So, we come to, for the sake of which come to Bukit Lawang tourists - a track into the jungle with the aim to see orangutans in the wild. Beginning of a series of articles about vizarane Sumatra from Lena here and here.
After checking in the guest house Rain Forest I read positive reviews about their guides and decided here and buy a two-day track in the jungle. And my first disappointment was the price, they rose significantly compared with the information on the Internet.
В итоге: a three-hour track 15 Euro, один день 25, two days 80 etc., плюс 10 Euro is an alloy in the village by the river on inflatable tires – "Tyubing". traded weak, prices are the same everywhere, at least, guides so say, I could only manage to get a free tyubing, хотя один из моих попутчиков в джунгли все-таки смог купить трек за 60 Euro.
My second disappointment was the track organization. Agreeing with the purchase of the exit time, and not being in the habit to be late, at the appointed time, I was waiting at the bottom, hearty breakfast. By the way, in all guest-houses can easily keep things on storage, if you go to the track with an overnight stay and not have to pay an extra night.
So, I waited, watching, like all the other guests go to a meeting adventures with serious-looking guides – long pants, tucked into socks, large backpacks, a bunch of food, and so on. When an hour late was my guide, He looked more like a neighbor Gopnik – shorts, empty backpack, red eyes and a slightly crazy look. We sat on the bike, we stopped for a meal and fruit, estimating the amount purchased, I mentally resigned, that two days have forced to lose weight. At the meeting point we picked up three more children and moved to the jungle, then revealed, that we will not have an assistant, only guide, because today is the first day of Ramadan, and that's a surprise Assistant Muslim ill. "But I am a Christian with Lake Toba, I drink and smoke, as I want!»- encouraged us guide, as if by him it was not noticeable.
except me, in the group were three young guys: two Germans and a Dutchman, we immediately found a common language, and one reason for the excitement I have fewer, I have been reading before going to the English-speaking Internet on cases of harassment on the part of guides.
The track began with a pleasant, leisurely walk in the shallow creek. All anything, if we had been warned to bring along appropriate shoes, to walk on water. Only one of us were flip-flops, I cost her thin sneakers, and the rest had to throw trekking boots and wade barefoot.
Then there were the Ascending and Descending, ancient trees and vines, various animals, Mosquitoes and other insects, clay and wet leaves underfoot, stifling heat and humidity of one hundred percent.
И, конечно же, The aim of our campaign - orangutans!
We met once more, approximately one place. As I understood, that likely, these are the semi-wild specimens, which is fed in a rehabilitation center, many have names and the guides know their.
Jackie female with a cub.
On the Internet, I read a lot of talk about the rules of behavior on the track, что нельзя подходить очень близко, нельзя кормить и прочее. В реальности мы встретили несколько групп, and virtually all of the guides allows us to approach very close and fed orangutans.
Jackie acted very cleverly, I chose a "victim", Woman often, which is very like a pretty picture with a monkey, и брала ее за руку. At first it was cute and fun, while the "victim" is not going away, then it turned out, that grip Jackie iron, and let go of her hand, she is not going to, until you get a delicious "bribe" from the guide.
Yet there is the famous Mina, aggressive female, мимо, which relies run, while guides distract her sweets. To honor our guide can be noted, that he was not fed, and I talked with the orangutans, I do not know what language.
The guide leads a lively conversation with Mina, apparently, убеждает пропустить нас без взятки.
After meeting with the orangutans, we stopped for lunch, eat with your hands and banana leaves, surrounded by the local fauna.
In the camp we came early enough, to our delight we met there another assistant with boiling kettle on the fire, and lots of food.
Camp consisted of two reed house, covered with polyethylene. Any type of mosquito nets accessories, спальных мешков и прочего нам не полагалось, хотя при покупке тура мы предупреждали, that we have nothing, and have been certified, that all it takes with a guide. Из удобств в шалаше были только походные коврики и приставная дверь.
Deciding not to upset prematurely, we swam in a waterfall nearby and got acquainted with the neighbors in the camp, sometimes lizards, monkeys, who immediately steal our cookies, sending as a distraction nicest representatives, and absolutely stunning monkey Thomas Leaf Monkey.
In the evening we were in for a great dinner several Indonesian dishes, everything was delicious, especially after a long walk.
After dinner, our guide went to sleep, leaving us to ourselves. I read, Some guides entertain tourists and local foci card games, we just gave us a deck of cards and began to snore.
Unfortunately, No one there was nothing to drink and smoke, so we just played cards, etched jokes, listening to the sounds of the jungle, anticipating the night. put down, how could, were covered with, with anything, pouring the liter mosquito spray.
In the morning all woke up surprisingly good sleep and cheerful, mosquitoes, really do not regret it one, itched we actively. After breakfast, all tucked a bottle of boiled water from the river, and I'm sorry, that last all day dragged on itself two large bottles of water.
The guide took us on a "baby hill", which actually turned out to be terribly high, with steep climbs and more steep slopes. To his pride, I have not turned out to be the weakest link in the team, but in the end, legs refused to obey. The reward we had a spectacular view and even more wildlife.
By the afternoon we went to the river, snack and we went on a raft made of tires in the village. On the way back we passed our camp, which proved to be ridiculously close to the village, then two days we just walked in circles.
according to the results, I liked the track – It played a role excellent company, nature and, that the last time a hike with an overnight stay, I went, Well, a long time ago.
I made the right decision, bought a tour with one overnight stay. If you take the one-day trip, it will be more likely to go into the crowd, we met on the way these groups of 6-8 people. Orangutans something you see, but romance will be less. Tour Three days especially with our organization would be too heavy for me physically, although it is possible, they go further and see more.
Of course, very unclear pricing, where did the 80 Euro? Clearly not for food, guides and helpers high salary also can not boast, shorter, a kind tourist divorce. Hope, that at least some of this money goes to the needs of the national park, not just local bosses.
To be continued…
