At 80 years outdated, Intrepid traveller Bob Corridor stays passionately dedicated to exploring new locations and making connections with folks all around the world, via tune and an unyielding spirit to bridge cultures and unfold pleasure (with a bit pal referred to as Herry-Bear in tow).
It takes lower than an hour for Bob Corridor to serenade me with a rousing rendition of Scarborough Truthful. Singing, he feels, is a method of speaking throughout language and tradition, of spreading pleasure and together with others; extra importantly, it’s a method of getting oneself into attention-grabbing conditions.
Bob fondly remembers a meal at a restaurant in Punta Arenas, an remoted Chilean city overlooking the Strait of Magellan’s frigid waters. The room was stuffed with Italians and he was shocked to seek out there wasn’t a glass or bottle of wine in sight.
‘I acquired my cellphone out and used the translator,’ Bob says. ‘I wrote, “It’s very laborious for an Englishman to see two tables of Italians with no wine.” The cellphone was handed round and the very first thing they mentioned was: “Thanks for speaking to us.” You don’t realise how a lot speaking to somebody – even full strangers – means to folks. I by no means realised it may have such an affect.’
Bob says ‘singing is a method of speaking throughout language and tradition, of spreading pleasure and together with others.’
By the tip of the night, the Italians have been so enamoured with Bob that they paid for his meal. Wine included. Naturally, Bob insisted he must sing for his supper.
‘I sang Scarborough Truthful and Silent Night time. It was incredible seeing these Italians bopping away. The next morning, after I left my lodge to catch a taxi, I used to be flash-mobbed by all of them. They have been hugging me, kissing me, shaking my hand. In order that’s why I prefer to sing.’
Although Bob and I communicate through video and are separated by 17,000 kilometres of land and sea, his vitality is palpable even via my display screen. Eighty years younger, he has already accomplished his day by day train: a brisk stroll close to Scarborough, North Yorkshire, with 500 toes of elevation thrown in for good measure.
‘I don’t take treatment,’ Bob explains. ‘I deal with myself and attempt to do every part proper. I’ve to.’
Bob understands the realities of ageing greater than most, having spent a decade caring for his spouse, Mary, who suffered from Alzheimer’s earlier than passing away in 2019. He’d beforehand travelled extensively for work – first within the military, then the British civil service – and so they’d spent a number of years residing in Cyprus, however Mary’s situation made it unimaginable to journey. They remained grounded within the UK.
After his spouse’s dying, Bob returned to journey as a option to heal. He flew first to Cyprus nevertheless it was, he admits, a case of him working away.
He then travelled to Australia six months after Mary’s passing however discovered himself in a darkish place together with his grief effervescent to the floor. He arrived at his lodge in Sydney however felt like he was trapped in hell. He was distraught. Shouting. He couldn’t get a grip on actuality till a lady settled him down and coaxed him via it. Feeling calmer, Bob walked to Sydney Harbour via heavy rain. And it was right here, by the brilliant white sails of the Opera Home, that he observed a lady sitting on her personal.
‘I really like assembly folks. And I wish to try to encourage others [to do the same] as a result of life is there, ? However you’ve acquired to take the time.’
‘She seemed like how I felt,’ explains Bob. ‘I went over to her and mentioned, “I hope you don’t thoughts me asking, however you don’t look very properly. Would you want any individual to speak to?” And he or she simply got here out with all of it. She was from Herzegovina and there have been issues again dwelling. She was fearful about having the ability to return and wasn’t positive whether or not her household and mates have been okay.’
This speaking, this connection – it actually meant one thing to Bob. ‘That’s what I actually, really need,’ he says. ‘I really like assembly folks. And I wish to try to encourage others [to do the same] as a result of life is there, ? However you’ve acquired to take the time. It took me plenty of effort. However when you’ve made the hassle – wow. It’s like a drug. Life actually is a drug.’
Bob grew to become hooked. On seeing new locations, assembly new folks. In 2020, he took his first Intrepid journey to North India, due to a advice from journey agent. He’s clocked seven extra journeys since then. Sri Lanka is locked in for Christmas and he’ll go to Antarctica within the new yr, taking his tally to a powerful 10 Intrepid journeys over 5 years.
‘The factor about Intrepid that basically conjures up me is that they at all times attempt to help a local people of some type,’ says Bob. ‘And the no plastic factor. I feel it’s completely admirable. In India, we visited a restaurant run by ladies and younger ladies who’d had acid thrown of their faces. So that you’re not simply travelling, you’re additionally supporting a neighborhood, which I discover completely incredible.’
That’s to not say there haven’t been a number of hiccups alongside the best way. A brown belt, Bob just lately travelled to Okinawa, Japan, to coach on the dwelling of karate; nevertheless, he was instructed he was too outdated to take part. The dojo’s insurance coverage wouldn’t cowl him. Removed from discouraged, Bob opted for samurai coaching in Tokyo as a substitute.
‘They taught me the right way to parry, the right way to strike blows. The way to stroll. After which I took half in a situation the place they got here up behind me, began attacking, and I needed to defend myself earlier than “killing” them with two strokes of the sword. It was incredible.’
Becoming a member of Bob for Samurai coaching was a really particular journey companion: Herry-Bear. This diminutive explorer was positioned in Bob’s care by the scholars at Hertford Vale C.E. Main Faculty, who obtain common updates on Herry-Bear’s whereabouts through electronic mail.
‘I reside proper subsequent door to the college,’ says Bob, holding Herry-Bear as much as the digital camera. ‘Earlier than I went to Australia, I requested the headmaster whether or not it could be a good suggestion for the youngsters to comply with my journey as a type of geography lesson. I requested if there was a mascot that the youngsters may determine with, in order that they introduced me with this bear. He’s been in every single place with me. Everywhere in the world. I prefer to suppose he has a black belt in travelling.’
Bob – or Herry-Bear, I ought to say – sends missives to the scholars of Hertford Vale from around the globe. And upon returning dwelling, the 2 of them will go to the college to offer a presentation on the place they’ve been and what they’ve realized.
Herry-Bear was positioned in Bob’s care by the scholars at Hertford Vale C.E. Main Faculty.
‘It’s actually sensible,’ Bob says. ‘Like a real-life geography lesson. The youngsters are tremendous excited and simply sit there and pay attention. The headmaster exhibits photographs and I level to a map and inform a narrative in regards to the place. It’s to not encourage them to journey, essentially, simply to point out them that there’s a entire world on the market and so they can go see it. I preserve providing to offer Herry-Bear again however the headmaster has instructed me that so long as I wish to journey – and so long as I’m keen to take photos of the place we’re – Herry-Bear stays with me.’
And the way lengthy does Bob wish to journey? As you would possibly anticipate, he has no plans to decelerate. However he admits to being a bit too outdated to tough it nowadays. On his final go to to Australia, he travelled throughout Tasmania with a gaggle of backpackers however opted to get a lodge room as a substitute of sharing a dorm. And as a lot as he cherished North India Revealed – a 22-day journey via Varanasi, Udaipur and the Thar Desert – he’ll now fortunately embrace a number of extra creature comforts. So long as there’s room for Herry-Bear, after all.
Construct bridges, make a connection or uncover a furry pal someplace on the planet on a small group journey with Intrepid.
