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Crossing borders- From Thailand to Cambodia!

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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!



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