doi Mae Salong. An overnight in a tent is also in plan plus a cross over the border to Laos.

The rainy season is over, and weather is cool. Beautiful sceneries, mists and clear skies. This period is the most romantic time of the year in Thailand. Nov is also the beginning of the peak seasons. No school holidays.

Guys and gals are encouraged to come join this trip which also aims to help you evaluate living in Chiangmai, Chiangrai and Northern Thailand.

All participants will buy their own return airtickets. You may arrive on 20 Nov in Chiangmai. We spend the 1st night in Chiangmai. You will book your 1st night.

From 21 Nov, everything else will be booked as a group. We stay in Chiangmai on the 28 Nov and leave CNX on 29 Nov. Those who wish to stay later, fine.

I hope this trip will bring members closer together and getting to know new and more friends. Strictly for SHC members only.

If you are interested to join this trip, please indicate your interest here. There will be an early bird pricing, which will be announced mid Aug. Good to find your room mate now.

To participate, whatsapp SHC Chiangmai Nov to +65 9489 4360.

Terence Seah

The 3rd evaluation trip will be based in Chiangmai city. This trip will focus on moving around CM city, plus an overnight trip to a town, 1 hr from the city.

This trip caters to city dwellers, as is preferred by Singaporeans. CM city has almost all the facilities and entertainmentof a modern city. Participants get to experience local thai transport. For those adverturous, you can team up in groups of 4 to rent a car to drive around, or a scooter in groups of two to venture into the old city.

For common areas where we go togather, we will use public transport. Basically the Song Thaew which is a pick-up with two rows facing one another. Each ride costing 15-20 baht within the city.

Participants will get to book and stay in a hotel. You can choose your own hotel. Ideally in groups of two or four. Participants will have to book their own airtickets.

The first group to form will get to choose the dates, about 7 nights. Scoot and Silkair flies to CM regularly. Plse check for special promotions.

Those who are interested to join this trip, plse whatsapp +65 9489 4360 to join the group discussion.

Terence Seah

SilverHairsClub is planning to have a day trip to Batam, followed by an event D&D at a Batam venue, and returning to Singapore the next day.

The event is likely to be on a Sat/Sun, in June 2018. A few members are assisting with the thinking and planning process. If you like to join the committee, plse whatsapp me +65 9489 4360.

We will leave Sat morning from Harbourfront. Have lunch somewhere, enjoy Batam and returning to the overnight venue. Our D&D starts at 6pm, knocking off to bed late into the night, have our breakfast at the hotel, before catching our ferry back to Singapore.

Options are open for now. We can opt for an organised tour which include the hotel stay or our own free and easy.

If you have a firmed suggestion, do let me know. Preference given to suggestions if you have taken the tour and stayed in the hotel. We shall close suggestions on 9 May 2018. Event will be held in June, and confirmed once we have decided options available. Let’s have a non-tradition idea.

Have fun.

Terence Seah

Perth is 5 flying hours from Singapore. Time wise, we are in the same time zone, +8 hrs GMT. And One SGD is about one AUD.

Scoot, SIA, Jetstar and Quantas fly regularly to Perth. Perth city is small in size, compared to Singapore.

Like most tourists, Singaporeans can get a 1 year tourist visa, multiple entry and 3-mths at one stay. I hear that we can even get a 3 or 6 year extended visa. Got to check.

Many Singaporeans settle down in Perth, not necessary in the city but in many suburbs south of Perth. Connected by fast timely trains and highways, one gets to travel into the city within 30 mins. Unlikely muti storey shopping centres, Aussie malls are generally ground or low level. Due to space availability, car parks are huge, and very often, one gets to park for free. How much do we have to pay for a car? SGD 4000 for a 2nd hand car or SGD 99,000 for a new car.

How are living prices in Perth? What’s it like to live in a house? Or should one settle for an apartment instead, just like many of us are used to? How much does it cost to buy a house or an apartment? SGD 450K or SGD 1.5 m for a 1,500 sq m space.

Food. How is eating out, or cooked in? What are prices like? Is it easy to get Asian food? What about service charges? How much does pork or chicken cost? What about vegetables, milk, fish, apples and mangoes? Will I feel at home? Afterall, we have live in Singapore for more than 50 years, with Cold Storage, NTU Fairprice, Seng Siong and our local grocery shop.

Friends. Easy to find friends and make friends? Where are they? One can tell how many Singaporeans live in Perth by chatting with the passengers on Scoot or Singapore airlines. We can also tell when there is a Singapore National Day gathering.

