If you ever feel intimidated by something try walking deep in the forest in the middle of the night. Everything around you will feels like overwhelming, intimidating and at the same time challenging.
18th December 2018
18th December 2018
SUBSTATION MALUNGUNG - LOST VILLAGE KIONOP
(TAMBUNAN)
We started our hike very late that day. We arrived at the starting point at around 11am and only started our journey at around 12pm. It was a mistake, we should have started earlier. It is highly recommended to start the hike earlier if you are not familiar with this trail. But we were too confident and were willing to take the risk.
We carried our heavy backpacks into the thickness of the jungle, trampling over the moist and rocky forest bed. We had everything in our backpack, clothes changes, food supplies, toiletries, extra socks, camping lamp and water. We were going to stay in the jungle for 3 days 2 nights. Absolutely isolated from civilization, well, actually only for the first day though. There were only three of us accompanied by a guide, no phone signals, no nearby town, no accessible roads and nobody to call for help. It was a great experience, though we regretted it half way.
Our first day was a complete trial for us. We walked for a total 12 hours and darkness fell just about when we got to the highest among all the peaks. The stress started to swell up at the time we descended the peak to the supposed to be place to stay for the night. The weight on our back, the pain on our feet, the complete darkness, and not to mention the leeches! Everything added up to our remorse.
The trail was wet from the short rain on the way, but at night the moon was helping us a little bit. We had to cross the river few times, though I am very sure that it was the same river all this time, just that the trail they made have to cross the river multiple times. Our smiling faces, jokes and laughter completely disappear into dismay when we had been walking in the dark for few hours. Stopping occasionally to dispel the leeches, which at first was our fear. We had no choice but to move forward as we were deep in the jungle and giving up to wait for rescue would be a worst choice since it would take longer than keep walking.
Walking at night in the thickness of the old forest taught me a lot about adventure. It taught me to never underestimate a trail you are not familiar with and always be ready for possibilities. Truth to be told, the forest itself will come alive at night and is mocking you, making you want to give up. But it is really important to keep supporting each other and never lose to the challenges. I could feel the trail itself intimidating us, but we made it to the first checkpoint where we would stay for the night. It was an old missionary in an abandoned village. There were no electricity, but they do have clean water supply from the mountain. We were totally relieved when we first arrived and saw there was a staff waiting for us in the building. We arrived at exactly 12am and that ended our suffering temporarily.
We cleaned ourselves and had our very late dinner before we went to sleep that night. It was 2am in the morning.
We carried our heavy backpacks into the thickness of the jungle, trampling over the moist and rocky forest bed. We had everything in our backpack, clothes changes, food supplies, toiletries, extra socks, camping lamp and water. We were going to stay in the jungle for 3 days 2 nights. Absolutely isolated from civilization, well, actually only for the first day though. There were only three of us accompanied by a guide, no phone signals, no nearby town, no accessible roads and nobody to call for help. It was a great experience, though we regretted it half way.
Our first day was a complete trial for us. We walked for a total 12 hours and darkness fell just about when we got to the highest among all the peaks. The stress started to swell up at the time we descended the peak to the supposed to be place to stay for the night. The weight on our back, the pain on our feet, the complete darkness, and not to mention the leeches! Everything added up to our remorse.
The trail was wet from the short rain on the way, but at night the moon was helping us a little bit. We had to cross the river few times, though I am very sure that it was the same river all this time, just that the trail they made have to cross the river multiple times. Our smiling faces, jokes and laughter completely disappear into dismay when we had been walking in the dark for few hours. Stopping occasionally to dispel the leeches, which at first was our fear. We had no choice but to move forward as we were deep in the jungle and giving up to wait for rescue would be a worst choice since it would take longer than keep walking.
Walking at night in the thickness of the old forest taught me a lot about adventure. It taught me to never underestimate a trail you are not familiar with and always be ready for possibilities. Truth to be told, the forest itself will come alive at night and is mocking you, making you want to give up. But it is really important to keep supporting each other and never lose to the challenges. I could feel the trail itself intimidating us, but we made it to the first checkpoint where we would stay for the night. It was an old missionary in an abandoned village. There were no electricity, but they do have clean water supply from the mountain. We were totally relieved when we first arrived and saw there was a staff waiting for us in the building. We arrived at exactly 12am and that ended our suffering temporarily.
