This is the story of a man who underestimated the power of Mother Nature.
I am in a tropical jungle—exhausted, dehydrated, and lost. My clothes are soaked with sweat and droplets from the trees. My legs are sore from constantly climbing up and down, and my brain is foggy, borderline hallucinating from the heat and fatigue. To make things worse, the sun is about to set—and I still can’t find my way out.
How did I end up here?!
It all started after I crossed the Brunei River to Kampong Ayer( A water village) and had lunch. My goal for the day was to climb Bukit Saeh, a nearby mountain.
For the past few days of my trip in Brunei, the heat had been relentless, and I was desperate to find a cooler place—anywhere but another museum. I haven’t climb mountain in a while, but I felt like I have energy to spare. So I just start to check the nearest option.
Among the nearby mountain trails, Bukit Saeh had the highest ratings. That was good enough for me, and I like to be flexible.
Turns out, not reading the actual reviews and relying only on ratings was one of my biggest mistakes.
I saw a colorful gate when I arrived at the entrance of the trail. Nice—seemed like a good sign. A few workers sat nearby at booths, drinking water. A trail map was posted to the side, showing several routes and checkpoints. I snapped a pic of the map—it might come in handy later.
At the time, I didn’t plan on following a specific path. The distances didn’t seem that great on the map, and I figured a few kilometers of hiking wouldn’t be a big deal. After all, I trusted my endurance from past hikes.
I was so wrong.
The first five minutes were easy—like a walk in the park. But soon, I reached a steep incline so sharp I had to pull myself up with ropes and tree trunks. I struggled to climb it, but it was slippery and demanded constant focus to keep my balance.
In my mind, I thought, I have come all the way to from city centre to here with over an hour, I can’t quit. Maybe it’s only one steep hill.
After that climb came an equally steep descent. Then I had to cross a stream by hopping over rocks—some of which were slick with moss. One wrong step, and I’d be soaked.
Then came another hill. Taller, steeper.
I started to question my decision AGAIN.
Was this worth it? But I thought about the climb I’d just conquered—I couldn’t back down now. If I could do that one, surely I can beat this one.
I pushed forward, hoping the check point wasn’t far.
An hour and a half passed. My stubborn brain kept telling me you can’t quit. I had no idea how many hills I’d climbed up and down, but I was completely drained.
Where is the spare energy that I thought I had when I was eating lunch?
I had finished my water fairly early because of the humidity and the heat.
Before I came, I assumed the jungle would be cooler. I never imagined it would be this excruciatingly hot and exhausting.
I tried comparing my GPS with the map from the entrance, but it was useless.
The GPS didn’t show the actual terrain—just a green blur. I am not a bad map reader but I really couldn’t make out where I am on the trail map.
Forget about it, I thought.
I will reach the check point if I keep following the same direction, I know it.
So, I kept moving, hoping to reach CP9 for the view.
The more tired I got, the faster I climbed. Maybe it was driven by adrenaline or maybe it’s the sheer fear that I might be lost. I just keep going and going while ignoring the sore coming from my leg and ache coming from my back.
I hadn’t seen a single person on the trail and I had been here climbing for hours.
Part of me kept hoping someone would appear so I could ask for help.
So I didn’t take any rest or find places to seat and chill, I just keep charging.
This trail won’t beat me, I think. I am an experienced hiker!
Finally, I reached the top. I was completely drained. But the view was breath-taking. From that height, I could see the massive golden palace glittering in the distance. The city and nearby towns were all visible beneath me. All my worry vanished, I knew I was right when I just kept climbing! Grit and will power had won!
I took a few pictures, caught my breath, and started heading down.
I felt more confident now than I had during the climb.
I didn’t realize that my “strong mind” was ignoring the warning signs from my body.
I hadn’t had water in over an hour of non-stop exertion, and I am sweating like crazy.
Dehydration was kicking in—and fast.
I figured if I followed the same path, I’d get back to the entrance.
The sun was due to set in a couple of hours so I picked up the pace and checked my phone’s GPS occasionally. I charge in speed faster and faster, climbing the same route, up and down, up and down.
But something was off—I was getting deeper into the jungle not closer to the exit.
I must have missed the crucial crossroads.
By the time, I realized this I am already in a state of dehydration and start felt dizzy. My shoes are caked in dirt, my clothes drenched in sweat. I couldn’t focus my eyes on a single target.
But my logical mind knew, I have to found my way back and fast!
I started retracing my steps, going back and forth between three “suspicious hills” where I thought the turn might be. Each one took five minutes to climb, using both arms and legs.
But nothing looked familiar for me. I remembered followed a clear, beaten path on the way in—but now, everything looked the same.
I must’ve charging too fast without spending time memorizing the routes.
Panic began to creep in.
I am literally lost, exhausted and dehydrated. My brain lagged like an old computer, I cannot think straight.
The trail had beaten me… and I had played a role in my own downfall.
Then, I noticed emergency contact signs along the trail.
Should I call rescue? Or my friend? But he was at work, and even if I sent my location, how would he find me in this maze of jungle?
I will just make him nervous and I still couldn’t get out from this situation.
Honestly, I was impressed I could even think rationally under these conditions.
Maybe I could bushwhack my way out? I tried—multiple times.
But every path was blocked by streams, cliffs, or thick jungle that would’ve needed a machete to pass. I just ended getting more dirtiness on my shoes and clothes.
I stood staring at the emergency number, my mind blank, body shutting down from dehydration and exhaustion.
I was truly lost.
Even if I call, by the time they found me, it would be dark already….not good.
When all my options were considered and hope started to vanish…
I saw something: a small box with a label that read,
“Allah is watching you – $1”,
followed by a series of numbers (probably a bank account).
Inside were bottles of energy drinks and electrolytes.
I couldn’t believe my luck.
I swiftly pulled a dollar from my pocket and grabbed a bottle.
It was, hands down, the best electrolyte drink I’ve ever had.
The sugar and salts revived me.
My head cleared, my pulse slowed. I could think again. My brain is not working like Windows anymore!
I moved toward the river and finally spotted the road to the entrance—it had been there all along. Hidden from certain angles, but right there. I just hadn’t seen it.
When I finally emerged from the trail, I looked like Tarzan stumbling back into civilization—leaf and sticks-covered, drenched in sweat, and limping from exhaustion.
I was alive. Barely.
And I had learned something the hard way:
Next time, I won’t just prepare better—I’ll respect the tropical jungle like it deserves.
