‘Double Blue “Men of Grit” Take on Upcountry challenge
Fourteen adventurous Old Wesleyites sports enthusiasts from many parts of the world met for a reunion – 20 years after leaving school to celebrate their bond of brotherhood. A simple idea of doing a re-union led to a more profound plan to make an adventurous trip on motorbikes to Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. Considering the fact that none of them have been on motorbikes for long periods of time – an adventure of this magnitude was indeed very risky. However the men of grit, many of them old sportsmen having played rugby, cricket, hockey and athletics for Wesley, stood by their motto and took on the challenge to take on the hills of Sri Lanka on their reliable Royal Enfield Classic 350cc motor bikes with two supporting vehicles which were also driven by Old Wesleyites.
The adventurous Old Wesleyites
This adventurous lot gathered in Sri Lanka on November 6, 2015 and roared into the dawn around 5 am to ‘Little England’. The initial 60 minutes of the ride brought forward the challengers straightaway to unfamiliar road conditions and congested traffic in Sri Lanka. The group stuck to their agreed riding rules and made inroads slowly but steadily towards to Hills.
Certainly one of the memories of the adventure was when the group made quick stops for breaks in small hotels along the way and exchanged memories of the glory days lived in school. Sounds of laughter, Hugs all around and old nicknames came out to play again.
The final destination was almost at reach where the group planned to hit the beds at one of the school mates who many have not seen each other for close upon 20 years. The group finally reached the “Park” estate to meet their old friend Senior Superintendent Ajith Pieris who warmly welcomed the group to his beautiful bungalow on the hilltop of a magnificent tea plantation.
The evening was certainly worth the muscle pains and back pains considering that the men of grit were all together re-living the school days and exchanging updates of their life experiences with one and other. The night saw the high spirits taking on with songs, music and dancing topped up with a delicious barbeque. Late night saw each of them barging into the make-shift accommodation and collapsing on the beds provided by the host into deep slumber. Some kicked aside the bags that had been put on the beds to indicate that the beds were already booked before deep sleep enveloped them.
The adventure continued next day with the Old Wesleyites indulging in a cricket match at the Nuwara Eliya Race Course. Once again the old camaraderie reigned. More than cricket it was the fun and frolic that took center stage. The Old Wesleyites who were involved in this highly unorthodox adventure were; Suhard Amit, Imran Cader, Isfahan Akbar, Isuru Sampath, Oniel Dissanayake, Dilshan Hossan, Imthiaz Iqbal, Yoshan Paulus on Motorbikes supported by Dilfaran Camball, Suresh Nanayakara, Harish Ananda, Ashad Weerabangsa and Roshan Musafer on four wheels. Some of them are residing in Singapore, Australia, England and other countries. No sooner that the roar of the motorbikes subdues on their return to Colombo plans were already afoot for the next outing…perhaps in another part of the world.