We cleaned ourselves and had our very late dinner before we went to sleep that night. It was 2am in the morning.
The starting point to Malungung Station.
Day 1. Malungung Station, Tambunan.
The trail map in Malungung Station, Tambunan.
The highest peak in the trail, the beginning of the descend into the unknown path.
We met this little guy, the pangolin. (It had a wound on the side and maggots were falling from it. subsequently he was sent to the forest ranger for to be treated, we had to keep it with us that night because there were three dogs at the stop and we do not want the dog to hurt it.)
The old church in the lost village, KionopVillage.
Simple food that tasted so good after the long exhausting journey.
19TH DECEMBER 2018
LOST VILLAGE KIONOP - TERIAN VILLAGE
(PENAMPANG)
Waking up at 7am in the morning, I saw the surrounding of the place for the first time. It was a carefully tended place even though it was abandoned for more than 40 years. The temperature there was a bit chilly but really nice. According to the guide, there were no civilization around the place for at least 20 kilometers. It was obvious though.
We had our breakfast and begin our second day of journey to the next village. It would be another day of long journey. We started earlier this time, so we would not end up arriving late again. Lesson learnt!
We were quite relieved because this trail was nothing like the first trail. The terrain was a bit more flatter and occasional hike but it was not too steep. Probably at around 50-60 degrees, and some are 30. We had to walk slowly because one friend had a knee problem. Overall we enjoyed the trail. We even passed more farms and some farmers on our way.
We stopped by the Substation Buayan for lunch and to rest for at least 2 hours before continuing our journey to Terian village. Everything went on smoothly except for our injured friend, but we managed to reach our destination at around 8pm that evening. This time the place we were staying was a community hall and it was surrounded by houses and other building like school and community clinic. There was electricity in this area and occasionally phone coverage too. Unfortunately, there was no electricity at the hall we were staying, so another night in darkness. Luckily we had our camping light and head lamps.
We had our dinner and short bout of chilling time before we had our rest for the night.
We had our breakfast and begin our second day of journey to the next village. It would be another day of long journey. We started earlier this time, so we would not end up arriving late again. Lesson learnt!
We were quite relieved because this trail was nothing like the first trail. The terrain was a bit more flatter and occasional hike but it was not too steep. Probably at around 50-60 degrees, and some are 30. We had to walk slowly because one friend had a knee problem. Overall we enjoyed the trail. We even passed more farms and some farmers on our way.
We stopped by the Substation Buayan for lunch and to rest for at least 2 hours before continuing our journey to Terian village. Everything went on smoothly except for our injured friend, but we managed to reach our destination at around 8pm that evening. This time the place we were staying was a community hall and it was surrounded by houses and other building like school and community clinic. There was electricity in this area and occasionally phone coverage too. Unfortunately, there was no electricity at the hall we were staying, so another night in darkness. Luckily we had our camping light and head lamps.
We had our dinner and short bout of chilling time before we had our rest for the night.
Edible wild fruit, the wild mangosteen. It tasted good when its very young though a little bit sour. Ripe fruit is still sour and used in traditional culinary.
Finally we reached the first occupied village. The main economy in this village is agriculture, of course.
Wild gooseberry.
We also had few sticks of sugar cane to quench the thirst along the way. Thanks to one of the guide who is also the head of the village for allowing us to take some if these crop from his farm.
The head of the village (center) also one of our guide.
Old cultural center in Buayan Village, the first occupied village we arrived.
The suspension bridge that connects us to next trail.
20TH DECEMBER 2018
TERIAN VILLAGE - SUBSTATION INOBONG
(PENAMPANG)
Day 3 and we were excited to finish our long adventure. We were rested and fed when we begin our last day of the journey. The wonderful views had not bored us, it helped us to forget our exhaustion just by enjoying the nature. Quite an experience for us this time.
Finished the trail safely and happily. We had the thought of giving up in the beginning but it was not an option as we were in the depth of the jungle. Nevertheless we made it to the finishing point in one piece.
Live with no excuses, and travel with no regrets. The journey was exhausting, stressful and hard but when you set your mind to one destination, you will learn to enjoy the little things you found along the way.
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