by Mandeep Gaygoat
I took the flight with BA from Leeds Bradford Airport to London Heathrow. I thought I would give this trip a go by going paperless, the check in was completed via the BA iPhone app, the boarding passes got stored in passbook (iPhone app). Check-in was a breeze, go to the BA desk scan the iPhone and leave the luggage as per normal. As both flights were with BA the checked-in luggage was tagged for Bangkok.
BA customers can automatically use the fast track, if you are flying with another company you can use it for £3. You wonder that if everybody paid £3 to use it, would it still be called fast track?
Once through security I checked into the lounge. A very basic lounge where one can also pay to get in.
Whilst I was texting with the iPhone it crashed! this shocked me, my electronic boarding passes were stored on it! Luckily after a few minutes the iPhone came back to life. Phew that was close!
The flight which was cheap and cheerful was on a Airbus A319 and took one hour.
At Heathrow I got picked up by Randeep my brother in law and spent a lot of time playing with our niece. She is so active and tired us all out!
Randeep dropped me off at Heathrow Airport terminal 3, as I had already checked in and was issued an electronic boarding pass I went straight to security.
The security queue took thirty minutes, after security I headed over to the BA lounge it was pretty busy and in my opinion over-hyped, hot food was meat meat and more meat. There were some cheeses and cold meats as well as the usual soft and alcoholic drinks.
A friendly Sikh lady, called Manjit came over and asked where I was going, I said Thailand and she explained she lived in Singapore.
She asked what I would like. I said it is fine, I will help myself, she insisted and I asked for some veggie food,which she happily brought over. The look from the other passengers was of disgust….they had to get their own food yet here I am being served!
Wifi speed in the lounge is very poor
The walk from the lounge to the gate is around 10 minutes. I was seated next to two French ladies. The seats was cramped and the ladies kept talking to me in French, I replied “oui” a few times!! After dinner the lady next to me fell asleep, her legs and arms were all over the place, at one point her hand was near my turban. Her friend had enough and complained to the staff about her. The lady who complained was moved to the back of the plane. A few minutes later the stewardesses said to me “we need to move you.” We started walking to the front of the plane, I had a huge smile, we walked through club world I thought “hey! We are going to first”. They sat me down in World Traveller Plus!! Still should not be greedy! The plane was a 747-400 I was moved to seat 14 A
I watched Fast and Furious 6 a action movie, no thinking involved!
These seats were pretty comfortable and I nodded off….
I awoke around 7am GMT to hear the steward announcing that hot food was not safe to serve as the equipment had malfunctioned overnight, whatever is left over from first class we would get!!
After landing at Bangkok, I went through customs and collected my luggage, Master Pimu called to say he will be waiting at gate 4.
It was great to see Master Pimu and Shun (his wife.). First gear (do not call him this to his face!) took us to the gym, the journey takes about an hour.
We arrived at the gym and was greeted by the other students. Simon a student from Birmingham asked if I wanted to see a fight at the stadium, I said yes……do not ask me why, as I was shattered! Think it was the excitement!
Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium or, in Thai, Sanam Muay Rajadamner is an indoor sporting arena located in Bangkok, Thailand. Along with Lumpinee Stadium, the Rajadamnern is one of the two main stadiums for modern Muay Thai. The stadium has its own ranking system and championship titles up to Middleweight (160 lbs).Muay thai contests are held on every Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The fights usually start around 6.30 p.m. Ticket prices range from 500 (third class) to 3,000 (ring-side) Baht.
In 1941, the Prime Minister of Thailand, Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram gave orders to build a national boxing stadium on Rajadamnern Avenue. Imprese Italiane All' Estero-Oriente won the construction rights and the 258,900 baht project foundation stone was laid on March 1, 1941.Due to the lack of construction supplies during the World War II, the project was halted until August 1945. When the war ended and the construction resumed, it took only four months to complete it. The first boxing match was held on December 23, 1945. Tickets were priced at between 70 and 300 Baht. Pramote Puengsoonthorn became the first stadium manager, who remained in the post until his retirement in 1947.The original stadium was an open-air construction, resembling a Roman amphitheatre in design. Six years later, in 1951 a concrete roof was added, making it more convenient and weather-proof. After seven years of government ownership the stadium was running in loss and on May 24, 1953 Chalerm Cheosakul, the stadium manager at he the time, asked permission from the Crown Property Bureau to run the stadium and founded the “Rajadamnern Co Ltd”. The Rajadamnern Co. Ltd operates it to this day and it has become one of the world-renowned boxing stadiums of Muay Thai in Thailand.In 1969, Rocky Marciano attended Rajadamnern as a guest referee for the International Boxing title match between Raksak Wayupuk and Saknoi Sor Kosum. Since then the tradition is kept that the last fight of the night is always an International level fight. Chuwattana Muay Thai & Boxing camp is the official promoter of the Rajadamnern stadium licensed by the Thailand boxing commission.
