Helsinki – Frankfurt – Singapore – Colombo
I am met by Manoj at the Airport and we head into Colombo looking for my hotel. Now it’s not that simple to get from anywhere to anywhere in Colombo, the traffic is something special, 2 lanes can mean a bus, a car, an auto (3 wheeler) a bicycle and a pedestrian all sharing the road. Seriously that sounds like a joke but it’s very close to the truth. The 30km trip (25-30 mins on average at home) took almost 90 minutes. Apart from the impressive traffic another thing that stands out along the way are the numerous police/army check points. The check points randomly pull over cars (adding to the traffic chaos) and check the id’s of the driver and sometimes the rest of the car. Arrival at the hotel meant another security check, this time by security guards checking under the car. Dinner is a relatively nearby restaurant, it was however weird to see that the streets were almost deserted in comparison to the day. Due to the enhanced security the inner city streets are always emptier at night.
*Side Note* Sri Lankan Information. Sri Lanka is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean. The island is 65,610 sq kilometres (smaller than Tasmania at 68,330 sq km) with a population almost the same as Australia, 19.9 Million. Major exports include Tea (Sri Lanka was formerly known as Ceylon), Gems (Sapphires especially), Coconut, Rubber products and Clothing.
Day 1 of seminars and I head out to the suburbs where I get to work through some self defence and kicking techniques. Even though the temperature is a manageable 35 degrees it’s the humidity that really makes it hard. The training goes well and we wrap the day up with a late lunch at Manoj’s house. (Manoj is our local representative) Of course the late lunch turns into a weaponry class out the front where we work on staff and nunchaku techniques.
Sri Lankan Action.
Sri Lankan Group Shot.
An Auto, interesting to take in Sri Lankan traffic.
Of course I had to note an Australian reference.
Hotel Security at work.
Day 2 of seminars in Sri Lanka and today we are at the Sugathagasa stadium. The Sugathagasa is the largest indoor stadium in Sri Lanka and we are using the main hall for the seminar, that’s like using the Sydney Entertainment centre for training! Today I work on White and Orange Belt techniques finishing with a Q & A session where I show the local students a cane form as well as an old school empty hands form. The training goes well, except I have to mention that even though we were in the Sugathagasa stadium it was without air conditioning, apparently when booking the stadium you need to make a specific request for air con which we didn’t. So imagine a huge sweat box, it was definitely hot, hot, hot. After the training we wrapped up the evening with dinner on the edge of a lake located downtown in Colombo, of course I noticed something funny on the menu and had to share.
Sugathagasa Stadium makes the mats look small.
Group Shot, Day 2.
*Side Note* Sri Lanka has been mentioned in the press recently, Sri Lanka has some military issues with its ongoing fight against the Tamil Tigers. The fighting has been going for 30 years and at one stage the Tigers had control of almost 1/3rd of the country, under the current president Sri Lanka has succeeded in driving the Tamils back and at the writing of this report had returned control to 99% of the island. Everyone here is looking forward to that moment and I have been told it could come any moment. Some of the locals are already celebrating the end of such a long fight.
Outside the Stadium.
Soggy noodles anyone?
Monday morning and back on the road for the 17th of my 18 flights. The drive out to the airport is as impressive as normal, got to love Sri Lankan traffic. Of course beyond the traffic, and the security check points the airport brings its on hurdles to cross, especially when you are trying to escape (I mean depart!). Firstly there is a major security stop at the airport and once we clear that I find out that instead of being dropped at the terminal I get dropped at a bus rank where there is another chance of random security. I get on the bus that takes me to the terminal where I have to clear 2 more different security/metal detectors before checking in, after that I hit immigration. Of course there is yet another metal detector at the actual gate before boarding Flight #17 SQ467 (Boeing 777-200) – 4hrs. A relatively quick flight in comparison to some of my others and I touchdown Singapore for the last stop on the 2009 World Tour.
Colombo - Singapore
FT – 62 Hours
TT – 98.5 Hours
Master Anthony Low (5th Degree Korean Hapkido Federation) meets me at the airport and we grab a quick coffee to chat before the drive. Master Low invited me to visit and it gives both of us the chance to get to know each other a little better and possibly work together in the Singapore area. The drive back to Master Low’s apartment is rather quick and I get to meet the rest of the family. Master Low and I get a chance to talk some Hapkido history, philosophy and techniques and before we know it, 2am rolls around, time for bed. The next day is free until the evening so it’s a chance to have a look around Singapore. The first stop is a walk around the neighbourhood and a change to look at the nearby resort that caters to current and ex military personal (also their families). It’s an impressive place with pools, huge climbing walls, bowling alley, tennis courts, restaurants, fruit machine room (more on that later), etc, etc. Master Low served previously in the military here and has a membership so it’s a possibility that the centre may one day be housing a Hapkido Dojang as well. Now back to the fruit machine room.... Ok its Poker machines; apparently the local term is Fruit Machine.
Maybe a Hapkido Resort?
Fruit Machines anyone?
Taiji or Tai Chi anyone?
The resort is also near a large woodland which is quite nice to walk through, it is large enough to feature wild monkeys as well as many other creatures and 2 large eagle nests can be seen amongst the tall trees. The afternoon is a chance to head into the city centre, about 20 minutes from Master Lows and experience some of the local shopping. After looking at some Digital Cameras it works out that I have found them much cheaper in the USA, however Master Low does managed to get a great discount on a GPS system. That evening Master Low has some of his students around to train. Currently Master Low is between Dojangs, his old lease ended and the new community centre location isn’t ready yet, so he is running classes near his apartment. Master Low puts his students through their paces and I get a chance to see them running through their paces, Master Low asks me to add some thoughts at the end where I share some ideas about the ways to overcome strength and relaxing through kicking and striking. Master Low is a committed Hapkidoist and has stayed true to his roots in the KHF and is teaching good Hapkido.
Master Low & students.
Classic Signs.
Singapore Skyline.
The Singapore Opera House.
Merlion – The symbol of Singapore.
Singapore Chilli Crab!
My short stopover in Singapore ends and it’s back to Changi airport for Flight #18 SQ221 (Airbus A380-800) – 7.5hr trip to Sydney. I get to enjoy the new Airbus 380 for the final leg and as always Singapore Airways provides the best service amongst the airlines I have flown, second would be Air New Zealand and a close third to Air Canada. This concludes the 2009 World Tour, Trip Stats to follow.
Flying Time Total – 69.5 Hours
Travel Time Total – 107 Hours
Singapore – Sydney
