On the way to Japan - visiting Fuji-san

Previous blogpost:  On the way to Japan Tokyo -Day 1

Our taxi arrived ten minutes early, and we set off to the meeting point. It was called "Love Square," whatever that means. Many people were already waiting, including numerous European and Indian tourists, some from Latin America, and a couple from Italy on their honey-moon were in our group.

The tour guide gave us a seat map. They numbered each row, consisting of four seats with two seats on each side. We sat on the right side. A few minutes later, a couple came, and the man claimed that we were sitting in their seats. I showed them we were in Row 8, but then he claimed, "Our names are on the door side and yours are on the other side." The couple in the previous row had also mixed up their seating, but they didn't mind. However, "the guy insisted," so we got up and went to the other side of the same row. (The picture shows the seating arrangements.)

The bus started moving on time. Initially, both sides of the road looked the same, and our side was the mountain side. We started taking pictures, and the tour guide said, "On your right-hand side, you can see the elusive Mount Fuji, and you can take pictures until we reach Station Five, where we stop the bus." Station Five was about 2500 meters high. Aha, I looked at the guy who asked us to get up. His face was like a lemon squeezed dry of juice. He had an expensive camera, and he was craning his neck to take that elusive picture. "Take that, Karma, baby!"

("By the way, I was just considering an alternative perspective. He was correct, and we are currently on his side. They arrived late, which made other people wait while we switched seats. The point is, he was given the opportunity to sit on the right side and he ruined it himself.)

The tour guide introduced herself to us and named the driver, asking us to clap for him, so we did. Each place we stopped, he would say hello and thank you. It's nice to be recognized and respected like that.

The Japanese call volcanic Mount Fuji "Fuji-san." "San" means man or woman. Morespective word is  "Sama", "kun" is a boy, and "chan" is a girl. Mount Fuji is a living thing for the Japanese; it is actually an active volcano.

There are so many poems and novels written about Mount Fuji, and many artists have created paintings with different angles. The Japanese artist Hokusai Katsushika made woodblock prints in the ukiyo-e style and created a book called "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji."

These are some of my pictures:

Going there, I can see why it is inspirational. It's a magnificent alp of Japan, itself a mountainous country. Our tour bus stopped at Station 5. Mount Fuji itself is about 3776 meters high, so we were very close. Each year, about 200,000 hikers go to the summit. It is also a spiritual destination from a Shinto perspective, about being one with nature. Most of them are repeating the feat, although a famous Japanese proverb states that "a wise man will climb Mt. Fuji once; a fool will climb it twice."

Mount Fuji is a national symbol of Japan.

This is my poem: 

A giant bold head 

White snow spread 

to replace the white hair 

An old wise  giant 

Pride of Japan

23/05/2025 Ajith Dharmakeerthi

Station 5:

On the way to Japan Tokyo -Day 1

Our not-So-Smooth Start to Tokyo:

It seems I have a knack for finding myself in the middle of travel incidents – maybe it's just providing inspiaration for my writing! Our journey to Tokyo via Hong Kong certainly started with a bang. Our flight to Hong Kong was delayed, leaving us with a mere hour and a half to catch our connecting flight to Tokyo. And then, to add to the suspense, the plane taxied the runway for over 20 minutes, pushing us further behind schedule.

But hey, that's when the magic happened! A wonderful ground staff member was waiting for us at the exit, simply saying, "Follow me." We scurried behind her, and somehow, our connecting flight was still there. On the way, I even spotted an influencer creating a video while lying on a bench– a common sight these days, it seems.

One thing I really appreciate about Hong Kong Airport is their efficient planning. I've nearly missed connecting flights in Dubai and Istanbul before, simply because finding the transit gate felt like a treasure hunt.

Japanese Hospitality: A Masterclass-

Upon arrival in Tokyo, they already knew our luggage hadn't made the connection. A delightful ground staff member named Akko, who seemed to be helping everyone from our connecting flight, meticulously collected all our details and promised to deliver our bags to the hotel. She even escorted us through customs. Akko is in the picture.  I noticed that they have a small area in the middle for sorting out luggage issues, and each luggage belt has one. This type of service is simply non-existent in most countries.

