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TUESDAY
3-8-2010
Miami.
JAMBO cannot enter the USA. That was the
situation this morning. We went back to our
custom broker.
"They have to let the car in. EPA
(Environment protection agency) has no say,
as the car is 25 year old. Their law does
not apply."
Heidi was competent. "Just go there this
morning again."
She helped to fill the forms, and together
with copy of passport , we went back, ready to argue our case. The officer of
yesterday was
not there. Thanks God.
Another came out from behind closed glass
and we could tell about our journey. "Sir
this is border no 33 on the present
journey...
" He listen tentatively. Finally
it seems we have someone who is concerned.
He took our papers and passports and said:
"Give me a couple of minutes".
Waiting eagerly, we noticed through the glass window, he scrutinized our
passports with a magnifier, checking page by
page for
forgery, made phone calls, and
start to work on our forms. After 10 minutes
he waved. We went to the counter and he
returned the
documents, now signed and
stamped, to us. Import approved!
What a happy couple we were at that moment.
We call Heidi. "Approved, shall we bring the
documents for you?" "No need all is in the
customs computer. Wait until I call you".
She did it in the afternoon. "Customs will
run a X ray check on the container. That is
likely
happening tomorrow." What a powerful
machine they had. X- ray the whole container
through all the iron. We had no worries as
we
know there are no drugs or contraband in JAMBO. The vehicle is a pure and smooth as a
baby backside.
Meanwhile it was afternoon; we decided to
drive south to the Everglades, an immense shallow watershed to see
and maybe have a
ride in an airboat. The area of 400,000 hectares is for a national
park large, covered with swamps and saw
grass prairies.
The restaurants
specialties; Alligator tail, frog legs and
Pumpkin bread
an airboat driven by an air
propeller
saw grass, no underwater propeller would
work
The guy drove us for 10 minutes to an Indian village. Arriving,
there he told that it was actually in the
past one. Now no more.
The "Indian village"
an alligator
After 10 minutes there standing around, we had again a noisy drive back. The propeller
makes an incredible sound always behind
you.
Some drifting curves on purpose, frighten other visitors on the
boat, and then we landed. Over was the
tourist gimmick.
That was nothing for us.
The only thing still worth to mention is, a grasshopper couple
making sure their species will not be
extinct.
Harun was frustrated with the trip
"not in the open please..."
WEDNESDAY 4-8-2010
That was a good mood morning. Only a X-ray check and perhaps
we get JAMBO today or latest tomorrow. Then
came a call
from Heidi. "Custom want to open the container and inspect the car." Ehhh? 33 borders in this journey, all
passed, and now we seem
to get delayed or even stuck? Do these Homeland security fellows
really suspect we smuggle drugs or weaponry?
We, who never leave the car alone or keep it secure over night,
just to make sure no one can put anything
into our steal
out of it. We have padlocks on our doors, we have a big padlock on the container itself. They need the keys.
What has happen is likely that they saw some of our spares during X
ray on the
roof rack ,suspecting something serious and decided
"open to check".
We drove with the keys to the port gate. Electronic everywhere,
only they know for what. And naturally no
one is allowed to enter the
port. They may drive JAMBO out of the container,
look and perhaps dismantle it. And put it
together hopefully again.
We handed the keys to an custom officer and were able to call the
inspection team, explaining about the locks,
roof rack and so forth.
"Please there is a video camera and a photo camera in the truck,
make sure noting is lost."
We really felt unwelcome in mighty USA. Tomorrow we call in the morning. If
they have no time to inspect
until Saturday, we re-direct the container to Canada or
even Australia. What an unexpected problem.
In the afternoon we went to the famous Miami Ocean Aquarium. Let's
face it distinguished overland traveler. It
is build for children.
If you have, as we, seen so many animals in the wild and
including dolphins, swam among sharks (that
was in the Brunei patches),
then
this here means very little.
US$ 35.- per entry it is highly overpriced. Just one hour we were
there and had enough.
At the entrance; The longest saloon vehicle
we had ever seen
Intelligent dolphin circling in
the basin
Manatees or sea cow
tenderly macaws, perhaps
in love?
red foot turtles
visitors waiting a hungry
Egret flew in
That was interesting. Shortly before performance, this Egret flew
in and settled down waiting patiently for?
For fish. He had
learned that the sea lions get fish after every performed act. So just
perhaps, he could get one too. Sneaking down
to steal a meal.
children's play
a fish or two after every performance is
guaranteed
The audience clapped, the children were exited, Harun yawned. This
was no show for his gusto. After the 20
minutes performance
where one girl had a microphone to explain the tricks with a shrill
voice painful to any ear, he commented; "Lets
get out of here..."
approaching downtown Miami
waterfront Miami
After a lousy but cheap American Chinese buffet we went back
to the hotel. Tomorrow we call the Custom
to ask, when they
will inspect JAMBO.
THURSDAY 5-8-2010
"Apparently the car has been released" were
the words of the custom officer when we
called at 8:15 am.
It seems they realized that all is straight with JAMBO. That was
good news. We later picked the keys at the
port entrance again.
Two Homeland security custom officers, wearing, as all of them
revolvers, came smiling and brought the
keys.
Harun gave them a sermon: "This is border 33 on this journey. We
went via Siberia. Europe, all of Africa and
South America. If we
knew before what trouble we could expect, we do not come to
your country." One of them apologetic:
:"don't be like that, come on..."
and then told us enthusiastically, but very respectfully now, where
in the Southwest we must go, to see the best
of USA.
They realized our journey makes history. That is also what two
pilots said which we later met in our hotel.
Then Heidi called: "We got the container". "Great, and we have the
keys"
inside JAMBO, still neatly tied down
getting it ready
Later, at heir office paying our dues,
all together US$ 638.- we open the container, which was now sealed with an unbreakable
custom
seal. The janitor needed a 4"cutter. Then the doors swung open.
JAMBO was standing inside still
tied down, as done in Cartagena. "Hey"
said JAMBO and I was listening;
"I was missing you guys. Now it is high time we move again.". Right
he was.
We looked around. All seemed to be alright. However, our big padlock
of the container door and the rear door was cut.
They had open all boxes, searching for drugs and contraband. My
neatly organized dresses and kitchen was upside down.
You no good bumps!
Pushing JAMBO out of the container, connecting batteries,
checking oil and water, then turn the key:
"Whrooom" the engine was
running. A final photo with our experienced custom broker Heidi and
we were out from there.
JAMBO is running
this lady next to me is Heidi; "Thank you
for a job well done"
The afternoon we assembled the sand ladders checked the
belts and foremost re-arranged all items.
Now JAMBO could travel one full year in USA, before our permit
expires, that says the law.
However, we only wonder how many times we will be stopped by highway patrol.
Our total expenditure since Sunday comes with hotel, rented car and
custom broker to US$ 1.484.-.
At last something from 9/11. In May this year 1187 architectural
and engineering professional send a petition
to the United States
Congress demanding an independent investigation with subpoena power
(forcing people to testify) as their
research concluded that;.
"At no time a tower would collapse in free fall unless
explosives had been placed at strategic
locations."
And further that: "High tech explosives, unexploded nano
thermite (explosives) residues were found in
the dust"
Will anyone listen if the perpetrators sit in high places?
"The groups research is backed by thorough research and analysis"
commend now the FBI.
