• 3 August : Shah Alam : An Expedition to Remember!
3 August : Shah Alam : An Expedition to Remember!
After 37 days on the road and more than 12,000 kilometres, the PETRONAS Siberia 2002 Expedition has reached its final destination. Met by family and friends at the Grand Blue Wave Hotel in Shah Alam, the team is glad to be back home. Tan Sri Azizan, the Chairman of PETRONAS was on hand to receive the team and the Malaysian flag which the team has been carrying throughout the expedition.
The team was treated to some Malaysian food and an audio visual presentation of the expedition. Looking at the pictures and video, Siberia seems so far away and so long ago. The PETRONAS Adventure Team has done it again. For the first time, a Malaysian team has crossed the Siberian plains and conquered the Gobi Desert to cross into China.
Was it a challenge? Yes. Was it tough? Definitely. You have to have the endurance and stamina to drive for many hours, tolerate your fellow team members (that sleep when you really need someone to talk to on those very long boring highways) and face the many obstacles that challenge your mind and body.
But what really stood out for me on this expedition is the face of that young boy in Mongolia. Hardly 4 or 5 years old, he could hardly talk. His body was covered with wounds and scars as though he had just been through a war.
But the sight of his face when he saw the magic that Sabariah, from PetroSains, was performing, and his face lighted up. All of a sudden, he had a smile on his face and the scars seem to disappear. At least for one day in his life we made him smile and forget his troubles. That to me is what the expedition is all about.
For now, we wait for news on the next expedition – is it South America? Africa? Wherever it may be, you can be sure it will be a challenge – you can count on it. If you have the time, check out the picture gallery for Siberia 2002; it is sure to bring back memories and rekindle that adventure spirit.
