SEA TRIP TO HONG KONG

 

SEA TRIP TO HONG KONG

            Hong Kong harbour front

I took a 7 days/6 nights sea voyage from Port Klang to Hong Kong from 26th. December to 1st. January 2026.

My grandfather, Kan Khing came from Guangzhou to Singapore and Malacca in early 1910 at 16 during the last days of Ching Dynasty and to seek his fortune.

He boarded the steamship from Hong Kong before landing at Singapore on about 10 days. Instead of landing at Singapore, he arrived at Malacca.

"By taking a cruise to Hong Kong, I experienced the journey by sea. My cruise is a modern ship with facilities. Imagine how my grandfather had to endure the hardships on the steamboat of 1900s with minimum facilities. I had no idea how long was the one way sea journey. Luckily he survived this ardous journey from Hong Kong."

In Malacca, he worked as a casual worker at the Malacca port by carrying goods for visitors. Being a hard worker, he was noticed by a Malacca businessman who decided to employ him at his retail pork shop. 

He worked there for a few years before his boss gave him a chiew Pai "Sang Loong" for him to takeover his boss pork business.

When he was working in Malacca, he frequented a tea house during his free time. He met up with Mdm Chan Patt who played a musical instrument there. 

Mdm Chan Patt gave him seed money to start his retail business which he named "Kong Hing" in late 1920s.

He then rented a shop house from a Singaporean owner at No.12, Kee Ann Road which was built in 1930. This retail shop sold goods like rice, sugar, flour, soya sauce etc. to customers.

In 1972, this shop house was purchased by his son, Weng View. This shop house is now under Kang Family Holding company.