We still have to wait for the truth, but in the name of thousands
of American dead and a million Iraqi, their
tremendous suffering
up to today, we pray for that all come to the open. ( see
Architects & Engineers for 9/11 truth)
FRIDAY 6-8-2010
JAMBO rolls the first time on American roads.
Leaving Miami early morning we headed North
on the Interstate 10, a road system
initiated by Eisenhower. Actually coming to Germany in the 40thies,
he saw the Autobahn of the National
Socialists and found
it worth to copy.
JAMBO at the hotel
Interstate roads; driving on for days
Distances are enormous here. Travelling all day we stay at a
camping place under trees for the night. The
owner a gentleman in his
late seventies was curious, and he knew Brunei as a few years back
as he had re-visited Thailand and Vietnam.
"In the 60ties I flew there." Harun: "Are you one of the guys
who dropped mines which still linger around
and are cleared occasionally
by an exploding leg of a farmer? In an undeclared war against the
people of Laos?" Now he did not like
to boast anymore.
" No no, I was only a spy" and left us before Harun put more
questions to him.
We had our mosquito netting out
she overtook us with a 120 km/h "
OBELIX "
SATURDAY 7-8-2010
Early morning we were up and out. The night was hot we could not
find sleep. We drove westwards again on the
I-10, towards New
Orleans. The land is flat along the Gulf coast. Frequent bridges
cross inlets and channels. Swamp and
marshland prevails here.
Then on the left skyscrapers of New Orleans. We stopped here, to
see what is still visible of the damages
from Katrina, the Hurricane,
of August 2005, where over a 1800 people perished along the coast.
crossing
waters towards New Orleans
once wrong, it is difficult to get the right
route again
New Orleans
clearly visible; the water table is as high as the
roofs
Levee system failed in New Orleans, water flooded over 80% of the
city, some houses until up to the roof.
And today many residents still live in trailers, their houses not
rebuild.
Maybe they crawled out of the hole in the
roof
nailed close with plywood
But there is one more reason why we came. Jazz was here developed
in the beginning of the 20th century.
Particular the Dixieland.
Luis Armstrong was the most popular musician and his band became
famous with the song "When the saints
go marching in".
And it just so happen, that on this very weekend there was the
"Luis Armstrong festival". At the "French
Market" where we hoped to
find a meal, or if only a French baguette. Dear reader, you are our
witness. Looking for cheese or at least a
clove of garlic, as Harun is
longing for, we found tourist junk a mile long. Nothing French. Not
even a French tourist. Maybe a French
perfume. Frustrated we sat
down for a Burger from a Styrofoam plate. No eating culture either.
For these fellow Americans it is too
expensive to wash plates.
Junk and
the willing buyers
stamp and hop in
Dixie trot
burger and fries
She is pretty
with promising eyes and knew to sing
He tortured the fiddle; his fingers were
flying
Live bands played Dixie, the youth danced,
enjoying music and festivity. Restaurant
owners had an extra income day.
All was in order this Saturday. One man entertainers took advantage
of the many tourists. From far we could here
a drum "tum tum
toto tum; tum tum toto tum". The white bearded musician played the
drum forcefully on both sides.
Next by a young guitar player who had come to some arrangement with
the "silver beard" who permitted him to sit
there too.
His kitchen spoons followed the drum rhythm although the "clacks"
were hardly noticed. But he knocked the
guitar earnestly and
hoped to share the tips of passing tourist.
intensive rhythm
clacking his new shiny guitar
Interesting people we meet here. There was this skinny fellow.
He had a microphone, but no amplifier and he
was loud.
We could hear him across the street. He was talking about his
problem and mimicking too, always watching
who is approaching.
"there
come two tourists I have to whine..."
"I'm broke cant' you see?"
"and
suffering with my problem"
" cash please I need new teeth"
Yes, we donated one dollar for the pictures we shot; and were out
of town afterwards, driving along Interstate
10 towards west. It was
dark when we checked into a "run downer" inn on the main road, one,
where truckers and hookers share bed,
whiskey
and cigarettes.
Plugging our ears and dead tiered, we slept into the morning.
SUNDAY 8-8-2010
Bright shone the sun into our window, waking us up. By 7:00 we
rolled out again, in the usual westerly
direction. Here is a problem
on the otherwise perfect roads. Old defect tire pieces along the
sides. Twice a small piece flew against our
windscreen, lifted by
another car. Why do they not clean up? No money?
dangerous tire pieces
Seen on a vehicle; "what if he comes home in
a body bag?"
After San Antonio town, we checked into a hotel to update our web
site and have a good wash.
MONDAY 9-8-2010
We had an blowout on the highway on our front tire. These marvelous tires
held for over 60.000 km. But sharp
stones on African and
South American roads cut through the steel netting. We had
to dig into our pocket and buy a new set of
4. The is size smaller a bit,
but still ok.
They will bring us home.
At 100 km/h the piece just popped out with a bang
new tire fix. Same quality as before
We continued our journey towards Carlsbad in
New Mexico and arrived in the afternoon. The
reason was the Caverns, underground
caves in the Vicinity.
Here, farmers got rich beyond dreams with
oil on their land. Pumps as the one are seen
by dozens from the road. these are small
shallow wells. Lucky you if it is just so happen, you sitting on 500.000 barrel of crude.
The land is sometime beautiful, the road
system perfect. These are generally double
lane overland connections.
semi desert landscape
a dollar and another dollar; 24 hours a
day...
The campsite had internet and hot showers,
with US$ 20.- (after bargain) the price was
OK.
This here is UFO country; and not to miss a
sight, Harun climbed up the roof rack to
sleep under the stars. (But-nothing
was seen.)
Maybe the snore had scared the
aliens away.
TUESDAY 10-8-2010
By 9:00 we were at the caverns at Guadalupe
limestone mountains. After the
necessary US$ 6.- dues, we entered a lift
and down we
went 750 ft. In the underground
foyer, Souvenir shop and toilets. (I wonder
how they pump the contents up to surface).
The cave
walkway was tarred, with
comfortable stainless steel railings.
Well then we saw what we know already from MULU. Stalactites and
stalagmites formed 20-30 millions of years
ago in here.
We share with you honorable reader only few pictures.
The walkway about 2 km long
fairytale land
Forest wall
Jelly fish
Well lit; enhancing the formations
the white lady face
JAMBO was waiting
Prickly Pear cactus
Why, dear reader you may ask would we
venture into this GOD forsaken land? Wait we
will tell you in due course.
But first, we went to an area called "White
Sands." It took us three hours to
reach the northern End of the Chihuahuan
desert in the
Tularosa basin, here in New
Mexico.
This is the view of White Sands, in front is
the Holloman air force base. Jets were
frequently in the air. We stopped to take
this photo.
But there was another car. A guy
with a large binocular scanned the area down
there. "Are you looking for UFO?" asked Harun. He
denied and went unusually fast
into his vehicle to drive away.
This
is the largest gypsum dune field in the
world.
Our Brunei registered JAMBO
blue and white, a tale in pastel colors
Mojave century plant
sturdy grass; growing faster than the
dunes move
Next by the
Holloman air force base and the White Sand
Missile Range, which is actually surrounding
the park. When the German
lost the II World War,
their advanced missile technology was
transported to here. Packed in crates where
missiles and plans out of
Peenemunde, the
scientists followed. While the German
civilian population was exposed to
horrendous bombings helplessly, where
women babies and grandmas perished in firestorms of the allied
bombers, the allied leaders planned already
how to get hold of the
high technical knowledge of Germany. Can anyone imagine of
200.000 dead in three nights in Dresden?
