15 April 2008
At one of the access points to the Plain of Jars, a large group of historic cultural sites in Laos containing thousands of stone jars.
The rally's second stop in Laos is Luang Prabang. Below, the night market and one of the many temples dating back to the 16th century
Sverre Berge & Anne Blystad 1968 Mercedes Benz 280SL followed by Martyn Godfrey & Jenny Robbie in the 1959 Jaguar XK150S on the 2nd day through Laos
Mechanics Simon, Tim and David work late into the night on the brakes of Malcolm Hartley & Jenny Allen 's 1972 Bentley Corniche
Michael & Jonas Haentjes 1983 Rolls Royce Corniche head to Vientianne after crossing border into Laos
09 April 2008
28 March 2008
David Powell, doctor, mechanic, human dynamo behind the wheel of the Bristol, navigated by John Birch.
On route from Da Lat to Nha Trang, Willem Blijdenstein & Tony Inder Rieden in the 1935 Bentley Sports Special at a brief stop
After the heat of Saigon the rally took a rest day at the cool hill station of Da Lat. Pictures are most of the cars in front of Da Lat Palace
Arriving at the Cambodian - Vietnam border
The Cotes and their Lotus leave the border for Saigon
Jeff & Val Pike - 1958 Jaguar XK150
David & Yvonne Moffatt - 1961 Bentley S2
Roy & Margaret Hatfield 1937 Bentley Vanden Plas
Roberto & Rita Chiodi in the 1966 Mercedes 250 SE Coupe, Klaus & Maja von Deylen 1973 NSU Ro80 and Barry & Roma Weir in the 1968 Mercedes Benz 280SL.
19 March 2008
Yves-Marie's stone guard again - not much of a funeral. And Nowell & Birgit Stebbing in the 1933 Lagonda M45 aboard the ferry across the Mekong River
Cars crossing the Mekong by ferry, through the dust with Peter & Morna and Bill Ainscough & Liz Kennedy in the 1969 Bentley MPW head for Vietnam
18 March 2008
Whilst not hugely relevant, I have always liked tree frogs. This one lives in the garden of the Friends restaurant in Pnohm Pehn
Head mechanic Simon Skelton works on the shocks of the 1954 Jaguar XK120 belonging to Paul and Mary Kane
Richard Fenhalls & Heather Milne-Taylor pass through one of the amazing gates in the Temple complex of Angkor Wat in their 1964 Mercedes Benz 230SL
It is impossible to see enough of the temples of the Angkor wat complex in 2 days so while the mechanics work away at the cars the rest of the rally have become experts in the amazing temples which stretch out into the countryside all around this beautiful town.
Giancarlo & Agneta Puddu's 1965 Volvo PV 544 gets some help with a broken brake pipe on route to Siem Reap
Sverre & Anne follow Walter & Helmut through the dust in their Mercedes 280 SL's and Alberto Fila with Stephanie Gout in the 1977 Bentley Corniche
Rumours that the condition of the road is kept in an unlevelled and state of extreme disrepair by the local Bangkok Ariways enable one to imagine the state of the road. Not only was the suspension of every car tested but so were the nerves of all those driving. At times headlights were necessary to see through the dust storm created by other roadusers.
At the Thai - Cambodian border
So it was with bleary eyes that we set off early the next morning for the Cambodian border. We sailed through the border and on into Cambodia. Wow- what a contrast.
Bangkok skyline from the Peninsula Hotel
Bangkok is known for its pollution and congested highways and the drive from Kanchanburi certainly challenged those who prefer the open road. But the challenge of navigating in a large city in the developing world is one you just can¢t beat and we all arrived at The Penisula Hotel thrilled and ready for the level of action a day ( and night) in Bangkok requires.
Roy & Margaret Hatfield in the 1937 Bentley Vanden Plas leave the Tiger temple followed by Nowell & Birgit Stebbing in the 1933 Lagonda M45
Tiger Temple at Kanchanburi
Those out early this morning were lucky to arrive at Kanchanaburi early enough to spend some time in the canyon with the tigers from the tiger temple. The tigers live amongst the monks in the monastery and are very docile (most of the time!). John Brigden was especially taken with one particular cub.
10 March 2008
Martyn and Jenny on route in their 1959 Jaguar XK150S and onboard with Patrick and Vanda in the Tiger
Head gasket of Yves-Marie's Bentley being changed late into the night in Tusita
At Phuket the rally split into 2 smaller groups. The smaller, more intimate feel was a great tonic after Phuket. The journey was long and Thailand offers only one major road up the isthmus. However there was no shortage of drama for the cars. The cylinder head gasket on Yves Marie¢s Bentley blew and the mechanic and doctor were working late into the night to make the car roadworthy for the next leg onto the river Kwai.
The Tusita resort lies on remote bit of coastline surrounded by almost empty countryside.
The second group were greeted by an almighty rainstorm which whipped up the sea to create a wonderfully wild beach where a few brave souls ventured out.