We had to fill out a customs declaration form that felt reminiscent of Soviet times at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport. And the customs officers in Japan are serious about checking luggage! However, in our case, with only small backpacks, it took him a mere 10 seconds to wave us through.

Our taxi driver was there to greet us, and despite the language barrier (he spoke mostly Japanese, we English), we managed to communicate using Google Translate. Technologia , right?

(We have received our luggage promptly. This is stark contrast to what happened to my daughter's luggage in Turkey. They refused to handover it my Turkish neighbour who promised to bring it. No apology or nay communication from Turkish airline or from Istanbul Airport.)

Hotel Comforts & Culinary Delights:

The hotel staff here are incredibly welcoming – I mean, truly. For a moment, I thought they might be feigning their happiness to see us, but I was wrong. They greeted us with the same warmth in the morning too, bowing and mimicking a flying bird with their hands while saying "Kon'nichiwa."

We typically book mid-range hotels, which usually provide toiletries, towels, body towels,  toothbrushes, and razors. But this hotel went above and beyond, handing out pajamas too! I suspect they frequently host guests whose luggage has gone astray – and yes, the pajamas were even my size! (and i realised all the Japanese hotels give away the pijamas. 😆

Breakfast here is literally amazing. If I had to rank my best hotel breakfasts, Sri Lankan hotels would come first for their incredible variety of buffet-style food. (Brekfasts in Cinnamon Bey, Beruwala and Hotel Kandalama come to mind) . Then German and Spanish hotels, also buffets, followed by Italy and Greece. But I have to say, Japanese hotel breakfast now proudly takes second place, right alongside Germany. They even offer private rooms, divided by panels, if you prefer to have breakfast without sitting with others.

Japanese breakfast buffets often feature smaller trays, reflecting the modest portion sizes characteristic of Japanese cuisine. A prominent notice encourages guests to take only what they can consume to prevent waste, a principle widely observed. This emphasis on mindful eating contributes to a generally healthier approach to food.

And speaking of Japanese culture, boy, those 'Sake' bottles are huge!"

The Japanese Way: Dedication and Discipline

From day one, I've noticed that people here take their jobs very seriously and value punctuality. They are excellent timekeepers, even the taxi drivers. Taxis here are equipped with charging ports and televisions displaying information.

People on the street often appear serious; most are office workers in ties and suits, and women in office attire. It seems working from home isn't as common here. The Japanese concept of "Ganbaru" – to persevere – is evident in their dedication, no matter their job function.

Another observation from the past couple of days is their strong adherence to laws. They won't jaywalk, even if there are no vehicles in sight, waiting patiently for the green light to appear.

A Glimpse into Japanese Spirituality:

Approximately 80% of Japanese people identify as Buddhist, and about 1% are Christian. However, a remarkable 80% also follow the Shinto religion. A local explained it to me this way: for happy occasions like birthdays or weddings, they visit Shinto temples. For somber events, such as a death in the family, they go to Buddhist temples. When facing life's challenges, they may seek guidance from Zen masters, and they even celebrate Christmas! It seems to be a win-win for the Japanese economy.

I am very grateful to our wonderful company, "The Access Group," for sponsoring this holiday in appreciation of my long-term service. Additionally, I'd like to extend my thanks to our travel advisor, Iyan from Fareforyou Travels, for their meticulous planning and for providing us with such an excellent holiday package.

Night Life in Kinshicho

-21/05/2025 Ajith Dhaarmakeerthi

Chugging Along for a Voluntary Cause

Chugging Along for a Voluntary Cause: My Volunteering Journey at Northweald Miniature Railway & a Surprising Sri Lankan Connection

 This year, I decided to dedicate some of my volunteer time – something I try to do regularly, whether it's for children's charities or through my writing – to a truly unique project: the Northweald & District Miniature Railway, nestled within the Harlow Garden Centre.

