Each of us found ourselves a precious area of window through which to gaze upon the unearthly beauty which surrounded us. For about half an hour, the bus glided slowly through rich red landscapes of eerie and magnificent rock formations. The dawn sunlight flooded our world with an ethereal wash of warm orange brilliance.

There was something deeply spiritual about it all. We were like pilgrims journeying through visions of blissful splendour.

The spell was broken by the practicalities of finding somewhere to park the bus. We finally came to a halt at a rest-area along the road. Then, a simple breakfast was chopped and peeled into existence, and promptly eaten. I took the opportunity to explore the immediate area and take a few photographs.

Soon afterwards, as the moderate temperature of early morning vanished in a haze of dry desert heat, we decided to take a three-hour hike around one of the scenic trails recommended by a passing park ranger. We walked in groups of three or four, carrying quantities of water which varied according to each person’s guess at what was required. Kuba took none at all.

The hike was a visual feast, served hot. Sun-baked trails led us across fields of undulating red rock. Now and then, high arches of eroded sandstone came into view. At first, like rainbows, they seemed too improbable to be real. Illusions, quirks of nature. But as we passed under them it became easier to accept them as part of the wind-carved architecture that characterised this particular National Park.

With about a mile of the hike left, and the sun reaching its midday peak, I was down to my last few drops of water. As the heat grew more intense, thoughts of refreshment laid claim to my whole mindset. I’d earlier helped quench Kuba’s thirst with part of my ration of one and a half litres. In turn, I was generously assisted by David, who had sensibly begun the hike with a supply of four litres.

By about 12.30, everyone had returned to the place where the bus was parked. Everyone, that is, apart from Sao and Shinya. At first, no-one was unduly concerned.

Near the road by the bus, a stand-pipe offered drinking water on-tap. I gulped down countless mouthfuls of it. Then I drenched myself under its gushing flow.

But by 1.15, the atmosphere had become tense.

Two of our friends were missing, in desert conditions, at the hottest time of the day.

.    .    .

We waited.

Half an hour went by. By then it was difficult to avoid thinking about how bad things might turn out. I climbed onto the roof of the bus with Frank and Jimmy and scanned the horizon through binoculars. Nothing to report.

Cutting through the mood of negativity, Victor addressed the group with words of hope and inspiration, appealing to everyone to use the power of positive thought to imagine Sao and Shinya appearing in the distance, walking towards us.

Several minutes later, Sao and Shinya appeared in the distance, walking towards us.

roads and dreams...