yes, we all know this trip has been one full of stunts and drama... and we all thought we have seen it all. Until now...
pulled into the Perth domestic airport after one hell of a backbreaking and uncomfortable plane ride courtesy of the 'exemplary' service from Virgin Blue. The weather was wet and balmy but spirits were high, we were all excited to see Corinna after so long, more so for the opportunity to bully her again (right hc?). Our dear VP came down to fetch us in her station wagon, which we duly overloaded with all our luggage (i tell ya, it's so overloaded that we are so gonna die of luggage tax when we fly back). We then made the half hour(?) journey back to her place.
It was a cosy ride, which we appreciated, along with the chance to catch up with our lonely Perth host. I was busy making myself comfortable, trying to make up lost snooze time in the plane, while Corinna continued burning rubber down the freeway. Corinna stopped after making a right turn, apparently it was a wrong turn into a gravel track. We tried to reverse out but the car didn't move. For a moment, all was silent 'cept for the sound of tyres on gravel.
It all dawned upon us when we got out of the car. The car was stuck in the middle of a railway track. More exactly, the front right wheel was jammed in the left track, while the rear right wheel axle was on the track, leaving the car slanted with the rear right wheel free in the air. Darn, so there goes my precious midnight siesta. We first emptied the car of all our luggage on the damp road. Kelvin tried to figure out something with the car jack, while Hongchang and I went around looking for a plank to aid the car up.
A SUV drove by, which we tried to flag for help but to no avail. However, we managed to stopped this car, who's Aussie owner came down to help us out. He helped us call for a tow truck. The SUV drove back to kaypoh thgs out, being typical Singaporeans but the lady and her son had good intentions. From a distance, we could make out the light of a train approaching. Kelvin started waving with his red lightstick and torch. I quickly took out my red lightstick from my backpack (and my mum was scolding me for bringing it) and told him to run ahead or the train will not be able to stop in time. And so the two of us ran down the uneven gravel track, kel with his precious Chuck Taylors, me with my cheapo SAF sandals. Several cars helped by flashing their highbeams towards the general direction. Although it was dark and we could not see where we were stepping, but we had to push on. The guy who stopped by, ran past us and shouted to the train. The train had already seen us from a distance and had slowed down. It was a massive freight train carrying tanks after tanks of petroluem. It took quite a length of track for the train to fully come to a stop.
When we went back to the car, there were enough ppl to help push the car out of the tracks. The train master took down Corinna's name and particulars. By then, a police helicopter (yes, those you see on 'World's Most Dangerous Police Chases' on TV) was already hovering over the area, spotlights all over. Fortunately for us, the car was still working. We gave our thanks to those who stopped to help and left off. The chopper still tailed us, spotlighting us along the way. Suddenly, a police car appeared behind us, siren and emergency lights blazing. In the end, all was settled and we finally made it back to Corinna's place. So what will happen to us over this stunt, we have yet to hear from the Aussie police... till then, we shall assume all is fine... heh
for now, let us all welcome the new champion.... =)
heng jiong