Gambling is legal and takes place at the second level. The betting is done by hand-signals, as in a stock exchange trading floor. Often such signs are misunderstood by one side and additional fights may erupt outside the ring between gamblers. The security service at Rajadamnern Stadium is managed by armed Military Police officers. Foreigners usually occupy the expensive ringside seats, while gamblers and aficionados prefer the second or third ring of seats upstairs.
There were ten fights, the main fight everybody was excited about was between Saenchai and Kongsak. The fighters were amazing and all we could hear were shins clashing!
Outside the stadium there were various stands selling food, I got a corn on the cob.
As soon as we got back to the gym I put my head down and was out like a light…..
by Mandeep Gaygoat
I am looking into training in Thailand at the WPT Gym in Bangkok. The teacher is called Master Pimu, it is a basic gym with non of the tourist glitz…basically a great place where one wants to learn the art of Muay Thai. There have been and still are many world champions train at this gym.
At the time of writing if you fly into Thailand, UK passport holders are allowed a stay of up to 30 days. Coming in by land you only get 15 days. If one wants to stay longer then 30 days a visa is required.
When I first looked into a visa I requested a 'ED' visa the consul in Birmingham, UK, informed me that they now issue a 'B' visa.
The following documents should be presented to the Thai Consul:
- Correct Fee – £50.00 for single entry and £125.00 for multiple entries (subject to change without notice) Single-entry and multiple-entry visas are valid for three months and one year respectively.
- Visa application form completely filled out & signed
- Passport with not less than 6 months after your return
- Two passport sized photographs taken within the past six months
- Letter of acceptance from the concerned schools/universities or institutes – usually a letter from Master Pimu addressed to yourself inviting you onto a Muay Thai course
- Official Note certifying the purpose of travel from the Government Agencies /Embassies and Consulates / International Organisations / State Enterprises in Thailand. Master Pimu will send you a letter stating the companies registration details, this will be in Thai
It is also a good idea to email the consul your documents have them check it over and confirm everything is in order before you pop down.
The above information can also be found on:
http://www.thailand-visa.com/NonImmigrantVisa.html
You have two choices, post the above to the consul or just visit their offices. I went to the one in Birmingham:
Royal Thai Consulate
One Victoria Square
Birmingham
B1 1BD
Telephone : +44 (0) 121 643 9481
Facsimile: +44 (0) 121 643 9485
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 8.00am until 11.30am
Don't be fooled by the Regus building, go in and ask to see somebody from the Thai Consul. A staff member comes down and checks your paperwork pops up and literally ten minutes later comes back down with your visa! Simple and fast!
Flights with BA were getting expensive so I booked as soon as possible. on the BA website I tried to pay by cash and Avios points (The name for BA frequent flyers miles) the the cost was 50,000 points and £800 in taxes. The standard ticket is £600!
I called customer services who offered me a ticket for £422 and 50,000 points, which is much more reasonable.
The better option would have been buy a world traveller plus and then use the Avios points to upgrade to business.
by Mandeep Gaygoat
Hilton Dartford Bridge HotelCrossways Business Park,Masthead Close, Dartford
Kent
DA2 6QF
United KingdomT: + 44 1322 284444
As we had a family wedding we decided to stay at this hotel, even though our last stay here was dreadful. So why did we stay here again….? I decided to try it again, I mean surely the first experience was a one off? Also because I am a Hilton Honours Diamond member it is always nice to 'cash' in on the benefits.
EARNING POINTS:
BASE POINTS:
Earn 10 Base Points per eligible U.S. dollar spent.1 Base points earned can qualify you for Silver, Gold or Diamond status.
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You can earn both HHonors Bonus Points and/or airline miles for the same stay with over 50 airline partners at all of our participating properties worldwide. Choose any of the following Earning Style options in your HHonors Account Planner after enrolling:
HHonors Points and HHonors Points: The fastest way to earn free nights. Earn 10 HHonors Base Points + 5 HHonors Bonus Points per eligible U.S. dollar spent.
