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i-genius Summit, Day-by-Day

posted on Thursday, March 20, 2008 04:24 AM

Day 1

I had an early morning flight from Tokyo to Phuket, via Hong Kong, so I quietly slipped out of bed got ready and gently kissed my children goodbye. It was a slightly chilly morning in Japan, but somewhat refreshing at the same time as the sun had yet to break through and beyond the clouds.

The flight from Tokyo to Hong Kong was a smooth and pleasant one. I distinctly remember that Hong Kong Airport was covered in a light hazy mist and surrounded only by the sea and mountains. The airport is clean and the whole transit process is fast and efficient. I and the other passengers had to take a small transit coach out onto the airport runway and then walk up the steps to board the next flight. It was another nice and quick flight.

During the flight I saw a thousand mountains and islands floating in the clouds all tinted with a delicate purple haze. As the plane began to descend all that could be seen was greenery everywhere, and it was almost as if we were going to land in the water. I didn’t enjoy customs/passport security check as it took ages. I was however, met at the airport by Tommy Hutchinson, the organiser of the whole i-genius Thailand summit. We decided to walk to the hotel along Nai Yang beach – thankfully, I was full of energy as I managed to take a nap on both flights.

My first impressions were that it’s a really beautiful place, and people appear to be relaxed and friendly. The Indigo Pearl hotel where I was staying is located on Nai Yang beach, which is within a Natural Park area. So as you can imagine, I am literally surrounded by tropical trees, a big hill/or small mountain rather, and a lovely beach. The hotel is absolutely amazing. The beauty of it is actually beyond words – it’s like an open art gallery within a small tropical forest. There are exotic plants and trees in every corner of your eye. The staffs have casual canvas style clothing and are wonderfully friendly – nothing fake in their smiles at all. This hotel is also world renowned for their Eco-friendliness, so it makes for a perfect location to have summit.

Later that evening, Tommy and I had drinks with the hotel manager and his wife – both from France. They were really nice people and also doesn’t much like people from Paris, so we were able to have a good laugh about that. Also met some more of the i-genius team, and then had dinner down on the beach under the beautiful night sky while listening to the gentle ebb and flow of the waves.


Day 2

Woke up to the natural sounds of insects buzzing all around me. I loved it – listening to them communicate freely within this exotic natural environment. Had breakfast with Chris Cramer, who has really helped shaped the media the way it is today. He was the former president of CNN, and made CNN international the powerhouse it is today. He also worked for the BBC for around twenty years managing the programme content. To say he has had a powerful influence to both the BBC and CNN, and news in general is an understatement. It was interesting talking to him and Tommy over breakfast, and listening to their ideas of projects that are currently in progress and ones that are in the pipeline for the future. I-genius is going to transform into a whole new level of communication and interaction – I’m excited about this!

After breakfast and a good shower – I took some scenic shots of the hotel, both via video footage and digital camera – and then took a long three-hour walk down and around the beach area. I met some of the locals who are always very friendly, and always smiling. I watched as the baby crabs made bubbles in the sand, and how they expertly avoid the human species as they dart around in high speed. I was able to see some people fishing also.

During my long walk, I came across a small area with many Buddhist statues – I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to take photos or not, so I didn’t. But finding these wonderful statues wasn’t the main attraction of this small plot of land. It was in fact the stray dogs. Bloody hell – two stray dogs started to follow me, and then started barking at me and as if calling for something. I soon realised I was in danger because a whole gang of dogs started coming out from behind the trees. And ones that were sleeping woke up and started in my direction. I fancy my chances on battling with a random stranger, but stray dogs – who knows what disease that carry in their mouth.

I quickly scanned my mind on the knowledge of dogs and what to do when confronted by a pack of stray dogs. From the bottom of my heart I must thank Ryu Murakami’s ‘Coin Locker Babies’. It’s a dark yet wonderful book. In the book, his two main characters come into confrontation with a pack of stray dogs, just like I had done. To get away from these vicious beasts you had to do four things expertly. The first, don’t show your fear, the second, never turn your back to them, the third, stare them right in the eyes, and the fourth, don’t run. As the dogs came closer towards me I adopted the four rules in fine British fashion. I recall myself saying ‘no’ to a couple of the dogs as I slowly walked towards the gap between them, and then slowly down the path way and onto the main road. Let’s not do that one again please.

After returning back to the hotel, I bumped into a few more people, and Tommy once again – who has now invited me to interview the designer of the hotel in relation to how design and architecture affect the way people inhabit and interact with their environment. So, I am really excited about that! I then went to do some location spotting of the stage area where the main part of the summit will be held. After that, I helped i-genius prepare some welcome packages, and then went to have my first Thai massage. (Hmmmm, fantastic – but just in case you’ve never had one then I won’t spoil it for you! I ended up having a total of three massages while out in Thailand).

I found a nice little place down by the beach, and saw a little girl sitting inside and drawing, so it seemed like a safe place to go. It also had in writing ‘Traditional Thai Massage’, which I am informed are the safe places to go with no extra sexual services. So, I popped inside and allowed myself to be pressed, squeezed, stretched and poked – and I absolutely enjoyed it! The lady kept smiling and laughing at me for some reason – and kept on saying… ‘you can go to sleep, yeah’… haha. One of the older ladies came up to me also and joined in the session just to say that I was a handsome guy – awwww thank you grandma – haha! After I finished my massage, I was given a nice herbal tea, and off I went floating back onto the beach – where a group of Thai woman (young ones I add), began whistling at me, blowing kisses (in a friendly way I add), and signalling for me to come over… but I was far too busy for that… maybe next time I will talk to them (and I did).

