The Overthinker’s Scorecard: Crossing suspension bridges in Bukit Lawang
When I booked our stay in Bukit Lawang, I knew we’d be trekking through the jungle in search of orangutans. What I hadn’t appreciated was that I’d also be tackling four suspension bridges.
The first one appeared before we’d even reached our lodge. Wooden planks, no handrails, a fast-flowing river below and a level of wobbling that felt entirely unnecessary. Marc stepped onto it without hesitation. I stepped onto it wondering whether turning back was still an option.
Then somebody else walked onto the bridge. Then a motorbike came towards us. I hadn’t realised “sharing a suspension bridge with a motorbike” was going to be part of the itinerary.
By the time we’d crossed it, I assumed I’d got the worst over with. I was wrong.
There were three more. Each crossing the river in different places, each connecting our lodge to the village, the pebbled beach where our tubing experience finished, or the parking lot.
The second and third bridges were made of metal instead of wood, but they bounced around just as enthusiastically. By the fourth bridge, I was convinced the engineer had looked at it and thought, “Good enough.” It leaned slightly to the left, stretched much further than the others and moved every time anyone breathed. It looked like it could be a supporting character in an Indiana Jones film. For all I know, it is.
And yet… At no point did I plummet to my death. In fact, somewhere between bridge number one and bridge number four, something unexpected happened. I got used to it. Not completely – I was still holding onto the cables – but enough to stop halfway across and take photos of the jungle.
Apparently that’s what personal growth looks like.
The Overthinker’s Scorecard
Initial panic
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Four bridges. I only signed up for one.
First impressions
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Wooden planks. No handrails. Fast-flowing river. Not my favourite combination.
Wobbliness
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Every step. Every person. Every motorbike. Everything moves.
Catastrophising
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My brain had already written the newspaper headline. Reality had other plans.
Actual danger
⭐☆☆☆☆
These bridges are used every day by locals, guides, tourists and, somehow, motorbikes.
They’re supposed to move. That doesn’t make them less alarming. It does make them much safer than they look.
Confidence by bridge number four
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Stopped halfway. Took photos. Still held onto the cables. Baby steps.
Would I do it again?
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Yes. I’d still grip the cables. I’d just worry a lot less beforehand.
Final verdict
Expected outcome: A dramatic plunge into the river.
Actual outcome: Four suspension bridges, one bruised ego, no injuries and a phone full of photos.
Overthinker’s rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The wobbling never stopped. I just became less bothered by it.
More Overthinker’s Scorecards
Riding a camel in the Moroccan Sahara
Sneaker waves at Reynisfjara, Iceland
Trying to rent a car in Sardinia
Travel with an overthinker
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