Health and Medical. As a citizen or PR, how are medical facilities and health costs? Oops, we are retiring tourist. How long does one have to wait to see a doctor? What is it like to see a doctor, a dentist or a pharmacist? Where are the hospitals? Private and Govt.

Seasons. How are the summers and the winters? How extreme can the weather get? Can we as retirees take the weather? Oh, my bones ache and my joints may go stiff. Or is it always hot, steamy and rainy? Does it snow?

Life must be more interesting. What about entertainment? What time do shops open and close? Do shops open on Sat and Sun? Heard that fishing, crabbing and picking abalones are fun activities. Are there bars, dancing places and restaurants that close at midnight? Or do they close at 6pm only? Anyway to get a massage for SGD 30 per hour? Cinemas, karaoke rooms and bowling alleys, are they easily available? What about open markets and Sunday Fleamarts? Hmm, got Korean or Taiwanese movies, or Singapore Ch 5, 8 or CNA, or not?

Space and fresh air. Australia is big. Australia is not Perth. There is Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania, Adelaide, and many more cities. What’s there to do? Farm stays, passion fruit picking, grapes and vineyards, kangaroos, whales, dolphins and sharks. Can we truly see a million stars at night or is there haze at times? Can we engaged in sports?

Many Singaporean retirees travel to Perth each year. This include a number of SilverHairsClub members who live in Perth. What is it like to live in Perth? Or in any other city. Share your thoughts and comments.

Or from your mobile, whatsapp and join the group.

 

Terence Seah

https://www.meetup.com/SilverHairsClub-Singapore/

SHC is taking one more step to expand its membership.  Through Meetup, we are looking at new members, as young as 45.  Membership is free; and the same club rules apply.  All applicants for SHC membership will go through our normal procedures.

Currently, we have Andrew Koh leading and managing the SHC facebook channel.  Before the end of 2018, I shall be looking out for one or two members to head the SHC meetup channel meetup.com/SilverHairsClub-Singapore/.

For your initial announcement.

Terence Seah

Dear fellow members,

Soon, the Lunar New Year is here.  On behalf of the SilverHairsClub, I wish one and all members an enjoyable family reunion and a healthy happy year ahead.

For those who are going up to KL, here”s a video clip to cheer in the festive mood.

Do share with us what you will be doing over this season.  And take this opportunity to send our best wishes.

Terence Seah

(This Post and idea were conceived and written on Nov 2010,  7 years ago.  I must admit we had limited but natural organic success,

SHCians who have been with the club for a number of years will know that we have always been on the lookout for matchmakers.  To avoid misunderstanding, the role was create with no intention to match-make boys with girls, or vice versa.

I had used this role name in the club to facilitiate the match making of members with similar interests.  For example, a new member has joined the club, and is interested to find other friends with interests in tree climbing.  Well, the match-maker will then look around his/her contacts in the club and introduce the like-minded members together.

The criteria to be a Match-mater are:

1. Has been with SHC for at least a year.
2. Is an active participant in this forum, and known to other members.

The tasks are:

1. To take care of new members (20 new members), as assigned by the club.
2. To assist the new members with finding their interest and participating in the activities.
3. To constantly keep in touch with these new members.

So, if you are keen to take up this role, please raise your hand.  I will then be in touch with you; and you will be assigned new members.  Initially, I am looking for 5 match makers.

Terence Seah

The 1st retirement evaluation trip to Chiangmai 22 – 29 Mar 2018. We have closed participation for this 1st trip with about 20 pax.

The 2nd evaluation trip is Thur 3 May to 9 May 2018. Interested, you can join the 2nd evaluation trip. Strictly for SilverHairsClub members only.

From your mobile, you can WhatsApp SHC to register your interest in joining an evaluation trip to Chiangmai.

The trip aims to enable members to evaluate Chiangment as a retirement community and to assess other retirement locations, aged care venues, activities and facilities. This is not a sight seeing trip.

A few points:
1. Thai tourist visa, applied at Spore Thai embassy is 3 mths, free. You need to show return air tickets.

2. Scoot flies direct Sin/Chiangmai/Sin. Cost, less than SGD 300-350. So, you may want to book early.

3. Chiangmai will be used as the main venue and springboard to places in North Thailand.

4. Accommodation, we will be staying at a few identified places, within a 1 hr radius from Chiangmai city. We will stay at a Mae Rim resort.

5. Facilities planning will include local fresh markets, hospitals, pharmacies, Internet, parks, bus stations, lakes, night markets, local transportation.

