6 March 2008
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.
5 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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