Article from Sun2Surf

--- Article Information ---
This article was printed from Sun2Surf
Article's URL: http://sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=30415
---------------------------

See Central America on 4x4
By: (Tue, 24 Feb 2009)


(above right, from left) Foo, Mohd Nor,
Lorenzo (on bike) and 4x4 organising
chairman Datuk Mohd Isa.

IN the wake of its first 4x4 expedition across South America last year, 4x4 World Explorer Sdn Bhd will next be tackling the ­mountainous terrain of Central America.

A total of 30 participants (25 of them ­Malaysians) in 13 fully-equipped 4x4 vehicles will be undertaking the 9,000km trek across seven countries – Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, Mexico and the United States.

This is the second leg of the World ­Explorer Series to circumnavigate the world between 2008 and 2012 in suitably modified 4x4 vehicles. The entire series will cover six regions – the ­Americas, Asia, Europe, Africa, Middle East and ­Southeast Asia.

The expedition was jointly launched ­recently by Mexico Ambassador Jorge Alberto Lozoya, Foreign Affairs Ministry Undersecretary of Americas Division Datuk Mohd Nor Atan, and 4x4 World Explorer organising committee.

The 47-day trek will start on April 29 from San Jose, Costa Rica, into the heart of Central America, passing through Mexico and crossing over to San Diego, California, before ending in Los Angeles on June 13.

Along the way, ­participants will visit United Nations Heritage Sites such as Chichen Itza (a large pre-Columbian ­archaeological site built by the Mayans) and the Baja California Desert (a steep and rugged desert eco-region in Mexico’s Baja Peninsular), said the series expedition leader Thomas Foo.

The event also saw the launch of The Third Eye – a collection of photos of the South America expedition taken by June Yap, a participant.

For those interested in joining this 4x4 adventure to Central America and Mexico, the package price is RM46,000 for the round trip. This includes costs for shipment of vehicles, border crossing, on-the-ground support including mechanical and ­medical back-up, accommodation (sometimes camping in style), most meals and side excursion tours.

Short sectors can also be arranged for participants with a tight schedule. Those who do not have their own 4x4 vehicles can still join on a ‘hop in’ basis in three vehicles set aside for this purpose. – Chin Lee Kam

Those interested can email to info@4x4we.com or call 03-4251 2423. Also check out the website at www.4x4worldexplorer.com.

--- end ---