Bentong

Where it all started. My maternal grandpa, Ng Yean. Taking over from his father, he continued with his business acutement amass acres upon acres of land, converting them into rubber plantation. Then, in the 1940s, there was a high demand for rubber. Became a very influentially wealthy man in Bentong. 3 wives, 11 sons and 8 girls in two shop houses situated at the heart of Bentong town. Town with 3 main roads. Sadly his love for drinking brought him to his untimely death at the age of 44. Suddenly the children had free reign to the till which, up to then was tightly controlled. In a short span of 20 years, the rubber plantation gone, save for a few acres. Today, most of the decendants have only memories and precious pictures of the glorious days. The shop now still stands. Faded but faithfully as it had for the last 100 years. Watching the passing of time.
Visited grandpa's grave for the 1st time last sunday. A first too, for my parents, brother and my uncle, grandpa's 11th and youngest son. My 2nd visit to Bentong. Could not resist picking up the smelly latex cup. This smelly latex that has made travelling round the world and beyond a breeze.