TOUR LEADER

TRIP ORGANIZER AND LEADER – COLIN FREESTONE

‘I grew up on Maroubra beach in Sydney, Australia in the 40s – 60s. There I developed a deep love of the water and the sea. I was a member of the local Surf Life Saving Club and did beach patrols on weekends. I body surfed, caught waves on a Malibu, paddled a ski and rowed in the club surfboat. In those days Maroubra was reputed to have the biggest and roughest waves of all Sydney’s beaches.’

‘I’m now 66. I’ve retained my love of the sea and swim year round on Sydney’s northern beaches.’

‘I graduated in Commerce from the University of NSW in 1965. At school and university I played Rugby and toured New Zealand with Australian universities (we won one only of 7 games).’

‘I was a volunteer teacher in Malaysia (1966 – 1967) with Australian Volunteers Abroad. There I became attracted to the Malay – Indonesian culture and language. I’ve taught at various Australian universities (1975 – 1993), have written several textbooks on South East Asia and over a 40 year period I’ve organized more than 30 group tours to Indonesia.’

‘Sensing a need for better understanding between Australia and Indonesia, in 1994 I set up Indonesian Cultural Communications (ICC), an educational management business that provides consultancy services to the Indonesian government. ICC has had over 50 contracts with the Indonesian government for training in Australia, UK, NZ, Malaysia and Thailand. We maintain an office in Jakarta.’

I became interested in Yoga when I was 15. In hose days Yoga was only for weirdos so I used to practice in secret. I’m now a trainee (Iyenger) Yoga instructor. I practice most days (2 – 3 hours) and thoroughly enjoy learning new postures.

‘I’m an officially accredited (NAATI) to highest level, Indonesian language interpreter and translator. I don’t have a car. I cycle most everywhere, including Jakarta. My love of cycling, Yoga and swimming is matched by a 40 year interest in Indonesian culture. I’m married to Tjut Hadisah Freestone (originally from Aceh, Sumatra) with two grown up children.’

‘Through Sulawesi cycle trips I hope to link up with different types of people and share with them my passions for cycling, Yoga, the outdoors and Indonesian culture. For me, the Sulawesi cycle trips are not a money making venture. They’re an opportunity to do what I love doing and to share it with others.’

‘The idea of leading cycle tours to Sulawesi began in 2000 when my son Rendra and I, on mini wheel Bromptons, took the shortest route northwards from Makassar to Toraja Land. In August 2006 we took a longer and far more scenic route all around South Sulawesi on Bike Fridays. In January 2009 we led a 27 day 1200 km tour through South Sulawesi. Inspired by the success of that trip I decided to follow it up with a shorter one for people with less time. I took 5 people on that (South South Sulawesi) trip and we had a ball. So much so that four of them signed up for the February 2010 trip to Toraja Land. On that trip we did 760 km in a 13 day period (9 cycle days) and it too was a knockout.’

‘These three trips have allowed me to develop approaches and modus operandi that seem to work for the types of riders who sign up for these Sulawesi cycle adventure tours.’

‘I’m as keen as I was when I first started these tours. I love the feeling of getting fitter as I prepare myself for the next trip. I love working with riders in their preparations for a trip. I particularly like introducing riders new to cycle touring. I love the camaraderie and bonhomie of the group, the physical challenge (and reaching the top) of the ascents (and most definitely the buzz of the descents), yarning with the locals we meet along the way, the simple wholesome food and the odd bottle of beer.’

‘Feel free to email me at cycle_indonesia@bigpond.com’