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“Over the Horizon” 2009-2010
From Brunei to the end of the
world. (And Return)
Commemorating 25 Years of Brunei Independence
Ending
April 09 in Brunei
The journey
takes shape. All, those who wondered,
what has happen to our expedition, are to be
told now, we are traveling, Later
as planned though, as we are leaving in June 09. Dear reader who
clicked fruitless in for news, thank you for
being patient.
Our expedition took off already a few month ago when we begun to
look for what is hard to find in Brunei:
Sponsorship. Yet, don't tell
me our folks do not have patriotism, because I proof you
otherwise. Here and now.
Cityneon the guys who beat the drum loud for everyone whoever
orders them to do so, these advertising
professionals, likely the best
event managers around, stretched a helping hand free of any charge.
This Mr. Jack Ting the boss of bosses, the
out performer when it
comes to marketing, invited us in February to a four day RTB fair
here in Brunei, offered picture-posters and
lined us up in the hall, for
every visitor to admire and wonder, how a female Brunei Malay could
endure the past overland expedition from
South Africa, home to
Borneo, without Ambuyat, fried chicken, or the weekly family
wedding ceremonies. And on top, pay herself
for it." Is she of sound
mind? Or is there perhaps something more important behind?" Some
might have asked.
Ha Ya, and on the highway through the country, 'JAMBO' our vehicle
and companion lured down from the corner of
mega posters,
as if he would demand: "Come on and wake up you patriots, help to easy
the constrain, pull from your pocket the
surplus coins and
donate for a good cause. You feel patriotism! Love for our Nation.
Together we do good for her, cherish her and
carry her respected
name into the world. John F. Kennedy's statement sprung into my
mind:
"Do not
look for what the country can do for you,
but what you can do for the country."
Wise and appropriate words, which I try to follow.
In front of this BITC EXHIBITION organized by the very
Cityneon, stood JAMBO, bonnet open, interior
exposed, for folks to see.
"Great journey, please a photo, when are you going again? To
where?". Many people, many questions.
The one or other climbed behind the steering, holding it
strong, as if he would be pacing on a bush
road somewhere in the hinterland
of our planet. Suddenly we realized, we were celebrities, at
least for some.
All thanks to Jack Ting of Cityneon. These perfectionists will also
provide the JAMBO posters, extra strong, to
last,
for an extra special price.
The Ministry of Home affairs gave permission to collect sponsorship
for our new expedition, and therefore we had
an account book
and box on our table, The monies trickled in. In four days we
collected B$ 970.50.
You might say that is not enough. Right you are. But it was
something, as it came from our people.
Mostly from the simple men out
there which in the quest for livelihood had to turn the coin twice
before spending. Those who go to a
restaurant until the 20th of the
month, afterwards awaiting the next salary.
It made me grateful. What do you say to the 8 year old Malay boy,
who dropped his pocket money of a B$ 1.-bill
in our box
instead of having an ice-cream?
Surely he saw here is something special and dad would have
explained it to him. Moved by his gesture,
we thanked and refused,
rather returned two dollars into his tiny hands.
Take Shamsiah Hj. Hidop, she gave B$ 200.-, or Amp. Ammilee Amp.
Hj. Mohamad with B$ 100.-. Hjh Maimunah with
B$ 50.-,or
Pg Haji Abdul Ghani Pg Haji Sulaiman, he donated B$ 30.-. Or 50
more donors, which gave not because they
expect something in
return, rather to be part of a coming event, exceptional in his
greatness.
Maybe a 40 letters went out over the weeks.
To all dignitaries I could think off, the
rich, the super rich, including the Pehin's
and many
businessmen, but up till now, almost all of them remain silent.
However there are outstanding examples of the opposite. Take the
member of woman business council, they
donated B$ 206.-.
Take the Arab families. We spend an evening in their restaurant on their
sons birthday party.
B$1000.- was handed to
us for our journey.
We did no have to beg them, Shaikh Khalid Shaikh Ahmad contacted
us. That is spirit of the finest.
The Arab family with us
cash in hand, smile in her face
Time went by, slowly more came forward. as
if awakening from a long sleep. RTB
purchased six episodes of our films,
shot during
the last journey, and plan to buy another seven. The Language and
Literature Bureau will publish two volumes
of our past expedition.
We get royalties, once they are on sale.
The Islamic Bank donated B$ 5000.- Thank you, for this
gesture.