(firefighters report those days back). The town was filled with fleeing population of former eastern provinces.
And in view of all this knowledge the British and US bomber fleets
burned and blasted, out of 10.000 m height.
The V2 was further developed here and today
this site is used to test experimental
weapons and space technology. If you happen
to
come at the wrong time the road might be
closed as a test again occur. Better so,
otherwise some "thing" may land on your head or
in your trouser creating an explosion,
worst that any stomachache can produce.
At Holloman AFB, warning signs tell you not
to remain too long on one place starring
into your binoculars.
"Yes sir! No mercy of you
are too much interested
they fly the F-117 Stealth fighter here too
The day was soon over and we drove again into the mountains, searching for
a Camping ground. By sheer chance we end up
in one
when night was falling.
Pine
forest in 1500 m height
here we slept; now preparing breakfast
WEDNESDAY 11-8-2010
Today is the
day! We are travelling to Roswell only 130
km away. The road led through an Indian
reserve where we found this trading
post and
the biggest melon I have ever seen.
gimmick for tourists, it was closed in the
morning
protected
Fine roads towards Roswell
And then we finally reached town. This is
the reason we came in the first place. An
UFO crash-landed in a farmers field in 1947.
The army sealed the site and allegedly recovered extra-terrestrial
debris, including alien corpses. But
insisted a few days later that it
was debris from an experimental high-altitude surveillance balloon,
nothing more.
However judge from yourself looking at the news clips and army
telex
Roswell
incident; a crash-landed UFO
Newspaper
clipping of the story; the early
statements
symbols on
one recovered I beam
material replica. Originals have disappeared
in an Army base
news story
sworn statement
of someone who saw the UFO site
Copy of the
original telex
reconstruction
Part of the original air force telex ; ...AND THE VICTIMS OF THE
WRECK YOU FORWARDED TO FORTH WORTH..."
When later in 1978, Jesse Marcel a person accompanied the debris
from Roswell to Forth Worth, was interviewed
by scientists, and
hundreds of documents were obtained by the "freedom of Information
act", the following conclusions were made;
"At least one alien craft had crashed near Roswell and that
aliens, some possible alive, were
recovered."
On what insisted the Army?
"This an Alien ship? No way man; it was a
weather balloon..."
As we suspect, a massive cover-up of any knowledge took place here.
What frightens anyone is, what power the Army has over the public.
They are a forces not controllable by public
consciences.
They do what seems fit to them. Mostly say nothing or deceive,
twisting the truth without an blink of an
eye. They are not part of the
population, but separated by secrecy.
We made all photos in the UFO Museum, which see's a continues flow
of visitors, curious, as we were.
THURSDAY 12-8-2010
A word to our Brunei readers, what you need to know.
Our initial plan was to drive up to Washington, meet our Embassy
people and hold a press conference to
promote Brunei as a Tourist
destination. Our words have weight as seldom, or never a couple out
of Asia made an overland journey of this
magnitude.
People believe what we say, as our performance counts.
But Performance does not count for our officers in Washington. I
called them 3 times asking to return call.
Nothing, no one called.
I wrote two e-mails- no reply. Finally I got hold of the third
secretary. "Yes I got your mail but I'm too
busy to reply."
Is this officer of sound mind?
He want to tell me that he cannot send an
e-mail, a job of 5 minutes? Our lovely
Nation deserves better.
This attitude of neglect, incompetence and ignorance is what I
fight against, my speeches to the youth in
Brunei.
Sir, you should undergo a responsibility training or - resign! Take
a sample of our foreign affairs finest
Ambassadors in Iran, Pakistan,
Myanmar, Egypt, Saudi, India, Morocco and Oman or others and compare.
Go look at our web site of their efforts and devotion. They are
among the finest officers, any country
can offer.
They have vision and understand the importance of our journey,
helping in unbelievable manner, and we bow our head in deep
respect.
Sorry to say but for us, you line up as the worst representative of
all, we met on route. And if you look at our
recent Peru web site you
will find, that the Malaysian Embassy cared more for me than you
ever did.
Our
journey continues .
As always we left early Roswell and were on route towards another place of
interest, the Three river Petroglyph only a
200 km
westwards.
One finds on two hills
over 20.000 drawings, Simple though but yet
in an immense variety, made allegedly by
"Mogollon",
which refers
to prehistoric peoples living here and elsewhere after
400 AD in villages scattered over middle
Arizona and New Mexico.
The explanation board
on the hill looking west
These drawings made on granite stones are in
average not larger the 50 cm and
are scattered over an are of about 1 HA.
While some drawings are self explanatory,
others meanings are obscure.
Both drawings seemed to be clear
these
drawings, labyrinth and the circle could have
religious meaning
what is the purpose of these?
and that, is it a sail ship?
The evening we spend in a
forestry camping ground, overlooking the
valley below. The sunset was spectacular.
A splendor of light and colors
FRIDAY 13-8-2010
After I could talk about my beloved country, where no
one wears a gun and death penalty awaits the
drug pushers , we went on.
"Your journey is awesome" said one of them. They could not believe what we
had travelled.
"We travel Africa-west. Most terrible were
Angola and the two Congo's"
the biggest pistachio we have ever seen
Further down the valley was this Pistachio farm.
Always keen to learn something new, we
stopped and talked with Owner lady willing
to enlighten us a bit.
"How do you know when such a farm is profitable? "It is easy" she
said. "Pistachio mature with 7 years.
A young plant cost about US$ 20.-. With 50 acres you get along, but
to make a handsome profit, one need 100
acres."
It is a good business, as there are never enough pistachios on the
market.
The trees are small, harvest is done by machines, they do not demand a
fertile soil, only water.
All the farm produces is sold and they would need more.
 
in the
forefront pistachio trees
in the stores Harun's favorites. Garlic and
chili pistachios.
Westbound we drove all day and entered Arizona in later afternoon. The Interstate road system is excellent.
One can cruise with 90-100 km/h and traffic is not heavy. There is
no litter on the roads. Heavy fines are
imposed. The public can
adopt a mile. A good idea; take charge of the
rubbish, should there be one. Your name is
posted then on a signboard.
the authorities do not spend money and you,
who adopted the mile, keep it clean, free of
charge that is understood
drowned trees on the Roosevelt lake near
Payson
semi desert cacti
After so many days and miles in our vehicle one knows all sounds.
Anything unusual alerts.
There was a new rumbling noise which over distance became louder while driving.
That could
not be the tires.
We checked.
The left rear drum showed some differential
oil, meaning the seal was leaking again. It
is the same one we fixed back in Ecuador.
That was unfortunate. Searching for a
campground we were lucky to find one in
Payson town.
"Is there a workshop in the vicinity" "Yes"
said the camp manager, only 200 m from here.
SATURDAY
14-8-2010
By 7:00am we drove down. Ben, the boss
said he will help. The driveshaft was out
early afternoon and what we had suspected, had
happen. The shaft was worn out again.
Ben, the
boss: "no spares in Payson, but together we
fix it"
see the worn out area on the shaft?
Many shops have closed on Saturday; we phoned for a welder with a
lathe machine, using the yellow pages, but
in vain.
