During the tournaments years back, the familiar heat was my biggest headache. Water bottles kissed me more than anything(one) else. Tiredness is hardly spoken of but felt throughout. Big Deuter bags that cling on to me through thick and thin. The bus would be filled up with light hearteds and laughters that never wondered about the upcoming challenges.
This time same scenario but different purpose. The game is played in the forest. Trekking up the 64th Highest Mountain in Malaysia, Gunung Ledang, Mount Ophir. Organised by a die-hard Liverpool Fan, Vengaji the leader and owner of Awakening Centre. Not to mention my passion for Arsenal, if not soccer bites could occur.
It was a memorable trip. An extraordinary for all bodied and minds. A retreat to nature has never been this much since my 2004 Chiang Mai Adventure.
Looks like I'm painting a beautiful picture here. Yes I am. I could only beautify it in my room because I'm safe back from the trip. But when in the jungle all, at 1000 feet above, I was thinking only of the staircase; The trail that leads back to the starting point.
Let me tell how it all began. There are heroes and heroines over here if not for blunders and mis judgements and of course Never Say Die Attitude.
First we headed first for the waterfalls. Got ourselves fun and wet and none changed as we get set for the climbing. It was almost NS alike. Mind you, this trip had 90% percent ladies.
The idea was to get set for 4 check points. But as soon as the 1st group (younger and well bodied), where I was in, got up to the 1st Checkpoint-CP1 the group of mothers were still trailing up. Understandable. Yet when they reached up, FINISHING the plan was on their mind. Salutes to them.
Now settled at Checkpoint 2 (CP2), 1000 odd feet above. The 1st group, yet again reached first and this was where the saga brewed. The team of 25 got disbanded to 3 separate groups. 1st group wanted to finish the trail. The other 2 were far behind. The guides' decision was all that we had to follow. They were inexperienced yet sounded promising. We were told that if we follow this new trail, we could reach the Elephant Pond and CP4 within an hour or so.
Now its passion above patience. Shall we wait or make a move first? We wanted to reach there so much ignoring the time. It was 4pm. Not a good idea because upon returning it would turn dark. Darkness while you’re thousand feet above ground? I leave it to your imagination.
The 1st group left CP2. Leaving behind the 2nd group waiting for the 3rd group. We felt like warriors. Tiredness was hardly felt. But as we kept moving, climbing upon fallen trees and kneeling below trunks gave us the first signal of fatigue. The time on the watch gave me the creep. Realising that returning would be a dark and dangerous adventure. I was afraid. I didn't have any torchlight so did all the other 7 hikers. I wished I had carried my TIGER EYE Bracelet. How could I ever forgot my favorite of all bracelets.
I told the co-organisar Thana, lets head back. Soon one of the 2 guides recieved a message that the 2 groups had discontinued the trekking. I wished this would support my plea. She didn't listen. She was my good friend, like an argument in any relationship, I raised my voice with displeasure. Mentioning it would be illogical and impractical if we continue. Turning back at darkness would be worthless. As usual, her strong faith within rejected me. "Why give up when we are almost there". I got enraged. This is a spiritual trip. I kept repeating 'No anger over the mind'. You think I was cool...Na??? I was honest to my emotions and couldn't control it.
Halfway through after 45 min, the team gave up. We didn't want to continue any further. Are we giving up or giving in to safety measure? We gave up... Thana listened. Her actions really irritated me as she preferred to listen to others than to me. I expected this from her. Somehow it seems slightly revengeful as she didn’t wish to listen to me since the beginning.
As we head back, unfamiliarity travelling in the darkness gave me the creep. The other 7 trekkers were cool, and kept going. I was telling, thing are getting ok. Just move on. No point getting frustrated as its disrespectful. The trail to CP2 seemed never ending . In the darkness there were only two torchlights and a long trail. The speed had to slow down. On the contra I found it to be thrilling. I started enjoying the pain.
It took an hour to get back to CP2. The remaining gangs were waiting for us all these while for solid 90 min. Thanks to them. We had huge relief when we saw them.
Soon we started trailing back. Many strong minded were seen at this time. Vengaji, carrying his son for the past 3 hours. His wife June supporting and ensuring all is fine and well in the darkness. Komala's shoes rubbered heels came off leaving her less supported feet to feel the rocky path throughout. Nava aunty had troubling knees and age to deal with. 2 guides carried her till the end of the trekking. Salute to those guides. Not failing to mention thirsty hikers, blistered feet, aching bodies and many more...
At the end of the trail, I had learnt many other things...Leaving us with memories and smiles within.
and We Never Walked Alone as Members of the Awakening Centre.
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