Tragic accident in Thailand shatters S'porean's international love story & tears family apart
She shared his dream of conquering the world on two wheels.
But their quest ended in tragedy when they had an accident in Thailand.
Madam Jennel Ng, 39, had already set off on a solo adventure when she met Mr Francisco Villa Honorato, a former firefighter who was attempting to set the Guinness Book of World Record for cycling around the world.
The ex-teacher had quit her job in December 2011 to explore South America.
Photo: Facebook screengrab/ Francisco Villa
The pair met in March 2012 in Cancun, Mexico, but sparks did not fly then. They went their separate ways after exchanging e-mails and promising to keep in touch.
Madam Ng said:
“From our e-mails exchanges, he showed that he was a very nice and sincere man.
“I didn’t fall in love with him just yet but I did have some feelings for him."
Then he asked her to join him on his world record-setting attempt by travel the world on two wheels in August 2012.
“At that point, I was bored of traveling alone,” she said. “So I decided to give him a chance, because I wanted to see where this budding romance would lead us.
It turns out that the adventure would take them around the world."
After re-uniting in Mexico again in August that same year, they flew to Zurich in September to cycle around Europe.
That was when love blossomed.
Photo: Madam Jennel Ng
In November 2013, the couple welcomed son, Lukas, and sealed their love by getting married in April 2014.
The adventurers then flew from Chile to Guangzhou, China, five months later to re-start their cycling quest - with baby in tow.
Unfortunately, Mr Villa met with an accident on Feb 21.
A pick-up truck hit the family from the back as they were cycling on the roads.
Mr Francisco Villa Honotaro, 48, who was seated behind, was killed. Madam Ng, who was in front, broke her left calf bone.
Amazingly, their son - who was in the baby car seat that was attached to the carriage - had only minor bruises.
Despite the pain of losing her spouse, their son's lucky escape is something she'll always be grateful for: “Thank goodness, my son is safe.”
Read the full report in our print edition on March 9.
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