Wings Through Time:

A Journey Across Skies and Memories

Denzil Jayasinghe

5 min read

1958:
At three years old, I took my first flight to Gal Oya, a remote town in Ceylon, with Grandpa Lewis, my mother, and my father. The world below was a blur, but the excitement was crystal clear. We flew on Air Ceylon, and it felt like magic.

1962:
I flew to Jaffna with my sister and father, and my father’s voice weaved Tamil tales as the plane hummed its own story. The skies felt alive with language and laughter—another journey on Air Ceylon.

1965:
Father, my sister, and I flew to Anuradhapura, the plane carrying us to ancient ruins and shared adventures. There was another flight that year, but it’s a hazy memory — a fragment of childhood wonder. Again, on Air Ceylon.

1975:
My first solo flight to Jaffna, landing in Kankasanthurai. The independence was exhilarating — the skies were mine alone to conquer. I paid for my ticket myself and flew on Air Ceylon.

1977:
In April, I took my first leap beyond familiar shores — Dubai awaited, and Singapore Airlines carried me to a world of golden sands and endless possibilities. By December, I was a regular voyager, shuttling between Dubai and Colombo, the rhythm of takeoffs and landings becoming a familiar song.

1978 to 1983:
The years blurred into a dance of departures and arrivals — Dubai to Colombo, Colombo to Dubai — each flight a thread in the tapestry of my life. The skies were my constant; the plane was a second home, mainly on Air Lanka.

1985:
A grand adventure unfolded: Dubai to Zurich, then London, Paris by ferry and train, and back to Dubai. Europe’s charm was a whirlwind of cobblestone streets, art, and endless horizons. I flew on Swiss Air, accompanied by my partner.

1986 to 1989:
The familiar route resumed — Dubai to Colombo and back. Each journey was a blend of nostalgia and anticipation. The skies were a bridge between worlds, carrying me to loved ones and back to my adopted home. I flew on Air Lanka, Sri Lankan, and Emirates, often with my partner and our young children.

1990:
A detour to Hong Kong added a new flavour to the journey. The city’s skyline was a dazzling contrast to Colombo’s serene shores. I flew on Sri Lankan and Cathay Pacific, with the kids joining on some trips, but Hong Kong was just me and my partner.

1991:
The skies stretched further, taking me to Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The temples and markets of Thailand were a feast for the senses, each flight a new chapter. I flew on Sri Lankan via Colombo and Thai Airways, with my partner joining me in Colombo.

1991:

A work trip to Kuala Lumpur from Dubai on Emirates

1992:
Sydney entered the story, its iconic Opera House a beacon on the horizon. The long-haul flights were worth every mile for the moments spent in its vibrant embrace. I flew on Sri Lankan and Singapore Airlines.

1993 to 1994:
The rhythm continued — Dubai to Colombo, then a leap to Singapore and Sydney. The world felt smaller with each flight, and the connections became stronger. I flew on SriLankan.

1996:
A whirlwind year: Singapore to Dubai, then London, back to Dubai, and onward to Singapore and Sydney. The globe was my playground, the skies my guide. I flew on Qantas and Emirates.

1998:

• Sydney to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific — a work-related trip.
• Sydney to Dubai, London, Tokyo, and Sydney — another work-related trip.
• Sydney to Tokyo, Seoul, and Manila on Japan Airlines, Korean Air, and Qantas — yet another work trip.
• Sydney to Auckland, Wellington, and back — another work-related journey.

1999:
Sydney to Colombo and back — the flights a bridge between two homes, two hearts.

2001:
The journey continued — Sydney to Colombo and back. Each flight was a reminder of the miles travelled and the memories made. I flew on Sri Lankan and Singapore Airlines.

2002:
Sydney to Colombo to see my parents — travelled alone.

2003:
Sydney to Colombo to see my mother — travelled alone.

2004:
Sydney to Colombo to see my mother — travelled alone.

2005:
Sydney to Colombo via Singapore on Singapore Airlines and Sri Lankan — this time with family.

2006:
Sydney to Colombo to see my mother in Sri Lanka on Singapore Airlines

2007:

• Sydney to Colombo via Kuala Lumpur on Malaysian Airlines and Sri Lankan — with family.
• Sydney to Gold Coast and back.

2009:
Sydney to Singapore, Colombo, Singapore, and Sydney to see my mother — travelled alone.

2010:
Sydney to Singapore, Colombo, Singapore, and Sydney to see my mother — travelled alone.

2011:
Sydney to Singapore, Colombo, Singapore, and Sydney to see my mother — travelled alone.

2012:
Sydney to Hong Kong, Colombo, Hong Kong, and Sydney for my mother’s funeral — travelled alone.

2013:
Sydney to Colombo and back — with my partner.

2014:
Sydney to Colombo and back — with my partner.

2015:
Sydney to Colombo and back — with my partner.

2016:

• Sydney to Milan, Zurich, France, and Colombo — with my partner.
• Sydney to Auckland and back — with my partner Jetstar

2017:
Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, and Sydney — with my four kids and their partners.

2018:

• Sydney to Fiji and back to Sydney, a work trip
• Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, and Sydney. Malaysian

2019:
Sydney to Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Sydney. Air Canada

2021:
Sydney to Gold Coast and back — twice, to spend time with my daughter and her family.

2022: JetStar
Sydney to Gold Coast and back.

2023:

• Sydney to Vancouver, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Sydney on Air Canada
• Sydney to Singapore, Colombo, Singapore, and Sydney on Scoot
• Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, and Sydney on AirAsia

2024:

• Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Sydney on AirAsia
• Sydney to Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Sydney on Air Canada
• Sydney to Gold Coast and back on Qantas
• Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, and Sydney on AirAsia

2025:
Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, and Sydney on Malaysian

.Through the decades, the flights were more than travel — they were moments, milestones, and memories etched into the fabric of my life. Each takeoff was a promise, each landing a story. The skies have been my constant companion and the world, my endless destination.

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