Cee Jay

Cee Jay

Founder and writer of heritasian.com, a website dedicated to historical travel and heritage. My background includes a diverse range of experiences, from hospitality and sales to writing and editing. Living in Chiang Mai, Thailand for the past 20 years. My mixed British and Straits Chinese heritage, has shaped my understanding of culture and history, which informs my writing.

Colonial Godown Hotels of the Straits Settlements

Colonial Godown Hotel on a river at dusk, reflecting warm lights. Architecture of the Straits Settlements.

Discover how Southeast Asia’s historic spice warehouses are being reborn as luxury stays. From Penang’s Weld Quay to Singapore’s riverside, explore the adaptive reuse of colonial godowns, where ancient lime-plastered walls and timber beams now house sophisticated heritage-loving travelers.

The Orang Minyak | The Oily Man of Malaysia

Orang Minyak, the Oily Man of Malaysia, crouches under a crescent moon with red eyes.

The Orang Minyak, or "Oily Man," is a notorious figure in Malay folklore. Covered in slippery black grease to evade capture, this supernatural predator stalks the night, targeting young women and symbolizing a terrifying blend of black magic and moral panic.

Stamford Raffles: The Audacity of the Self-Made Man

Stamford Raffles points to land from a ship, likely Singapore. Tropical island scene.

Sir Stamford Raffles rose from a humble clerk to a self-taught polymath, reshaping Southeast Asia. He founded modern Singapore as a strategic free port, governed Java with radical reforms, and rediscovered Borobudur, leaving an enduring legacy of audacity and intellect.

Shophouse Chic vs. Colonial Grandeur

Shophouse Chic vs. Colonial Grand Dame: Heritage architecture in Southeast Asia with vintage car and period-dressed couple.

This guide compares Southeast Asia’s grand colonial hotels with trendy boutique shophouses. While one offers old-world luxury, the other feels cozy and local. Both styles are amazing examples of how we can save history while creating unique places to stay.

DSLR camera for landscape photography with mountain views.