25th January, 2003
This was our first drive of the brand new
year. This was also our first drive after the article on CBT came out which
brought about good response from fellow enthusiasts out there.
Sungai Besi McDonald’s, 9.00am. Sri & Gee,
Sly, Christine (new guest) and Sue & Kevin were the first to arrive. Shortly
after, further new guests in the likes of Johnny (Bufori), Peter (Opel Manta),
Izam (BMW 320i), Col Elias (Miata), Steve (Peugeot 206 cc) and PY (Merc SL)
turned up, along with Ghaffur, Julian & Jess, Benny & Lynette. Alan and Lui
too came along to meet up but didn’t join in the fun this time around, not
unlike new guest Peter.
It was great fun catching up with familiar
(and not-so-familiar faces) again. By 9.30am, we decided to set off with Kevin
& Sue leading the way through the NSE and exit via Kajang Toll. The immediate
destination was KLIA and needless to say, road condition was immaculate! Along
the way, we received a call from Gan who was conspicuously missing earlier.
Gan apparently was late and was eager to meet up with the convoy midway.
By 10.30am, we were at the KLIA Toll and
decided to wait for Gan there. Great photo opportunity! Johnny’s Bufori was
THE main attraction with everyone taking turns posing next to it. It was a
beautiful piece of machinery indeed! Half an hour gone and Gan was still stuck
in traffic so we decided to have him meet us in Blue Lagoon instead. 45
minutes of blissful driving greeted us as we headed on down via the Sepang
International Circuit route to Lukut. The undulating and winding route warmed
our cockles! All too soon we were in Lukut. Traffic wasn’t so kind there but
then, this was expected.
After much grumpiness about the traffic and
the heat, we finally reached the public beach in Blue Lagoon some half an hour
later. We were chaffed to bits to find a row of empty parking bays. We wasted
no time taking it up. There, everyone went about his/her own thing in 3
separate groups. One wasted no time having a few chilled can beers by the
beach, another having lunch nearby and another contented to just stay near the
cars chatting the afternoon away.
Gan eventually turned up and with refreshments
too, much to everyone’s delight! And check this out, Gan even took the
initiative by coming up with Name Tags for everyone! Talk about Team Spirit.
Everyone then showed his/her appreciation by donning it throughout.
Eventually after everyone has had his/her
lunch, we decided to head on to the Eagle Ranch. But not before the customary
photo shoot. Ghaffur, being the photographer for the drive took great pains
organizing a bunch of full-bellied-lazy afternoon people to get their cars in
position. Alas, by 2.30pm it was time for Ghaffur and CE to leave. Both were
having some errands and commitment later that afternoon.
The rest then followed Johnny to Eagle Ranch,
which was a mere 15 minutes away. We were impressed with the place albeit it
being very, very new and all. The little kids had a whale of a time going
horseback riding and trying their hand at archery. The not-so-little kids too
were having a ball at the Go-Cart circuit. Julian, Lynette, Izal, Gee, Sri and
Kevin had an unforgettable experience spinning and crashing all over the
track, much to the amusement of others. Ghaffur and CE didn’t know what they
missed!
After much reluctance, we then decided to call
it a day and began to set off by 3.45pm. Kevin and Lynette were being treated
by Sly’s vocal prowess (out of boredom of riding alone this time) through the
Walkie Talkie! Kevin being the leader, Lynette being the middle car and Sly
being the sweeper all had the Walkie Talkie with them (courtesy of Steve,
thanks Steve) had fun on the air over some friendly banter throughout the
journey back.
Julian decided to break the monotony by having
some fun speeding off on the Port Dickson highway with Christine and Kevin &
Sue trying to catch up. By 4.30pm after the Port Dickson Toll, we were saying
goodbye to yet another exhilarating drive. It was a pleasure meeting our new
friends. Looks like the beginning of a long and beautiful friendship!
Total distance covered was approximately 162
km.
Next Drive : Fraser’s Hill
Cars Running Were :
Sly, Miata (Tail-Ender)
Benny & Lynette, Miata (Breakdown)
Ghaffur, Miata (Photography)
Julian & Jess, Fiat Coupe
Gan, Mazda MX3 (In Car Cooler)
Sri & Gee, Hyundai Coupe (Medic)
Christine, Proton Putra
PY & Wife, Merc SL
Johnny & Wife, Bufori
Steve & Wife, Peugeot 206cc
Colonel Elias, Miata
Izal, BMW 320i
Kevin & Sue, Mazda MX3 (Leader)