CAITA Day 11 HaLong~DongXing,CHINA ' We're Almost There'

Day 11, Oct.24th. Crossing over to China 400km

Today, our destination is to cross the border at Vietnam’s Mong Chai / China’s
Dong Xing Border Crossing

We started the day at 510am. The drive out of HaLong soon took us to a ferry
crossing. We could see a nice big bridge but was told it is not opened yet.
After the ferry crossing, we met with a very challenging mountain rd which was
very narrow and winding. Some sections opposite vehicles had to wait at a small
space by the side of the rd, to let us through. We passed through an area which
looked rather black and dirty reason being the area has coal mining as its
main activity. The traffic was a real challenge to overtake, as the day gets
brighter, more traffic was building up. It doesn’t help when the whole 25 cars
from our Rally actually fills up the tight conditions. Some of the media
vehicles blocked our path as they stopped to take pictures of the rally cars.
We were treated with amazing sights of the peaceful kampong areas. Lakes with
perfectly still water. The winding rd took us to 3000 plus meters above sea
levels before bring us down again. This section – I estimated to be 180km, can
be really tiring if under competition stress. We reach the Vietnam Mong Chai
Border Post at 905am. The Customs clearing formalities was swift and easy.
The Chinese side is equally swift. Due to the prearrangement of the Customs Permits, our cars were able to enter China easily. Suddenly we are in CHINA. WE DONE IT! We have reach China under our own power safe and sound. What a feeling of relief!
We were greeted by
the Dong Xing City’s Mayor and there were many many people - adults in lovely outfits, students waving flags. chanting WELCOME WELCOME, to greet and
welcome us – more to first group of 23 cars which started from Nan Ning 18days
earlier. We were garlanded with laurels, accompanied with the rousing sound of
the lion dance troupe. With the media formalities over, we were led to a
restaurant for a sumptuous lunch.
We headed to Bei Hai resort city for a short 2 night break. Along the way, we
stopped at the first Petrol China filling station. Again we were greeted with
school kids lining the entrance of the station. Petrol China being the major
sponsor of this Rally, put up a Welcome ceremony to welcomed all participants with flowers, speeches and more picture
takings. Our drive to Bei Hai was given escort from the Nanning Traffic Police.
200 km later we arrived at the Bei HAi Beach Hotel.
Dinner was at a hugh sea food restaurant which caters to large functions. A lot
of merry making, speeches, wine flowed and the Chinese were really happy that
the ordeal was over. The Grand Finale will be held on the 26th at the Finishing
Point.

After dinner, we were treated to an impromptu outdoor concert, with each group
contributing some stage item. We had fire works display as well. These people really knows how to put up a good show

Cheers
William and Harold

ps. This report was posted again, as I realised our blog did not get out from China.