And
there is TOTAL for TOTAL support as a
headline in Brunei Times named it.
B$ 10.000.-
Mr. Louis HEUZE the GM, with a big check and
a big amount
Dear and honorable
reader. Please look close. This is true
patriotism and spirit, for which the French
are so famous for!
Behind 10.000.-
they write "only". This generous help is not
"only" it is "plenty" for us.
From my heart I
wish TOTAL success in my beloved Brunei.
Thank you so much.
And thank you Sheik
Jamaluddin, for your support too.
The highest donation over all, came from the
French, came from TOTAL
'JAMBO' in
his new outfit
Once upon a time in Greece
They gave for the Africa trip already before and now again. But not
only money, on route they will support us
too, as it was in Tehran.
"Brunei Times", the newspaper, known for quality writing, for
honest but critical reporting, spread
the news of our journey. Thank you
very much for that. People need to know what is gong on.
In another exhibition which followed, we had the donation box out
again, and collected B$ 203.-.then we put
the box ashamed away.
Why?
Well, there was this gentleman who came along, He looked and said:
"You should not collect from the ordinary
people, as you will
never get your funds together. You are Malay, you must approach
your community, Those who have
over-sufficient." Suddenly I
realized he had a point there.
Henceforth the donation box went under the table and we doubled our
efforts in the area of "upper
riches"
There must be Patriotism too!
As on the Africa trip the first time, the Brunei Tourism board in
the forefront Dato Paduka Hj Hamdillah Hj
Abdul Wahab and
Sheikh Jamaluddin supported us. Not only in letters but also in
funds. They buy advertising space on 'JAMBO'.
There are more good news from the Government sector. Ministry of
Education invited me, to hold motivational
talk in five schools
against a fee. If we get all promised monies together, we have
already B$ 27.431.20. But that is not all!
JAMBO undergoes a rigorous inspection and repair. No, not at a road
side mechanic. In NBT, the super dealer and
workshop par
excellence. They agreed to help in such a generous way. New brake
discs and shoes, water pump, calibration,
gearbox repair, shock
absorbers, you name it. They must have spend thousands already, on
top facing the difficulty of obtaining
parts.
That spurs our confidence, as these repairs are a must before
leaving.
At NBT, the
workshop of excellence
brand-new brakes
We install now extra fuel tanks on both sides of the frame, custom
fabricated. To make sure there is no leak,
we fiberglass them with
two layer. Ken and Tan Sdn.Bhd. gave us a fair price for the job.
They build normally nice boats, but here
they helped.
Now
we bunker 250 liter diesel, enough for 1700
km.
'JAMBO' has new 'booth'! SIN HUP HUAT
TIRE CO provided 5 new Goodrich Baja tiers
for free. The same we had on our long
journey.
Should you want tires which last over 50.000 km, they are the right
dealer for. Many thanks to them.
The new "shoes" of 'JAMBO'
27
K we got so far on donations, that sound
allot; But sharpen your pencil. 10 K is gone
when we start in Vladivostok. To ship
'JAMBO' from Kota Kinabalu (our freight guys here cannot find a
shipping line) in a container, cost B$
6500.- including port expenses
on both sides.
Then we have to travel too, stay a few days in a hotel before
steering JAMBO towards the Russian west for
15.000 km.
Obtaining visas in Singapore, One of us has to fly there.
Then the "Carnet de passage"
issued in Germany. Our guarantor for
smooth custom formalities. One has to see them with our documents
and funds.
Cost is B$ 1900.-. Deposit B$ 10.000.-. Medical Insurance for both
of us, B$ 2400.- for one year.
Although we have lots of equipment, we need additional items, some
we purchased already, like mosquito proof
shirts. and an inverter
to obtain 220 V from battery power. Books and maps too. There is
more to come. Another GPS with world map
would be an asset.
The
funds available now, will last until we
curve into the compound of our High
Commission in London, sometimes beginning
September 09 or perhaps even until Morocco. From there on, we do
not know as of now. Perhaps we buy two
camels and pull
'JAMBO' behind. That would give the less literate folks time to
decipher our intentions while walking along
with us.
We will sleep again in our JAMBO most of the time saving funds and
protecting our expedition machine with our presence.
