Thursday, 10 March 2011

Related Questions and Answers for the Trip

Q1) Even though its still a year away, I feel its not too early to ask pertinent questions!
Yes, I purposely planned the trip a year ahead so that younger Frees (who not yet retire like me) can arrange their schedule accordingly if they are interested. There are many commitments for those younger who wish to join the trip, like resigning from their high paying job and reduces their monthly commitment like mortgages and other types of loan. 




Q2) Grateful, if you could furnish me on the cost of the trip and the entire duration. 
As for the cost, it will be solely base on our own desired touring condition and standard. Meaning, there will not be fees collected but every car/team will keep their own budget to suit their needs. Own budget will includes accommodation, food, fuel, spares and others. It is more like a back- packing style but on car. In short, no commitment, no hassle and purely a simple drive.


Obviously that there will be few things that all team members have to work out together. Like route planning, day spend in one country and discipline. Teamwork is important especially coming into helping out in planning. We do not wish to see people who are not committed following us. Every single participants will have a role to play. 

Individual responsibilities like sorting out VISA requirement, a professional hardware advisor (like types of car/engine/ tire to use), a person who can volunteer in organizing the setting up of The Lighthouse Children's Home and taking care of PFS Foundation donations.

I know that this is too much to ask but everything is solely base on participants self volunteer and there will not be forcing here. By the end of the day, we just want to enjoy a simple drive and contribute to the society.





Q3) Noticed the speed of 60 km/hr mentioned in your journey plan stands to correction I hope if not it will take us a year to cover all the planned routing. 5 hrs per day driving is also very conservative. 
Basically, the whole trip is base on Free and Easy concept. There will not be any official organizer or anything like those insurance, professional mechanic or etc. It is purely us and the road. As you might already know, many cooks will spoil the soup (or something like that). 


Me and wife, just want to drive and we will not have a fixed schedule on the whole trip but will keep a very conservative schedules. Like slow driving and stopping by longer in one place than another if the place is interesting. 5hrs a day is also very conservative because we want to take the trip as slow as possible and to drop by more places especially central Asia where most of UNESCO heritage sites located.


Q4) How many cars or person you looking for?
I actually do not recommend more than 4 cars for the whole trip (number of pax in one car will depends on the owner of the car). As mention, we are not going in a convoy but merely a simple trip where we can spend time with our love one alone. 



Q5) Can I contribute if I am not following the trip?
Yes. We would certainly love to have an extra hand to help us in preparing the trip especially organization from the younger generation such as LEO's or LION' Club, Rotary Club and any other private organization as well. As this is not a faith based mission, we welcome all types of race and religion in the Country to make this a successful trip.

We would require individual or organization who are interested to set up new children's home or those who enjoy working with the little ones. As I have no experience in welfare organization operation, all helps would be much appreciated.

All money collected will proportionally channel into Alma Mater Penang Free School Foundation and setting up of proposed The Lighthouse Children's Home. We will welcome all types of donation from monetary, services, house/place for the homes and products.

1 comment:

  1. One year may not be sufficient in the planning process. It all depends on how much time and resources are allocated.
    I have done overland drives with ACKL (4x4 Adventure Club KL) and also with our own private group. We are doing a 40 to 50-day drive through India, Nepal and Bhutan this year.
    ACKL is in the middle of a 25-day drive through Thailand, Laos, South China and Vietnam. Border-crossings can be complicated and need specific procedures to be attended by locals, eg China, Tibet, Cambodia, Laos. On the other hand, I had the easiest border crossing at the Namibia/South Africa border. We need to have prior knowledge and arrangements in place.

    Defensive driving skills are essential. I did a course in KL (one day). Knowledge of demands on the vehicle, tyres etc are critical. I had a crash in Namibia in a rented car because of the car & road conditions. My own 4x4 would have easily overcome the situation. You have missed out Africa. I have been to some 50 countries and driven in maybe 20 and without doubt Africa is special in particular Serengeti. As in big countries like China, one has to travel hundreds of km to get to something interesting. In other words, there are no averages. We just have to adjust time, distances etc accordingly. Road conditions vary tremendously and there can be unexpected delays due to many different causes. I would recommend that you do a short overland trip to begin with. You got to know yourself (and fellow travellers) and your vehicle to start with.

    There are private operators who operate for profit and I also have first-hand experiences which deter me from further dealing with them.

    YI, there are many successful Old Frees in corporate Malaysia. It still remains a challenge to organise a bigger event involving various agendas eg fund-raising, PR for the school etc. There are very few guys like me who can actually get going within weeks/months. Hence we should figure out how to maximise the opportunities with the OFA situation especially for 2016. We can do a pre-event just to obtain the experience and then "sell" a bigger concept to OFA for 2016.

    Some comments
    We can do an open convoy versus a closed convoy but border crossings must be coordinated. In China and especially Tibet, one has no choice.
    There are no convenient averages in terms of speed and distances. Planning is essential, more so in cases eg
    - local regulations and demands
    eg Thailand entry and exit points if different are allowed but must be specified - in THAI
    some countries do not allow different entry and exit points eg Myanmar.
    - more senior participants (a tent versus a room)
    - long distances needed to get to way-points
    - local weather and conditions (even the wind can be a challenge)
    To give you an idea, 9,000km through Tibet last year took some 30 days. The longest drive took 13 to 14 hours. We drove through super highways and dirt tracks
    Sorry for such a long reply.

    HKF
    PFS 1975

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