Stealth fighters spook White Sands

BRUNEI'S very own global trekker Norhayati Abu Bakar and her husband, Harun Kurt Eichbauer and their faithful four-wheel drive Toyota Landcruiser dubbed "Jambo", are on their leg of the North American continent.

In this edition, The Brunei Times presents Norhayati's travel note for her journey entitled: "From Brunei to around the World 2009 - 2010, 25 Years Brunei Independence Expedition". The following are excerpts from their 2010 travelogue (www.overthehorizon.net).

Sunday, August 8

It was early morning and the sun was already up shining brightly into our hotel room. By 7am we were on the road again driving west. Along the journey, we noticed plenty of tyre pieces lying on the side of the highway. At two occasions speeding vehicles caused the tyre pieces to hit Jambo's windscreen. We wondered why the local authorities here don't seem to be bothered to clean up the highway. After reaching San Antonio, we checked into a hotel to update our web site and have a good wash.

Monday, August 9

We had a front tyre blowout on the highway. We were driving at 100km/h when we heard tyre blew with a bang. These marvelous tyres had faithfully held out for over 60,000 km since we left Brunei. But sharp stones on African and South American roads had cut through the steel netting. We had no choice but to dig deep into our pocket to buy a new set of four tyres. The US tyre size is much smaller but appropriate to be used. They will certainly bring us home.

We then continued with our journey towards Carlsbad in New Mexico and arrived in the afternoon. The reason we went there was the caverns of the Guadalupe lime mountains which contain numerous underground caves. Here in Carlsbad, farmers got rich beyond their dreams when they struck oil on their land. Oil pumps can be seen by dozens from the highways. The scenery here is beautiful, and the road system perfect. The roads here are generally double-lane overland connections.

The campsite that we stopped by for the evening had Internet connection and hot showers and at US$20 ($27) (after some fierce bargaining) the price was reasonable. The area here is well known as UFO country; and not wanting to miss a sight, Harun climbed up the roof rack to sleep under the stars. How dreadful, no UFO was seen that night. Maybe the snore scared the aliens away.

Tuesday, August 10

By 9am we were at the Caverns at Guadalupe limestone mountains. After the necessary US$6 entrance fees, we entered a lift and we went 750 feet down. The underground foyer houses a souvenir shop and toilets. I wonder how they pump the contents up to surface. The cave walkway was tarred and fitted with stainless steel railings.

The scenery at the caverns reminds me of the Mulu caves. The walkway about two km long and leads us to a fairytale land filled with stalactites and stalagmites that were formed 20 to 30 million years ago. Parts of the caverns were well lit, thus enhancing the beauty of the lime formations. We later 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.

It was here in White Sands, in front of the Holloman air force base, that USAF combat aircraft frequently fly in and out of the base. It was at Holloman that F-117 stealth combat aircraft was first sighted and sparked a global sensation that the US Air Force was experimenting on "alien" technology.

We even stopped by to take photos. While we were taking photos, there was another car besides Jambo. A guy with a large binocular was scanning the area. "Are you looking for UFO?" asked Harun. He denied and went unusually fast into his vehicle to drive away. At Holloman, there were warning signs that tell you not to remain too long on one place.

Next to Holloman air force base is the notoriously famous White Sands Missile Range. When the Germans lost World War II, their advanced rocket and missile technology was transported out of Peenemunde, Germany, into White Sands. Here German scientists that were evacuated worked hard to further develop rockets that will eventually be used for military and Nasa. Near White Sands is the largest gypsum dune field in the world.

The day was soon over and we later drove again into the mountains, searching for a camping ground. By sheer chance we end up in one when night was fast approaching.

The Brunei Times