In the Sumatran Jungle
After a single night in Medan city we were picked up and driven 3 hours north towards the mountains and into a conservation area. Sadly it was clear on the way why conservation areas are needed - there are miles and miles and miles of Palm Oil Plantations which have destroyed much of the natural flora and fauna. Anyway after a night in the village of Bukit Lawang we set off into the jungle for an overnight trek in the hope of seeing some orangutans ... and we did! The trek was not easy - mountain jungle is often incredibly steep and we were often climbing rather than walking - seriously climbing up root ladders and having to hold on to roots and branches in order not to fall! At one point we met an orangutan called Mina, known locally for her aggression and we had to hurriedly backtrack off a ridge in order to confront her on level and more open ground: she inspected our small group of 4 and let us pass eventually but it was a bit hair raising knowing that she often grabs arms and backpacks and even bites occasionally! That night we wild camped by a raging river and I loved every minute of it ... monkeys and monitor lizards included ... a bit un-nerving whilst trying to use the jungle loo - a tree! On the second day we walked to a waterfall, swam underneath it and then took a ride on a large tube over various rapids in order to get back to the village! Such an amazing adventure and I know the pictures will not do it justice!
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| This 4ft Monitor lizard calmly wandered through our camp! |
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| Campsite |
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| Butterflies everywhere! |
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