HHonors Points and Variable Miles: Earn 10 HHonors Base Points + 1 airline mile per eligible U.S. dollar spent.
HHonors Points and Fixed Miles: Earn 10 HHonors Base Points per eligible U.S. dollar spent + 500 miles per stay at participating brands.
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As a Diamond HHonors member, earn a 50% bonus on all Base Points.
MY WAY:
Choose Bonus Points as your My Way benefit when staying at our hotels to earn even more points. See Diamond Member My Way Benefits below for more details at each specific brand.
DIAMOND MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS:
Quick Reservations & Check-In based on room preferences
Late Checkout
Express Checkout
Spouse Stays Free
Complimentary In-Room, High-Speed Internet Access during stays
Complimentary Access to Fitness Centers/Health Clubs
2 Complimentary Bottles of Water per stay (Waldorf Astoria® Hotels & Resorts, Conrad® Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton™, Embassy Suites™, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations®)
eCheck-in: Select your room and check in 24 hours in advance at participating properties
Reservations guarantee at a sold out hotel when made at least 48 hours prior to arrival*
We were in room 519 a deluxe room, as it was a corner room it was pretty spacious.
The room was still very basic, no safe or mini bar. We had to ask for dressing gowns and slippers. They could not find any slippers!!
The room decoration is still in need of bringing up to date, just feels like the owners are cashing in on the Hilton name on minimal outgoings.
The Hilton breakfast is very good especially for vegetarians.
The staff were okay, a bit friendly, well as much as they could be!
The only reason to stay at this hotel, well for me, is to cash in on the diamond benefits.
by Mandeep Gaygoat
In order for me to get my certificate to teach Kundalini Yoga, I needed to complete the white tantric. At summer solstice white tantric is held over three days, for the certificate, I only needed to complete one day.
About White Tantric Yoga® And Meditation
Our minds release 1000 thoughts per wink of an eye. Some of these thoughts get lost in the unconscious, and some get stuck in the subconscious and affect the conscious mind.These thoughts become feelings, emotions, desires, multi-realities or fantasies. Instead of mastering our mind, often our mind and thoughts direct or distract us, which can result in impulsive decisions, poor communication and self-imposed stress.White Tantric Yoga® enables you to break through these subconscious blocks, so you can have a more enjoyable life. In the shortest time, you can experience release from a lot of the burden you carry in your mind.When you see and act on each moment with clarity, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your life can change.Your mind, body, and soul can act together as one.This is the path to personal freedom and awareness, and will bring more success to every area of your life.
White Tantric Yoga® enables you to break through these subconscious blocks, so you can have a more enjoyable life. In the shortest time, you can experience release from a lot of the burden you carry in your mind.When you see and act on each moment with clarity, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your life can change.Your mind, body, and soul can act together as one.This is the path to personal freedom and awareness, and will bring more success to every area of your life.
When you see and act on each moment with clarity, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your life can change.Your mind, body, and soul can act together as one.This is the path to personal freedom and awareness, and will bring more success to every area of your life.
What to Expect
White Tantric Yoga® is done in pairs as a group meditation.You sit facing a partner and follow instructions for meditation given on video by the Mahan Tantric,Yogi Bhajan. A representative of the Mahan Tantric will be present to facilitate White Tantric Yoga®. Each workshop consists of between six and eight kriyas. A kriya is a meditation incorporating one or all of the following:
• a yoga posture (asana)
• a breathing technique (pranayam)
• a mental focus
• and/or a mantra
• a hand position (mudra)
Sometimes the kriyas are accompanied by music. These kriyas vary in length up to sixty-two minutes. There are breaks in between each kriya.The environment is peaceful, and the atmosphere is friendly, supportive, and uplifting. A vegetarian lunch is provided.
How it Works
Envision the energy of the universe as both parallel and perpendicu- lar in nature, like a cloth woven together. As a cloth becomes stronger whenitisstretchedonthediagonal,sotheWhiteTantricYoga® diagonal, or ‘Z’ energy is stronger.This energy, when directed by the Mahan Tantric, cuts through the blocks that are stuck in the subconscious mind.
Using the diagonal energy, the Mahan Tantric,Yogi Bhajan, connects his subtle body to the subtle bodies of the participants through the course facilitator.This works the same way as a worldwide telephone system that relies on satellites and electromagnetic energy in order to connect two parties.