I used to travel on Sri Lanka's coastal railway line quite often. They use power sets. I loved to watch the train called "Ruhunu Kumari" that went all the way to Galle. We also took the Colombo - Badulla train with the whole family. We passed beautiful places like the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella, then Demodara, Bandarawela, etc. It was an amazing trip. Then we took the train to Kandy via Kurunegala. These are amazing and beautiful journeys.

How did I end up trackside? It was thanks to my colleague, Steven. Knowing my absolute love for watching trains and embarking on rail journeys, he suggested I join him as a volunteer. Initially, I just went along to lend him a hand setting up some signal lines. But I quickly found myself captivated by the atmosphere and the dedication of the team. Seeing the need for volunteers and enjoying the work, I decided to make it a regular commitment.

The railway itself is a charming 7.25-inch gauge setup. It’s managed by Duty Manager Nathan Jenkins and his grandfather, who also own a few of the locomotives you'll see steaming (or diesel-ing!) along the tracks. What makes it special is that it's a real community effort. Most of the other volunteers, including Steven's father Nick, actually own the locomotives they run there. It's a fantastic hobby for anyone passionate about miniature railways! (You can delve into the railway's rich history on their website: https://www.nwdmrail.co.uk/).

Now, for the unexpected twist. A few weeks back, someone mentioned they had a "Sri Lankan" locomotive, knowing my connection to the island. When I asked why it earned that nickname, the answer was a bit vague: "Ah, maybe because it's colourful?" Intriguing, but I didn't think much more of it.

Then, a couple of weeks ago, I was helping operate the turntable at the far end of the line. Phil was driving his M7 locomotive. As it approached, I remarked to Sheila (Steven's mum), "That engine looks remarkably like some of the diesel engines used back in Sri Lanka."

Her response stopped me in my tracks: "Oh, that's the Sri Lankan one! M7. Mount Lavinia 7." She even kindly spelled out the name for me: L-A-V-I-N-I-A.

Seeing that little engine trundling towards me, knowing its namesake, was truly amazing. I immediately shared the story of Mount Lavinia – the beautiful coastal town near Colombo in Sri Lanka, famous for its historic hotel. And, of course, I mentioned the romantic, albeit historically debated, tale of Lavinia, the local dancer who supposedly captured the heart of a British Governor. (It's a story often told, drawing from historical accounts and local legends, like those discussed in articles from Sri Lanka's Sunday Times regarding 'The mystery of Lovinia').

Discovering this unexpected, personal connection between my volunteer work in Harlow and my Sri Lankan heritage has added a whole new layer of enjoyment to my time at the railway. It’s a reminder that connections can be found in the most surprising places!

P.S.

I found this information from Wikipedia:

Class M7 is a type of diesel-electric locomotive built for Sri Lanka Railways by Brush Traction, UK, and imported in 1981. This locomotive has the shortest length, least power and least weight compared to other diesel locomotives of Sri Lanka.

Three locomotives (803, 813, 814) were painted in a special color scheme and later was painted in normal livery.

In 1999 M7 locomotive No. 803 met with an accident and was seriously damaged and condemned.

This locomotive was introduced as a shunter by the manufacturer, Brush Traction. In Sri Lanka, these are mostly used in short passenger services. M7s are not permitted on the Main Line because of the low power and lack of dynamic braking but it can be run on all the other of the railway lines in Sri Lanka including the Kelani Valley Line.

The mystery of Lovinia: Much more than just a love story:

It is 1805, and the new Governor of the Crown Colony of Ceylon has just arrived to take up his post in the country. The Kandyan War continues unabated in the hill country and the local half-Sinhalese, half-Portuguese beauty, Lovinia, experiences the impact of these events on her blossoming life. Imagine being transported to Colonial Ceylon and guided on a journey of love, lust, and intrigue over 200 hundred years ago. This is exactly what author Roderic Grigson achieves with his evocative descriptions in his fourth novel, “The Governor’s Lover”.

Grigson tells the story of the forming relationship between Lovinia, the lead dancer in her father’s dance troupe, and the newly arrived Governor, Sir Thomas Maitland. A relationship that has the power to change her fortune and that of her father and family, whom she loves dearly. She is torn between two very different lives and must choose to follow her heart or her head.

