Checking Out : Frederick James Koch


Frederick James Scott, son of legendary Sri Lankan Alston Koch and former Miss Sri Lanka Yvonne Ahlip, is making great progress in Hollywood. Having left Australia to move stateside in order to take his career further, Frederick takes a break from reading scripts and attending auditions to detail his travel experiences.


 
Why do you love travel?
Any type of travel broadens your horizons and helps you to think outside the pattern that you have been thinking for so long. People in different parts of the world experience and celebrate life differently…We're blessed with such a colourful and diverse planet, I think it’s our duty as citizens of it, to learn and experience as much of it as we can. After all god gave it to all of us, just because we drew up borders on a map doesn’t really make it just yours or just mine.

 
Your favourite travel destination and why?
Sri Lanka is more of a second home than a destination so if I scratch that out, I’d have to say Bali. Once again because of the people. They are just a happy and beautiful spirited people.  

 
What do you need for a perfect holiday?
At least one night that everybody that was a part of, agrees never took place. Romantic entanglements that colour the holiday and helps you remember what colour the sky blooms at sunset in that part of the world and an availability to get lost and get found with friends that were strangers merely days ago.

 
In which country have you felt most at home?
I’ve been blessed with travelling quite frequently but nothing beats camping out under the stars down under. As the song goes “I still call Australia Home”. It’s as if the sky stays blue even at night and stars dance stories just for you and your friends. A drink or two, good company, the world will never feel more yours.

 
Most unusual souvenir you have brought home?
That would have to be my collectors item Winnie the Pooh dressed in Monkey Magic Onezie. It’s an extremely limited Japanese only souvenir.

 
Worst holiday or travel experience?
The time that somebody stole my mum's passport while we were in Bangkok, my sister and I must have been about twelve and seven, that nightmare gets brought up every time somebody wants to complain about their holiday.


Best piece of travel advice?
Learn to pack lightly. The most important piece of luggage is yourself and your promise of having a good time.

 
Your top five travel destinations?
New York US, Bali Indonesia, Osaka Japan, Sydney Australia, Madrid Spain.

 
What has travel taught you?
That there is another version of you waiting to be discovered in another country. All you have to do is leave the old one behind.

 
In which country did you taste the best ever cuisine?
Japan. I love Japanese food and it’s prepared so well there. Though I wouldn’t advise Lankans to get a curry. "Curry … Just isn’t curry in Japan".

 
Next travel destination?
I hope to head out to Kenya with one of my good friends who’s setting up a mobile clinic in Kenya. You can find more details at www.alabastermc.org and see how you can support this fantastic and generous expedition.



Text by Tina Edward Gunawardhana