Giddy as a School Girl

For an updated version of this site, go here.

January 2009 - Soooo... it is the night before my departure to Indonesia and I'm as giddy as a school girl. Well...not really but the excitement is building a bit. Not really sure what I am going to do when I get there but I'll probably figure something out. I am hoping to wrestle a Komodo Dragon and tickle an orangutan (Author’s Note: I saw both but did neither).

I have one carry-on bag. It is nothing short of a packing miracle. I am not sure how long I will be gone and I packed one pair of pants. You might think it’s crazy but they are awesome pants. Awesome.

I leave tomorrow morning (Jan 12th) and arrive on the 14th. It is going to take somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 hours to get to Bali. Half a box of Benedryl ought to help. Maybe a little sudoku to mix it up. I can't wait. Buckle up.

Bukit Lawang (Sumatra, Indonesia)

For a revised version of this post, go here. 

July 29^th, 2009 - What the hell have I been up to? Well, not a whole lot. I made it to Bukit Lawang, a jungle town lying on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park. When you get past the main area of town (which is a bit of an eyesore on the Bohorok River) it is actually a pleasant spot to dawdle for a spell. The main attraction is the orangutans as there is a rehabilitation center here. The area contains wild and semi-wild orangutans (i.e. rehabilitated). It is possible to view park rangers feed some every day at 8 am and 3 pm. The most popular tourist activity is a 2 day, 1 night trek into the park in order to spot some of the wild orangutans.

I have been here 4 days and have yet to embark upon this journey. I decided to wait a few days in hopes of determining the best option for having the most authentic experience possible. To be honest the normal trek has a bit of safari park feel to it. So far I just have not been able to decide. After my experience in Kerinci National Park I fear this may pale in comparison. Not that this is park is not remarkable. It has many of the usual suspects and a few I was not aware of to include tigers (approx 100), rhinos (maybe 10 left), 3 types of primates, elephants, a species of crocodile, golden cats, clouded leopards, and, of course, a crapload of birds. As always the challenge is to be able to spot these amazing creatures and to do so without feeling like I am in some sort of elaborate zoo. From what I can tell there are many groups trekking in the jungle on any given day.

Suspended State (Bukit Lawang - Sumatra, Indonesia)

For a revised version of this post, go here.

Aug 1^st, 2009 – Exactly how the days have melted away I have not the foggiest clue. One day ends, another begins but I cannot say for sure where the dividing line actually is. My three red-headed friends showed up across the river again. This time I crossed with camera in hand. I did manage to get some shots but they were not the stuff of art exhibits. None the less I was afforded another private viewing with Sumatra's orange jungle clowns.

It appears that I will leave Bukit Lawang without actually doing a trek. I wanted very much to go into the jungle but I was not convinced it would be worth my time as it seems that there is a very beaten path in the nearby jungle. I know it is possible to do longer treks but it is very difficult to find other people willing to go. Going solo would be a bit expensive but that obstacle is overshadowed by many of the local guide’s unwillingness to go on extended treks. I did find a guy who was willing and crazy enough to go with just me. He was recommended as the ‘best guide in Bukit Lawang’ by his nephew. There may be something to that as a short conversation led me to believe that a trek with this eccentric 58 year-old gentleman would be something special. He is the second person I've met who implied he would be able to more or less summon a tiger. Problem is now I am running out of time. Had this guy mentioned his uncle a few days before I’d probably be sniffing tiger shit right now. I might still buckle and do a short trip. We shall see.

One of these days I am going to find a professional naturalist to take me into the jungle. I know there is so much right in front of my face that remains hidden and I am equally confident that with an expert the place would open like a book of secrets. One of these days…one of these days….