History provides stories that must be kept alive to understand how different cultures developed and grew. I was quickly lost in the beauty, enchantment, and mystery of Lovinia and this time and place in history.  By the end of the first chapter, drawn to her mystique and left with a desire to know more about her story – past, present, and future, I could not put the book down.

So important is this story to Sri Lanka’s recent history that the town of Galkissa, where their clandestine relationship took place, was renamed Mount Lavinia in honour of her.

The mansion built for the Governor as his country retreat went on to be the well-known Mount Lavinia Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in Asia.

However, while history offers us this fascinating basic narrative, it leaves us with little else. Was this another love story, or was there much more to this dalliance?

The well-researched novel combines historical facts with spell-binding fiction, and you have a real page-turner. It immerses the reader into life in Ceylon during the early 1800s, painting a vivid picture of the opulent colonial lifestyle enjoyed by the ruling British class against a backdrop of poverty, anger and resentment among the locals who have lost their country to the European invaders.

So well presented are the areas in question that they force the reader to see the country in a new way and appreciate the historical significance of these neighbourhoods.

Surrounding the two main protagonists is a cast of equally intriguing characters who are each worthy of a story. They help to provide depth and texture and give the reader a real appreciation for life during those times. The author’s experience growing up in Ceylon and his knowledge of the country have allowed him to put the reader right in the middle of the events in the story. His effortless writing style, carried through this novel and all his previous novels, creates a sense of excitement through its unexpected twists and turns.

More importantly, through the characters’ lives, the book presents the internal conflict and conviction that we all encounter, showing us that nothing is as simple as “just a love story”.

The mystery of Lovinia: Much more than just a love story

Ajith - 01/05/2025

Hit sixty -It feels nothing

It was unusually quiet

rainy day today 

here in enfield 

eldest left for work

younger one still sleeping

wife said happy birthday 

she went upstairs to work ,

remote working that is

office is home, home is office,

It's this melancholy, I have

my father passed away

when he was 62 and I was 33.

I think he left too early, 

it was very sad really 

to leave that young

laving a young wife

wholly me, I am sixty 

I don't feel old or young

I don't have much left 

in my bucket list, 

didn't have one anyway 

just tavelling, enjoying in little things

that was more than enough 

end of the day 

It is close family and freinds 

near us, what  we should value 

I do, and I know that

 yet, it feels lonley at times

I stopped watching at stars at night 

with my telescope, 

loneliness hits me hard

when you think how far apart

the stars

perahps we all are lonely  on this universe

if not social media, would it be even worse

taking it easy from now on 

may be the best way forward

it's nothing, aboslutely nothing

in my mind 

oh, rain stopped !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ajith Dharmakeerthi - Morning of 15/04/2025

Picture: In a most unlikely place, a plant with flowers - City of Vik, near volcanic ash, Iceland. (I captured it when we tour the Icelnd in 2023)

Nato and Warsaw Pact

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization):

Creation:

NATO was created on April 4, 1949, with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C.   

Founding Countries:

Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States.   

Aims and Goals:

The fundamental goal of NATO is to safeguard the Allies' freedom and security by political and military means.   

It is a collective defense alliance, meaning that an attack against one member is considered an attack against all.   

It was primarily formed as a deterrent against the Soviet Union and the spread of communism during the Cold War.   

NATO expansion eastwards:

NATO has expanded eastward since the end of the Cold War. Key moments and countries include:

1999: Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland.   

(Russia has a buffer zone - Belorussia which has a border with Poland)

2004: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.   

Russia lost the buffer zone when Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia joind. They have border with Russia.

2009: Albania and Croatia.   

2017: Montenegro.   

2020: North Macedonia.   

2023: Finland.   

  

Warsaw Pact:

Creation:

The Warsaw Pact, formally known as the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance, was created on May 14, 1955.   

Participating Countries:

The Soviet Union, Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Romania.   

Aims and Goals:

The Warsaw Pact was established in response to the rearmament of West Germany and its admission into NATO.

Its primary goal was to provide a collective military defense for its member states against NATO.