6. For those with special interest eg cycling, walks, gardening, chickens, Thai cooking, herbs, fishing, do some research on the Internet. Let me know, and we try to accommodate.

So, please plan ahead. Do join the SHC Chiangmai retirement community, if you are interested. Register now for the 2nd retirement evaluation trip.

Terence Seah

The SHC Retirement evaluation trip to Chiangmai 22-29 Mar 2018 has triggered questions on how to fund the 3 mths overseas retirement, without digging into personal savings.

Besides discussion in the CM retirement evaluation trip, we are now planning a one day activity to hear from experts in realestate.

Bobby Bok is in the realestate business, and I have invited him to lead in discussions on “how to fund a 3 mth overseas retirement program”. Bobby is an active SilverHairsClub member, and is known to many members in the Club.

During this same activity, we shall also discuss CPF life monthly payout. Together with Jassmine Teo, the topic on CPF life payout will be discussed further.

Venue, date and time have not be decided. If you are interested, please indicate your interest here. Seats limited. Strictly for SilverHairsClub members only.

Terence Seah

Advance information. After all the talk on retiring in Chiangmai, about time to put some action into plan.

We are organising a special trip to chiangmai, for members to Chiangmai, with the aim of assessing retirement locations, activities and facilities. The dates are 22 Mar to 29 Mar 2018 (fixed).

A few points:
1. Thai tourist visa, applied at Spore Thai embassy is 3 mths, free. You need to show return air tickets.

2. Kenneth Tan, our regular CM advisor, suggests Scoot flying direct Sin/Chiangmai/Sin. Cost, less than SGD 300. So, you may want to book early. This is non-holiday period.

3. This is not a tourist trip, as it is intended for members looking at Chiangmai as a retirement location. CM will be used as the central and springboard to places in North Thailand. We plan to live the Thai way.

4. Accommodation, we will be staying at a few identified places, within a 1 hr radius from Chiangmai city.

5. Facilities planning will include local fresh markets, hospitals, pharmacies, Internet, parks, bus stations, lakes, night markets.

6. For those with special interest eg cycling, walks, gardening, chickens, Thai cooking, herbs, fishing, ease do research on the Internet. Let me know, and we try to accommodate.

So, please plan ahead. Do join the SHC Chiangmai retirement group, if you are interested.

Terence Seah

Hi everybody,

On behalf of the SilverHairsClub, fellow members and supporting committee committee members, let’s look forward to many more years of friendship and togetherness. You are part of the effort to make SHC a successful Club for seniors in Singapore. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Terence Seah

By now, many people in the world must have heard of Bitcoins. The word is cryptocurrency. Many banks don’t recognise Bitcoins. Government don’t accept it as legal tender. But millions of people today are still wondering what is Bitcoins. Why?

People are buying high end computers to do Bitcoins mining? Internet networks are being tapped for its roaming capability. Reports suggest that tapping onto public WiFi leads to your notebook power being used to mine. What is mining? Why are so many people jumping onto this Bitcoin?

This Post and planned gathering is not intended to get anyone to buy into Bitcoins or any crypthocurrency. Please be warned risks are likely and experts have warned of a big bubble happening.

I am planning to organise a talk and discussion. Venue, date and time not available yet. There will be a cost, subject to venue and speaker. Not idea yet. Someone is assisting to piece together a known speaker. Venue likely a hotel.

As a show of hands, please raise your hands if you are interested, so that planning can go ahead. Unfortunately, I am travelling, but I will have someone to EO this gathering. Strictly for registered SilverHairsClub members only.

Govts are looking at bringing cryptocurrency and Bitcoins under control. There will be new legislation. But how and what and why?

Please continue discussions here. And if you are interested, please register here.

Terence Seah

This post is open to SilverhairsClub members and also members who are in the insurance business.  Feel free to share and comment.

Strictly, no URL, tel, video and invitations.  No copy and paste. You are allowed to mention the insurance company and your relationshio. Focused on travel and personal insurance only.  Not life, term plans.  Strictly for members discussions only.

SHC members are generally seniors, and at some stage do need travel and/or  personal accident insurance.  A discussion on this topic came up recently, and i thought it is a valuable topic to discuss.  A number of our members are in insurance.

During the trip planning $D3N to Bangkok next year, a lot of time and discussions were placed on taking insurance and which one to pick up.

So, what is the difference between taking a personal accident insurance and a travel insurance?  Personal accident insurance are usually valid for one year. So are annual travel insurance plans?  Can a PA insurance plan be valid for travel.

As a buyer, which plan do you have?, How much does it costs and what is your experience with claims?

