Being Van Damme For A Day

9th January 2012 was just another usual day for me day for me at the Muay Thai Camp in Thailand. It all started after I watched all my childhood’s favorite movies which include “Kickboxer” and “Bloodsport.” The aftermath became Muay Thai on the Phuket Island in Thailand. Most people visit Phuket and Pattaya islands for beach tourism among other things but there are few who come here to train. Thats why I came to Thailand.

At 7.01 a.m., I wake up.

And I go to the shower.

A little breakfast, unhealthy, I know but I have to replenish my carbohydrate needs.

I collect my training gear.

And am ready to leave.

My path is full of thorns and hazards. Like these coconuts that can fall at anytime and hit you on the head.

2 minutes after the dangerous jungle and here it is! The Mecca of all Van Damme fans who come to the Phuket Camp – Tiger, Muay Thai.

Our training grounds.

We start with warm up exercises, do some running, stretching then get into training but first of all we have to tie up our bandages. At last, I have learnt to tie them by myself in Thai style.

Today we are working on a combination of punches.

Then after training we “fight with a shadow.”

Then the fun begins – Sparring. According to the current boxing rules its done with the hands only.

After every round or set of exercises, we rest by doing push ups.

After that is working with the trainer. He uses gizmos on his hands. Such trainers have a legacy of over 200 professional fights!

Yes! I do make mistakes and I have to work on them. After that we worked on the bags doing 200 kicks – 100 on each leg.

The battery on the camera could not allow me to take more photos since it lost charge. I later did some 100 push ups and 200 sit-ups. At 10.30 a.m. I was done with the training and I went back to my “hut.”

Some feeding after training – Proteins with milk accompanied with updates from friends and heroic music.

Then to a Thai restaurant for some local food. Its very delicious. I only have to ask them to put less pepper. Along the way I caught a coconut that almost fell on me and as a trophy, I cynically used it.

There is no greater happiness than having a meal after training. I eat like an elephant or two.

Life for a Thai boxer is difficult. After training and meals they have to sleep for an hour or two.

“But for us there is no rest – whether day or night.” – 1.36 p.m.

I took this “iron horse” and headed for the beach.

Such beautiful views open up on my way there.

My favorite beach in Phuket is Nayharn. The beauty, tranquility and the amazingly clear water are a heaven on earth.

I come here not to rest but to take a quick swim, take some carbohydrate snack then go for the second round of training.

This is how the local fruit kiosks look like. The watermelons and pineapples look stunning.

Time runs fast – time to rush back home!

I collected the gear and ran for the second training of the day. My personal photographer at the training session did not want to miss but he had other business to attend to. That is why there are almost no photos from this session. Things were almoast the same as in the morning. Lots of sparring among other things. And I worked out my legs.

After 2 hours I went to work out my legs on the bags. I had to stop because of my sick knee and just took the camera and started taking pictures.

Our trainers literally create Van Dammes! Glory and praise be to them!

This is coach Rith. Every month, he participates in 1 or 2 professional fights.

The road back home.

The standard and banal – proteins.

6.45 p.m. after some simple reincarnation am ready to go out to the light- of course for some food.

At the restaurant I met up with some friends.

It would not have been better without fruits. I think January is the best month for fruit intake. I thought December was even better. But for that I need to consult with astrologers. I wonder if there are any at this end of the world.

As usual my “elephant sized” meal.

After get-togethers, we visit some shops for fruits. I need them before I go to bed.

On reaching home I worked out a route for my friend. He was travelling through Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Good luck to him! Anton, if you read this, I wish you all the best.

After chatting, it was time for music making. This great club can not only be used as a self-defence weapon but also as a musical instrument. It originates from the Australian Aborigines. They came up with a name for it – the Didzhiridu. I affectionately name it the “DJ.” It gives some stunning sound and I think am making good progress in playing it.

Its getting late! I took one reference book, read some parables and reflections of a Japanese Bushi to adjust myself as I prepared to go to bed. I like going to bed with philosophical moods and sleep with thoughts of The Main Thing. By the way it helps in waking up with thoughts of main things in life not secondary ones.