It served as a tool for the Soviet Union to maintain control over its satellite states in Eastern Europe.

Disbandment:

The Warsaw Pact was officially dissolved on July 1, 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.   

Sources and related content - Primarily Google 

The potential accession of Ukraine to NATO significantly alters the strategic landscape, effectively eliminating Russia's buffer zone in that region. Concerns exist that external pressures, particularly from the United States and the United Kingdom, may have influenced President Zelenskyy's decision to continue the conflict when a potential peace treaty with Russia was being considered. Given the immense human cost of the war, with the tragic loss of numerous Ukrainian lives, the suggestion that Ukraine should now cede its mineral resources is deeply problematic and raises serious ethical questions.

Ajith 04/03/2025

Germany to where ....

I remember vividly my first trip to Berlin. I traveled by train from Moscow, through Belarus, Poland, and East Germany. As the train approached West Berlin, the billboards and advertisements became visible, signaling a stark change from the drab scenery we had been passing. When we wanted to shop, we went to East Berlin in the GDR. It was simply because we could exchange one Deutsche Mark for five East German Marks, and we could eat much more than we could in the West. As students, this was a luxury.

In Berlin, I encountered a little trouble from some Tamil boys who were refugees from Sri Lanka. They didn't like us Sinhalese being there and questioned our presence. It was understandable, given the events of the 1980s in Sri Lanka. However, another Tamil student, who had studied at Lumumba University in Moscow, intervened, and everything was resolved.

After I met my wife (then my girlfriend), she invited me to see her parents in Coburg, Bavaria. I had met them once before in London. They lived in a small village in the Coburg suburbs, surrounded by beautiful countryside. I noticed I was the only brown person in the area. People were very courteous, greeting each other on the street. After that, whenever we visited Coburg, I would walk alone and sometimes have a beer in a pub by the riverside. I never experienced any issues walking alone or having a beer. In Coburg city, I saw a few Turkish shops and many Turkish nationals, Greeks, and a few Italians who owned eateries. They were minding their own businesses and seemed well integrated with the rest of the population.

On my first visit, we went to see my girlfriend's grandparents, who lived in a former East German village. Beautifully built houses lined the main road, and there were many more charming dwellings on either side of the hills. My girlfriend's grandparents welcomed me warmly. Her grandfather took me to show me the village and introduced me to his old friends. I spoke in English, and he spoke in German, but somehow we managed to understand each other. He and friends understood when I told them I live in England and was born in Sri Lanka. He had been a mechanic in the German engineers corps and stationed in the Channel Islands. He escaped on the last ship leaving for Germany and lived the rest of his life in Soviet-occupied East Germany.

We walked to the village square, and he bought me an amazingly tasty, well-barbecued Thuringian bratwurst. It was fantastic, and I'm still a fan. I saw some Vietnamese people in the village and, upon asking, found out they were students who had come to study in former East Germany. After the fall of the Wall, they chose to remain in unified Germany. Again, some of them had their own businesss and lived peacefully among the local German population. This was in the late 1990s.

I traveled to Germany many times after that, after we got married, with our two daughters. We went on a cruise along the Rhine's wine route, visited Cologne, Frankfurt, and many other cities and places. I had many interactions with warm, cordial Germans everywhere I went; they were very welcoming.

Then COVID happened, another war started in Europe and the Middle East, and Angela Merkel decided to admit many refugees on humanitarian grounds.

I noticed a subtle difference when I visited Germany afterward. Once, in a large shop, I realized a store employee was following me wherever I went. Annoyed, I just left. My wife was in another shop, and I told her what happened. Later, we found out some shoplifting had been happening in the area. A similar incident happened in the swimming pool area. I felt some people didn't want to be near my lane. Again, we found out there had been some incidents in previous months that the government had downplayed. In one famous city, an incident occurred in a swimming pool changing room, and there was a light sentence due to a "cultural issue." People were clearly not happy with the government or the judiciary.

