We arrived at the first checkpoint at 6am on the morning of the 22nd and all piled out of the bus to sign the first of many forms which would be presented to us over the next three days. Our time in Bandarban town was brief as we hopped off the bus and into a jeep for the 15 minute climb to the Guide Tours resort. After a much appreciated breakfast and a frenzy of teeth brushing, we got back in the jeeps and set out for Ruma Bazar which was our starting point for the walk. The beauty of the area hit me instantly as we wound our way through the mountain road and gazed on the wonderfully green landscape. Another army checkpoint which involved a person visit to our jeeps by the army major who wanted to meet the crazy bedeshis (foreigners) who were setting out to climb the mountain; he was especially intrigued by the fact that the group consisted of nine girls! On the road again and 20 minutes later we finally arrived in Ruma Bazar, where the excitement in the local market hung in the air at the sight of us with all our gear about the set out on our adventure.
The walk began, and after an initial climb the terrain turned into a pleasant walk through rivers and fields. We stopped for lunch at 1pm and shovelled in our aluminium dishes of rice and vegetables. The shoes went back on and off we went taking in the wonderful landscape all around us and breathing in the fresh air as the warm sun bronzed our deathly pale winter skin. We stopped for tea at a small tribal village at 3 and took a much needed break and all too soon it was time to start again. All was going well as our guide informed us that there was only an hour of walking to go and the anticipation of finally removing the bags from our backs awaited, and then danger struck. Among us, myself included, were individuals who had walked and climbed before but nothing prepared us for what the end of the day had in store. We came upon a group of rocks where water trickled down better them and I gazed up in astonishment as I realised that we were about to climb them. I grabbed at rocks and roots as I plied my way up and up and up. The rocks turned to paths and still we climbed. I panted and heaved my way up and up and up and when finally I felt like I could go no more we reached a rest point where after a brief rest we were off again.
After what seemed like an eternity we turned a corner and there it was, Bora Lake, our destination of the day. The sun was just beginning to set on the water and the little village on the other side looked like Nirvana to my tired feet. Another 20 minutes of endurance of the nerves as well as the body and I finally placed my rucksack on the floor of our bamboo hut, which rested on bamboo stilts over the water. All 14 of us were to make this our home for the next two nights.
A swim in the lake and a meal of rice, dhal and omelette, and all were ready to fall onto our inch thick bamboo beds. This was not until after an hour of wonderful yoga stretching by our own personal Canadian instructor Amina. Day one was over and tomorrow we were going to climb a mountain…….
The walk began, and after an initial climb the terrain turned into a pleasant walk through rivers and fields. We stopped for lunch at 1pm and shovelled in our aluminium dishes of rice and vegetables. The shoes went back on and off we went taking in the wonderful landscape all around us and breathing in the fresh air as the warm sun bronzed our deathly pale winter skin. We stopped for tea at a small tribal village at 3 and took a much needed break and all too soon it was time to start again. All was going well as our guide informed us that there was only an hour of walking to go and the anticipation of finally removing the bags from our backs awaited, and then danger struck. Among us, myself included, were individuals who had walked and climbed before but nothing prepared us for what the end of the day had in store. We came upon a group of rocks where water trickled down better them and I gazed up in astonishment as I realised that we were about to climb them. I grabbed at rocks and roots as I plied my way up and up and up. The rocks turned to paths and still we climbed. I panted and heaved my way up and up and up and when finally I felt like I could go no more we reached a rest point where after a brief rest we were off again.
After what seemed like an eternity we turned a corner and there it was, Bora Lake, our destination of the day. The sun was just beginning to set on the water and the little village on the other side looked like Nirvana to my tired feet. Another 20 minutes of endurance of the nerves as well as the body and I finally placed my rucksack on the floor of our bamboo hut, which rested on bamboo stilts over the water. All 14 of us were to make this our home for the next two nights.
A swim in the lake and a meal of rice, dhal and omelette, and all were ready to fall onto our inch thick bamboo beds. This was not until after an hour of wonderful yoga stretching by our own personal Canadian instructor Amina. Day one was over and tomorrow we were going to climb a mountain…….
5 comments:
looks so fun! i miss you all very very much.
i've been checking your blog all week waiting for an update. i'm still sooo envious...i'm glad you had fun.
It looks so beautiful. Amar sonar Bangla, khub miss kori!!
We did well. And we are cool. Even though I still freeze up inside when I think about the near death experience and adrenalin rush at the end. Thank you Katarina for holding my hand!
you´re welcome anna
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