There was one guy; "Sorry I cannot help" he said " I'm out
now for a 2 weeks holiday". However he gave
us an address in Phoenix.
On Monday we rent a vehicle and drive with the shaft to Phoenix to
get it repaired. We have two options now.
Our best is to get a proper bearing with an inner shell, then
rollers do not run on the shaft.
The second is, we will chrome-harden the area. In both cases the
shaft has to be rebuild first.
That should hold for 15000 km, then we have reached Australia where
thousands of our vehicles run. There we get
a bearing with ease.
Therefore, we are tied
in this town until Wednesday next week.
Not
good news; but driving on to Phoenix, was too
risky as we are loosing oil. The whole differential
could run dry and then
"GOOD
NIGHT JAMBO". No Sir, we must be careful.
The campground had a second hand camping gear shop. We are now
owners of Two tents for US$ 5.- each and -
last not least,
a kerosene lamp which we leased for 4 nights. Cost US$10.-,
including refill.
How comfortable and cozy is JAMBO, now in the workshop, where we
enjoy light and 220 volt power, cool water,
a bed and a home.
SUNDAY 15-8-2010
It was a lousy night in the tent, frequently shocked up from sleep
by passing vehicles from the trailer park.
It seems some Americans
have no house, but live in a trailer. Going to work early morning.
Our scattered items
the kitchen with pots on the "bush shelf"
The morning with clear sky
promised to be another hot day with
temperatures above 35 degree C.
We went to Granny's store along the road. It was this picture which
stroke us most as it symbolizes the
relationship of a population
and government in some countries.
The guy is drunk and holds himself on her helplessly, knowing
nothing what is going on around him.
Exchange drunkenness with under-education, like a country where 8
years old kids use a calculator to add 4 +5,
(Said a Doctor of
Indian decent bitterly to us) and the hooker with the government,
then you have a typical situation.
She does what she likes, make new, controlling laws or wars, while
whispering sweet deceiving words into his
ears as she needs his
cash. ( like special interest groups or Government controlled
media). All cost money (taxes) which she
takes from him.
" I care for you" she whispers. "It is your safety, what concerns
me; you are alone weak on your feet. It is
good that I hold you."
And is the last cent scrapped out of this drunkard pocket, then
comes the next stage; "never mind sign this
IOU, you have children
and grand children. I take from them later."
Does it ring a bell dear reader? Unless the drunkard get sober
(educated) and looks at the whore critically, ready to challenge her
habits, such a system will not change. He will end as slave.
We got attention in Roswell, a newspaper wrote about us. It is not every
day travelers from afar stop here. Check it
out.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Kurt Eichbauer, Norhayati
“Yati” Abu Bakar and “Jambo”
outside the Daily Record office, where they
stopped to pick up
a souvenir copy of the July 1947 UFO crash
editon. (Jessica
Palmer Photo)
Brunei couple driving around the world; stop
for paper
Visitors to Roswell interested in the 1947
UFO incident are not unknown,
but few can say they have driven all the way
from an island in the South Pacific.
This particular couple from Brunei arrived
by car on Wednesday.
Brunei is a small country that lies on the
northwest corner of Borneo. It is about
one-third the size of Chaves County, with a
total of 2,226 square miles compared
to Chaves’ 6,075.
Kurt and Norhayati “Yati” Abu
Bakar began their epic journey by
automobile in June 2009, to celebrate 25
years of independence from Britain.
Their Toyota SUV was modified for the trip.
They named it Jambo, meaning hello
in Swahili. Kurt and Yati shipped the
SUV to Vladivostok, the southernmost
point along the west coast of Siberia.
Kurt said of Siberia, “Never, never,
go there. There’s no fuel for 1,000
kilometers (621 miles) on the Trans-
Siberian Highway.” They then drove across
Russia to the northernmost point in
Europe, and then to the United Kingdom. They
turned south, going down through
France into Spain and had their vehicle
shipped to Morocco.
The couple followed along the west coast of
African to Cape Town and had their
SUV shipped to Buenos Aires, Argentina, in
May 2010.
Again they turned south driving to Ushuaia,
Argentina, which Yati called “the edge
of the world. ”They then continued north
through Bolivia, Peru to Cartagena,
Columbia.
Yati and Kurt have had to be flexible
in their travels. Their original path was
supposed to take them straight up through
Mexico, but they had the vehicle shipped
to Miami instead.
They altered their route rather than drive
through Central America, saying that they
had been warned to avoid Nicaragua and
Mexico. “It was too dangerous,” said
Kurt.
Entry into the United States through customs
was tough, said Kurt. Their goal
once they got to the U.S. was Roswell. The
couple drove through Florida, Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas into New
Mexico. Their impressions of Roswell are
good. “The people are friendly and helpful,”
said Yati. “It is a forward-looking city
with
a lot of potential,” said Kurt. Their
global impressions were not so positive.
“Too much greed. Too much poverty. Too much
injustice. Not enough caring for the
common man.” Kurt said. “Africa was
dangerous. There are minefields all along
the roads. You can’t get out of the car,”
said Kurt. They had to install padlocks
to the car doors. “They will steal from you
even when the car is moving.” Yati said that
women in particular have it bad in the
Middle East and Africa.
After a whirlwind tour of Roswell, the
couple will travel north by northwest until
they
reach Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The final leg of
their journey will take them to Australia
and eventually back to Malaysia. They hope
to be home by December.
The trip has cost some $80,000 so far. They
funded their voyage through sponsorship
of such companies as Agriculture Department,
Brunei Tourism, The Islamic Bank, and
TOTAL, an offshore drilling concern.
Individuals also contributed, including an
8-year-old
Malay boy who donated a Brunei dollar, about
74 cents, to the coffers rather than having
an ice cream. They’ve clocked nearly 72,000
kilometers, or 45,000 miles. The couple
will be writing a book about their
experiences.
Kurt said with a certain amount of
pride, “How many people have not only
traveled
east to west, but from the northernmost
point in Europe to the southernmost point in
Africa,
and the northernmost point to the
southernmost point in in the Americas?”
For Yati, the purpose of the trip is to
inspire the youth of Brunei. “It is a rich
country with
free healthcare and no taxes. They (the
young people) don’t do anything. They are so
used
to having everything. I want them to get out
to help others.” She plans a speaking tour
after
her return to educate young people.
That was our visit in Roswell. Jessica the reporter surely looked
into our web site. Thank you and good
writing.
I was alone in the camp site sitting there
and listening. The birds were quiet now ,
nesting away in some branches for another
night.
"nightriders in the sky"
JAMBO was under repair; somehow feeling
lonely
Above me clouds and a few raven on their way home. Otherwise it was
still. I thought:
Since the 11th of this month is Ramadan, the annual fasting month,
demanding from every Muslim spiritual and
physical observance.
Muslim across the globe follow the rules.
It is a kind of hardship for us being now here in the USA.
Travelling and finding right food at the
right time is difficult. Ever so often,
especially now, we think about home, the family, for which I long,
the gathering, praying and breakfasting
together. Thinking now
I cannot help- with tears in my eyes- , I vision the little kids,
my relatives which I have not seen for many
month. They must have
grown further by now. Does little Shaha know already to pray? She
was practicing when we left. It is a sad day
today.
Later on I crawled into our tent, but my
mind was in Brunei until I fell asleep.
MONDAY 16-8-2010
By 8:00 we were at the rental office got the cheapest car and
drove straight to Phoenix, a 220 km away.
