Lost in the jungle


It was a very scary experience - realising, that you may die just a few hundred meters from people who live there. At the same time, I belived it wouldn't happen - I'm only a few hundred meters from help after all. But it very well could.

I looked up a waterfall on the Maps.me application and took a bicycle to where it said the walk starts. There is a water sports and zipline operation there, and the people there said I can leave the bike there. I asked about the waterfall, and they told me it's not far, about an hour away just across the bridge. On the other side of the river I met a guy, and he also said the waterfall was the way I was going. Then I passed a cow farm (not a dairy farm, they keep the animals for meat only), and the old lady, probably assuming I was going to the waterfall, also showed me the way. So I just followed the dirt road. But then I got to a sign according which I was not heading to the right direction. So I turned back as the sign said - I saw another path into the jungle a bit before, so I thought that must be the right way. It was a narrow path through the dense jungle, but more or less it was going the way where the waterfall is shown on the Maps.me map. I had to cross a creek at one point, then back again. I passed a "bridge" (two cables tied between two trees) which I didn't take. The path I was on still seemed to be going where I wanted to get, but then there was a fork - I chose the path I felt was right, thinking that in worst case I just come back the same way. But the path got smaller and smaller and at one point it just disappeared, and when I turned back I couldn't find the proper path. I got on one, and it again disappeared in the thick vegetation. I took another, the same thing. That's when I realised I am in trouble. I knew I wasn't far from the waterfall, I wasn't far from the dirt road or the cow farm either, the Maps.me application showed me the exact direction. So I thought in worst case I just break through the jungle - but it is virtually impossible! The vegetation is so thick, without a machete even the visible paths are very difficult to pass. It is like a hundred arms pulling you back every step you take. I tumbled and fell every step. Sometimes I got on my four and tried to crawl under the vegetation, following the animal paths. At other points I tried to break through, or climb over the plants. It was so tiring, I had to stop and lay down a bit sometimes to gather a bit more strength. Finally I got to the creek, so I thought I just walk in it downstream, but at one point the stream also disappeared in the vegetation. So I went back in the vegetation to find another path. At one point I found plastic strips attached to branches marking a path and I started feeling relieved, but again the path lead nowhere. Then I could hear the creek again, and tried to get back to it - I was only 5-10 metres from it, but I just couldn't. Finally, pulling myself together, I broke through the vegetation, climbing over it, and I was back in the creek, further down where I left it earlier. So, again, I started walking downstream in it, and finally I reached a good path that was crossing it. This path took me back to the point where I started from, little after the cow farm.

All along, I was locked in an area of about 300 metres by 250 metres, yet I couldn't get out. My legs and arms were cut all over, I was attacked by leaches and mosquitos, I drank the bottled water and was drinking from the creek which I wasn't sure was OK, I had to stop and lay down many times to pull myself together. This whole excercise took 3 hours! But at least I got out. I never felt so exhausted in my life, even my vision was blurred. I went straight back to where I left my bike, drank more water, and pedalled back to Vang Vieng. I didn't see the waterfall, but who cares, I was happy to get out of the jungle. It could have been worse.

Before getting lost









After getting out




Popular posts from this blog

Countries

Image
     The world is yours. Where do you want to go next? Featured: Those countries are featured where posts with useful information are available—such as maps, practical details, guides, instructions, etc.—in addition to the many accompanying photos. 
More »

Avatar Mountains, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park - Day 1: Yuanjiajie & Golden Whip Stream

Image
  Located about 30 kilometers from the city of Zhangjiajie, near the town of Wulingyuan, is China’s oldest national park: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. This is the place that inspired the floating mountains in the movie Avatar, earning it the popular nickname "Avatar Mountains". The park covers a large area, with shuttle buses, cable cars, and even lifts operating inside to connect the main scenic spots. (Shuttle buses are free with the ticket; the rest are at an additional cost.) There are popular cliff-edge paths as well as quieter hiking trails. The national park is divided into 4 main areas, and the entrance ticket is valid for four consecutive days, which is useful if you want to explore each earea to some extent. It's not likely that you can hike every trail in four days unless you’re an extreme walker. The four main areas consist of Tianzi Mountain, Yuanjiajie, Yangjiajie, and Huangshi Village (Huangshizhai), and between them are other locations such as the Gol...
More »

Leshan (very basic) tourist information with map

Image
  Many visitors come for just a few hours on a day trip from Chengdu—but that’s a mistake. You need a full day to properly visit the Leshan Giant Buddha , see it from the river, and explore the nearby Oriental Buddha Park and Wuyou Temple hill. At a leisurely pace, it could easily take two days. You can also do a day trip to Emeishan from Leshan by public bus, but in my opinion, it's better to stay overnight there—perhaps in a monastery below the Golden Summit. So, for Leshan alone, you’ll need at least one night, preferably two. The city itself is quite sprawling, modern, and tidy, but it doesn't offer many attractions. The train station is a bit far from the center, but public transport is a good option to reach both the city center and the Leshan Giant Buddha. Below are the tourist basics. 
More »

Leshan Giant Buddha - Walking tour and boat ride

Image
  Located near Chengdu, Leshan is home to the tallest stone Buddha statue in the world. Carved out of a cliff face, the 71 meters tall statue overlooks the junction of the Min and Dadu Rivers. You can walk up to the statue’s head and look down, walk down to its feet and look up, and view it from a boat. The area also offers distant but nice city views. You could do the walk and the boat ride easily in a short day, along with a visit to the Mahao Cliff Tombs and Wuyou Temple, both located between the Giant Buddha and the cruise port. In a longer day's program you can also include a visit to the Oriental Buddha Park, a separate and fairly large attraction (separate ticket required) that is well worth seeing — see the post about the Oriental Buddha Park . 
More »