Road run to Hainan

Some 158 officers recently got behind the wheel to rally to the sunny shores of Hainan Province.

The early hours of November 20 saw a fleet of 43 vehicles depart Sha Tin Race Course on the annual Mainland driving trip organised by the Police Motoring Club as part of the healthy lifestyles campaign.

The convoy, larger than three Police Tactical Unit company fleets, entered Guangdong through the Lok Ma Chau checkpoint and arrived at Kaiping in time for lunch after travelling some 260 kilometres along the Guangshen and Fukai Highways.

Led by PMC Chairman Superintendent Chan Chun-hing, the convoy then rolled westwards on super-highway G325, passing through Yangjiang, Yangchun, Yangxi and Maoping reaching Zhanjiang in time for dinner.

The next morning the convoy moved on to Xuwen, some 160 kilometres from Zhanjiang to catch the vehicular ferry to Haikou on Hainan Island, where they received an unexpected grand welcome from local officials.

The tour day capped off with a grand reception held by the Hainan Provincial Government at a local restaurant. On the invitation of Hainan Public Security head Wang Heping, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Management) Tsang Yam-pui was the reception's Guest of Honour.

Next day, the convoy rallied north to Sanya visiting several scenic spots like Xinglong and Yalong Bay along the way.

For the return journey, the drivers moved on to Xinglong for an overnight stop. However, just as the convoy was set to leave, the driver of Car 25 reported he lost his car key, apparently ignoring the Chief Marshal's advice to bring along a spare! The convoy marshals had to break into the vehicle and rig up a temporary ignition system for the journey home.

Back across the Qiongzhou Channel, the teams pulled into Hong Kong on the evening of November 26. The Club is planning a drive to Shaoquan in northern Guangdong, next September.