China-Sanya International 4x4 Challenge 2009, Day Five
2009-09-23Text by Darshan Maralanda, pix by Anuradha Ratnaweera
Pictures will be available soon!
The Lankan Team repaired their winch and set off again on the leach infested trail. As they were progressing up the next hill, the word came from the organizer via a scouting team to leave the vehicle and to walk the rest of the trail which was only a couple of kilometres away.
One of the scout team members was the Malaysian team driver who had walked back after reaching the camp site in their vehicle early morning at 6 a.m. It was revealed that besides him only the Philippine team had successfully made it out of the trail the day before and was already at the Hotel. Also it was known that the Hong Kong vehicle went off the trail due to a landslide making the trail impassable for any move vehicles.
The competitors had to carry their belongings and continue on foot to the camp site under a heavy attack by leaches of many varieties. The team reached its destination by mid afternoon and unloaded a collection of fat leaches which included `soldier leaches' with their strips and stars.
The Lankan team received a hero's welcome as they walked into the camp site. They also graciously presented a souvenir to the Malaysian team which was picked up on the trail, as a gratitude towards all their hard work, camaraderie and spirit.
