First Silat Seni Gayong Grading

            As plan earlier I will conduct a grading for the first time, for the student of Silat Seni Gayong Tunisia. My student Wadie Zoghlami which had been appointed as an instructor by me will have his students tested by, whether they are qualified to wear Red Belt ( bengkong pelangi merah kosong), Green Belt ( bengkong pelangi hijau) or White Belt ( bengkong awan puith). Wadie Zoghlami had a training in Silat Seni Gayong solely by myself since last few years back. The day he started training with me at Malaysia , and continuing training with me when he is back home. Now he is producing his own students and a blessing from me on his act.

           The history is making, because the first time Gayong really spread its wings in the land of Tunisia. Before this in the late year of 1979 and 1988 , there's a Tunisian learned Silat Seni Gayong but the outcome of students are not that drastic as this time. The test went smoothly and overall the students did their level best to perform in the test.

The Grading

          Although there are still a lot of loop holes in training to cover up especially in the art of jumping and leaping and on the avoiding techniques and the fundamental stances and movements, but for a beginner they have done their best and I am hopping in future they do event better.

The Grading

              At the end of the grading session, the students who sit for the test hoovering in their mind whether they had make it or not. While I counting the result they talked to each other on their performance. Although I don't understand what they are murmuring about, but from their face I know that they are impatient to get the result. As the calculations is over and I'm ready to make the announcement. Everyone keeping silence concentrating them self on what my comments are on the recent grading. Finally each of the students grinned , of the result they are getting and I did make some speech to motivated them to do even better in training and grading on the coming future and congratulate to those who has pass the test and a great experience for the new students that attended the session together.

           Once the announcements had been made , we immediately discussed the ceremony of handing over the belt for those who had passed. They are in a hurry because they wanted to take the opportunity while I'm around to commensurate the belt convey ceremony. I just looked upon the temperament of all of them including my representatives instructors conducting the so called conference. We all finish our day with a satisfaction , respectively.

End Session

City of Tunis

            Day started early for me today, although I haven't sound asleep last night but I woke up with  a full of energetic zest. Looking at the corridor seeing people passing by and have some geographical moment at the place I'm staying, cause unable to do it upon arriving last night. We are going to the city, Tunis the capital of Tunisia , this morning  to have our view of the most northern African country.

           We took a taxi , and about 15 to 20 minute we reached the capital city. As normal the structure and arrangements of the shops here are not less than the country that have been colonized this northern Arabs , the French. Most of the set up much French and I was told that French influence in their life and political are so great.

At The Back Is Ibn Batutta's  Statue

           Typical French life style and most of Mediterranean states, where they have cafe at the pathways , people sitting , chatting along the way. A common description you can see in Tunis like any other Mediterranean neighboring country. The people are lovely , the building are French architecture leverage, and you feel the cozy of the city .

          I was taken to the gymnasium where Gayong had their training. It was rented gym and the administration of the gym taking care of all the necessary things for the gym user from the fees until the facility. I heard that the gym charge for the used of the facility around 60 Tunisian Dinar per person. And this fees is share with the instructor who conducted a class there. From the entrance we can see Van Damn picture as a signboard of the gymnasium. It is very convenience because it's located in the middle of the city and by side of a tramp line. In the gym everything were provided from locker, shower, hall etc for the satisfaction of the users.

          All day I spend time with the student of Silat Seni Gayong and have a chat and drink at a restaurants about 10 minutes from the gym and talking about Gayong history and so on. After office , many came to join the meeting and we sit at the cafe until 7pm getting to know each other and everyone trying to participate to make the group more alive. Everyone dispersed after the introductory session and leaving one by one back to their home.

        We took a taxi again , and what surprised me that the taxi driver didn't know the location of our house. And its becomes more confused , my students Wadie Zoghlami which are local Tunisian are tribulate of the way to the house. I have to take action and lucky that I have memories the way when we are going to the city in the morning. We reached the house safely and for me me it was and embarrassing moment for the taxi driver. Therefor we must prepared for uncertainty circumstances.

Black Panther Odyssey To The Land Of Hannibal

            In year 2005 , I plan my trip to Tunisia. After a few email exchanging and phone called finally I decided to fly to the land of Hannibal, Tunisia. Before flying over to Tunis, I stopped at Damascus, because my student Yahya Alam from Damascus wanted to come along. For me Damascus is not extraneous, I have been there almost every year. It was spring that time and the weather is good.

           Upon reaching Damascus, both of us booked a ticket on Tunisair. Tunisair is a national carrier for Tunisia. We booked the noon flight and expected to reached Tunis in the evening. What surprising me with Tunisair is the hospitality they serve during the flight. It was shook of the day, and I have not had this kind of   experiences through my frequent flying with any airlines. , a shameful behavior shown by the air hostess. It's happen when the air hostess serve a meal on board, and unlucky passenger was asking a beef meal instead of a chicken. And I was shocked to hear that the air hostess scolded him and told him that that they only have chicken and if you want it you can have it, that's all we have and she threw the meal tray to the meal holder at the seat. This is very rude attitude and I was stunt with the mannerism.

