If I were to design a character building programme, it would involve solo hikes starting with a wild abandonment ... leaving the unsuspecting participant at a foggy trailhead with the company of a huge sign that warns of bear sightings. I would also intentionally forget to provide a bear bell.
Some film captures from my solo travels in Japan last October. I am not one to shoot film, but I picked a disposable cam up anyway just so that if I were to get lost in the forest or fall off a mountain there might be some form of documentation of my folly.
Looking through these photos brought me right back to the moments when I faced an adventure far bigger than myself.
Traveling solo is not a new thing to me. I embrace the idea and I do oddly, crave for it. This short trip to the countryside in Japan redefined what it really means to be alone. From boarding an hour-long bus ride where I was the only passenger, to alighting the bus in total darkness. I found myself in a remote part of the countryside where roads were not exactly pedestrian-friendly. With one hand dragging my bag, and the other frantically waving my phone (which doubled as a safety light) at passing cars, I made my way to the hostel in hopes that Google maps would not fail me. Arriving at the hostel was another story, where I was put through a crash course on Entomology. I spent the next few days negotiating my comfort zone with these winged and multi-legged life forms.
I'm still waiting for my certificate till this day.
Koya Backpackers
2147-500 Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun 389-0111, Nagano Prefecture
The day starts early at 6 a.m. at the hostel. This is my favourite view that refreshes me as I brush my teeth
Saying goodbye to the hostel while it closes for Autumn break, and the owner goes on a 3-day hike in the mountains
Yusuke-san, owner of Koya Backpackers, striking a pose for my camera before he packed me off and sent me on my way to the train station
It made me laugh when I saw this photo, partly because I forgot that I took it. Also because I could almost hear Yusuke-san's jugdmental remarks about my huge four wheeled luggage bag.
Taking a local train to Matsumoto, embarking on another part of my adventure to the Japanese Alps
kamikochi
I found a make-shift studio near the entrance of the camp sites.
At Kappa Bridge with the magnificent Japanese alps towering over me
Taisho Pond
These amazing colours captured on film
norikura kogen
I discovered that acrophobia and strong winds don't quite go together
Scaling Mt Fujimidake
Atop Mount Fujimidake, I walked on clouds
It would be exaggerating to say that I have been completely transformed due to a single experience. But I definitely departed a braver soul than when I first embarked on the trip. Perhaps one day, I will be able to put this into a good use to pack three sets of clothes for a month-long travel.
(vignettes of my adventure on Instagram one, two, three, four, five)