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Cultural Tour 2007 Reflections - Karen Dupleix |
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 Tour Reflections 2007
In Seoul we practised in a park opposite the Hotel. Seoul was a perpetual traffic jam but we did see a lot of sights, museums, palaces etc. On our final evening we saw a comic Martial Arts performance. The performer's skill and athleticism kept us entertained throughout. After the show they were like rock stars posing for photos and giving autographs for the young Korean audience.
We then flew to Taiwan. Our first night was in Taipei which was buzzing with multiple lanes of scooters ( later when it rained it was very colourful with the riders in their various coloured ponchos).
On our first morning we took the tour bus to a park where the students of Senior Master Eng Chor's, Master were practising. The park was full of activity with groups doing Fan, a lantern routine, dancing and individuals also doing their own exercises. We observed the group, who were so fluid in their movements, that the description of Tai Chi as swimming on land was very apt. I was pleased to see some younger faces in the groups. We were invited to join the group and attempted to follow their routine which was unfamiliar to many of us. There were, however, enough similar moves to get us through. We then showed our level 1-3. They politely clapped us.
 Tour Reflections 2007
After our visit to Mt Alisan and trek through a very wet but picturesque cedar forest we ended up in Chiayi City. Our Tai Chi here was in a local park where several locals joined us. One woman was from San Francisco visiting her elderly parents. She thought we must be a group of English teachers.
Back in Taipei we visited Senior Master Eng Chor's master. He put on a reception for us in the original master's home which is now like a museum. We had moon cakes and pomellos while we watched a CD of the development of Tai Chi Chuan and the story of the original master. Many of us bought their college T shirts, Michael bought the whole outfit. The Grand Master is 84 and looks decades younger. He gave us some tips such as the importance of deep abdominal breathing and correct posture - no "bums" sticking out. I felt it a privilege to meet the master and an inspiration.
Our final stop was Sabah (a state of Malysia) Borneo. Many of us were thrilled to see the Orang Utans, but there were heaps of other experiences and activities. We did our Tai Chi in the grounds of the Sutera Harbour Resort where we were staying. Some of us enjoyed snorkelling and seeing the variety of fish and coral. Mt Kinabalu was interesting for it's orchids and rain forest. We also saw the war memorial at the end of the Sandakan – Ranau death March.
The Tai Chi trip was packed full of new experiences and fabulous memories. To anyone considering going on a Tai Chi Trip, my advice, don't hesitate. Many thanks to Eng Chor for organizing such a memorable trip and sharing his wife and daughter with us for a few days.
- Karen Dupleix
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 17 February 2008 )
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