MIDNIGHT/BIRMABRIGHT

He introduces himself as Jimi.

We find a table with a clear view of the carpark. We order teh-tarik and continue chatting about trucks — more specifically, about Land Rovers. Jimi has owned his 1972, Series III Land Rover for over a decade now. The Birmabright, bare aluminium look is, of course, intentional.

Jimi talks about his (mis)adventures and about his two Schnauzers, Rusty and Rover. He tells us about how his Series III has ploughed through the gruelling terrain of the Rainforest Challenge (RFC) equipped with nothing more than skinny tires and a power-take-off (PTO) winch. Once in awhile, we glance over at our trucks and wonder if they are having similar conversations about us.

Jimi also travels across Southeast Asia in his Land Rover. Occasionally, he switches out his hard-top roof with a bikini-hood canvas. More often than not, he has the companionship of a very enthusiastic co-driver, his mother.

Jimi reveals mid-conversation that his real name isn't Jimi. He grins and explains that he grew up listening to a lot of Jimi Hendrix's music. Thats nice.

We still call him Jimi anyway.

We are done with our tea. We head over to our trucks. Jimi pulls out some gasket paper and starts cutting them with a pair of pruning shears.

Its midnight. Time to change out the radiator.

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