A month ago our brave 2009 rally teams set off from Goodwood, Barcelona and Milan ready to take on 10,000 miles of the world. Over 100 teams made it to UB by the 4 week mark, and whilst some teams were forced to exchange their battered tin box for a plane and jet off home in order to make it back to work on Monday (swearing that they've just been really ill the last couple weeks) most people made it to what proved to be a fantastic Finish Line party on Saturday night. Festivities began with ralliers in high spirits reminiscing about their epic journey. Many a tale was told and the teams competed about who got the most lost, had the worst breakdown, paid the highest bribe, got stuck in the most sand, ran into the most camels etc. Things which, at the time, seemed like the end of the world became actually rather funny and teams who lost it on the trip swore they never doubted that they'd make it for a second.
Things really kicked off with a speech by Mr. Zandanshatar, a Mongolian MP, who thanked the teams for their monumental efforts in raising money for the Mongolian charities. This was followed by representatives from CNCF, Mercy Corps and CYPPD, the 3 official Mongol Rally charities, giving a bit more information on what they do, and why the Mongol Rally is so important in keeping their projects up and running. The teams got to see first hand how their support helps, as all the children from CNCF came along to put on a fantastic all-singing, all-dancing, performance.
Next up was 'Altan Orgil', a well-known Mongolian band, who play traditional music with a modern twist. It was an amazing performance, accompanied by an open-mouthed audience whose mouths got even wider as a contortionist joined the stage twisting herself into positions that you'd have to see to believe.
The Mongol Rally 2009 Awards came next – six of the most outstanding Rally teams received awards along with a good deal of champagne. Shortly after this, Mr Andrew Chisholm of team xx serenaded the crowd with bagpipes transported from Scotland across thousands of miles of desert and Steppe and last to take up the stage was Team 'Greasy Wheels', who, having never played together before put on an splendid performance.
The party continued long into the night, the ralliers gradually becoming less and less coherent. At 5am, with those final few left standing, things were finally brought to an end, with rumors of police on the way. All in all an awesome night, and a well-fitting celebration after 4 weeks of battling against all odds to make it to the final finish line.
Lots more teams have been arriving over the last couple of days having just missed the Finish Line festivities. But luckily for them, there's plenty more such parties to come!
We'll be back with more such tales of frollicks and fun.
The Adventurists.