Welcome to the 2012 Travel blog :-)
Just arrived in Kuching, Borneo, after two fantastic weeks in Sumatra. Seen quite a few wild orang utans at Bukit Lawang and nearly got kidnapped by a semi-wild one while trekking - luckily she kidnapped the person walking in front of me instead (she grabbed his arm, made him cross back over a river and was finally persuaded to release him by our guide!).
After that it was a bumpy three hour motorbike ride through the jungle to Tangkahan, to join the elephant patrol against illegal loggers (and to give the baby elephants a bath - although I think they thought it was the other way round.)
I'm starting work at the orang utan rehabilitation centre near Kuching on Friday so will let you know how it goes when I can next get online.
Em
Just arrived in Kuching, Borneo, after two fantastic weeks in Sumatra. Seen quite a few wild orang utans at Bukit Lawang and nearly got kidnapped by a semi-wild one while trekking - luckily she kidnapped the person walking in front of me instead (she grabbed his arm, made him cross back over a river and was finally persuaded to release him by our guide!).
After that it was a bumpy three hour motorbike ride through the jungle to Tangkahan, to join the elephant patrol against illegal loggers (and to give the baby elephants a bath - although I think they thought it was the other way round.)
I'm starting work at the orang utan rehabilitation centre near Kuching on Friday so will let you know how it goes when I can next get online.
Em
told you they're evil creatures!!! other than that, it all sounds amazing
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteoh and post pictures when you can!
ReplyDeleteHello again! I know, this blog hasn't got off to a great start, it's just the jungle isn't very well connected!
ReplyDeleteSo, I've survived my first week in rehab ;-) - cleaning up orang utan poo in what feels like 99% humidity.
It's been an eventful week - on the first evening all the volunteers were invited to dinner by one of the keepers who lives in a longhouse nearby. Several gallons of rice whisky were consumed, and we ended up dancing with his 90 year old grandad who had a bit of an eye for the ladies.
On the second day one of the keepers at the centre got attacked by one of the biggest male orang utans (luckily he's ok but has been bitten quite badly)....thankfully the orang utan didn't escape - we were just around the corner and were told to run....eek.
There are some less dangerous residents - three baby orangs who are very funny, two are sick but one is taken out in the day time to practice climbing and nest building in the forest. There are quite a few bigger orangs waiting to be released. They keep themselves busy throwing banana skins at us, stealing hose pipes and blowing raspberries.
I promise photos are coming soon..........!