Packed with the address of
Toyota we know where to go. The roadwork is fine, traffic was
little.
this mile has
been adopted for cleaning
nice road through semi desert landscape
Not that we expected to get any spare parts
for our JAMBO, but they may know an address,
where we could search. Our logic was
right. The spare parts manager called a few times, gave us a new
direction, and we were on our way to a
Transmission shop. The
resolute Madam owner (she worked very hard) took the phone
and after several calls, show thumb up. She
got the bearing and the
seal. "Come back in one hour." Meanwhile we looked further. At a
cornerstone was a machine shop boring
engines. The Chinese
gave us another address to where we went. " Yes we could do the
machining but for welding you go to Monty,
another shop about
7 miles away. Monty build up race cars and was very competent. What
he had on electrodes was not hard enough to
build up our
axle. He went out got hard alloy and did the job. Should you ever
read these lines Monty, a thousand thanks to
you for the excellent
work.
TUESDAY 17-8-2010
By 7:00 am we were already in the Custom CNC machine workshop. "
Job well done
"a memory photo with Todd ; but sorry I was
so shy..."
"Yea, come back around 11:00 am". The drive shaft was ready as you
can see. Many thanks to you for your
excellent work.
Since we had some time, we searched and found an Islamic school in
the University belt and went to the METRO
ISLAMIC SCHOOL.
What a good feeling it was, to enter a place of worship, learning
and Islamic tradition. Children studying,
smaller ones playing outside.
Teachers are from Muslim countries, fleeing hardship and
atrocities.
It is a kind of weird that they had to come to the country for
safety which is to a major extend
responsible for their suffering back
home. The principal, Madam Hind Hania is from Palestine. Where the
Zionists uproot olive trees and orchard
gardens belonging to the
Palestinians
Shoot at them, throw them out of their home before demolition.
Expanding the Jewish state since beginning.
What a justice is practiced here. It must end! The only thing good
of Israel is to see, how the Zionist treat
Non Jews.
Imagine these people ruling the world? (What they intend
through international banks and the
proclaimed one world order).
Terrible future. I had to shrug these thoughts off.
Other teachers are from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The little mosque in the school compound
a present from students of Malaysia
Malaysian students study in that school for a time. She told us
about the financial problems they face.
Sometime they do not take
salary just to get the school running. Original they had about 180
students but now little under hundred. The
other have left, going
public school. No one funds this institution. The school fees must
be enough to sustain it.
Hind Hania and me
bright kids
In the small mosque facing kiblat
the library
It is refreshing to see these kids looking with bright eyes into
the camera. Some are more confident than
others, but no one is shy.
Their fathers and forefathers have reached America, (the land of
plenty?) where they grow up now in a secular
society. Will they
loose the roots of Islam? Surely if they change schools due to
underfunding. If there is only someone out
there with big cash and big
heart who could help them. They have the land, now the school has
to be build on it. But money is scares. And
due to many
misleading news reports Islam is for many commoners synonymous with
terrorism.
Imagine you donate a school building and she bears your name long
after you have gone to heaven.
"WELCOME TO THE ISLAMIC CENTER OF....your name..." Their
e-mail address: pmislamicschool@yahoo.com
These kids should grow up as righteous
people, becoming respected professionals.
The Koran in one hand in the other a
University
degree. "May Allah bless them all."
On the way back to PAYSON, I got a call from Washington the acting
Ambassador on the line.
"You talked in Rampai Pagi about us; We do not feel good about
it, all was a technical misunderstanding".
Later I got a SMS where he offered us help with spare parts should
we need it. "Thank you Ambassador for the
kind gesture, for the
moment we have, as many times before, solved our problem and are on
route to North again".
WEDNESDAY 18-8-2010
Yes thumb up. We were ready to go after a last hand shake with this
fine gentleman, Ben the boss.
His crew open and install back the drive shaft. The bill was low.
Ben was more than fair and here and now we thank him for this kind
gesture. "And Ben, should you ever find time
to make holiday in
Brunei, alone or with family, you are most welcome at our house."
Now
we are, with a short interruption, on route
since June 2009. That is 14 month. The
journey wear us down too. Not only JAMBO.
Taking care always about our health, the concentration, the
vehicle, the road etc. As we always move,
there is no actual rest.
Sometime we are so tiered, that we do not go to a newspaper.
However, JAMBO is seen; People come to look
and admire our
journey. I can tell about the peace we truly enjoy in BRUNEI
DARUSSALAM and the life.
All thanks to his Majesty's wise leadership and our government. So,
no wonder that we both miss Brunei.
Compared to countries we have seen since we left, it is the best by
far.
But for now, our journey must go on. Not much anymore to complete
the East West, and North South travel as far
as the continents
reach.
Diving all day we arrived at one of the seven wonders of the world,
the Grand Canyon. He is about 2 billion
years old.
The Colorado river has cut down to the exposed bedrock about the
oldest on our planet. It continues to carve
on his 400 km way
as it has done for millionsof years. We had arrived at the south
rim, where most visitors go.
The sun was hidden behind some clouds yet, the colors are
remarkable.
part of the Grand Canyon from the south rim
deep down in the
gorge, the reason for the canyon. Water
flowing, since millions of years
another view;
what immense erosion took place here
historical moment; our flag an the Grand
Canyon
shielding the lens from sunlight
curious Navajo
While tourists looked at our journey, studying and wondering, how
can one travel that far, our squirrel had
just a pistachio nut from
our kitchen and was busy nibbling the chili coating.
"Excuse me are you the couple from the
Brunei in the around the world Toyota? "Yes
indeed" Forgive my ignorance, but where is
Brunei?" The man was open and frank. We had chance to show him on
the map. Then his and his son respect
increased ten fold.
"Remarkable, remarkable" said he. "We wish you both a safe journey
further on."
After about another two hours we went on to search for a place to
sleep, as the campground was fully booked.
By
nightfall we reached one and close to the
toilets was parked guess what?
The rolling sleeper out of Germany.
the bargain rolling motel
our companion; we have to honor him
We have seen them In Namibia. This bus tours the Americas.
Passengers, mostly elderly singles in budget
constrain. A good way to
see the world, as even a small income will not deter
them from travelling.
A cheap way to travel. In front they sit during the day, the
kitchen is under their feet.
Behind every square small window is your hotel room. A single
cabin size 1 m by 1 m and 2 m long, Where
one can crawl in and
out. You have your privacy hole. But how when two fall into a
romance during the trip? Remember they are
mostly singles
and even with 50 years of age, they are not yet beyond good and evil. A sin in
the truck? Not possible the sleeping room is
to small.
"Into the bushes..." But then the whole truck knows what is going
on. "Adu adu what to do?" complained the
lover.
THURSDAY 19-8-2010
Travelling since morning again towards northeast in Arizona, we
entered the Navajo Indian reservation and
came across these petrified
trees. Carl, a Navajo collects them from the reservation to sell
them to passing tourists, raw or polished.
Then the minerals
accumulated over millions of years are now exposed in an array of
astonishing colors. He exports them to
Europe, where others make
tabletops.
once standing trees
polished tree cut
A tabletop made in France price US
7000.-
another polished surface
"During Ice age the Navajo people came once upon a time from Asia
over an existing land bridge", that is what
science speculate.
