Jungle Trekking from the Diplomatic Site

Date of experience: October 22nd
Location of experience: Diplomatic Site

Courtesy of Mas - Map of our trek

Highlight of experience
In a group including Nisa, Fayen, Nazreen, Izzul, and Kairul, we made the first jungle trek through the Borneo rain forest. As we were told that the previous group had not gotten out of the jungle until after 7pm, we worked together to be efficient in our trek to ensure no mishaps. Successfully, we made it out without any broken bones or getting lost at about 6:00pm.

What aspect of the experience caused you the most anxiety?
Having this been my first time trekking in any sort of jungle I was a bit anxious about the entire experience. Walking in it was quiet and I felt like we were alone, 6 students on our way to getting lost. Immediately I was reminded of snakes, and the HUGE spiders and creepy crawlies I have discovered here in Brunei. We heard noises while we were in the jungle and images of a “true stories” on Animal Planet about this guy with half a face who barely lived to tell the story of his friend getting torn apart by 6 foot chimps came into my mind. There was actually a point that I didn’t want to proceed but I couldn’t say anything because my group was thinking a was mentioning the sounds in a spiritual regard and apparently it’s protocol not to mention weird happenings when you’re in the jungle. In reality though I was afraid of monkeys and chimpanzees hahaha Definitely made me anxious but it’s a story I will retell and am glad I experienced it.

Was there any aspect of the experience that surprised you?
Something I found interesting was that you’re not supposed to mention hearing voices or anything while you in the jungle and was surprised my fellow trekkers were afraid of the sound. A friend said she heard voices screaming, “HELP!” and I thought I heard it too but another trekker shushed us and said we shouldn’t talk about it. This is different from what I have learned in my experiences hiking in the states. If you hear someone cry for help, you’re supposed to immediately radio an emergency contact or the forest dept. but apparently, its too spooky to think about in Brunei. Just after, I heard a cry/scream/gock from above (in my mind I was thinking oh poop, a chimp!) and looked up to only catch the ruffle in the plants. ** spent 15 min. imaging what the Monday headlines would read**

What are the three most important things you learned from the experience?
1. When trekking in a group, you should always be communicating with your fellow trekkers to insure everyone is aware of any dangers and to make sure everyone is present
2. Jungle trekking is a peaceful experience –when your not worried about Chimps
3. You’re not supposed to talk about creepy things, especially in reference to spirits when you’re with Bruneians in the forest- some feel that what we cannot see may try to fool trekkers.

not from our trek- but i found the same thing on our hike- very neat ;)

Which aspect would you include in your future behavior based on the learning from this experience?
I would like to jungle trek with friends more often if it’s possible. I now know that someone who knows the trail is very important to ensure safety and that people can really get lost- as proved in another groups trek . Hopefully when my friend visits from California, I will be able to find a trek leader or group of friends who are going and tag along with them. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences with friends and family of my first jungle trekking experience-
Thank you professors and lecturers for the opportunities shared through BEACA 

AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT CHIMPS ARE INDIGENOUS TO AFRICA- Orangutan and monkeys are indigenous to Borneo. ;D 


<< that guy doesn't look too bad