28 March 2008
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
19 March 2008
18 March 2008
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.
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.
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
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.
6 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.
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