India Part 12 - Trek

Trekker Tan was first introduced to Indian trekking 3 months back as part of the Indian University curriculum. When told about it, he imagined all kind of steep slopes and endless climbs. The images Trekker Tan conjectured in his mind sent shivers down his balls.

But what a trek it is? The trek is no more than a walk in the park, and took them only 15 minutes to reach to the climax of the hill. And some of them even reached their climax literally.


While other couldn’t believe their luck that the trek could end so fast and painless.


So much for the fear of “trekking”.

A couple of weeks ago, Trekker Tan was chatting with his colleague during lunch break using sign languages. He came to know that his colleague is going to trek to a temple during that weekend. Knowing the Indians will never have the heart to reject him due to his mysterious aura, Trekker Tan asked to tag along and his colleague agreed relutantly.

His colleague warned him that it is gonna be a tough 60minutes trek to the temple. Keeping in mind the Indian version of “trekking” from the previous experience, Trekker Tan know it’s just gonna be another stroll. Trekker Tan even boosted to his colleague that he was trained in Army and if anything, he will even be able to reach the peak in half of that time.

Then that weekend they went for the trek to the temple.

Trekker Tan even wore the Standard Chartered Marathon shirt to show that he is not just another guy with good looks, but with also with good stamina.

Just after 30minutes of walk, Trekker Tan sees the temple already.
The temple.

And instantly Trekker Tan’s expression goes

Then goes

When his colleague pointed at the direction of the correct temple.

Trekker Tan almost had a heart attack. He feels like stabbing a knife into his eyes.

He was secretly hoping the temple is actually not that far away, instead the temple is actually so tiny which explains why he could only see an orange dot.

Then his colleague rubs more salt into his wound: “Army more tough neh?”

This time round Trekker Tan was dumbfounded and just nod his head. The next 60 minutes of trekking really brought out the best in him.

Trekker Tan walked and climbed and crawled. Every step brings him closer to the temple, but also closer to resignation. Even though thinking himself as the ambassador of all Singaporean men, Trekker Tan could only managed to plant one foot at a time, one step ahead of another to catch up with his Indian counterpart who seems to be floating ahead effortlessly.

The temple slowly becomes bigger. But the nearer Trekker Tan is to it, the smaller the distance he can cover with each step. He dare not look to his left or right, because he knew that on both sides of him was a sheer drop of several hundreds of feet.

“Look up, ignore everything around you and battle on”, Trekker Tan urges himself.

One foot forward, and half a step back, just how much can his body endure? Every now and then, he could feel the solid rock beneath him give way and he mustered the last ounce of energy and leap to the nearest foothold he could find. He was amazed how he was able to squeeze out the energy time and time again.

Despite losing his balance and falling on his backside a several times, Trekker Tan managed to keep moving until the temple is within his reach.

Nearer but how much more?

For the first time in his life, Trekker Tan has bowed to his fate. Cos' he realized that he is no longer the young and fit guy he once was...

He knows that when he gets older, it will be harder and harder for him to get harder. And at that time he could only wish Bearbear Tan will be magnanimous to him.

Is she a bear, or is she a bear?

Unknowingly, the thought of the bear tightening her grip on his windpipe and himself struggling under her black hairy paw became the source of Trekker Tan's motivation.

And he finally reached the summit!

Trekker Tan cried a solitary tear and knew his life is never gonna be the same again..