Charge Around The Globe (Asia)
Lexie Alford and the Ford Explorer continue their epic around the globe quest
Europe, Africa and Australia already visited, Lexie and the Ford Explorer now head to their fourth continent, Asia.
The journey starts in the capital city of India, New Delhi, part of the densely populated megacity of Delhi.
After driving more than 1,500 kilometres through India they then pass into Bhutan.
The voyage picks up again in Vietnam...
... heading through Cambodia and Thailand before finishing in Malaysia.
India
Through the chaotic roads of New Delhi, Lexie’s first stop was to Gurudwara Sri Bangla Sahib Modern Kitchen. Housed within the incredible golden-domed complex of the shrine is a huge langar hall where anyone is welcome to sit on the floor and receive a free meal.
The meals are created in massive kitchens that are staffed mainly by volunteers, and also served by volunteers. It’s open all day, every day, and can feed more than 35,000 people in a single 24 hour period.
Lexie met with Jagjeet Kaur, who is a volunteer manager, and had the chance see the impressive kitchens for herself then work together with Jagjeet making chapatis before serving them to those gathered in the langar.
With the meal over, it was back in the Ford Explorer and a journey south to Agra, and India’s most recognisable landmark, the Taj Mahal.
The majestic building, created 365 years ago as a tomb for the beloved wife of the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, allowed for some moments of quiet contemplation before the journey through India began in earnest.
Heading east, Lexie and the Explorer travelled through Lucknow and Varanasi, then up to Patna in the Bihar region of the country. From here they followed the flow of the Ganges river to Bhaglapur, dealing with long charging stops on 2.2kw supplies along the way. India’s final destination was Shiliguri, from where they would leave the following day to head into Bhutan.
Bhutan
With the colours and sights of India in the rearview mirror, Lexie and the Ford Explorer continue their electric journey around the globe with a crossing into mountainous Bhutan.
Starting in Bhutan’s financial, industrial and trading capital, Phuntsholing, the road out leads Lexie towards the first destination, Paro. The people of Bhutan rely on one road to travel in to and out of the centre of the country so it is extremely well-maintained, meaning easy work for the Explorer.
As they climb the sharp inclines towards Paro the sight of hundreds of Tsa-Tsa decorate the mountain ledges – small cone-shaped offerings representing ancient prayers for the well-being of loved ones, both alive and departed. These are the kinds of sights visitors have only been able to see here since 1974 when the country opened up to tourists for the first time.
After a stay over in Paro, it’s a trip to what is reported to be the oldest nunnery in Bhutan, Kila Goenpa nunnery. The road to reach it is a dirt track with dustings of snow, but again the Explorer makes light work of it as they reach the mountainside destination. Amongst the quiet, it’s the perfect place for Lexie to contemplate how far she’s travelled on this epic journey so far.
The following day, Lexie points the Explorer from Paro towards Thimpu, the country’s political capital since 1961 and largest city. Before arriving she drives up to the 169ft tall Buddha Dordenma Statue that overlooks the city. The incredible monument can be seen from all over, and when lit up at night it becomes a beacon in the dark of Bhutan.
It’s a fitting last stop before heading into Thimpu and then back to Paro, ready for the next leg of the journey in Vietnam.
Cambodia
With any ambitious adventure problems will inevitably be encountered at some point. So far only finding charging points, dealing with tricky roads and the occasional flat tyre have caused any issue, but in Vietnam the resolve of the challenge was put to the test as Lexie fell ill during the first stop in Ho Chi Minh city. With tight schedules to make border crossings and Lexie too sick to drive, the decision was taken to allow someone else behind the wheel.
While those kilometres won’t count in her official RecordSetter attempt to be the first person to circumnavigate the globe in an electric vehicle, fortunately there are still plenty to travel to reach the minimum requirement of 28,968 kilometres.
By Cambodia, Lexie was back to full fitness and in more familiar surroundings. The five-hour drive from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap may be new, but Siem Reap is a city Lexie has visited a number of times; she travelled there as a child, backpacked there several times later on and has returned to film content for work. This was the first time she tried the local dish of fried tarantula though.
Cambodia was always going to be a short part of the journey, with just enough time to take in the stunning Anghor Wat temple – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – before the ever-healthy Ford Explorer was pointed towards Thailand.
Thailand
Crossing the border into Thailand, the fifth country visited in Asia, Lexie was soon in the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. The unpredictable driving conditions within the city, similar to those she experienced in India, are just one of the many challenges she and the Ford Explorer are getting used to by now, but it requires constant vigilance.
Needless to say it can be tiring and the quieter country roads as they continue to the southern coast are a welcome relief, with the changing scenery adding crucial mental stimulation for Lexie on this epic trip.
Malaysia
There’s more mental stimulation when they finally cross into Malaysia, after another tricky delay at a border, as she has to switch to driving on the other side of the road. Adhering to different road rules in different countries is yet another challenge of a trip like this that many overlook.
In Kuala Lumpar there was a totally different kind of stimulation as Lexie visited Ann Osman, the first female Muslim MMA fighter in Malaysia, who is inspiring a new generation of young females to also fight against the conservative norms. Meeting in Ann’s local gym, Lexie found out more about her life and was then given a pair of gloves to try the sport out for herself!
The last leg of the Asian adventure stretched through Kuala Lumpar and all the way down to Tanjung Piai, the southernmost point of mainland Asia. Tricky logistics, illness and difficult border controls on top of the thousands of kilometres driven have made getting to this point a real achievement. Having overcome the challenges though, Lexie can now look forward to the next massive challenge; taking on South America.
To be continued...
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