Sumatra

Trip Start Aug 15, 2005

Trip End Dec 20, 2005

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Flag of Indonesia Medan, Indonesia
Monday, December 12, 2005

Arrived in Bukit Lawang after 18hrs of travelling, including experiencing the joys of Indonesian internal Lion Air...(particularly the prayer leaflet in your sheet providing a prayer in your religion to help us have a safe journey, I was a little concerned.) THe journey included a joyful 5hrs at Jakarta airport where I couldnt spend money if I tried, for their caital city I thought I would have been able to sit in a decent cafe at least!! In Medan, an intimidating sparwling heap of a city we somehow managed to get ourselves on a bus to Bukit Lawang, we were relieved not to have to stay in Medan for a night. The journey reminded me of Laos, lots holes in roads, a flat tyre and several hours later we arrived in Bukit Lawang in the pitch black. Having no idea what the place looked like we allowed ourselves to be led by several 'friendly' chaps who got us a bungalow to stay, I will just add here that to get to these bungalows a swing bridge had to be crossed in the rain and dark with our enormous rucksacks, what a challenge!

Orangutan

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The next morning I finally got to see the 'idyllic hideaway' described by the Rough Guide... How naieve I was, I was ignorant to the fact that in 2003 severe fooding of the river washed most of the pace away killing aprox 300 people inc some tourists. the devastation was still evident and we were grateful for being in our bungalow one of the few accomodation areas left. Despite the mess, things were looking up, building was taking place, flood defences etc and there were a few tourists. Rainforest surrounded the village so it was hard not to notice the beauty of this situation with all the houses running alongside the river. Despite climbing the Rinjani the second day we got ourselves to the Orang Utan rehabiitation centre to the see the morning feeding and did a small trek through the rainforest. The Orang Utans were awesome, I couldnt believe how close they were to me even in the wild walking through the rainforest they came cose out of curiosity, it was an incredible exerience. During the walk we also ventured into the Rubber plantations, so interesting to see how they score the trees and collect the rubber in coconut shells, so primative yet so effective. We also saw cocoa bean plants another harvested roduct in this area.

The cottages where we were staying employed a great deal of locals, apparently after the floods the business took on alot of people who had lost their business. I also met a young guy from Aceh who had also been employed, he had lost his leg from the Tsunami. The devastation this country has endured in the north is incredible, I had no idea about this flood in Bukit Lawang just an additional disatser to the Tsunami, they are desperate for tourists like Bali but continue to smile and be friendly, I admire their strength and good nature.

Medan hotels Slideshow