ISLAMABAD: The Unta Kurus modified camper van driven by retired lecturer Adnan Abdullah to travel overland to Makkah was a labour of love by his family.
His five children had bought the second-hand Ford Ranger 2.5 WLT four-wheel-drive vehicle for him and his wife three years ago. Adnan and his children modified the white-coloured vehicle in stages.
While most of the vehicle body has remained intact, he used wood from his old interior design firm office to construct the cabin, which is equipped with a bed, kitchenette and sitting area.
“My children and I used 90 per cent recycled material to build the cabin. The interior wood was taken from my old office. The wooden ladder attached to the rear is meranti putih (shorea) which was repurposed.
“My son, Syrrusilah, also helped with the design aspects, such as the use of solar power for some equipment.
“I always believe in the conservation of energy and resources. That’s the way it should be,” said Adnan, 65, when met by the New Straits Times during the Pakistan-leg of his and his wife’s overland trip from Malaysia to Makkah to perform the haj.
Everywhere they go, the Unta Kurus attracts a lot of watchers and admirers.
During their Pakistani stopovers in Islamabad, Multa, Dera Ismail Khan and other towns, smalls crowds would converge around the vehicle to ask the couple about it and their travels. Adnan said this was a norm, especially when they set up camp.
“The vehicle is a head-turner. People always approach us to ask about the vehicle. I pity my wife though, because big crowds of people would sometime come by when she cooks.”
He said his two daughters, Syrrushaqwa, 28, and Dr Syrrulfarah, 28, were greatly
involved in handling “administrative matters” of the journey, which had taken him and wife through six countries.
Syrrushaqwa handled travel documentation, while Dr Syrrulfarah was entrusted to wire in extra money whenever it was needed.
“My children are like the technical support unit of our trip, which is based back home.”
He said his other child, Dr Syrrunnaja, 34, was the one who stocked up the big box of medicine the couple brought along for the trip.
He and other relatives had also alerted authorities in Malaysia when Adnan and Hadibah’s journey was delayed in Pakistan.