They lived here as free men until in the years 1863 and 1864, the
US government forced men, women and children
to march in winter
for hundreds of miles to New Mexico. It was part of the
president Jackson's INDIAN REMOVAL PLAN.
Many died in prison camps as
they were imprisoned for 6 years, due to unfavorable
conditions. Today strong sense of identity
keeps culture and social life intact.
New business opportunities, like tourism, and the service industry
provided means for a better livelihood, as
all uranium mining was
banned by their elders.
The 300.000 Navajos operate their own schools, but it is said the
drop out rate is unusually high.
They govern themselves, have their own tribal police. However,
outside law enforcement officers have
jurisdiction in the Indian
community too.
They are not rich, one can see that on the roadside where
women sell their self made goods,
silverware, necklaces, and items out of
the spiritual world, like the dream catcher.
The dream catcher protects you from bad dreams. Hung over your bed
you sleep sound and quiet like a baby. Once
a month you
revitalize it with scent like pinewood.
she could be a Malay, but is Navajo
"bad dream" catcher over your bed
Only 29 miles further is the Navajo national monument. Well
preserved ancestral cliff dwellings, as we
have seen in Jordan, Turkey
and Saudi Arabia and last not least in Mali with the Dogons.
Sandstone
formations the cave is huge as it houses a
whole village
attached to the walls is this cliff
dwellings named Keet Seel. "Surely, the roof
never leaks"
So,
what are the minerals under the surface of
Navajo land?
Foremost Uranium, about 20% of the national total was mined on
reservation land since the 1940. The Indians
dug for Americas
stockpile of nuclear weapons and the ones dropped at Hiroshima and
Nagasaki.
Thirty long years, uranium was mined like any other mineral. The
waste piles (99%) of a mine output was
waste.
And the wind blew the dust over the land, into communities and
water supplies.
"Do not worry" assured the atomic Energy commission the residents,
"such dust is harmless". What a lie! But
then the Navajos
documented deaths from lung cancer and related deceases. The first
mining company Messrs Kerr-McGee, made
staggering profits.
No taxes, nor safety or pollution regulations. and Navajo labor was
cheap. A horrible neglect of human life.
And with all this came the biggest explosion of radioactive
material in 1979, when 100 million gallon of
radioactive water gushed
through a mud dam into the river Rio Pueblo, showing afterwards
7,000 times the allowable standard. The
river is a major source of
drinking water. They cleaned up only 50 of 1,100 tons spilled
waste, workers using pails and shovels.
Where to put 1,100 tons mud?
Officials issued now a press release warning people not to drink
the water. But the residents could not read
English.
The Washington guys did not worry much those days back. As they do
not worry today, when their soldiers shoot
with depleted
uranium in Iraq. Packing out now after destroying Iraq, leavening
behind radiation to Iraqis and their
children.
We were guided to an abandoned mine. They had mined on the top of
that mountain. To bring the cake down using
a cable car
system. Workers were Navajos. No one told them about the health
risk.
the cable system from the mountaintop
abandoned winch on the bottom
Staying short only, as we did not know how radioactive was the
surrounding, we went on to the Monument
valley Navajo tribal park,
passing an area where there are footprints of Dinosaurs. A Navajo
guide showed us around.
Track of a Theropod with little deviation
from the middle line of travel
breast bones; knocking them they sound
hollow
broken eggs
and a claw
But stewards show us more. Behind a hill were some petro glyph made
by his people, so he claimed. We drove there
to see. After a
half hour on dirt road the drawings on rock came into sight.
Some of the drawings were clearly birds and
animals others remained obscure in their
meaning.
An alien?
what is this to represent?
Driving on, we got the first glimpse of the monument valley at
Kajenta town. Tonight we check into a hotel.
Guess what number we got? It was 117.
FRIDAY 20-8-2010
Today we will explore the Monument valley, an area made famous by
western films starring John Wayne. In the
souvenir shop he
looks from a poster. Next a picture of a mine shaft.
That is him
shaft to a uranium mine; Navajos working
here to death
Monument valley is only 20 miles from Kayenta, it was an easy
drive.
Plenty motor homes, tourist out of Europe, renting a vehicle to see
the country.
have we
not seen this in movies?
JAMBO our companion deserves a memory photo
the pictures are shot in the evening
light
The road leading into the valley
like the ruins of a mighty castle
getting ready
"I mostly see misery down there"
While tourist got ready for the "best shot of the holiday", the
almost full moon looked down on us and
wondering:
" When will mankind ever learn?" When will man understand that wars
are no option. That greed, power hunger and
stupidity are evil
forces, That only love, understanding, compassion and education
guarantees the survival of our species?
You are not safe dear reader either. Having destroyed Iraq, the US
fight in Afghanistan and kill. "Why?"
One wonders.
The answer is easy. "To control there one day the extraction of
minerals, oil and an oil pipeline, planned
to be build" so we read.
Already the US is stockpiling bunker busting bombs in Diego Garcia
Indian Ocean, a British controlled
territory. Why? Iran is likely
next. Is it perhaps, that the present secretary of defense Robert
Gates who was boss of CIA and knew too
much, is resigning early
next year, Because he does not want to be part of this evil doings?
No Iraqi has ever done anything to the US, nor any Afghan, nor
Iran. Sadam had only honored the families of
suicide bombers in
Palestine with US$ 10,000.- cash, to easy their burden, having lost
a son. That upsets the Zionists in Israel.
"Control of the world and its resources". This is the likely aim.
"The Jews rule the world by proxy" said once Mahathir ex prime
minster of Malaysia.
How true this statement is; they control foreign policy of
the White House, because they put with their
money the politicians into
place. Once there, it is payback time. They pull the strings.
SATURDAY 21-8-2010
Disaster struck at the Monument valley. We were on the road to
Utah when the left rear driveshaft snapped.
There, were the surface
was build up and hardened. With a bang the wheel came off and JAMBO
sat on the back plate scratching along with
95 km/h.
It
took us 100 m to stop, steering with iron
fist as the vehicle sheared to the left.
A bigger problem.
the marks of the tragedy
Waving thumbs up, many vehicles passed, then a Navajo stopped and
called the police, they in return got a Tow
truck, which came
after one hour.
The driveshaft just broke
the rear plate was flattened at the bottom
How is that possible? what we think is, that the heating, while
welding changed the micro structure of the
steel and it became brittle
hard.
Not soft, as Monty the welder thought, but hard like a drill bit.
We never, repeat, never thought one moment,
that such a driveshaft
with 4 cm diameter could break.
truck yards sign Navajo art
lashed down for the trip tomorrow
We
loaded the vehicle on the tow truck of Mr.
Everett who owns the business and drove back
to town. Good we were off the road.
Evaluating our options we called Ben the workshop boss in Payson.
"Please look around maybe we find one shaft
in an USA junk
yard."
To keep the vehicle here and find a means of going to Payson 300 km
away was one option.
But there is no car rental, no bus service, no train. We had to
hitchhike.
The second and logic option is, we transport the car on a flatbed
back to Payson and Bens workshop. Rent a car
there and search
for a driveshaft. If there is none, the third option comes into play.
I have to fly back to Brunei go to Kota Kinabalu buy the items and
come back to USA. Or fly to Japan. The costliest and most
time
consuming option.
Harun would wait out the time in a camping place. We negotiated the
price for the trip to Payson and settled
after much arguments
at US $ 800.-, a lot of money, but we do not have any other option.