06 March 2008
Nick Channing & Fiona Davies in the Lagonda Rapide on way to hotel at Trang and Allison & Peter Cotes in the 1967 Lotus Elan
Less of the political bunting and more of the gold framed portraits of the King. And the roads are still pothole free. The Indian veterans can’t believe it. Most of the cars are running well and the countryside is becoming more and more inviting. Before too long we are relaxing on a splendid beach at Trang trying to muster the energy to move the 100 yards to the bar. The evening was perfect and food stunning-beautifully sculpted fruit and vegetables with unidentifiable sweetmeats to follow. A wonder any of us managed to leave at all this morning. A tempting trip to a beach in a cave in a rock on an idyllic island kept some back for a few hours but all the cars are now safely in Phuket after a beautiful drive through Southern Thailand.
Preparing to cross border into Thailand
The next day there was much excitement in the air as we approached our first border crossing. There is always an element of unpredictability at borders but the Malaysians and Thais did themselves proud, even supplying some of the crew with tasty bananas while they waited in the inevitable queues for immigration and customs.
First group of cars leave Penang by ferry and the 1965 Sunbeam Tiger of Patrick Helfer & Vanda Keel heads for the border
Cars outside hotel in Penang and the 1935 Rolls Royce of Peter Webber & Morna Milton gets some attention
Paul & Mary Kane in their 1954 Jaguar XK120 and Geoff & Ellen Foster-Taylor in their 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1
Yves-Marie & Arlette Morault in the 1935 Bentley Speed Six followed by Sverre Berge & Anne Blystad in the 1968 Mercedes Benz 280SL
The next day we were on the road again after a few minor car ailments - don’t ask me what- I’ll get the mechanics to do a stint on the blog and you will be able to hear all the gory detail.
So we set off to Penang passing through lovely rural Malaysian scenery with lots of lush jungle and pretty villages. We arrived on the island of Penang via the huge bridge stretching over the Malacca straits offering a dramatic vista of Georgetown. This bridge is one of the 100 places to visit before you die. The Eastern and Oriental Hotel was a treat for everyone. So peaceful is it that it has been known for some residents to sit on the same lounger for three months at a time overlooking the beach and bay. Many have been inspired by the ambience and views. Penang did not disappoint. Those who arrived early enjoyed wandering the streets through Chinatown and little India and seeing the well preserved buildings from the colonial era.
Sea Otters on island of Pangkor Laut and Beach Party
Do you want to hear about An idyllic island resort? A place where we all got drunk, sunburned and slightly trapped by the cocktails; the wonderful beach sarong party where it rained and we all got cosy under 1000 umbrellas and the dancers made some of us dance in public for the first time since the school disco? No - ok then. The rest day meant that some could simply relax in the Spa, other play golf, others swim and others just do what they wanted to. Lovely boat trip too and sea otters and big bath tubs.
The next day we were on the road again after a few minor car ailments - don’t ask me what- I’ll get the mechanics to do a stint on the blog and you will be able to hear all the gory detail.
05 March 2008
Tea plantations in Cameron Highlands
And they were really happy to be on the road again………. The start had been deliberately arranged for Sunday morning to avoid the busy traffic of this capital city so before long the cars were free and out of town heading along the open countryside. The climb up to the Cameron Highlands (1480 metres) took in the old road so was full of haipin bends and sweeping corners.
The Cameran Highlands is a lush and beautiful place – with lots of garden centres and market gardening agriculture. It is famous for its strawberrys. It all looked lovely and arriving at the Cameron Highlands Hotel for a roast Sunday lunch was the icing on the cake for us all. Some were so taken with the old Colonial charm of the place that they checked in and arrived a day late on the island of Pangor Laut.
Kuala Lumpur
Welcome to the tiger rally blog.
Our apologies for not writing till now. The rally is going well and there has been plenty going on, although nothing major to report. Today I will try to catch up with the last 5 days of travel. First I’ll make some introductions- 35 cars and 10 support crew.
The cars are listed on the tiger rally website at www.tigerrally.co.uk and the crew consists of John Brigden and Conrad Birch, event organisers, Olivia Lacey and Julia Jones on logistics, Simon Skelton, Steve and Charlie Yabbsley, mechanics with Dr. David Powell multitasking on mechanics and medicine at times and Dr. Rebecca Hall as the other doctor.. Also we have Jaime Turner back as official rally photographer.
The participants are an interesting bunch. Many are veterans of ROARR rallies in India, others have completed adventurous classic car rallies in Africa as well as several who have completed the epic Peking - Paris route.
The event started in Kuala Lumpur… the cars were unloaded from their containers at the famous Sepang racetrack under the guidance of our colleagues from Velocity who did a fine job in arranging the Malaysian aspects of the rally. A few cars were able to sneak in a lap round the enormous Formula 1 course in true style. Those not driving were making the most of the shopping opportunities and the happy hour cocktails on the enigmatic floor 24 of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. At least the virus ridden Webber/ Milton family had the benefit of a 27th floor room overlooking the incredible twin Petronas towers from their sick bed. Happy to report they are now in fine fettle.
From the hotel the cars paraded through the Golden triangle of KL to the KL Menara Tower, the 4th tallest building in the world as they proudly proclaim. The KL Tower put on a fine spread for us and the flag off was soon after 10.40am for the first stage into the cooler hills of Malaysia. It was a real thrill to see all the cars together leaving from such a dramatic landmark.
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