Brunei is an amazing place for it's serene and beautiful nature, mosques, king's lifestyle, water village, dense forest and many more.  It's sparsely populated and one of the richest country in the world.

Out of all the tourist places around Bandar City, capital, trekking was one of them in my list.
The place is located right in the middle of the city. It was just 2.5km from my hotel.

Plan was to start by 6AM so that I can return before it's too sunny. It was supposed to be just 2-3 hours of trekking, thanks to google.
I got up at 8AM. It was beautiful Saturday late morning.  You always have the privilege of time if you are traveling alone.

I left home at 9AM and started walking. There were only two small makeshift stalls at the entrance for water and drinks.  I was not in the mood to carry any bag hence didn't buy any water, even left one filled water bottle at home.

I had done a lot of trekking before, but never alone. I saw a few groups finishing their trekking at the entrance.
"Hello brother, how much time it takes to climb up?" I asked.
"2-4 hours depending on the path you take."

I have done full day trekking before and this might be the shortest.

Map at entrance

I took a photo of Map at the entrance and started moving on trekking path. Sun rays were struggling to enter the dense forest. Brunei has preserved their nature well and untouched. You can see really old dense trees very next to your apartment.

Few monkeys were sitting on way enjoying their time with family.
It was only me in this dense forest and I was totally enjoying my date with nature. It was a rare moment.

After almost one hour of trekking, I started feeling thirsty.
There were few direction boards in the beginning but after getting further into the dense forest, I was not able to see any such boards. If I hit any junction with multiple walkways, I had to decide on my gut feeling and little help from map photo I took at the entrance. I was not able to see anyone now most probably because this place is not so popular or I am too late for trekking.

As time passed, my throat went completely dry. I was getting exhausted and tired by now. As I was reaching the top of the mountain, the sun was able to penetrate the forest increasing temperature.



I looked around with very less hope of finding any help.
Few crazy thoughts started taking birth in my head.

"What if I am lost here?"
"Am I going to die here?"

"I am already real thirsty and if I choose correct path while returning, best case will still take minimum two hours. Will I be able to survive till then?"
My legs started shivering. I started feeling more exhausted and more thirsty.

Another side of mind woke up.
"Shut up, nothing will happen, this is such a small problem"
"Your life is not so cheap. You will definitely come out of it"

But the first part of the brain didn't buy this.
"I am sure you are just trying to console me".

I was putting one step after another slowly on steep stairs toward the top of the mountain. There was no question of going back without touching the top. I was making sure not to get exhausted much hence was taking rest more often.

Slowly top was visible. One small shed was built there decorated with a signboard "
Welcome Mid Autumn festival".
Colorful Chinese lanterns were hanging around the shed. Suddenly I saw one almost 10 liter water jar kept at the corner of the shed. I started moving fast, went to it but it was empty. Looks like it is there since long time untouched covered with complete dust.
"Thank god for laughing at my situation." I looked up and said.

Small worn out shed at top

"Helloooo"  "Helloooooooooooooo" "heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelppppppppppp!!!!!!"
I shouted without much of hope.

No reply. There was no signal on my mobile as well.
I was now in a strong urge to drink water else I might faint. I felt an urge to empty my bladder as well.

"Should I drink my urine?"

"What if I drink and fall sick? It will become worse"
But if I just pass it, I might lose a chance to drink something.

Few documentary movies re-played in my mind where a person in such a situation drinks his own pee and eats cockroaches to keep himself alive.
"I didn't see any cockroach in the forest yet."

I saw one garbage box kept in the corner. I walked to it, opened the lid which was tightened properly to avoid being blown away by the wind.

Quite a few water bottles stared at me from inside, as if telling me that they are also thirsty without water since long. Few empty soft drink cans were also lying in that with ants queuing to get last sweet drop left sticking to bottle.
I felt jealous of ants. They can quench their thirst in just one drop. Now I was missing my bottle, I left on the table at home, very much. It was flashing in front of my eyes every second.

I dropped the plan of drinking urine as I never tested it. Right in the middle of a forest on top of the mountain, it was really fun peeing there. You can enjoy a few moments even when you are in deep shit.

I was not sure what to do now. Minimum 1-2 hours of more trekking left to go back and I had no energy left.

No choice but to move. I walked hardly two steps and my legs started shivering.
I returned to shed again and lied down on the fixed thin bench.

"Forget about the problem. Relax and enjoy the beauty of the moment. close your eyes."
I let my heavy breathing turn normal. Got my mind relaxed and dozed for few minutes recharging myself.
I got up, cherished and praised the city which was beautiful from the top. I can see the main structures all around the city, Mosque, bridge, sultan's palace etc.

I started walking again, with new confidence. "Slowly one step at a time, just focus on finding a right and shortest path"

I was analyzing the surroundings to make sure that I am not lost.

After a good 40 min walk suddenly sun rays reflected on my face. Reflection was coming from a beautiful lake hiding behind trees. I remembered I saw one lake in the map. I immediately took out the map in excitement trying to locate myself using the lake as a landmark.

"Woo hoo. I am on the right path." I started walking along the lake. That what I learned from a few movies. Walk along water body if you are lost. Small pathway turned wider and now I can see it is connecting to the proper path.

I was so happy that I am out. Finally took a sigh of relief. I was thinking I will go out now and drink a lot of water first. from one side I heard a faint waterfall sound. I started chasing the sound and soon I was on top of it but the waterfall was not visible.