Meanwhile Ben had called around and found a drive shaft 120 km
south of Payson. That was good news.
We hope the parts are correct.
Tomorrow at 8:00 am we are about to leave to Payson.
farewell to the monument
calling Rampai Pagi RTB on Saturday Eve in a
Navajo reservation
Standing on the road I called Rampai Pagi RTB, it was starting to
rain. Our JAMBO is on a trailer and we
returned to the hotel.
Expeditions do not always go smooth, that is why they are called
expeditions.
Expect anything. The solving of said problem is what counts, and to
complete what was set as our goal.
SUNDAY 22-8-2010
"It was a hell of a ride" the 300 km from the Navajo
reservation back to Payson. JAMBO tied on a
trailer. "Everett Grey Eye"
The owner drove the truck himself. We had a lot to talk. He did no
like a picture of him taken, as it takes a
bit of his soul away.
We arrived in afternoon in Ben's workshop and dismantled the rear
axle shaft.
dismantling JAMBO'S rear axle
the back plate see how it is grinded, from
sliding on the road
The night we slept in the car. We did not
sleep a long time as we were reflecting of
the moment, when the whole wheel fell off at
100km/h. The protection of the Almighty saved us; we are convinced.
We could have rolled over if Harun was not
that experienced.
Pulled to the other roadside for a moment on three wheels; there
was no other car at that moment. That was
the Almightiest grace.
At abut 2:30 in the morning a door bang. Harun was up at once.
Equipped with the torchlight in underwear he
sneaked slowly to the
front fence from where the noise was coming, ready to confront a
tentative thieve. Sneaking closer he noticed
the white car and at the
side written "POLICE."
Relieved he thought: "Thanks God it's the arm of the law". He
almost waved at them, but then a thought
electrified him and brought
him down to the floor." What is if they see
him at that time
in the workshop? Who would be anyhow inside?
Only a Thief!
His fantasy run wild, seeing himself in underwear with bracelets on
hands, comprehended and brought to the
police station.
Slowly and as quiet as possible he crawled back to JAMBO, almost
like a soldier in training, as if above him
would be barbed wire.
A while later the car paced off. Maybe the officer held a nap.
MONDAY
23-8-2010
Ben
gave us an address a 120 km away from
Payson. "There you will find the
required parts." We did not know what to
expect, took
all damaged parts with us and drove off. I called the Acting
Ambassador of Brunei and advised him that I
might have to fly to JAPAN,
if we do not get the parts. That was the situation, when we left.
Dave's Land cruiser hobby
That is Dave
We found Dave's yard and to our surprise he had at least 6-8 Land
cruisers half completed, standing there; and
moreover the parts we
needed, were ready, His price was very reasonable. Bearing, seal,
back plate and driveshaft US$ 140.-. "Land
cruisers are my hobby"
he said. I called the Washington Embassy once more and informing
them; "We got all spares".
Upon our return, Bens mechanics jumped into action, and by 5:30
within 1˝ hours, all was installed.
Our new/old parts
Bens team
Dear and honorable reader; have you had ever
the feeling of overwhelming happiness? You
did? Perhaps you got a new car or won a
big price or your new date said she will meet you.
We, the travelers are simple folks. We were very happy; that there
is a fellow who's hobby are land cruisers
and we got the parts. That
we meet someone like Ben who's actions by all accounts exceeded
common help.
What wonders that the last picture of today is deserved to him and
his young family. And our last words too.
"Ben we wish you and your family all the luck and happiness you
deserve. You have found a friend in us and
one day we hope, we
see us again. Be it in Europe or Brunei. Do not wait too long
though."
We are leaving for good tomorrow. It is said: Life is a constant
fare well; No moment ever returns; Keeping
the good remembrance is
all what we can do. And so, the two travelers out of Brunei face
again the unexpected for the remaining miles
of the world trip.
Remember us in your prayer dear reader; as we know these always
protect and help.
Ben and his family
TUESDAY 24-8-2010
We started slowly; Once you had such a major
fault, you are very careful. But after an
hour or so, we were on full speed again.
JAMBO was running fine, as he used to do throughout
our journeys. Towards North, crossing into Utah in the
afternoon. The
landscape became barren in
North Arizona.
the first Colorado gorges appear in the flat land
red rocks of Northern Arizona
eroded sandstone formations
We
had climbed another mountain pass up to 2300
m, and stopped at the camping ground. The
evening breeze was cool, and by
8:00 pm Harun already cut logs with the chainsaw, meaning he
was snoring.
WEDNESDAY 25-8-2010
Early sunlight it is 6:30 am
Ed with brooms and buckets ready to start a
day
The tips of surrounding pine trees were colored in orange by the
sunlight, the first birds appeared, hungry
searching for some
breadcrumbs. Ed the caretaker appeared, curious and respectful.
"Unbelievable what you two have travelled." Unbelievable for us
was, that he alone kept the
camping ground with 72 sites and 4 sets of
toilets and showers in order. Every 4 hours I check and clean
them." Well done Ed.
By 7:00 am we were already driving. JAMBO was rolling fine. No more
problem. We went further up to about 3000m
to the
Paunsaugunni plateau. On the left appeared a mountain lake, the
waters reflecting the morning sky, and the
adjacent pine and cedar
forest. We were alone, enjoying the view; It was still and tranquil.
clear, cold mountain lake
beautiful southern Utah
Ed advised us to take East Nevada, along the Lake valley route to
North, towards Salt Lake City.
Hello Nevada
here we come
dry without trees; the valley to north and
Wendover
On the semi desert land, arid and without sufficient rain,
grow shrubs and - nothing else. Very little
traffic. Pacing along with
100 km/h, we reached by 4:00 pm the Great Salt Lake Desert, and
town Wendover came into view.
We checked into a camping
ground; Enough driving for today.
Part of the salt lake desert
Large areas, about
the size of Brunei are restricted by the
Military for their own use.
Their activities, since 1941, are closely guarded secrets. But it
is known that during WWII they build
Japanese and German villages
and apartment blocks to test the effectiveness of their
chemical weaponry. Who designed the German
buildings?
Mr. Eric Mendelssohn, an refugee architect of Jewish faith.
The magazine 'New scientists' reported, that in 1998 they still
produced small quantities of Anthrax
(Wikipedia) although 30 years
before, the US renounced to use of Biological weapons of mass destruction.
1,000 chemical test, 328 open air tests of chemical weapons, so
Wikipedia commends. Almost 230,000 kg of
Nerve gas agents were
released into the air. Including of over 300 open air tests of
Biological weaponry. And as always, letting
the jinn out of the bottle had
catastrophic consequences. What wonders that the Dugway sheep
incident is connected to the army chemical
and biological warfare
program. Here, in 1962, six thousand (yes, 6000) sheep's grazing 42 km from Dugway were
killed. Thirty years later the Army
admitted that VX nerve agents killed them, but never accepted
responsibility
And
the University of California press writes:
In 1955, for
example, a cloud generator was used to
saturate thirty volunteers—all Seventh-Day
Adventist conscientious objectors
with potentially deadly Q Fever. Then, between August and October
1959, the Air Force deliberately let nuclear
reactors melt down on
eight occasions and "used forced air to ensure that the resulting
radiation would spread to the wind. Sensors
were set up over a 210-
mile area to track the radiation clouds. When last detected they
were headed toward the old U.S. 40 (now
Interstate 80)."