TunisAir

          Anyway we landed safely at Tunis Airport. Waiting for us at the airport are my student Wadie Zoghlami and his brother. We were taken to his another brothers house about an hour drive from the airport to spend our night there. At that time its already 7pm in the evening, my jetlag from my previous traveling has not been adjusted. I have got used of it since, that I have been traveling all over the continents since the last 10 years. It was  a good experience gaining, if we had a lot of places to visit and interest , and for myself spreading Silat Seni Gayong to the world are my pleasure. I did this because I wanted Gayong to stand as same level as other martial arts and obtain the same recognitions as others or even better. Therefor as my promised to the late Founder Meor Abdul Rahman and his beneficiary of trust the late Cikgu Siti Kalsom to spread Silat Seni Gayong to the world is not and easy task. I think I try to did my level best and beyond my power to do so , on my on expenses due to the love of this art.

         Upon reaching the house I was put at the hall for me to sleep, while my students Yahya Alam and Wadie Zoghlami  were located at a room. For me any where that I can lay my head and take a good sleep , will do find, for as long as my mission to spread Gayong accomplished. That night I went to sleep quite early around 10am, although I can said that I'm sleeping but I still heard of my two students talking until I guess 4am in the morning.

Tunisia

Tunisia

            Tunisia is a magnificent country with a large scale culture and historical appeal. Tunisia is located at the northern most point of the African continent . Its a small country and all destinations within Tunisia can be reached in a day's drive. Tunisia is covered by mountains in the northern part and flat land in the south. Tunisia is bordered in the southeast by Libya and in the west by Algeria. Most of the populations are concentrated in the northern parts and in the south are left lonely which is composed of the Sahara desert.

            Most of the people speak Arabic , but French are widely spoken. Most Tunisian are bilingual and speak both  languages. Only a small percentage speak Berber , and English and Italian are commonly spoken especially in the commercial activities.

         About 99% of the populations is Muslim, although have a minority Christian, which is made up of Roman Catholics, members of the Greek Orthodox Church, and French and English Protestants. In addition there is a small population of Sephardic Jews living in Tunisia.
 
       Tunis as the capital of Tunisia, and a culture center which you can found at Medina ( old town ) . Generally it is a combination of souvenir shops  and historical archeological structures. Medina is like common Arabs country which are popular Arabs bazaar or souks. The souks generally selling bargain items such as wonderful local crafts, including olive wood carvings. embroidered clothing , enameled jeweler and woven and knotted carpets. Also can be found Berber handmade crafts such as silver bracelets and necklace, ceramics tiles and pottery, engraved cooper and brass articles, leather ware , antiques, statues and ancient coins.
 

       Tunisia has many interesting place to visit , a place of  historic and magnificent panorama facing the Mediterranean sea and entertainment and knowledgeable interest. A place like Sidi bol Said where beautiful structure and design of houses facing the Mediterranean. Hammamet  a coastline for relaxing and enjoy the cozy climates and ancient mosques ,and  ruined of the Romans and the nature and life of  the Bedouin Berber.

Food In Brisbane

            In Queensland there are varieties of food you can found. from European to Asian dishes are there to fill your taste for the day. There's halal food as well to cater the Muslim traveler or communities. It up to us what kind of food that we are looking for, we can change our taste accordingly, and get the food that meets our desire.
 
            On my adventure spreading Silat Seni Gayong , food is part of the accessories to understand the people at each particular place and taste the varieties of other food that serve between the nations. 
 

Steaks

Fish and Chips

BBQ Snapper

Lefkas Taverna

Spotted Cow Sicilian

Quail with Baked Beans

Seafood

Lobster

Kids Dessert

Dessert

Harbour Town

           I took my day by window shopping at famous Harbour Town. It located at Biggera Waters , south of Brisbane and heading towards the Gold Coast. Harbour Town is a destination that bring over 120 outlet stores together, making it easy to find  fashion , shoes, and much more on sales everyday. Most of the outlet here selling branded item such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, Adidas, Nike and etc.

          The outlet shopping is the Harbour Town famous for but there's also a number of regular stores including a supermarket and services such as hairdresser , chemist and a Bunning stores. As well as alfresco cafes, restaurants and cinema to make a total entertainment experience.
 

Harbour Town Shopping Heaven

Harbour Town Shopping Outlets

Cinema At Harbour Town

Australian Aboriginal

            Aboriginal Australian were known for elaborate paintings on rock and bark. This shows the keen interest of Australians in art music also had its birth during the ancient Aboriginal era. And today music play the central role in both social life and religious life of the people of Australia. Religious song carry a  belief  that goes back many centuries when Aboriginal spirits called the Dreamtime sang songs to create living things on the earth, so the tradition is still continuing today and song are sung to ensure the survival of plants and animals.
 

Aboriginal Art

Aboriginal Dance

             Aboriginal people had very different culture and life styles . There were hundreds of different communities scattered along Australian countryside , they wore different clothing depending on the climate and they spoke at least 250 different languages. For example in the northern they were called Tiwi tribe and southern Koorie tribe , and their culture was very different.

Australian Aboriginal