Had a staff meeting, and then went to reception – opening of the whole summit and mingled with all the like-minded and creative people. And before I went to bed, I spent some time in the swimming pool, gliding its surfaces at midnight while looking up at the stars. I thought of someone back home whom I would’ve liked to spend that tranquil time with.


DAY 3

The day started with me relaxing on the balcony early in the morning listening to the natural sounds while writing up my Blog. A nice reflective breakfast by myself, and then into the main part of the whole summit. I was very interactive with regards to the filming, catching people’s facial expressions, hand movements – putting the camera close to their face, and so on. The summit is amazing… meeting people who are all actively doing things to help make social and environmental change around the world. The atmosphere is fantastic, and everybody is really enjoying the company of each other – and there is a real sense of creative togetherness during the summit. David McQueen really lit up the audience with his wonderful presentation and interaction skills. He was a star and a wonderful host throughout the time spent in Thailand!

People were later split up into working groups, which were hosted by participants from all over the world offering advice and new ideas in relation to their field of interest. During the two-hour break I took it upon myself to get a Thai Sports massage by two masseurs – it was heavenly, and funny! One of the masseurs kept on trying to speak English, by counting, shaking my hands and so on.

The Gala Dinner Party was a real treat! It was lavish, it was delicious. Chris Cramer made a wonderful speech, and David hosted the evening wonderfully. The hotel made ice carvings of the i-genius logo – really lovely. After everybody ate and spoke, there were some traditional Thai dances on stage, which some of us participated in, including myself. One of the girls spoke Japanese – being the fact that I nearly trip over their bamboo sticks and said that was dangerous in Japanese, she replied to me in Japanese – which was nice). After the traditional dances finished, the in-house band came on stage and then the majority (including myself) of the participants danced to the music and had a wonderful time together, which was followed by swimming in the pool and then in the sea.

The stars hung low, the ebb and flow of the tide was soothing, and the half moon hovered over the water. I took it upon myself to sit back away from the others to just gaze into the night sky. I then went to get a drink in a bar, which is hosted by females and a guy or two (the same females that signalled me over the previous day). I had a baileys and Jack Ds and Coke. It was a lovely time; just watching them interact – listening to the language. And then one of them wanted to play Connect-4 with me – and then a game of pool. I found them to be very friendly, but also very touchy! But once they realise you don’t interact with their touchiness they stop doing it. I retreated to bed after I officially lost two games of pool in a row to a lovely young lady who couldn’t stop laughing and jumping around.

DAY 4

More working sessions, and wonderful interactive presentations – people have gotten used to me wondering around with my camera, which has truly opened up the audience, enabling them to feel that what they have to say is important and appreciated. I operated in a more interactive approach with my camera work, by moving around, and walking up and around with participants. I like the camera angle from chest height and coming from the below-up angle.

Tribe Wanted by Ben Keene was without a doubt the most inspiring presentation, and I found myself emotionally engaged with his work. Great stuff!

The Investors Den was a fantastic part of the whole summit – a little like dragons den but less intimidating. I also hosted my own workshop on the basic process of filming.

I also did some on the spot interviews. The day’s events were followed by a wonderful barbecue and beach party, lovely food and drinks, which were accompanied by free Thai massages. I watched football in the bar with Matt Williams from making waves, and one of the hotel staff (fantastic and friendly guy!). I then went to my friend’s bar, and spent the night with Mem – my new wonderful Thai friend, we later became much closer.


DAY 5

This was the last day of the summit. I gave a presentation on the work I was doing during the summit, and spoke about my project website and future aspirations in relation to my work. I made my presentation interactive and didn't use any slides or footages. Instead I used the whole conference hall and walked up, around, and behind people keeping them interested and interactive in what I was talking about. I then picked up my camera and asked some people on the spot questions to give me one word to define a social entrepreneur. And then while participants of the i-genius summit asked me questions, I filmed them, and responded accordingly.

The future of i-genius was also unveiled, and I must say I definitely want to be on board.

The day was finished with a speech by Tommy, in which he shed tears and almost had me in tears. I’m an emotional person also, and to share my time and grow close to people who are so wonderful and diverse over the last several days – there is hope for our planet, because of social entrepreneurs.

Later that day, Grace (new Chinese friend currently living in Czech) and I went to Patong Beach for some sightseeing, a massage, and to watch Phuket FantaSea, which was a wonderful performance enveloped with traditional Thai dances, martial arts, magic, historic storytelling, acrobatics, on-stage animals – birds flying through the theatre, and of course elephants. It was one of the finest live performances I have seen ever. Every body should watch it if they ever visit Phuket. Patong Beach is nowhere near as nice as Nai Yang beach, but if you want a more authentic taste of what life might be like in Bangkok, then you are best heading to Patong Beach just for a day trip. I was blessed with a full red sun setting, which blew me back with its sheer beauty.

Later that day I went down to spend time with my friend Mem and the other participants on the beach.


DAY 6

Tommy and I visited the living space and workshop of John Underwood, the designer of the Indigo Pearl Hotel and many other buildings. It was a fantastically insightful interview, and given a tour of his workshop was amazing. It was a fine finish to my official recording work during the i-genius summit.

After that we had a quick lunch, and I said goodbye to as many people as possible that I was able to meet. I then headed down the beach to meet my Thai friend, to which we spent a couple of hours together and a kid who followed. And for the first time I swam in the sea – it was beautiful. I did some quick interview recording with Lucian in the sea, which was really cool and fun! Great job mate!

I then made my way to the airport with my friend, and we said our goodbyes.
Phuket, Thailand – i-genius summit chapter closed, with some tears.

>> Photos of my trip to Thailand can be found on either my Facebook or MySpace accounts <<
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