This is, what
we plan to do:
Trans Asia- Trans Africa July 09- December 09 (with
altered course)  Trans Americas January 2010-October 2010
A few thoughts, written in Dec.2008: In days long gone, men ventured into seas unknown to geographers and sailors alike, traversed mysterious lands and cultures in
search for gold and glory. Brunei too was once a seafaring nation. Her sailors set foot on distance shores for hundreds of years,
traded and forged alliances until greater European powers showed up, uninvited, on board cannon and sword, on their tongues lies
and deceit.
We cannot turn the clock of time and make history undone. But having this spirit to accomplish within, we Malay are able to
achieve what we aimed for, be it for our own inner triumph or better still for the name of our Nation. That, distinguished reader of Brunei
descent, is called patriotism, a word almost forgotten.
Having completed the overland journey through the hunger lands of Africa, and large parts of Asia, we had humble to accept, that
what we endured for a few month was nothing, compared to millions of other humans out there, be it a Bangladesh, India or Africa,
Humans with a soul, who, in despair for the daily handful
of rice, compete with rats on garbage site for left over's of society, as seen in
Dhaka and other places.
Man can spend billions in wars, wastage and oppression, but turn the head away from a suffering child.
Something is very wrong in our world system.
We the Malay have inherited all the strength and will from our forefathers the conquerors and it is this desire which drives me and my
husband to unknown shores, in the spirit so common to all explorers and adventurers.
Without desire for profit or pride, nor gold or glamour, we intend to set out solo, as the first time, to circumnavigate
our" planet in peril" and cross the charming, but tormented continent Africa, from North to South once more.
Inviting the international Eco tourist to our evergreen forests, carrying greetings from our Nation, and the message that we are all
brothers. No one is above, except HE, to whom we all pray. Such a journey cost not only nerves, but money too. If we would be rich, we would finance it ourselves. But we are not.
Therefore, sponsorship is needed. We will bang many doors in the next few month, most will remain closed.
But there are patriots out there, decision makers who have the will to contribute and become part of Brunei's history.
The previous TRANS AFRICA-TRANS ASIA journey becomes a colorful book now, to be read in the next generation too.
Films will soon run in TV. Former donors are greatly rewarded.
During the coming extreme expedition we will write and film again,
as RTB the local TV station intends to link with us while we are on route. 
From July 2009 to October 2010, we undertake this epic expedition.
Traversing Siberia/Russia/Mongolia and Kazakhstan on their way to Europe, reaching England after 25.000 km.
Continuing southbound via France and Spain to Morocco and along the African West coast until Cape Town, South Africa.
Ship the expedition vehicle to Buenos Aires Argentina; drive down to Ushuaia the last town before the Antarctica and cross the
Americas on the long haul until Alaska, returning to Brunei in October 2010.  THE ROUTE: LEG 1 VLADIVOSTOK TO ULAANBAATAR   “When Satan reigned these lands.” Siberia the far east of Russia is our starting point, which is synonymous for the worst outposts in the GULAG , the spider web of
concentration camps under the Stalin’s regime. The Kolyma road was constructed by prisoners- innocent almost all- and it is said
2 million perished, their bones buries sometime under the road, as permafrost (all year frozen ground) would not permit to dig graves.
Alternatively, they were left on the riverbanks to be washed down in the coming spring. While waiting for our vehicles we fly north to Magadan town. A presence of sorrow is tangible there. The curses, prayers, the despair
and pain lingering. For every meter road build a human was dying. We stay in Magadan for 2 days before returning to Vladivostok,
clear our vehicles and North we drive to Chita about 2000 km. From CHITA to ULAN UDE and head to LAKE BAIKAL, which contains 20% of all fresh Water on our earth.. He is almost 1800 m
deep. Then return to ULAN UDE and turn south, we cross into Mongolia. LEG 2 MONGOLIA TO KAZACHSTAN  
From Ulaanbaatar to Almaty Mongolia, Open plains and Mountains, glaziers, gorges and desert.
We will experience all.
Staying a few days in Ulaanbaatar , check vehicles and see what is worth to be seen, like horseracing, but the real beauty are the
untouched wide open plains and blue skies.
We dip into the Gobi desert before we head west and out of Mongolia to Russia turning south from Barnaul to Kazakhstan.
LEG 3 KAZAKHSTAN   KAZAKHSTAN Reaching from the Caspian sea to China. Travel through desert steppe to Astana and on Almay and to the
mountains along the Southern fringes. We stay in Almay for a few days and hop into the alpine country sides for some hiking.
LEG 4
Russia, Finland, Norway, Sweden
Thru Russia westwards, Moscow, Petersburg
and other historical cities. Finland Norway
and Sweden, maybe Germany and Berlin,
then on to UK and the Brunei High Commission.
