Bangkok is a city known for colourful sights. We caught a glimpse
of many of those as on Sunday morning, the ASEAN-India Car Rally 2012
team set off to the Bangkok Grand Palace.
The sight was breath-taking. Typical South-East Asian architecture
and design, and a massive lawn made the golden-roofed structure a sight
to remember. The palatial grounds were beautiful as well, and the AICR
participants were shown around the this symbolic building.
From there, the Rally drove to the venue of the flag off- Dusit Palace
Plaza, where we were welcomed by the deputy Prime Minister of Thailand.
It was a great moment for the participants, as the team-leaders of each
representative country posed with their national flag for some memorable
photographs. With the formal speeches and felicitations of the various
teams being held in the presence of dignitaries from various ASEAN
countries, it was heartening to see the special event planned for the
Mahindra XUV500s- designed with the cheetah as inspiration. The event
was fun as much as formal and we drove back to the hotel a happy team.
Too add to the magnificence of the day, the teams were taken to an
Indian restaurant ‘Indus’ for dinner. The ambience and the hospitality
were, as in all through the Thai phase of the Rally, excellent. The
taste of Tandoori food and gulab jamun made the Indian team
happy, hungry and slightly homesick for Indian cuisine. After all, no
exquisite cuisine gives us the joy as do Indian foods! Nothing better
than a great dinner to promise a good night’s sleep, we discovered, as
the teams retired to the hotel rooms.
We set off from Bangkok to Cambodia this morning at 9 AM. All geared
up to cross another international border, the teams looked forward to
discover and interact with another culture. Our first stop was for
lunch, just before we entered Cambodia.
A difference we observed was that in Thailand, we drove on the left,
and in Cambodia, had to switch to the right side of the road. The change
in cultures brings to the forefront many contrasts, and even the minute
ones sometimes take us by surprise.
The Cambodian reception for the AICR was heart-warming. All along the
roads, people stood in a line, waving at us and greeting us. In
localities with schools, children lined up on the sides of the streets
to welcome us! They all stood outdoors even though it was pretty sunny.
The gesture touched us.
Even at the hotel, we were received warmly by the local authorities
and inter-ministerial delegates. A traditional musical and dance
performance greeted the team. After the welcome and a brief rest, the
Rally is now on its way to Siem Reap, where we shall spend the night, at
Hotel Angkor City.
The ASEAN-India Car Rally 2012 is unfolding, and every day is an
unforgettable experience. It’s undoubtedly an opportunity of a lifetime
and we sure are glad to enlist it in ours!