The journey

by Abhimanyu Kannan (India)

A leap into the unknown India

On march 28 2017, i finished my degree exams. Our last class in college we suddenly planed trip to go through a forest without telling anyone. We didnt take any phone or other communication items with us.our travel inspiration was pranav mohanlal and his himalayan diaries. We went after our exam straight to the forest in trivandrum,kerala. To the place called braemore.such a good rainforest.our traveling ways are through train and bus. The last stop in the bus. We reached there, but the guards did not let us in.they said "its only for truckers and reaserchers... We walked back, on the way back after some minutes. We saw a man walking throught the road across. We go straight to the man and asked for shelter,food. And offerd him money..he accepted, and he took us to him home.he was a lonley man and he must have aroung 70 age..it was night when we rest and thought we could get into the forest morning..we asked about forest to the old man...he lived there around 50 yrs..that man ranaway from his home with his lover..he had a boy child.. His wife died in a disease, when his child was only 3.. He raised his boy..when the kid become 6 a bear attacked his boy and killed him..this took the head and skinned the bear in forest and kept it in his home..the bear and elephants are the most dangerous in this forests..he also told that he can guide us through the forests..these forest is 3 hills top, and will take 2 days to go and come there are some waterfalls and some hidden dens..the view from the top is not seen by many.. We were inspired and some afraid by these stories.. In the early morning he waked us from the sleep and showed the elephants walking across his home..huge elephants. The morning we took all the things we needed,fire,knife,rope,food etc. We started climbing the forest. It is a steap way ahead infront of us..we saw so many kind of birds like peacock,hornbill and some migrating birds. We started seeing the waste and footprints of elephants.and the way they go..we walked ahead..without making tok noise..we finished the first hill by noon and took rest near a waterfall. Then we started walking above and reached the middle of the second hill by evening. He found a spot to camp and told us to stay and collect woods and open the tent. That the way ahead is danger for us to go in night. We camped there putting fire making food singing,talking and dancing. At night most of them started sleeping. Me and the old man was awake. I asked can we take a walk around. He said no that if we go out we ll be in danger and the people sleeping here will also. After some time the water was over and fell very thirsty..when i checked the old man he was sleeping. As my intention to go out and collect the water. Its must be below 200 mtrs to the waterfall we can here the voice from where we camp. I started walking, took a knife for my protection. After few mtrs i started get afraid the forest was so thick and dark. I walked back to the tent..but i cant find my way back.. I was very afraid.. And got an idea to climb a tree and watch the light from where we camp.i found a tree and get into some hieght. But the moment i kept silence i heared a voice from close..and when i looked close enough it was a bear. My heart was beating 5 times faster. Keep my breath for a while and i started my self calming down. For my sake the bear went to the water. But then also i was afraid to get down. And i even cant call my mates to help me. My voices where breaking.i stayed there some more time. The bear returned back as i noticed.thought I'll get caught. I just watched him walk right underneath me. I thought i peed in my pants. After some time the old man and one of my friend come searching for me i called them to me screaming..i was happy to find them.. I told my storie to them.as morning we walked to the talk to see the sun rise. As we see it was the most exciting view in our eyes. We were filled with happiness and joy.