Soon I realized that I am on the wrong side. I can get a proper view of the waterfall if I go opposite to it. It was a calm and lovely waterfall. No one was there as well.

I sat at bottom of the waterfall. The strong urge of drinking water was gone. You can't get this type of opportunity very often where only you and nature are spending time together.

Waterfall in middle of forest

Last 4 hours was reeling in my mind.
"Why do our mind works against us? "
Our mind plays around us and fools us. 1 hour back I was fully exhausted, dead thirsty and completely out of energy and now I am sitting calmly in front of a waterfall with no strong urge of drinking water. Just because I got this feeling that I am safe now and I know how to go out of this place.

It was a rare life-threatening experience but with the realization that we live in so much of comfort zone that we feel helpless in even such small problems.

We should live in the present and enjoy the moment than worrying much about the future. Keep your hand on your heart and say "All is Well" and strongly face the situation.
I was happy that I managed to calm myself when I was at the peak of the mountain and could adore the nature's beauty.

With calmness induced from nature, I walked away at a slow pace. Found a water vending machine at the entrance. Dropped coins and emptied the sweetest water I ever had.

Vending machine

Life is learning every day, never miss the present worrying about the future.

Sometime when you feel unrest and bored, you should go back to your passion, your hobbies and let yourself submerge in that. Sketching and drawing is my hobby, not drinking. I chose whisky bottle because it had better reflection and shades than other things which was easily available around me.
I am not promoting drinking anyway.

I am feeling peaceful, fully satisfied and happy after drawing this piece of art. I beleive that it came out nicely. I am also happy that Facebook, smart phone, TV and other distracting objects failed to distract me for 4-5 hours when I was lost in this.          
                                                                                                                   Prashant,
                                                                                                                   Makati, Manila
                                                                                                                    Art on: 06-Jun-2015

 

It was a lazy start of the day. Weekends are always late risers. I always try to make my weekend happening and memorable because this is the day which is completely mine, not sold to anyone.

My to do list was popping something today. Generally I don't like to go out for lunch alone. I found this Vietnamese restaurant on Zomato.com and had no patience to wait for any company to go there. I knew I will be alone there but wished it would not be boring.

It was a little struggle to locate the restaurant. Tucked on the street beside sony center, 100Ft road of Indiranagar,Bangalore, was a little struggle to find when I crossed it two times, "The Phobidden Fruit" but could not see it(I thought its name bidden should be changed to hidden). It is on the opposite of "mom & me" shop. The entrance is a small passage. this restaurant brought a surprise to me. I was thinking if it could have maintained the same interior decoration and cool look of restaurant as the restaurants in Vietnam are.

Not only the interior design and the service, Vietnamese theme was also well preserved in this restaurant. This restaurant was successful in providing the relax and soothing environment.
To my surprise it was well crowded and most of the tables were occupied. I never thought Indian people may like Vietnamese food so much.



I found one place and got comfortable there. The menu was in front of me. I was excited. I wanted to check if they are able to cook Vietnamese food with same aroma and flavor. I ordered the most popular Vietnamese food Pho Ga(Pho: noodles , Ga: Chicken). It was very weird kind of feeling eating Pho in Vietnamese restaurant full of Indians.
The Pho was maintained with same aroma what I used to eat in Pho24 in Saigon. The flavoured leaves and other supplements were also provided in same way. The only difference I felt was the noddle part was not as soft as in Vietnam.May be they bought this noodle in bulk from Vietnam and preserved somewhere.

I ordered lemon Grass Iced tea. The theme was preserved in drinks also.  The same size and shape of ice cubes was used in drink. It reminded me of the drink we used to have in Vietnam where one drink used to last for 2-3 hours.

Lemon Grass Iced Tea

I was looking in menu again. This time wanted to eat some delicacy. I ordered for squid Salt and pepper fry. In the meantime when waiter could fulfill my order I started satisfying my queries.

I called manager type looking guy and asked
"who is the owner of this restaurant?"
A Tamilian sir" He replied. I was astonished.
"And where are these waiters from?"
"They are from North East of India". He added.
"How come you have successfully copied the theme of Vietnamese restaurants as well as the cuisines ?"
"Sir, Our head chef is also from north east part of India but was in Vietnam for almost a year hence he learned."
I was not convinced. Chef can cook delicacy but restaurant cool look and making Vietnamese theme live can not be his brain.
I saw a family sitting just next to my table. They were almost done with their food. With formal greetings I asked the guy.
" how often you come to this restaurant?"
"This is my first time". He said
"How did you know about it"? I asked.
"We just came to know from some site. Me and my wife are foodies. We like to taste new dishes of different countries. "
"How did you find this place?"
"Its cool and relax look. I liked Vietnamese food. Not so spicy but have aroma and softness."

In the mean time my pepper fry squid was on my table. I started enjoying it. It was also delicious. I took some snaps paid bill and came down.

Pepper Fry Squid

Downstairs I thanked receptionist and also praised the restaurant. One lady in her age of forties sitting next to reception was more interested in my talk. She started showing her ecstasy on the success of her idea.
My curiosity was still not satisfied. I asked the same question to the lady.
"How is it possible that without involvement of any Vietnamese, this restaurant have all the themes and aroma of Vietnam successfully preserved?"
In her surprising voice she told
" I am Vietnamese. I came and settled down in Bangalore 10 years back."

I was totally surprised. She changed a lot. In Indian dress and Indian style makeup it was hard to identify her as Vietnamese. I gave another keen look and realized that yes she is Vietnamese.

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