HAVING crossed the slippery narrow log bridge, our group faced a slight setback.
After Day 3's lunch, we found that one of the cars had a clicking sound coming from the rear wheel bearing.
Seeing as we were parked at a flat and conducive spot near a river, it was decided that we would set up camp early and check the vehicle thoroughly to ensure there was no risk of serious damage.
The rest of the convoy on the opposite bank of the river, merely hundreds of metres away, also decided to set up camp as well.
Ade Black's crew, Shahrul, Jhonethan and "Boy" got to work quickly to dismantle the rear wheel bearing assembly and rear differential to check everything thoroughly. It was amazing to watch them do such detailed work in the field.
They found that the left rear wheel bearing was due for replacement — it was after all 20 odd years old.
It was decided that all of us would proceed onwards cautiously in the morning.
With the help of a satellite phone, we arranged for a replacement axle and bearing assembly sourced from Ranau to be delivered to us when we exited the hardcore track.
It was a wet start to Day 4. Fortunately, the rain stopped in time for us to break camp and make our way across the river to catch up with the rest of the convoy.
That morning, we had to recover a couple of vehicles that fell through broken bridges and rebuild them for the vehicles that had yet to cross.
It was during one of these recoveries that I learnt how a broken winch plasma rope could be spliced back together.
The camaraderie even while facing tough challenges was one of the reasons that I enjoyed off-roading in Sabah.
We arrived at the end of the Hardcore Track around 3.30pm. The highlight here was the short ride across the river on a winch powered ferry that could accommodate four vehicles at a time. Unfortunately, it had broken down and we had to wait a few hours before it was back up and running.
Our group of four finally boarded the ferry after 8pm and made our way to the other side where we regrouped with the rest of our convoy and collected the axle and bearing assembly that was sent up from Ranau.
We arrived at Kun Kun, situated within the Tangkulap Forest Reserve, close to 11pm and quickly set up camp. While some of us prepared dinner, the mechanics went to work on replacing the axle and bearing assembly on the Nissan GQ.
Some modifications were required and all this was done on the spot. It was past 2am when I went to the river for a bath before collapsing on my camp bed. The boys were still working on the car then and the least I could do to show my support was to tell them that they could sleep in and that I would prepare breakfast for everyone the next morning.
I woke up on Day 5 to the sound of water from the river several feet from my camp bed and birds chirping. We were not in a rush to break camp today and most of us used the extra time in the morning to check and tidy up the vehicles and repack our belongings. Tyres were inflated back to regular on road driving pressure.
But before we could leave, the medics were called in to attend to one of the jump seat participants who had developed an allergic reaction.
We stopped at Mile 32 in Sandakan for lunch and fuel before heading off towards Taliwas where we were to regroup with the Touring Class participants for the night.
Soon after that, we heard updates on our radio channel saying that there was a change of plans and the organiser had diverted the entire convoy to the Batu Putih Community Centre underneath the Kinabatangan Bridge.
Several of the vehicles from the Hardcore Convoy opted to proceed to Lahad Datu for the night so that we had less distance to cover to Semporna the following day, bearing in mind that we were driving on tarmac with Extreme Terrain tyres and needed to be there by lunchtime to catch the boat to Bohey Dulang.
After breakfast in Lahad Datu on Day 6, we set off for Semporna just as the Touring Class convoy was passing through as well.
Several speedboats ferried us across to Bohey Dulang in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
Visitors to the island are limited to a two-hour visit but we were granted permission to spend the night. We set up our camp beds along the jetty and in whatever space available.
Many of the participants hiked up to the top of the trail and were rewarded with breathtaking views of the extinct volcanic crater lagoon. A scrumptious dinner that night was catered for by Shone and Kathie Ajimbun and their crew Tony and Ogastin.
Day 7 of the expedition saw some members of the team who were licensed open water divers taking part in coral planting on Bohey Dulang while others headed out by boat to the nearby Mantabuan island.
We had lunch (again prepared by Shone, Kathie and their crew) on return to Bohey Dulang before we packed up and returned to Semporna to check into the Seafest Hotel. We also attended a dinner hosted by the Sabah Tourism Board.
The final day of travelling together took us from Semporna to Kota Kinabalu. It was roughly 580km distance wise but driving on Extreme Terrain Tyres meant that the journey, plus breaks, took us more than 15 hours.
Keeping each other entertained, plus plenty of snacks and short breaks to stretch our legs, helped keep everyone awake.
The moonlike craters on the road and sudden ruts and sinkholes also kept us alert.
The highlight of that long drive back was the sighting of a herd of Bornean pygmy elephants near the Maliau Basin.
With new friendships forged, I look forward to returning to "The Land Below The Wind" for more off-road adventures.
Alison Sandra Murugesu is just a bike riding, truck driving mum who is trying to find a balance between earning a living and living a life.