Does anyone know if SHC can have a group accident insurance or travel insurance, similar to corporate accident insurance.

Strictly, no URL, tel, video and invitations.  No copy and paste. You are allowed to mention the insurance company. Focused on travel and personal insurance only.  Not life, term plans.  Strictly for members discussions only.

 

 

Terence Seah

 

Yesterday, we had a very successful SHC monthly gathering.  As usual, i met many groups.  And i pick up a very suggestion from a few ladies.

The SilverHairsClub members are getting old. So, are friends and family members. and, of course, so am I.  At the same time, many of us are stll working or busy with grandchildren.  The view is SHC has many members.  Why cant we get into self-help.  You help me today, i help you tomorrow.

A simple and real requirement is “Going for hospital appointments”.  How many of us face difficulties sending our parents to hospital for an appointment.  And, short of depending on our children and maids, we will need someone to help us too, one day.

There is also another group, discussing eldercare services.  Unfortunately, costs are high in Singapore.  even travelling, food and time.  all thiese are details, and we can discuss in details,  For some, we see opportunities in earning some income, being an eldersitter or service provider.

Preference for SHC members.  If you are interested in being an eldersitter or carer, join the discussion on whatsapp.  Send “Join SHC carers” at +65 9489 4360.  Tell me in 50 words, your the service yo can provide and your experience.

If you do not get a reply within 2 days, it means your application is not accepted.  Only serious applicants will be accepted.

Share your thots here. What do you think/ How can we help ourselves?  How can we group the strengths of SHC? What is your experience?

Terence Seah

PayNow is a peer to peer fund transfer service, by the Association of Banks in Singapore. Adopted by major banks in Singapore, it is expected to be widely used at hawker centres, foodcourts, taxis, paying friends, paying merchants, giving angpows, topping up SIM cards and online buying.

It is going to be an easy way to collect money, receive payment and requesting payment.

Have you downloaded the PayNow app? What do you think? Share your thoughts.

Terence Seah

As a follow-up to our recent SHC Whatsapp Business group, an interesting suggestion came up and I think it is worth pursuing.

Many members have worked in corporate life, and have good contacts in companies in Singapore and other countries. When members retire or about to retire, these members usually give up all their valuable connections.

Meantime, we have members over 45, who are expanding their mid life career, and are developing new contacts and networks. As a step ahead, SilverHairsClub can connect members with your contacts in your previous corporate life and undustry. You may have been in manufacturing, in arlines, in fertiliser, in agriculture, in trading, engineering, automobile, logistics, commerce, etc. You may have been a driver, a secretary, an executive, a manager or a VP.

The outcome is up to you. If you have contacts locally or overseas, another member may have a need to know your contacts. If a business deal is made, you can develop a relationship as introducer, liaison or agent. It’s really up to you. Maybe to have a more exciting retirement life. For a fee, a commission, you may be able to help another fellow member.

And of course, if you are looking at expanding your career or business, and needs some valuable contacts, our new business networking group, you too can join this group. Always be prepared and open about fees or commission. Don’t expect to develop a business for free.

Strictly for SHC members, male or female. No MLM, Network marketing permitted. This group is not for looking for a job.

If you accept the above parameters, and if you are prepared to share your valuable contacts, with another member, come join “SHC Whatsapp Business Networking”. Participants will also be invited to business networking gatherings, when organised.

Registration closes on 14 Nov 2017 sharp.
This activity will start on 15 Nov 2017 and close on 15 Dec 2017.

Simply send a whatsapp msg “Join SHC Business networking” to +65 9489 4360. Registration via Whatsapp only.

I am looking for one or two EOs for this activity.

I am going to Yangon for a few days on business and holiday. If you like, you can join me.

I will fly from Singapore on the 8 Dec and then to Bkk. You book your own air tickets. Visa not required. I shall pick a hotel and let you know. You can use any airline and any hotel.

Likely, we have common meeting times, likely at breakfast, Lunch or dinner.

If you like, we can get to meet other long stay Singaporeans in Yangon. We may have to share costs to get them to come for lunch or dinner. You can talk business or you can talk sweet things.

Weather is dry mainly. And by Dec, it will be cool. If you have not been to Yangon before, this is one of last few countries open to the world. Come see before it becomes another HCMC or JB. There are beautiful famous temples, an exotic Chinatown with food you have not eaten since young, a booming city centre and a number of Singapore restaurants. I like street Myanmar food and it’s scented local tea.

Singaporeans staying there for years are many. Most lead their own life and business. The community is closed knit and many are well connected with other business.

