BMW Lifestyle – Joy, The BMW way, Part 2
BMW Lifestyle – Joy, the BMW Way (Part 2)
Sunday, 14 August 2005 – Tanjung Jara, Terengganu – It is a little after 5.00 pm, and we have just come back from a long hard day of enjoying the BMW X3, X5, and the Z4. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it (LOL).
Wake-up calls were arranged by BMW at 7.30 am; we assembled in the front porch, and were treated to a rare sight of the X’s and the Z’s, together with a 645Ci, all ready to go. What about breakfast? Vijay, the PR manager, took us into the garden to have a ‘sit down’ breakfast, traditional Terengganu style. We sat on mats placed on the grass; in true tradition, we would have had to eat our breakfast off another mat placed in the centre, but Vijay was kind, putting a low table there instead. Breakfast was nasi dagang, tosai, toast bread with kaya, and teh tarik. It was really a mixed bag of marbles insofar as the food was concerned, but the setting was traditional, and that was what mattered. It was a JOYful experience in its own right.
Next, we drove, two to a car, in convoy to the outskirts of Kuala Terengganu, where a police escort was waiting, and they took us through the town traffic to the Pura Tanjung Sabtu for lunch. My drive partner for today was Chris Wee, and we got the BMW X5 to start with. The good thing about the X5 is that you can stick your camera out the sunroof and take good pictures of the cars in action. The Pura Tanjung Sabtu is an ‘Architectural Treasure of Terengganu’, a place where time has stood still. Built about 200 years ago, it is a traditional Malay mansion standing beside the Terengganu River. Belonging to the royal family of Terengganu, it was originally used as a collection centre for food and produce destined for the royal family. Boats would come from all over the state, bringing rice, chickens, spices, firewood, and livestock. These would then be transported by bullock cart to the royal istana. Today, it is an ‘Owner-hosted home stay’ for people who want to experience Terengganu-style living. The host is Tengku Ismail, a very friendly and approachable man despite his royal title, a second cousin of the ruler of the state. He stays alone at the Pura Tanjung Sabtu, and takes good care of guests who come from all over the world.
According to Tengku Ismail, he is re-furbishing the building bit by bit, but says that it costs a lot to upkeep a wooden building. Nevertheless, he is plugging at it, hoping that one day, the government will do something to help him keep this heritage from disappearing.
Lunch was a very interesting traditional Terengganu food, with desserts and air bandung thrown in. We also watched a songket weaving session; this is all done by hand, and it takes from two weeks to a month to make a 2-metre piece. Cost per piece can be from RM4,000.00 to RM100,000, if made from pure silk, and depending on how much gold thread is used.
After lunch, we moved off to have a very enjoyable drive to Lake Kenyir. This time, we got the Z4, 3.0 litre. This car is really enjoyable, and needless to say, it was fun to drive. I got a little jealous that Chris got to drive on a very nice and winding stretch of road, but it was okay, because we went along the same stretch again on the way out, and this time I drove, in the Z4 2.5. The engine is a little less powerful than the 3.0 litre, but only slightly. It is still a great car to drive. I would venture to say that all of us, without exception, enjoyed it tremendously.
Then it was a normal drive at mundane speeds through kampungs and countryside to an open plot of land, where we put the X’s through dirt, crossed ditches, and went up and down hills. All this was to show the versatility of the X3 and X5. Of special interest is the hill descent control, (HDC), which, when activated, allows you to come down very steep slopes safely. Mr. Wolfgang Schlimme, MD of BMW was present to make sure everybody enjoyed himself or herself.
Up to now, I must say the BMW JOY experience has been very enjoyable. The driving is great, but the whole experience goes beyond just the driving. Personally, I got acquainted with the Z4 again, after having tested it many months ago, and I have fallen in love with it again. So next week, I will be taking one out for a test again.
Right now, I have to sign off, because I have to get ready for dinner, which will be on the beach, tonight.
