DS and my fellow student officer, assalamualaikum and good afternoon. Today, I am here to discuss a memorable incident from my life. “A good long ride can clear your mind, restore your faith, and use up a lot of fuel.” And I absolutely enjoy doing that. Despite the potential discomfort of being in unfamiliar territory – including travel expenses, separation from home and family, and difficulties in communication with locals – people still have a strong passion for traveling and are willing to invest significant amounts of money for it. This is because one of the primary benefits of traveling is that it breaks the monotony of everyday life and work.
Travelling is not only a way to broaden our knowledge of geography, diverse cultures, and individuals but it is also one of my passions and hobbies. Discovering new places brings me immense happiness, satisfaction, and mental energy. Today, I want to share an unforgettable travel experience that will always hold a special place in my heart. The unknown path ahead inspires me to undertake unique journeys, even without knowing their final destinations. And now, gentlemen, let me narrate a travel story when I embarked on an adventure to explore an abandoned road. During my free time, I enjoy using Google Earth to search for exciting new destinations.
During my search, I came across an abandoned road connecting Chimbuk and Lama in Bandarban. Although unmarked, it was visible on Google Earth. Unfortunately, there was no available information about this road as it had been completely deserted. When going on vacation, typically the start is after reaching your destination by car or bus. However, if you choose to travel by motorcycle, your vacation begins right from your doorstep. Intrigued by the mystery of the road, my friend Rohit and I decided to explore it on our motorcycles. On December 14th morning, we embarked on our journey to uncover the secrets of this deserted road.
Everything was going very smoothly as we reached Bandarban at around 1135 hrs. The journey continued towards Nilgiri, which is known for its adventurous and beautiful road. The road to Nilgiri is filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, making it a thrilling experience. However, what truly mesmerizes everyone is the lush greenery of Bandarban. Along the way to Nilgiri, there is a spot called “Soilo Propat” where a water stream flows over rocks. During the rainy season, this stream becomes extremely powerful and has claimed the lives of several tourists. Nevertheless, it remains an important source of drinking water for the hill tracts areas.
Then we began our journey to Nilgiri and took a break at Peak 69, which offers a breathtaking view of the hill tracts. Continuing on our way to Nilgiri, we discovered that it is the perfect place to experience the sensation of touching the clouds while standing on the ground. Nilgiri is considered one of the most stunning destinations in Bangladesh and offers excellent accommodation options. However, our true adventure is yet to begin. Leaving Nilgiri behind, we return to Chimbuk, where we find our abandoned road. Initially, the road was incredibly beautiful and we stumbled upon some massive rocks alongside it.
During our journey, we took multiple breaks to photograph the breathtaking views. However, we encountered difficult inclines and significantly damaged parts of the road that even a 4-wheel vehicle would think twice about crossing. The road extended for 60 kilometers and only two motorcycles passed by; there were no other vehicles around. Since the road was located at the peak of the mountain, veering off course could have catastrophic outcomes. Nevertheless, despite these potential risks, we couldn’t resist being captivated by the indescribable magnificence of our environment, making it challenging to look away.
Despite the desolate nature of the road, even attracting wild elephants, we were fortunate to avoid encountering any. However, we did discover numerous elephant droppings along our journey. I would like to share a frightening experience from our trip. Certain parts of the road were steep and filled with stones and gravel. While attempting to cross one of these treacherous sections, my bike lost traction causing both wheels to skid. Although overwhelmed with fear, I somehow managed to regain control of my bike and narrowly avoided a catastrophic accident. Any slight deviation in direction could have led to significant danger.
We had to be wary at every bend and curve on this road, as it is brimming with unexpectedness and peril. In certain sections, the road was in ruins. I am immensely thankful to the individuals who built these roads.
Memorable incidents pertain to instances and reminiscences that evoke delightful emotions in our hearts and minds. The travel episode I am recounting is one such memory in my life, which rejuvenated me for my forthcoming journeys and made an enduring impact on my mind. I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity to share awe-inspiring experiences with all of you.
