Morning Feeding

Dear Virtual Sumatra Trekkies,

Well folks we just finished a great experience into the rainforest. The day started observing the 8:00 morning feeding at the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. We witnessed the feeding of several females and one male. To see them move through the trees, brush by you while going for food, and their gentle disposition, are all truly a marvel. Babies clinging to mothers just like humans proves our only 4% genetic differences are very minimal.

Encountered an Orangutan name Mina in the rainforest, she was aggressive due to wanting our guides orange bag. She thought there were bananas in the bag and when she wasn't offered any, she bit him on the leg. He just had a scratch but it was unexpected and shocked us. The problem lies with the Indonesian guides who feed the rehabilitants (released orangs) in order to attract them for tourist photos.

Camping in the rainforest along the beautiful Bohorok River was great. This year we abandoned the leaky Western tents and slept in a Batak longhouse tent. It was a bamboo frame covered with black plastic and was about 40 feet long. The girls slept side by side at one end and the boys at the other end with us teachers mixed in. It was noisy but fun and the rainforest sounds took over about eleven PM.

This morning we rafted out from the campsite on tube rafts like a centipede or caterpillar, about 5 huge tubes lashed together in a row with half of us on each raft. We got wet but had a blast. Later in the day we visited a limestone cave with lots of bats, the insect-eating variety. It evoked lots of screems and comments but was fun though smelly.

Tomorrow we whitewater raft on the Waupu River - water is just right so will be perfect. Also we have new rafts and equipment. More Later!

To the Virtual Trekkies:

Kate: The hike is tiring and seems impossible. The view is spectacular and it's really fun so the hike is definitely worth it.

Louros: I had a really fun time on the hike but it was really hot and humid. I like seeing all the wild life but I really, really hate the bugs!

Laura: I love the hiking so much! It is so amazingly gorgeous here. We have seen many caterpillars!!!

Sara: I love it here! It was really worth the money.

Casey:The wildlife here is so cool! I'm having a great time, and I hope the kids next year have this much fun.

Georgia:The best thing we did today was go down the river on inner tubes tied together. It was like a huge caterpillar.

Ryan: The riveris cool. The forest is huge, and I like the view from the top of the mountains.

Katrina:Hiking is fun except the leeches. I got one on my stomach. Even though you tire out easily on the hike, the view is worth it.

Natalie:The best things so few were tubing and running from the orangutans. It was really freaky, but fun at the same time!

Ashley: The view is beautiful here, and everything has been fun. The only ad thing that has happened so far is that I have gotten 2 leeches on me.

Scott: Trekking makes me absolutely sick, but going down was cool, and quite enjoyable. Tubing hurts my buttocks. The creek flowing at night is relaxing.

Jessica:Trekking is really tiring, but I kept up with the quicks. the tubing down the river was awesome! White water rafting is going to be cool!

Chris: We went hiking and we got attacked by an orangutan. We got to our camp. It was cool. The trip is cool. We are going white water rafting tomorrow. We hiked for 6 hours to the campground. This has been the best time of my life. We do and see so much here. Even when I was hot, or disgusted, or tired, or freaked out of my mind, I was having (and am having) so much fun.

Karen:We are always doing something new and exciting everyday. I've never hiked before, and most is fun, but some is very tiring. I'm so glad I'm here because it's very beautiful and we hearn a lot about conserving the forest.

Lavanya: Tubing and rafting were great. Hiking was pretty cool - after were done! I'm having so much fun!

That's it for now--