At 80 years previous, Intrepid traveller Bob Corridor stays passionately dedicated to exploring new locations and making connections with folks all around the world, by means of tune and an unyielding spirit to bridge cultures and unfold pleasure (with a bit of buddy 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 manner of speaking throughout language and tradition, of spreading pleasure and together with others; extra importantly, it’s a manner of getting oneself into fascinating 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 search out there wasn’t a glass or bottle of wine in sight.
‘I received my telephone out and used the translator,’ Bob says. ‘I wrote, “It’s very arduous for an Englishman to see two tables of Italians with no wine.” The telephone 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 might have such an impression.’
Bob says ‘singing is a manner 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, once 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 wish to sing.’
Although Bob and I converse through video and are separated by 17,000 kilometres of land and sea, his power is palpable even by means of my display. Eighty years younger, he has already accomplished his each day train: a brisk stroll close to Scarborough, North Yorkshire, with 500 ft of elevation thrown in for good measure.
‘I don’t take treatment,’ Bob explains. ‘I maintain myself and attempt to do all the things 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 dwelling in Cyprus, however Mary’s situation made it not possible to journey. They remained grounded within the UK.
After his spouse’s loss of life, Bob returned to journey as a method to heal. He flew first to Cyprus however it was, he admits, a case of him operating away.
He then travelled to Australia six months after Mary’s passing however discovered himself in a darkish place along 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 girl settled him down and coaxed him by means of it. Feeling calmer, Bob walked to Sydney Harbour by means of heavy rain. And it was right here, by the intense white sails of the Opera Home, that he observed a girl sitting on her personal.
‘I really like assembly folks. And I wish to attempt to encourage others [to do the same] as a result of life is there, you recognize? However you’ve received 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 effectively. 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 house. She was apprehensive about with the ability to return and wasn’t certain 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, actually need,’ he says. ‘I really like assembly folks. And I wish to attempt to encourage others [to do the same] as a result of life is there, you recognize? However you’ve received to take the time. It took me a variety of effort. However when you’ve made the trouble – 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 suggestion 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 formidable 10 Intrepid journeys over 5 years.
‘The factor about Intrepid that actually conjures up me is that they all the time attempt to help a area people of some type,’ says Bob. ‘And the no plastic factor. I believe 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 group, which I discover completely incredible.’
That’s to not say there haven’t been a number of hiccups alongside the way in which. A brown belt, Bob not too long ago travelled to Okinawa, Japan, to coach on the house of karate; nonetheless, he was informed he was too previous 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 parry, strike blows. The best way to stroll. After which I took half in a state of affairs 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 College, who obtain common updates on Herry-Bear’s whereabouts through electronic mail.
‘I stay proper subsequent door to the varsity,’ 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 kids to observe my journey as a form of geography lesson. I requested if there was a mascot that the kids might establish with, so that they introduced me with this bear. He’s been in every single place with me. Everywhere in the world. I wish to assume he has a black belt in travelling.’
Bob – or Herry-Bear, I ought to say – sends missives to the scholars of Hertford Vale from world wide. And upon returning house, the 2 of them will go to the varsity 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 College.
‘It’s actually sensible,’ Bob says. ‘Like a real-life geography lesson. The children are tremendous excited and simply sit there and hear. The headmaster reveals images and I level to a map and inform a narrative concerning 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 hold providing to offer Herry-Bear again however the headmaster has informed 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 count on, he has no plans to decelerate. However he admits to being a bit of too previous to tough it lately. 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 beloved North India Revealed – a 22-day journey by means of 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 this planet on a small group journey with Intrepid.