WhiteTantricYoga® should not be confused with blackor red tantric.Those forms of yoga also transform energy, but in a different way and for different purposes. Black tantric directs the energy to manipulate other human beings and red tantric directs the energy solely for sexual purposes.
In the evening we said our very long goodbyes and headed to the Sheraton Hotel in Albuquerque, the next day we headed back home.
by Mandeep Gaygoat
3:45 Sardhana
For email subscribers:
Waheguru Simran
Today we attended Mukta Kaur’s class on Superhealth, Yogic Science on Addictive Behaviours. Such a powerful and informative lecture. Addictive behaviours are not just drugs, alcohol but also relates to technology as well as other things. If for example you are constantly on your phone, checking emails, surfing and not able to stop at your command…..this would be classed as addictive behaviour.
Mukta Kaur Khalsa, PhD, is the director of SuperHealth® and studied the technology of behavioral addictions with Yogi Bhajan. She serves as Special Representative to the United Nations Office of Drug Control and Crime in Vienna, Austria. Author of Meditations for Addictive Behavior, Mukta directed a pilot project for substance abusers in collaboration with the Punjab government in India. She is also the coauthor of a research paper in the Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse. A worldwide trainer and lecturer, she incorporates SuperHealth technology with other modalities to enhance the healing process and expedite recovery
Here is a book I definitely recommend (takes you to Amazon)
After lunch we went to Mahan Rishi Singh’s class. Mahan Rishi Singh is a understated yoga teacher, his lessons are very powerful. Mahan Rishi Singh co-founded the Khalsa Healing Arts and Yoga Center in Yardley, PA. USA in 1989. He began studying yoga and meditation in 1973-4 and entered the Guru Ram Das Ashram in 1975 as a student and teacher of Kundalini yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan. Having taught nationally and internationally, along with traveling numerous times to India, he seeks to bring the ancient wisdom and authentic devotional practices of yoga and meditation into everyday life. He has been leading retreats and yatras (spiritual pilgrimages) to India, Nepal and Tibet over the past 25 years. His experiences of the kundalini and subtle-energy currents of the etheric body have led him to guide his students toward Self-realization and illumination through Universal love and understanding. His vision is for each student to have an experience of vital energy, great joy, and liberating peace.
Mahan Rishi is also a doctor of Chiropractic and Herbal nutritionist. He graduated from New York Chiropractic College in 1988. Through natural healing practices and holistic health care he guides his client toward optimum health and well-being. Dr. Khalsa seeks to awaken the vital spirit and heart of each individual on their journey of wholeness and liberation.
He graduated from the International School of Polarity Therapy in 1978 as a certified practitioner of Polarity Therapy………utilizing various techniques of energy balancing through bio-energetic synchronization, meridian balancing via pulse diagnosis using both Chinese and Auryvedic traditions, and auric balancing through breathwork and yogic practices he helps to enhance the vital life force of your body, mind and spirit…..
Also trained in Reiki, Yogic subtle body, crystal and aromatherapy healing practices he releases deep emotional and vibrational blocks, unleashing your profound potential and vital energy……..
Dr. Khalsa has studied with healing masters from around the world for over 30 years, including some of the oldest known yogi’s and dharma teachers, :Swami Bua who still lives today at 119 in New York, and the world renowned Green Monk Bhante Dharmawara Mahatera who lived to 110. Dr. Khalsa’s knowledge of herbology and nutrition is valuable for anti-aging as well as rejuvenation.
His experience over the past 20 years of tongue diagnosis and iridology give him deep insight into one’s internal bio-chemistry………By integrating herbology, and various orthomolecular therapies (vitamins and minerals) he is able to guide you toward optimum health…………..As a healthy vegetarian for over 30 years he is able to guide you toward creating healthy dietary habits which enhance your overall state of well-being…….
Afterwards, I went to the class by Guruka Singh and Guruka Kaur on living a yogic marriage. Guruka Singh is a teacher, writer and inveterate punster. He loves telling stories and has spent many hours telling them to his kids. His love of poetry and Gurbani have led him to translate Yogi Bhajan’s Gurmukhi poems in Furmaan Khalsa as well as translating Japji Sahib and other Gurbani. The original founder of SikhNet, he now lives under the blue skies of New Mexico with his beloved Khalsa family.
There should be a full course just on marriage, we all have so much to learn!
After dinner it was off to bed…..
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