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Local actor Darren Lim<\/a>, 53, is one of eight hosts<\/a>of the documentary series Rail Life Story<\/a><\/em>\u202f(\u5217\u8f66\u4eba\u751f), which follows its presenters as they travel by train to uncover human stories across different regions.<\/p>\n In Darren\u2019s segment, he journeys to Bangladesh \u2014 one of the world\u2019s most densely populated countries, where many face significant economic challenges. In the days leading up to Eid, train travel becomes especially chaotic, with severe overcrowding forcing some passengers who fail to secure tickets to risk climbing onto train roofs just to make it home.<\/p>\n During his time there, Darren accompanied a leather craftsman and his family of seven on a gruelling nine-hour train journey from Dhaka back to their hometown.<\/p>\n Speaking to 8world, Darren shared that the sight of jam-packed trains in Bangladesh is often regarded as a \u201cspectacle\u201d, with thousands of people climbing atop the cabins.<\/p>\n “We’ve seen such sights on the news many years ago, but the local authorities have been determined, and continuously working to prevent people from doing this. So yes, we still saw people climbing [up the trains], but in reality, it was not as terrifying as we imagined it to be,” he said.<\/p>\n Still, Darren admitted he felt conflicted witnessing such scenes firsthand. While he understands the programme\u2019s intention to document these realities, he would rather not encounter them personally as a host \u2014 especially knowing the risks involved.<\/p>\n What may look like \u201cjust climbing a train roof\u201d to outsiders is, for locals, a matter of risking their lives or physical wellbeing simply to return home.<\/p>\n Despite the challenging conditions \u2014 including poor sanitation in some areas \u2014 Darren managed to avoid any stomach issues. He credits this to experience gained from past trips to remote parts of Bangladesh, India, and the Philippines.<\/p>\n “If the place isn\u2019t challenging, they wouldn\u2019t send me there,” he joked.<\/p>\n He also believes his stomach might be tougher than most: “As long as I don\u2019t drink iced water, I usually don\u2019t have problems.”<\/p>\n Darren added that he\u2019s generally easygoing when it comes to food, eating whatever the locals eat \u2014 even in rural areas.<\/p>\n That said, his wife, actress\u00a0Evelyn Tan<\/a>\u00a0understandably worries whenever he embarks on such trips. Known for his adventurous streak, Darren is always eager to explore unfamiliar places, whether for filming or personal travel.<\/p>\n He shared that a concerned Evelyn often tries to dissuade him from visiting locations deemed more \u201cdangerous\u201d. While he has undertaken even riskier journeys for other programmes outside Rail Life Story<\/em>, he always makes it a point to reassure her.<\/p>\n \u201cI told her, \u2018You have to trust me. Until I reach my destination, I am Superman’,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He also promised her that wherever he goes, he will take care of himself \u2014 and the people around him.<\/p>\n Very cool, Darren. Very cool.<\/p>\n You can catch Darren in Rail Life Story on mewatch<\/a>, or in the video below.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n