On the way to 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