LEG 5
UK and France
Further to France and Paris, before we reach
Austria. Fly back to Brunei to obtain visas
for the African continent.
 
The vehicle undergo service and inspections, collection and organization of visas for the African continent.
Note: If Countries are unstable (Congo) and do not issue visas, we may drive via Tunisia/Libya/ Egypt /Sudan southbound.
Routing is changed.
ASIA-EUROPE ADVENTURE ENDS HERE AFRICA
LEG 6 AUSTRIA – SPAIN- MOROCCO
  It is beginning September 09, we cross into ITALY , take the ferry from GENOA
To BARCELONA in Spain, drive to VALENCIA, MURCIA GRANADA, CORDOBA SEVILLE on our search of the Moorish legacy in
Andalusia.
ALHAMBRA the finest of Islam Architecture is on our route too.
Ferry to Morocco, On to FES, MEKNES, RABAT, CASABLANCA with the highest Mosque of the Muslim world.
 
LEG 7 TRANS MOROCCO-MAURETANIA- SENEGAL
  Along the Atlantic ocean into Mauretania through the desert to the capital Nouakchott with its beautiful desert beaches. We aim for
Quadane in the east for the seventh holiest city of Islam.
Drive on to SENEGAL and DAKAR.
We have reached black Africa, 90% of the population are Muslim here. Several beautiful mosques, relicts of the slave trade, Islands
resorts, you name it.
LEG 8 MALI-BURKINA FASO- BENIN- NIGERIA
  Bamako on the river Niger to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso to Kano in Nigeria.
South to Kaduna and Abuja for visas. On to Cameroun, Duala and Yaoundé. LEG 9 - GABON- CONGO - DR. CONGO- ANGOLA – NAMIBIA   Along the west side of Africa southbound. Likely the most difficult part of the journey. But worth it!
In the Congo we try to go to the interior, if our time and the safety permits. There are still stone age pygmies living there. LEG 10 NAMIBIA AND SOUTH AFRICA   The landscape, the HIMBA women and National parks are unsurpassed.
A must to see. We drive generally southbound to reach Cape Town, but in relaxed style. See the Kalahari and Bushmen among
many other places.
Arrive in Cape Town to ship the vehicle to Buenos Aires.
From Cape Town Malaysian Airline flies to Kuala Lumpur, we come
back to obtain visas.
AFRICA ADVENTURE ENDS HERE. AMERICAS LEG 11 BUENOS AIRES/ ARGENTINA TO TIERRA DEL FUEGO SOUTHBOUND
  The vehicle arrived ending January 010.
Driving Argentina south bond, until the end of the continent. It is summer here.
We reach middle February Tierra del Fuego, then turn North, and enter into Chile, drive up via Conception to Santiago the capital
and arrive March 2010.
LEG 12 CHILE- ARGENTINA- BRAZIL
  Santiago -Cordoba Santa fee- Porto Alegre- Rio de Janeiro We traverse the South American continent the first time to the city of Samba and Rhythm called Rio.
LEG 13 BRAZIL- PARAGUAY-BOLIVIA-CHILE-PERU 
 From Rio traversing westwards cross back into Chile, Antofagasta and the Atacama desert turn North into Peru.
Traverse Peru until Lima , take our time as there is lots to see. Machu Picchu, the desert drawings of unknown times etc.
Enter Ecuador, drive to the capital Guayaquil. Stop over for
several days.
LEG 14 LIMA-ECUADOR-COLOMBIA-PANAMA- COSTA RICA-NICARAGUA-HONDURAS-EL SALVADOR-GUATEMALA- MEXICO   We traverse these countries within 4-5 weeks for 4000 km and reach Mexico city.
LEG 15 MEXICO- USA VIA ARIZONA TO WASHINGTON
  We cross the Southern USA on our way to North East. Travel 5000 km.
LEG 16 WASHINGTON- MONTREAL- VANCOUVER   Cross into Canada Montreal and take the Canadian highway to Vancouver. Winnipeg, Calgary, cross the Rocky Mountains to
Vancouver.
LEG 17 CANADA – ALASKA  Vancouver- Dawson creek into the Yukon ,Whitehorse on to Alaska and Anchorage.
It is beginning October 2010 when we have reached our final point.
The vehicle is shipped back, the crew flies home.
A dream became true.
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