Then came a shock. I was writing a blog post, and someone commented. He lived in the Thuringian city of Gera (population 93,000, according to Wikipedia). He and his family were legal immigrants who had come to Germany through a skilled visa program and were employed. They were having a hard time adjusting. If some Germans get on the bus, they apparently insist that brown people (i.e., anyone who looks like a refugee) stand at the back of the tram or bus, like in the American South or apartheid South Africa. I didn't believe it, and he sent me a picture. It showed a billboard that said, "The only good brown is a sausage." I'm not sure if it was a tongue-in-cheek comment or meant seriously. It was from an election campaign and remained on the billboard for months.

Apparently, except for the Greens, no other political parties engage with refugees or skilled immigrants, he said. It's difficult to get an appointment with a GP; they don't want you. There are problems with Afghans and Ukrainian women. The Afghans were not happy that the Ukrainians were wearing revealing clothes. Are we in the most liberal country in Europe after France? Jobless Germans squabble in the streets, something I had never heard of. And they are blaming refugees for taking their "fair share" of benefits and living in luxury hotels funded by taxpayers.

Still not believing many of the things he said, I asked another friend who lives further west. He used to travel around the country for work. Then, the police started escorting him from the train station to his hotel whenever he visited a particular station in the middle or east of the country. He initially resisted but then saw gangs of youths around the stations.

In another story from the same friend, a German developer created a beautiful housing complex for private ownership. People moved in, mostly Germans. It had beautiful grass fields for recreation. Residents used this space for sunbathing. Then, the government quickly built container houses on the adjacent land and started housing refugees. Soon, some men from the government housing started throwing bottles and other objects at the sunbathing Germans, claiming they were sunbathing indecently and inappropriately. Arguments started, and the mayor was called. He advised the residents to be more sensitive to the new arrivals. After that, people started selling their houses and moving out, unhappy. Who do you think these ordinary people will vote for in the next election?

He also confirmed problems in swimming pools and at social events, saying there were some abuses towards women, and he claims the police and judges mostly cover up these incidents.

I honestly think German and other European governments, including the UK, should be more sensitive to the needs of the local population while making a real effort to help refugees integrate into their new societies. I am not a Trump follower, but it might be a good idea to cap the arrival of new refugees until these problems can be sorted out. Otherwise, even genuine refugees who arrive through proper channels and legal visa programs will suffer along with the others. Also, the chances of Europeans voting for more right-wing extremist parties will become very real.

~~~~ajith dharma 10/02/2025

A Disappointing Experience at Istanbul Airport

 

I previously held a positive opinion of Istanbul Airport and Turkish Airlines. However, a recent incident has significantly altered my perspective.

On September 8th, while transiting through Istanbul Airport on a Turkish Airlines flight from Uzbekistan to England, we encountered a series of unfortunate events. My younger daughter experienced an allergic reaction, and my elder daughter required frequent bathroom visits due to stomach issues. These circumstances caused us to be the last passengers to board our flight.

Despite the airport staff announcing several times that passengers could be accommodated on later flights with vouchers for free travel or hotel accommodation, and offering to transport heavy bags separately (as the flight was overbooked and they were seeking volunteers to take a later flight), we received no assistance.

Just before boarding, I discovered my daughter's cabin bag was missing. After a brief and unsuccessful search, airport staff threatened to close the aircraft door and directed us to contact Turkish Airlines staff in London, despite knowing this would be ineffective. After arriving, we contacted Turkish Airlines office at the airport, but received no meaningful support.

My daughter's cabin bag contained several valuable items purchased in Uzbekistan, as we had not sent any separate luggage.

Following our arrival in London, my daughter contacted the airport and airline multiple times. They eventually located the bag, but when our Turkish friend attempted to collect it at the airport, the lost luggage official refused, stating that my daughter needed to submit the original form authorized by the Turkish consulate in London. Obtaining an appointment at the consulate proved impossible, and as the airline informed us that cabin bags are only held for 90 days, we realized we would never receive it.

I believe a more professional and empathetic approach from airport staff would have been appropriate. Unfortunately, we received no assistance whatsoever. This experience has led me to cancel a planned trip with Turkish Airlines to another destination.

This incident has significantly impacted our holiday experience.

Ajith Dharmakeerthi 

London