China Tour 2008 Reunion

Date: Sunday the 18th of October 2009.

Time: 12.30 - 4.00 pm.

Venue: The Wheelers Hill Hotel ( for lunch ).

Present: All 20 of the amazing group of people who toured China together last year.

Just after this photo was taken we realised that Anna and Pat were missing.

We found them and they were duly shot ( with Beth's camera ). See next pic.

Exactly one year and two weeks after our return from China, every member of the 2008 tour came to the reunion. They travelled from Phillip Island, the Shepparton area, Ballarat, the Colac area and from around Melbourne.

We have been really blessed with great tour parties over the years. Every group has been a pleasure and I wouldn't want to compare tours - they are all different. Having said that, we have never experienced anything quite like this groups genuine affection for each other and their absolute desire to have a go at everything.

The 'catch up' moment was extraordinary. 20 people standing in a dining room, hugging, kissing and all talking at once. I stood back for a few seconds and just soaked in the atmosphere.

The other diners had a look that conveyed a degree of annoyance at being disturbed but massively tempered by a kind of empathetic jealousy. This was very much a rite of passage.

We had booked two tables but no one sat down.

As you can see - we eventually did sit down.

The food was OK, the view of the Dandenongs was good and the company was great.

We had prepared a China tour questionaire. How much do you remember about your holiday? Shirley took out the Brownlow with Beth and Janice a close equal second.

It was firmly established that you would not attempt a tour of China under any circumstances with either George or Werner as your local guide.

Many of us browsed through Beth's photo albums of the tour. Wonderful photos and magnificent memories.

Anna and Pat raised questions about a future Penang tour. The concept gathered momentum and we will definitely explore the possibility of another China 2008 tour reunion ( in Penang next year ).

I guess that means that in 2011 we'll have to organize a Penang 2010 tour reunion.

Penang is a very unique place. It's our passion and we get butterflies just thinking about showing people around our 'second' home. I would love nothing better than to spend 2 weeks there with this group of people. It would be a hoot.

4 O'Clock came around so quickly. Sue had organized for 14 of the group to go to the movies and watch Mao's last dancer.

It was a wonderful afternoon. Time spent with people you just want to spend time with.

China 2008 Tour Group:

Frank Spooner

Morrie Spooner

Margaret Dorrington

Werner Golz

Jenny Sim

Judy Dixon

Sue Huckins

Janice Cowburn

Shirley Sullivan

Beth Graham

Eric Stinchcombe

Dawn Stinchcombe

Anna Van Caem

Pat Watts

George Bath

Carol Bath

Jenny Lang

Donald Lang

Veronica Greer

John Hanna

From little things, big things grow.

In 2007, Janice happened to mention that if we were prepared to organise a tour similar to our 2006 China Tour itinerary then she may have some people interested in coming.

Thanks Janice.

Penang photo slideshow

Master Zhao Wei Dong

Master Zhao Wei Dong was born in Yangchuan County, Shanxi Province, China.

He started training in Xingyiquan at the age of 8 with his grandfather Zhao Xu and later with Master Gao Qi Sheng.

Master Gao strongly emphasised the internal aspects of traditional Xingyi and he quickly accepted Zhao Wei Dong as his disciple and 5th generation in the lineage.

In the late 1980s, Master Zhao decided to broaden his knowledge of the internal arts by travelling to the Wudang Mountains. It was there that he met Master Fu Zhong Wen ( Yang family lineage ). He was impressed by Master Fu's internal skill in Taijiquan and became his student and later his close friend and peer.

In 1990, Master Zhao met master Sun Xi Ming ( close friend of the legendary Wu Bin ) from Shandong with whom he studied a wide range of both internal and external boxing.

He trained in Tongbeiquan, Tanglangquan, Chaquan, Changquan, Nanquan plus Sun, Wu, Woo and Chen Style Taijiquan.

He also studied Hebei Xingyiquan with Master He Fu Sheng.

Master Zhao with students in Penang

Finally, in 1995, after 5 years at Wudang Mountains, famous Taoist master Tong Xu took Master Zhao as his disciple.

As 14th generation lineage holder in Xuan Wu ( martial aspects ) and 26th generation in Long Men ( internal aspects such as meditation, herbs, acupuncture, massage etc ) Master Zhao also undertook an in-depth study of Sanfeng Taijiquan ( the earliest form of Taiji, rarely taught correctly outside of Wudang Mountains ).

Since leaving Wudang Shan, Master Zhao has taught all over China. He is currently based in Zhuhai where he teaches both local and foreign students.

Master Zhao's abiding philosophy is to further the knowledge of martial arts and to help improve the health and quality of life of those around him.

" Master Zhao is an extraordinary Martial Artist. His demeanour embodies the true spirit of the internal arts. He's always smiling ( even when explaining how to use his awesome internal power ). He's patient and freely shares knowledge.

As a long time student of Taijiquan, my journey found a home after only 5 minutes in this man's presence". - John.

Click on the link below to see Master Zhao perform a section of the beautiful Zhang Sanfeng or press the 'play' button at the bottom left of the video screen to watch a section of Chen Style tai chi.

zhao wei dong