The 2nd edition of the ASEAN-India Car Rally (AICR) was held from 25 Nov to 21 Dec 2012. Starting from Yogjakarta (Indonesia), the Rally passed through Singapore, Ipoh, Hat Yai, Phuket, Bangkok, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh, Pakse, Savanakhet, Vientiene, Chumphone, Sukhothai, Hpa An, Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay, Ka Lay, Kohima and Guwahati (India). India Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Heads of State of all ASEAN nations witnessed the ceremonial flag-down at the Rally’s final stop in New Delhi.
The following is a daily account of Leslie
Chang who is the leader of the Singapore team.
Photos: Ernest Chua / TODAY
Bangkok
to Siem Reap, 3rd Dec 2012
We were briskly escorted onto the elevated highway, away from the
peak-hours traffic in Bangkok.
After an early lunch, the friendly marshals waved us on at the Thai border Aranya Prathet.
Over at Cambodia border Poipet, the convoy was warmly received by police officers, students and workers from nearby hotel / casinos.
Along National Highway 6, Car # 22 experienced a sudden
loss of power again. Unlike the previous
incident, the fault was due to an unsecured turbo hose. It was made good on the spot and, hence, the
Car # 22 was able to catch up with the convoy within minutes.
Nearer to Siem Reap, hundreds of students cheered as
the convoy drove passed them.
Upon our arrival at Hotel City Angkor, Bernard represented the
Singapore team to receive the bouquet of flowers from H.E. Mr Sam Promonea, Secretary of State, Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia and India Ambassador to Cambodia Mr Dinesh K. Patnaik (left).
Siem Reap,
4th Dec 2012
The organisers arranged coaches to ferry us for the
activities in the morning. Thus, the
rally cars (and clothes) were left in the hotel car park.
We passed Angkor Wat while we were heading to the tree-planting venue near Preah Khan Temple. All 124 participants were each given a plant to be a part of the ceremony and, most importantly, a part of the ASEAN-India family.
This group shot was taken at the entrance of Bayon
Temple before we concluded our morning tour.
After lunch, the convoy returned to Angkor Wat with
their rally cars.
This rare opportunity to have the Mahindra XUV 500’s being strategically lined up in front of Cambodia’s most treasured UNESCO site must have brought pride and joy for the manufacturer.
The rally participants who, by now, bonded over thousands
of kilometers also took the opportunity to pose for this all-important shot.
They were later given time to tour
the premises of the temple. Thereafter,
the Ministry of Tourism hosted an enjoyable dinner at the back garden of Hotel City Angkor.
Siem Reap
to Phnom Penh,
5th Dec 2012
Many may not have the opportunity to visit Angkor
Wat even once in their lifetime. Yet, as part of the rally, we had the good
fortune to visit the historic temple 3 times in 2 days! The 1st occasion
was on a drive-by on the way to the tree-planting venue; 2nd was the
previous day’s afternoon tour within the premises and, finally, the front of
the temple was used as the flag-off venue for our drive to Phnom Penh this very morning.
Leaders from various teams with their respective country flags posed for this photo (note the backlight due to the morning sun).
The
locals were at the flag-off venue to greet the rally participants. Here, AutoCar’s Byram is seen chatting with a young
rally fan.
Leslie was also busy making new friends at the side lines.
Meanwhile, India’s Ambassador to Cambodia, Mr Dinesh K. Patnaik, was interviewed before presiding over the morning flag-off.
Leslie waved to the
send-off party in front of Angkor Wat.
This experience was further enhanced with the warm welcome we received from children who lined up mile after mile to wave at our convoy wherever we passed.
At lunch halt, the rally cars were parked outside Solar Café under the care of these police officers.
Strangely, the owner of Solar Café, Esther (left), looks like a sibling of Bernard.
Incidentally, the leader of Team Brunei Mr Suhaimei (left) can also be mistaken as a sibling of Bernard.
Bernard had his proud moment when the villagers formed 2 long rows to welcome him at Kampong Kdei (site of ancient bridge).
On the road to Phnom Penh, some sectors were covered with loose gravel and, hence, the conditions were a little rough.
Nevertheless, we arrived in the
Cambodian capital in time to for an evening performance at Chaktomok Theatre,
which is located next to our hotel. Singapore’s
Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Mr S Premjith and his wife were among the guests
who were invited to the show.
Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City, 6th
Dec 2012
Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia H.E. Dr Sok An was greeted by Poh Heng and leaders from other rally teams.
The grand flagged-off was held next to the Independence Monument.
The grand flagged-off was held next to the Independence Monument.
On the way to the border, we crossed the Mekong River.
Cambodian immigration officers stood orderly to bid the convoy bon
voyage.
After a brief reception at the Vietnamese border, we were welcomed at the Reunification
Palace in HCM City with live performance and high-energy dance.
The convoy then proceed to HCM Square where Assam Chief Minister Mr Tarun Gogoi (in grey suit) led the foreign delegates to pay respect to the revered Ho Chi Minh.
