Training partners in SE Asia? Solo training tips?

[Irsan_Olii]

This is a long shot, but are there any training partners anywhere near Jakarta, Indonesia? I've found a non-ARMA historical European martial arts group over in Singapore (Pan Historical Europan Martial Arts Society) but that's over 560 miles/900 km away and the cost for going there and back regularly, even monthly, would be tremendous for a second year student like me.

Let me reintroduce myself (the last time I posted here was 4 years ago): My name is Irsan and since my early teens, I developed an on-off love of martial arts. I've studied pencak silat, aikido and kendo for some time. I'm interested in European martial arts not only because it's different but also because, from what I've seen in videos, more practical than kendo. Also, I have a thing for knights and medieval warfare.

The more likely path for me would be a solo path, which I've read in the forums, many have undertaken. I was wondering if anyone would share their experiences.

[LafayetteCCurtis]

I'm in Bandung. There's a small on-and-off group of enthusiasts here, but no regular organisation or meeting schedule, and as far as I know they (or, rather, we) haven't met since the end of 2010 or something. A couple of the members were probably from Jakarta but I'm not sure I have their contact information.

Considering the difficulties we've had with getting the group back together lately, I'm afraid you (and the rest of the folks) may be stuck on the solo path for a while, though I hope this situation won't last too long. It might be a good idea to go out and practice in public parks or sports courts once you think you can do so without making yourself look stupid because that was how I managed to hook up with some of the original members of the old group (and how I'm hoping to either reconnect with some of the old guys or recruit some new enthusiasts down here). Poking around Senayan in the weekends might be a good idea?

(And who knows--if you manage to get a group started there, I'd probably be interested in coming around. It's a bit sad to remember that the only martial arts I've practiced with other people in something like half a year are aikido and traditional archery.)

[Irsan_Olii]

Bandung? That's only 3 hours away via freeway! I never expected that there's a group or at least other enthusiasts so close. I'm still far from creating a group because other than my brother, I haven't found anyone else who's interested. It's been a while since I've done any martial arts so I'll be on my own for a while.

Oh and, check your inbox, Curtis.