2005-06-18
Words from the Expedition Executive Mr. Kjell Borneland:
With a precision like a combat-pilot, the expedition started 3 minutes past 10 in the morning on June 18th 2005. In the front of the public, family, friends, neighbours, relatives and interested people we left beautiful Strängnäs where the Swedish summer flourished. The support we felt at the departure was incredible and we were very honoured to see the Vice Ambassador Mr. Said Ahouga and the First Secretary in charge of Consular Section Mr. Fouad Lamine from the Embassy of Morocco in Sweden as well as Mr. Eliot Freed from Ericsson who showed their support and sent their greetings to the expedition team. To see these representatives at the departure in Strängnäs confirmed that many people believe in the purpose of this project – to help people to a better life in developing regions of the world. We also want to express our gratitude to L’Ambassadeur de Sa Majesté le Roi à Stockholm, Mrs. Farida Jaidi of the Embassy of Morocco, who couldn’t attend at our departure but has helped the expedition in many appreciative ways.
From Strängnäs we made a non-stop drive to Gothenburg where we were welcomed by Mr. Kent Österberg and his sweet family with a welcome-meal for us in his home. Mr Österberg had also helped us getting in contact with the fantastic Mr Ragnar Johansson and Mrs. Petra Spiik at Stena Line who arranged that Stena Line sponsored the transportation of the ambulances from Gothenburg to Kiel. Mr Österberg had also invited Anna and Bodil from the Gothenburg Post (GP) who were interested in this unique expedition. Keep your eyes open for an article tomorrow in the “Göteborgs Posten” (www.gp.se). After a pleasant meal Mr. Österbergs escorted us to the Stena-Line terminal to get on the ferry at 6 o’clock in the evening. Just a couple of minutes ago, we passed the Vinga Lighthouse on our way out of the Swedish west coast archipelago.
The first meeting onboard the ferry was to celebrate the actual start of the expedition. Together we discussed the plans for the following days and solved some issues. As a great surprise from Mr. Balasubramanyan “Bala”, Director of Namaste Tours in New Delhi India, a package full of fresh mango from southern India was delivered to the team by DHL express mail. We enjoyed the sweet and exotic fruit when we kept on making plans for the next day. Right now, the traditional cruise-ship Smörgåsbord is waiting for the group to enjoy followed by the needed respite before the long drive tomorrow from Kiel to Paris, France. It feels great to finally be on our way, a year after the last years successful expedition from Sweden to Nepal. We want to send our greetings to the last years crew that are truly missed this year, but replaced by other interesting and determined people. The Overland Ambulance Expedition II has now officially started.
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