5 April 2003

 

Early on a Saturday morning, when most people were busy going about their weekend chores, a group of car aficionados gathered at the Pro Jet station in Gombak, (mind you the one with the big M sign).

 

The drive was organized  to promote Peace and to protest the war in Iraq. Capably organized by Col. Elias (CE for short) under the umbrella of the 2doorcarclub,  he single handedly did the reconnaissance of the route and planned out the places for RV and CP (RV= rendezvous and CP=check point) along the way. A map was also given to each driver with the route marked in black and the various RV and CP points clearly delineated.

 

About 8 Minis (CE’s friends and CE in a Cooper S ), a Hyundai Coupe (Sri), 2 Mazda Miatas (Rose and Benny & Lynette)  1 Mazda MX3 (Doc Kamarul and wife),  1 Fiat Coupe (Mr. Ong and friend), 1 Peugeot 206 CC.(Steve) 1 Fiat Punto (Sam and family), 1 Ford TX3 (Philip and family), 1 Volkswagon Golf GTI (Mike), 1 BMW Z3 (Baginda and Sharifah), 1 Bufori (Johnny and wife) and 1 MGA(Mr and Mrs PY Wong). CE passed around the Malaysians for Peace stickers for our cars and every one got busy putting them on their windscreens.

 

After last minute filling of petrol tanks, CE used a loud hailer to call all drivers for a briefing. The group was divided into two packets of cars, the Minis being the first packet as they were raring to go and the others led by CE as the second packet.

 

At about 9.30am, we roared out of Pro Jet, leaving behind several open-mouthed spectators staring after us as well as Sri, Rose and CE to help out Ong’s Fiat Coupe who had a puncture.  A quick change of tyre and they were off too.

 

After an uneventful first leg of the  journey, we reached Karak, expecting to rendezvous with the first packet of Minis at the Karak Mosque. But to our surprise, the car park at the Mosque was empty so after several confusing minutes we moved on past the Kuala Pilah junction and stopped at a row of fruit stalls. We managed to contact CE who had lagged behind and arranged to backtrack and  meet after the Kuala Pilah junction.

 

By then the sun was blazing overhead even though it was only 10.30 in the morning. One by one the soft tops were replaced first one of the Miata's, then in the BMW and finally the tops came up on the remaining Miata and Peugeot.

 

Doc Kamarul was seen parked by the side of the road and as we passed, he waved us on. Later it transpired that he had to leave us, SMSing to Benny that he wished us a good drive.

 

All the cars except the Minis rendezvoused again at Kuala Kelawang for a break and breakfast. By then at noon, those who had come without breakfast were starving  and even though CE informed that he had arranged for lunch at a very interesting restaurant, it did not stop some of us from filling our stomachs still. We realized that Sam had not been with our group since the fruit stall in Karak and wondered where Mike of the Volkswagen GTI and Ong  of the  Coupe had gone. Johnny in the Bufori did not join us at Kuala Kelawang but returned to KL. Originally intending just to send us off at Pro Jet in Gombak, he ended up joining us for about a quarter of the drive (much to the surprise of his wife who expected to run an errand after seeing us off).

 

From Kuala Kelawang, we had a lovely smooth and winding driving through the main range of mountains to get to our lunch place in Batu 9 Ulu Langat.On  the way, we stopped for a group photograph near the dam, keeping a wary eye out for the monkeys which were very much in evidence there. Steve very kindly produced a 12 foot long banner advertising our club and reason for the drive for our photograph.

 

CE had not been joking when he said that our lunch would be in the jungle. We passed astonished and vocal kids in wooden houses along a dirt track leading into the jungle which seemed to lead nowhere. But after turning a corner, lo and behold! there was a seafood restaurant and beer garden fronting a large fishing pond. The restaurant had large aquatic tanks where various fish and prawns and other sea creatures were awaiting sacrifice to our stomachs.

 

We settled down with alacrity to ice cold coconut juices and other soft drinks while PY did the honors of ordering our lunch. Conversation was lively and interesting with every one busy exchanging notes on the drive and happenings since the last meeting.

 

After a sumptious lunch of fresh fish, ‘durian flavoured vegetables’, tofu and other delicious food, we ventured out a little reluctantly into the hot sun again for another group photograph. This time, CE, PY, Benny, Sam and Sri arranged the cars in the parking lot for maximum visual effect in the photographs taking advantage of the colours and various shapes of the vehicles. They found an innovative  way to hold the banner up high above the cars for the best effect.

 

After 20 minutes of photograph taking, we were all ready to call it a day.

 

CE however, had other ideas.

 

He suggested that on the way back to KL we stop to take more photographs at a section where there was a good view of KL skyline. Unfortunately, it decided to drizzle as soon as we left the restaurant behind.

 

Stopping only once more to say goodbye, we dispersed somewhere in Ampang, to refresh ourselves and plan for the next drive.

 

We had FUN !!.

 

A big vote of thanks on behalf of all of us on the drive to CE for the great planning and hard work and patience, to Steve for preparing the banner for our photograph sessions and for providing the three Walkie Talkies and to everyone who was there, thanks for your contributions to make this a memorable and interesting drive.

 

To those who did not join us, you missed something great.

 

See you next drive!

 

Who’s organizing it by the way?