Dates are not changeable. Plenty of large cockcroaches flying around in hotels and restaurants. Roads are dusty and rocky. Food, you may need to go to the rest room 5 mins after a drink. Bring your mama noodles. Credit cards are acceptable but not as common as you expect. USD is king. It’s Tiger beer is fantastic. Local beer, better still. There is entertainment but Yangon is not Bkk, Manila or Jakarta. Traffic jam is not unusual. And, do not expect your English to be understood everywhere.

So, if you are still interested, let me know. We meet there.

Terence Seah

Most of us carry a smartphone, either an Android or an IPhone But these phones are either over-powered (too smart) or we just don’t know how to use all its features.

But some of us are more versatile, and we use some apps to make our daily life easier. While others fumble to even figure out how to reboot their phones.

Well, let’s bring all smart phone users together. If you are using an app, and you like to share and help our other fellow members, come join SHC Smartphone users group.

And if you get frustrated everyday wondering how to maximise the use of your SGD 600 phone, come join us too. There will be someone to help you.

Only one way to participate. To join this “SHC smartphone users” group, simply whatsapp to +65 9489 4360, and send “Join Android” or “Join Iphone”.

Closing date for registration: Fri 3 Nov 2017 5pm sharp. Discussions start Sat 4 Nov. Strictly for SilverHairsClub members.

Rules:
1. No hellos, good morning, afternoon or night. Max 5 messages a day.

2. Screenshots allowed. TEXT communicated is best. No URLS, videos and pictures.

3. No invitation to outside activities.
Strictly, no unrelated messages or topics.

4. Before participation, everyone is required to introduce their first name and the phone you are using, so others can help you.

5. This Smartphone sharing will run from 4 Nov to 30 Nov 2017. After 30 Nov, we will continue for one more week. Participants can then invite one another for Smartphone discussions. You may send pictures and URLs too.

This discussion group closes on 5 Dec 2017. SilverHairsClub hopes you will benefit from this activity.

By the way, if participants fail to follow the above rules, a * for EXIT will be given.

Have fun. Look forward to a fun event.

Terence Seah

Hi SilverHairs,

This SHC WhatsApp group is for members to share their ideas and plans for a small and easy business when they are about to retire or already in retirement. The aim is for business-minded members to decide and proceed, know who shares your thinking and maybe pick up some new ideas too.

SilverHairsClub has not had many business networking activities, mainly because starting or running a small business near retirement or during retirement is considered risky to our retirement savings. Many SilverHairs prefer to travel, gather in groups for chit chatting, go dancing, trying out food outlets and pursuing their interests and hobbies. And of course, to enjoy the fruits of many years of hardwork. Well, this WhatsApp group is not for you.

But in today’s Singapore, many retirees cannot do nothing. Taking a part time job is one way. The other is to do a small business, that is flexible and yet have enough time to pursue interests while bringjng in an income. And, for some, to avoid seeing your spouse throughout the day.

SHC WhatsApp chat groups are moderated and have rules. Please read this before joining.

1. Only TEXT chat. No URL, pictures, videos. No unrelated issues.
2. No greetings, good mornjngs, afternoons or goodnight. No invitations to events.
3. Business discussions on food, pets, hobbies, dancing, travel, properties, eldercare, plants, flowers, herbs, health & devices, direct selling, clothes, online trading and arts & crafts, trading, import exports and conceirge services are permitted. Services related to your previous work experiences are supported.

4. Anything related to politics, race, religion, sex and MLM or any forms of Network marketing are NOT permitted.

5. Each participant is limited to 3 text messages a day.

6. To join the WhatsApp Business group, please WhatsApp 9489-4360 and send “Join Business Group”. No email, SMS or phone calls. Deadline to join this group 20 Oct 2017.

7. This chatgroup ends 30 Nov 2017.

Terence Seah
SilverHairsClub

Dear members,

Not that I had lost my memories, but recently I vaguely remembered we had a SilverHairsClub facebook page.  It is callee SHC group.

Some years ago, i had asked Andrew Koh to initiate and administer the SilverHairsClub Facebook.  Together with Douglas Chan, both of them have brought our facebook page to what it is today.  In fact, I had almost forgotten about it until recently.

Andrew Koh and Douglas Chan both joined SHC in Jan 2007.  I am glad to have Andrew be the co-administrator for our Facebook.  Facebook has a different social media structure; It is open to eligible SHC members.  If you wish to join the Facebook, please register your interest here.  The administrators will pick up from here.

Terence Seah