This is Satan's kitchen
on our planet. Dear and honorable reader
there is more going on; just check it out.
Nerve agents; such gases must be packed into ammunition. Therefore, the stockpiles grow bigger and bigger,
but then, casings
begun to
corrode. Something must be done to get rid
of the old stock.
It has to be cheap "Aha " we load them on ships and sink them. Perhaps
it was the fuel prize or the captain was
afraid of the load,
they did not sail far, but sunk the SS William Ralston with 8000
tons of mustard gas and others chemical
warfare agents, near -guess
where???
Off the coast, between Florida and the Bahamas.
There all rust slowly and one day to come, the nerve agents may
find the way back, bubbling to surface and perhaps to a skin of a
now 90 year old commander who will painfully die on his way
to hell. (CHASE projects). (It takes a
nerve agent 6 weeks to break
down in its components, enough time to raise to surface.) Who knows
how much they dumped into the sea?
the area near Salt Lake City our journey in the USA until today
THURSDAY 26-8-2010
We left early again. The full moon makes one to wake up, although
curtains are closed. The town Wendover is
cut in the middle. The
West part still in Nevada has several Casinos, flickering lights to
lure the gamblers; the east in Utah, where
gambling is forbidden,
is rather dull.
Two kilometer out is the speed way on the salt flats, where they
use to break records like passing through
the sound barrier with a
vehicle. Norhayati had purchased in the Navajo reservation a pair
of roadrunner-booth which, when wearing,
should catapult her into
the range of 70 km and above. All on foot. You do not believe? Just
see her in an unimaginable 50 miles speed
record, passing
JAMBO with ease. So fast she was, that even the camera could not
make a sharp shot.
Afterwards we needed our fire extinguisher to cool her burning
feet. Gosh, that was something.
The road is straight for 70 km
new running record on Bonneville salt
flats
we witness heir start;
after 50 m already overtaking JAMBO
clocking with the GPS, striking 78.666 km
(in20h)
On
we drove towards east and Salt Lake City,
turned North on the No 15 Freeway until we
reached the Aerospace Museum, and
curious as we are, we checked it out.
down town of the Mormon Salt Lake City
Hill Aerospace museum
from the beginning
Flying regulations had as no 9 "never pee
out of the cockpit over towns"
14 " do not land on roofs"
19 "Bombs are thrown by hand
only from the right side"
20 "do not trust altitude
instruments"
25 "aviators do not wear
spurs when flying
But time progressed and so the development of machines into the
second world war;
The enemy and his symbol
the MIG 21 from Russia
and the "grasshopper" bomber
The ugliest of all "proboscis bomber"
and the fastest; SR-71 New York -
London; 1 hour 55 minutes
the "slow down" bomb
and the nuclear one
some "peace" symbols on planes
What strike us is how much ingenuity man put into planes, war and
fighting and not "how to I keep the peace." We arrived at the
Yellowstone
National park in the evening after 10 hours
boredom driving.
FRIDAY 27-8-2010
This world famous park exists since
1872, although native Americans lived here
for 10.000 year. This almost 9000 sq/km
large park
consists of meadows, lakes, rivers, mountain ranges, canyons and
the famous geyser.
The Yellowstone lake covers the caldera
of
a Volcano, which in the history was active several times. Rangers
have over time examined more than 1000
archeological sites.
Several hundreds of species have been
recorded, including wolves bears, bison's
and elk. Forest fires occur frequently as
seen in the
pictures.
Good roads provide access to the geothermal areas, and therefore
tourists come by the thousand every day.
With campers and
trailers, some curious others just to have a "I have been
there" picture in front of a geyser.
We joint the crowd of drivers on the way
into the park. On both sides parking facilities where people
stopped to get a glimpse of an animal.
The "25 dollar entrance fee smile"
view over the land
one of many canyons water rushing through
incredible noise fills the air. hardly to
understand a word
one can notice the steam; the pond is hot
water
at the distance our first geyser
In irregular intervals and quantities
the boiling hot water is violently pushed up
in a fountain and steam drifts with the
wind.
It smells like sulfur.
dormant geyser
(can erupt any time)
active bubble mud
colors
from bacteria in the rushing hot water
bacteria from water flow over the rocks
The buffalo once
millions of them roaming the plains in the
Mid west, now almost extinct. The white man
shot them for fun or fur.
Even here in the year 1874 to 1875, about 3000 of them were killed.
Poaching went on, until the US army arrived
in 1886 and begun
protecting the park.
the buffalo bull; a beauty of strength
the Yellowstone lake filled the caldera of
the volcano. In the forefront bubbling
hot water
The
day had drawn to an end, we went out from
the park through the North gate. The guys
were curious as so often seeing JAMBO.
Where do you came from? How long did you travel already?
Later, we found a
camping ground not far and as you see Harun
frustrated with 3 weeks Junk food had his nose deep in the frying pan.
It smelled
garlic, his favorite spice.
Tourists from
Europe asking about Brunei and our travel
the best food since 3 weeks
SATURDAY 28-8-2010
Early up, but not early enough. Already the
common American family with her 2-4 dogs
were on the " poop" exercise.
these are Easy... No not true; Heavy riders
"three puddle on a string"
Do not be misled, this is a woman with earrings and short hair.
Whether she has anatomically what makes her
a maiden, located
somewhere between the fat, we do not know. With her lover on a Harley Davidson cruising
the countryside's in leather outfit,
that
must be a dream come true.
The two doggies are packed away in the blue canvas behind her seat
while on journey. Wondersome camping guests
indeed.
Again we went towards West the whole day using the Interstate 15
free way and as most of the time, checked
into a camping ground
later the day. I had to call Rampai pagi.
SUNDAY 29-8-2010
We
show you, dear and honorable reader, how a
camping ground is occupied. Our JAMBO is the
smallest by far. It looks to us that
some have given up their home and only live in a oversized camper.
the average
camper home has two rooms at least
he sprinkled the lawn, a longtime guest
By 8:00am, it was still cold, we headed for West again, towards
Seattle driving along the countryside.
cornfields on both sides,
scattered farms of the owners.
But autumn is approaching fast. The hay is rolled and ready to be
stored. Also the squirrel hides away some
food which at a later
time she will dig out through the snow. How do they remember where
the placed it?
Wheat
fields ready for harvest
rolled to be stored
"where is the
best place for my nut?"
donut peaches; never seen before
Harun had problem with the sleeping bag as the zip broke. We
searched for a cheap new one and found a big
one after trying several
out.
"OK lah...a bit thin; hopefully good
enough for Alaska"
expensive diesel; costlier than petrol
A
last word to the diesel prices. Everywhere
we travelled the diesel is cheaper than
petrol; sometime only a fraction of the
price.
In Iran 20 cent a gallon, Syria about the same. In Europe
cheaper too. Here in the USA, they clearly
rip off the population, and
manipulate them to drive "petrol drinkers".
Late afternoon we checked into another camping ground for a safe
and secure sleep. Tomorrow we reach Seattle.
MONDAY 30-8-2010
We made it; we are in Canada since
afternoon. More precisely near Vancouver.
But JAMBO has again a driveshaft problem.
This time
on the other side. We found a Land cruiser workshop and they will
replace it tomorrow. Together with the front
bearings. The load is
very heavy and the roads were bad; that is why. It eats again into
our budget, but what to do?
If you like to continue with us our travel then click
Canada, where
our story continues.
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