Well, it took quite awhile to reach here. After landing in Medan there was a 4 hour drive including 2 hours of bumpy road to get here.
Got here we did, but it was dark so I couldn’t see much of the foliage. On the way here we passed so many palm trees. It was depressing how they’ve taken away so much of the natural habitat for money. We had to travel quite a ways to find the natural jungle.
At night I walked down the street to find something to eat. I ended up in a resturant and started talking to the owner. He told me about this foundation that he supports. It is a school for children of single parents. I told him I could teach a dance to the students. There are a couple of the kids there about middle age. I taught them cupid shuffle and electric slide. It was fun. He invited me over tomorrow night to watch the kids dance traditional Indonesian and to go visit the school later. Tomorrow night they are hosting a group from Netherlands. Sound like fun. I am going trekking the next day so can’t go to visit the school so perhaps the next day I could visit, but it would be a Sunday. He said they would still have school. I thought that was a bit strange. He also suggested I stay for aother week. I laughed, but thought about it. The next day I asked my homestay about the school. They told me there was no real school. I felt something was off. I try to be especially careful when it comes to children and women. They can be used to bring donations in. So not staying any longer and will check out the place tomorrow night, but not planning to donate money or go see the “school”. Don’t think there is a real school and they just set it up when someone comes to “visit”. He does however work with the girls and has them perform and I am sure he gives them some money for helping. So he is doing some good things.
The next morning went for a TukTuk tour of the villages nearby. Saw tofu, tempeh and brown sugar making as well as working in the rice fields.
Leaving the next day for the trek. There were thunderstorms and pouring rain throughout the night. Hope it won’t be too bad in the trek. Woke up with diarrhea, oh no! We didn’t leave till closer to ten in the morning so much better by then. Sure hope I will be alright. Could have been the coconut water I drank yesterday. Otherwise I don’t think I ate or drank anything else that could have upset my tummy. I will have to be real careful on the trek. I have been eating local food and enjoying spicy very much. I have not gotten sick yet!! (Knock on wood) Got picked up for the trek and there will be 4 other solo trekkers with me.
So it started out a very rainy day. Met the other 4 solo trekker and seems like a great group. We are from Canada, Spain, Germany and Puerto Rico. Our guide, Sandi, is nice. Well it is really a jungle out here. The terrain is really rough. Can’t even see where you are stepping. So glad the porter, Andy, helped me every step along the way. I relied on his strong hand grip. Still managed to slip at least 2 times. Well on and on till we saw some orangetans in the trees.
Then climbing our way to the camp site and when I say climbing I mean climbing! Soon we reached the river and the guide told us to take off our shoes and socks and check for leches. I didn’t feel anything so thought I was free of leeches, but when taking off my shoes and socks I found at least 3 of those blood suckers on me and that was really gross.
Finally, after crossing the river numerous times and other campsites we reached ours for the night.
Went for a cool swim in the river and it felt great. Then got really for dinner. It was marvelous the way they prepared everything with quite a spread of local food. By candle light we ate and then shared stories for the rest of the night.
I slept well that night surprising. Both me and David slept well. Everyone else said someone was snoring.. me or David? Ha ha.
That night, Sandi the guide, said I had a choice for the next day. I could walk the river then take a motor bike to the meet up place for the rafting or trek in the jungle up and down. I said I’d rather walk the river and then take the transport. No need to punish myself any more than I have to. Well, we walked the river for about 40 minutes then took two motorbikes to the first rafting site then walked another 50 minutes or so to the meet up rafting place. Got 2 more leeches on me again and there were like 3 more on my rainjacket. So gross. Hope I don’t bring any of them with me out of the jungle. It’s a rainy day my shoes are set but everything in my backpack is damp or wet. Glad I am going back today.
Think this may be my last jungle trek. On my past trip to the Amazon, it was minus the leeches, and I thought that was very hard. There the guides machetted our path way and it wasn’t as slippery and there were no leeches. This time we trample through the jungle. I am getting too old for this. However, I am doing an elephant volunteer journey in Thailand in a few weeks. It is only for 4 days though. Will see how it goes.
The girl heading back was suppose to arrive at 2 and it is already past 4. Wonder how it is going? Well. Instead of just her, they all came to meet us. The others were suppose to be going further into the jungle for more nights. Sandi, the guide, said the weather was too bad and they all came back to spend the night here. They were muddy and tired. They said it was climbing and were slipping down. It was hard for them. Soo very glad I didn’t go with them. Don’t know if I would have made it.
Actually don’t know if I want to raft back it is going to be cold and I am wet and tired.
But we did and it was fabulous. I had alot of fun. Rafting is fun and exhilarating. Made it back to my homestay. Took a shower and laid down for awhile. One more day then I head to Singpore.
I had one more day of rest in Bukit Lawang. I decided to just walk around. While walking met up with my tuktuk driver from the other day and he took me to the local market.
Then I came back and had lunch at a resturant near the stream. Ran into a guy from the UK. We had a great time talking and took a dip in the river.
Well, again some guy came up to me and started showing my options of t shirts to buy. Said he woukd be my bodyguard and that he was the son of my homestay. I said I don’t need a bodyguard but he kept with me. I finally met up with my friend from UK. Then the guy left. My homestay said they don’t have a grown son living here. My homestay was really nice and I highly recommend them. Made me feel real comfortable and at home. Maybe someday I will come back.
Well now on to Singapore. I am looking forward to it.
