After I got married I stayed in many places.Each time he was promoted,we moved.But wherever we moved to Si Rusa Inn in Port Dickson was our choice for a holiday.It was run by a bespectacled Indian man with a Japanese wife.They had two sons who helped at the resort and a spastic daughter.We loved SRI because we had a choice of different types of rooms.They had houses,rooms and even caravans.We once stayed in the caravan and we did not feel unsafe at all.It was because the beach front was a private one.The restaurant was the place to go to after a swim.The cooks were all Hainanese and they are known for their Chicken chop dish.WE never tired of this place.Another attraction were the Malay ladies who would without fail arrive at SRI each morning.They would sit under the angsana tree and weave away.They weaved anything and everything that could be woven.Here you see me in a huge beach hat which I borrowed for the pic.Sad to say SRI is a ramshackle place now and everytime we pass by there is that tinge of regret that it is no more.
All of ME
Pensive
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Si Rusa Inn
After I got married I stayed in many places.Each time he was promoted,we moved.But wherever we moved to Si Rusa Inn in Port Dickson was our choice for a holiday.It was run by a bespectacled Indian man with a Japanese wife.They had two sons who helped at the resort and a spastic daughter.We loved SRI because we had a choice of different types of rooms.They had houses,rooms and even caravans.We once stayed in the caravan and we did not feel unsafe at all.It was because the beach front was a private one.The restaurant was the place to go to after a swim.The cooks were all Hainanese and they are known for their Chicken chop dish.WE never tired of this place.Another attraction were the Malay ladies who would without fail arrive at SRI each morning.They would sit under the angsana tree and weave away.They weaved anything and everything that could be woven.Here you see me in a huge beach hat which I borrowed for the pic.Sad to say SRI is a ramshackle place now and everytime we pass by there is that tinge of regret that it is no more.
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My Family and I also liked Si Rusa Inn. I remembered since kid, we always go there whenever we went to PD. But now, we always think twice when planning to have a holiday in PD. And the result until now, we do not go to PD as often as when Si Rusa Inn was there. Rumors said, it been sold to the Singaporean to make it as private place.
ReplyDeleteHi there. It is great to see nice comments or write-ups about Si-Rusa Inn. I grew up there and had a blast. Oops where is my manners... I am RJ the granddaughter of the Mr.Chelliah who build and owned the hotel. If you have photos to share, would be grateful.
ReplyDeleteUMMU.... the land is left abandoned since it was sold.
Hi RJ
DeleteMy family and I staued at SRI evey school holiday for years. Mr Chelliah was lovely. One time he invited all us youngsters to his room i think the office near the young girl in wheelchair sat and told us the recipe for his success. I remembered him every morning walking along the beach picking up rubbish. The beach was pristine. Beautiful. Everything fell apart when he died.we have wonderful memories of the place. My mum can still taste the Hainanese mee.
First im curious how u both got to read my blog BUt tq for taking time of.RJ..so great to connect with Mr chelliah's granddaughter.Will dig deep to look for more pics.The last we heard was SR would be a hotel boutique under .But so far..zilch.
ReplyDeleteUmmu,we still go to Pd but we stay at Selesa Beach resort.Cant stay away from that place!!
Came across your blog when i was looking up article for granddad's old place. do keep in touch :)
ReplyDeleteRJ
Hello, my name is Sage Kandiah and I am the Great Granddaughter of Mr Chelliah. His grandson Sivan is my father. I have been trying to find information about my family and so far it's has been fruitless until now.
DeleteI was so delighted to find your blog and also a family member here. Please can you both contact me with any information, any at all. The best contact for me is by email sageoat@gmail.com
I hope to hear from you soon.
Kindest regards
Sage
Hi Sage
DeleteMy father knew Mr Chelliah so well... fellow Sri Lankans i think. I think his son Hari is the one we met years ago!!
Hi san deer, my mum was just asking about Hari the other day. Does he still live in PD?
DeleteHi, Crossed path with your blog while checking up on SR simply because I use to stay at SR whenever I visited PD but that was many years ago. I truly enjoyed my stay at SR what with the great breakfast served with real back bacon. Many fond memories.
ReplyDeleteSam
Hello.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. The SRI was THE place to go in PD when I was growing up. I remember Mr. Chelliah and his family, just as you described it. For some reason I also recall the photographs behind the bar of people water skiing, the juke box outside, the casuarina trees and their prickly seeds, and of course the ladies weaving mengkuang.
I visited PD yesterday for the first time in years. I am writing a blog post about my visit, and would like to refer to your post about the SRI. Will you allow me to do this?
Thank you,
Johan
Hello, my name is Sage Kandiah and I am the Great Granddaughter of Mr Chelliah. His grandson Sivan is my father. I have been trying to find information about my family and so far it's has been fruitless until now.
ReplyDeleteI was so delighted to find your blog and also a family member here. Please can you both contact me with any information, any at all. The best contact for me is by email sageoat@gmail.com
I hope to hear from you soon.
Kindest regards
Sage
Hi all, SRI was really nostalgic for me...I was a kid back in the 1980s and my parents always brought me and my sisters on a holiday to PD..without fail, we haves always stayed at SRI...the long hours spent playing on the beach..the jukebox..the old pinball machines...and the nice Malay ladies weaving basket.
ReplyDeleteOut of nostalgia, I have recently revisited PD after nearly 30 years and visited the spot where SRI used to be. Sadly, it is nothing more than a patch of overgrown land now, although the brick foundations and the main entrance pathway is still visible. Does anyone have any information when did SRI close down? And why? What has happened to Mr Chelliah and his Japanese wife after the place was sold? My apologies if I sound too inquisitive, but I'm really curious about this place that held so many childhood memories for me. :)
Do you remember his wife's name and any other details about them? I am the great grand daughter that lives in Perth Western Australia. I am desperate to find out more about my heritage and family.
DeleteMany thanks
Sage
Hi. Mrs. Chelliah's name was Haru Chelliah nee Haru Shimizu from Togoyama, Japan. See article below. There is also a Malay version with slightly more details.
ReplyDeletehttp://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19590507-1.2.91.aspx
Thank you so very much Sarah and apologies for the late reply. I still haven't found out much more. Dad sent me his fathers name and nanna's details. Do you have any other information. Are we related? You can contact me direct if easier via email sageoat@gmail.com.
DeleteI look forward to hearing from you. Take Care.
Kind regards
Sage Kandiah
Hi. Mrs. Chelliah's name was Haru Chelliah nee Haru Shimizu from Togoyama, Japan. See article below. There is also a Malay version with slightly more details.
ReplyDeletehttp://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19590507-1.2.91.aspx
Hi. Mrs. Chelliah's name was Haru Chelliah nee Haru Shimizu from Togoyama, Japan. See article below. There is also a Malay version with slightly more details.
ReplyDeletehttp://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19590507-1.2.91.aspx
Good day everyone.
ReplyDeleteMay i know where Sri Rusa Inn located. Is it beside the abandoned Ming Court Hotel?
my mum was born in Seremban in the 1920's and recalls many holidays at the SRI. we went there as a family in 1989 and enjoyed our time. mum enjoyed telling and showing where she went as a young lady. Sadly even the old rest house has gone. I was born in Singapore but now live in Busselton west aust.
ReplyDelete