PETRONAS Trans-Himalayas 2005

The expedition route will begin in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and finish in Shenzhen, China. Find out where else this 15,000km plus route takes the team.

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ARCHIVED JOURNAL - WEEK 3

CITY OF ETERNAL SPRING
31st August | I only learnt three Mandarin phrases since I entered China: Good morning, how are you and thank you. With this very limited language ability, I explored the city of Kunming. Here, English is rarely spoken by the people except at the high rated hotels. Not much of a problem until it came to buying things at the shops. For this matter, a calculator and hand signs ware the only communication tool that I need in the process. Occasionally it turned out hilarious.

From the 24th floor of my hotel room, it gave me an excellent view of the city. I realised that Kunming is a bigger city than Kuala Lumpur. Many medium height skyscrapers are scattered around the city. The expedition members were given an extra day to rest in Kunming due to the extra time needed to repair some of the cars in the workshop. To me it was a bonus, since the last few days of the journey had been rather tough. The only activity that all of us participated was the half-day Community Relation (CR) program organised by PETRONAS China office with the Miao’s village school children. As usual, my function in the CR program was to perform the science demonstration to the children. When I was told that there would be 167 children attending the program, I was already panicking, thinking on how to handle such a big group. But it went well with the assistance from the other expedition members. Even though time was very limited for my show, I really had good time with the kids. After the show, some of them asked for my autograph, which made me feel like a big star. Only for a short while.

Halim, our expedition leader, cracked a joke on the radio by asking the convoy how to find our bicycles in Kuming if we were to own one. Looking at the number of bicycles on the streets, I thought it would be impossible. And they all looked similar. I guess I would just buy a new one if I cannot find mine. Located 2000 meters above sea level, Kunming is enjoying a pleasant spring season all year round, comparable to Cameron Highland in Malaysia. What I have seen was that the city is still booming and growing with new development at every corner. There exists a large Muslim community in some parts of the city. So finding halal food is not a big issue in Kunming.

After Kunming, the team members will encounter a new challenge in the subsequent journey: altitude. As of now, everyone had a good rest, eating well and rejuvenated. Hopefully no one will get the acute mountain sickness. Just keep our fingers crossed.

MYSTERIOUS TIBET
3rd September | The journey was getting tougher as we were entering Tibet province!

“Alpha Bravo to Stingray. One mechanic is down!”
“Copy that Alpha Bravo. Chicago Hope, please turn back to the location of the broken vehicle!”

That was the real life situation that the expedition members were encountering at 4200 meters elevation. A height that was higher than Mount Kinabalu. Not only the car had trouble at this altitude, but also the expedition members. Our biggest fear was the Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). AMS attacks anyone, regardless of age, gender and fitness level. It had inexplicably attacked one of the mechanics who was fixing one of the mechanically-failed vehicles. One of our team doctors was quickly dispatched to the location to treat the mechanic. Thanks God, it was only a mild AMS. My experience was different. When I accidentally cut my finger while closing the door, the pain was amplified and I was almost fainted. The doctor was quick to spot me just before collapsing and treated me accordingly. Now, I am very careful with my movements.

I never imagine myself traveled in Tibet. But here I did. Having complacently acclimatized to Malaysia’s weather, Tibet’s weather to me is so bizarre. I experienced summer to winter, dry rocky barren land to diversified fauna, all in one day as we cruising through the mountain passes. Despite all the confusion that my brain had received, the eyes were enjoying the magnificent views of Tibet overland. Indescribable in words, one should experience it themselves.

Tibet food. Some expedition members said the food is bland. I agree. Compared to Yunnan province, there is less variety and lack of spices. Mostly stewed or plainly boiled. Poultry is rare, but yak meat is abundantly available. My favourite dish: Young yak meat slices stir-fried with local green vegetable. Very sweet and tender.

One thing that amazed me was that every time the convoy stopped for a break, there were always people, especially children, appearing from nowhere. To puzzle me more, without hand phone or siren, more of their friends came running to us. Probably telepathic. They came near to the convoy harmlessly, and we offered them whatever extra food we had. These children have rosy cheek and fair skin, but tanned under the strong sun at the higher altitude.

I experienced my first high altitude camping near Lake Rawu. When we arrived at the campsite in the late afternoon, ambient temperature was 17 degrees at 3440 meters altitude. Everyone was doing the setting up work slowly as precautions to AMS. It was quiet, only the sound of the flowing river broke the silence. Early morning was cold and dry. I did not sleep in my tent, only under the flysheet but with a sub-zero rated sleeping bag. Perfectly kept me warm all night long. Waking up at dusk with serenity and views of the surrounding mountains was an unforgettable moment in my life.

This was only the beginning of our journey in Tibet. Our team leader aims to break the record of convoying at above 6000 meters. Can we do it?

MYSTERIOUS TIBET
3rd September | The journey was getting tougher as we were entering Tibet province! “Alpha Bravo to Stingray....
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ON TOP OF THE WORLD
9th September | It was the proudest moment for everyone when we finally saw the glimpse of Mount Everest, or...
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THE HOLY CITY OF LHASA
14th September | Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, means "God’s Land" in Tibetan language. For Tibetans, it is one of the...
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WONDERS OF NATURE
22nd September | After the grueling journey to the Everest Base Camp, the journey home was not as easy as I thought....
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FROM NATURE TO CULTURE
26th September | If anyone ever wonders about the existence of heaven on earth, I think I have found one: Jiuzhaigou...
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THE LAST MILES
28th September | Day 40 to 43 Wanzhou – Yichang – Xiangtan - Shenzhen PETRONAS Trans-Himalayas 2005 is coming to an...
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