Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
After breakfast we got ready to go on our pre-arranged trip to Changi Jail Museum, ordered 3 taxis (which is now the norm) and handed out the kitty money to each taxi group.
Changi Jail is a very poignant place for Sensei Shane Riley as his father had been a far east prisoner of war at Changi Jail. We knew this was going to be a place of emotional history, although we didn't realise just how emotional it was going to be.
We all arrived in high spirits but most of us were drawn to tears at some stage. Shaun had asked the museum curator (Catherine) if there were any records of the internees. Catherine chased Shane around and approached him with her findings, the results bringing the atmosphere back to light heartedness due to the following conversation:- Catherine " Mr Riley I understand that your father was a prisoner of war at Changi", Shane " Yes he was but he survived", Catherine " Yes Mr Riley, otherwise you wouldn't be here".
3 taxis were ordered and we made our way to China Town to do some present shopping. Who saw the shiny objects first, Jackie, Rose or Diane? If you chose Diane you got it right.
Diane saw a lovely present to buy which seemed like a really good idea and everyone followed suit, so what went from 2 minutes at a stall turned to nearly an hour. After a little bit more shopping we all needed a refreshing drink and a bite to eat so went to our regular little restaurant in China Town. We ordered food but NO ALCOHOLIC drinks REEEEAAAALLLLY !!!! this is because we are all training at Sensei Philip Lee's hombu dojo later this evening and as it is a great privilege to be invited to attend, we all want to be on top form.
We then made our way back to the MRT (underground railway system) circa navigating China Town to find that our restaurant was only 5 minutes away. Back to the hotel to pack our kit bags and get ready for training, this is when Jackie realised that she had left her sunglasses at the restaurant, not a happy Jackie !!
Sensei Frank Burlingham escorted us on the MRT to the hombu dojo, ready for the nights' tuition. An excellent class was taken by all the guest instructors. After training the return journey was made by taxis to the Bay Hotel where a refreshing drink was needed. All worldwide aikido members that were staying at our hotel joined us in the bar and the one drink turned into many !!!! oops a daisy.
We all retired to our rooms in high spirits and anticipation for the weekends training.
- comments