We Trekked the Mt. Sibayak Volcano
To Internet Trekkies!
It's April 8 and we've been to the hill town of Berastagi where we trekked the Mt. Sibayak volcano (about 2090 meters). It was a hard climb but everyone got to the top. We passed through rainforest on the way and got soaked in a storm coming down. It was very muddy but fun to get wet and grubby. At the top there are fumaroles, or steaming vents, of sulfuric steam, all yellowish and smoky. Two German tourists came up there 10 days ago without a guide and are lost. There was a camp of rangers and army at the crater using it as a base camp to scout the dense forest just below the peak. It is presumed that they took the wrong trail down, perhaps fell in a deep ravine, and may be dead. Another tourist died 6 months ago, a teacher from Japan, and his remains were found 6 months later (I guess recently) when vultures were spotted circling overhead. One should never challenge the rainforest as it teaches harsh lessons.
From the top you can see a line of volcanic peaks sticking out of the clouds. This is the Bukit Barisan range, the spine of Sumatra, and part of the "ring of fire," the active plate tectonic border where much volcanic and earthquake activity takes place. The Indian tectonic plate is subducting or diving under the Asian plate, creating great stress and pushing up the Barisan Range. As the Indian plate goes under the Asian, the rock is melted and new magma created.
Two months ago a 6.2 earthquake rocked this area and Medan, testimony to the active nature of the land. The volcanoes have not erupted in many, many years, but the layer of ash covering the land is reportedly 600 meters thick, compared to half a meter for Mt. St. Helens!
We are at Lake Toba now which is the 4th largest lake in the world, a gigantic crater lake, 87 kilometers long and 28 kilometers wide! It was formed 60,000 years ago in one of the greatest explosions of history. Samosir Island was created in the middle of the lake 30,000 years ago in another eruption and that's where we're staying now. This is the heartland of the Batak people, the sacred lake that was unknown to Europeans, kept secret, until early in this century. The local clan are the Toba Batak, reputed cannibals (by European explorers, some of which never were heard from again!) as late as early this century, but a friendly, gregarious people, reknowned for their artistry and music, and recent converts to Christianity in this Muslim country (they also mix magical beliefs with religion). This is gorgeous country and we are excited to discover it (please don't tell anyone about it!). Horas! Ranger Bill and the Trekkers
For Internet: A few days ago on the trip to Berastagi we stopped by what looked like a small shop for buying soft drinks. When I got out I realized what else it was. There were at least a dozen fruit bats in this tiny cage hanging upside-down from the top of the cage. Then there were two other bats outside just hanging out for the tourists to take pictures with. A small lady grabbed the bat and put it on my arm. At first it was a bit painful from the sharp talons gripping tightly to my skin. My arm was quite sunburned from the 5 hour rafting trip before that so that just added to it. The bats wings feel so thin and soft. They must get ripped very easily. Beside the bat cage was a sad looking big eyed Loris. It was walking around very slowly in the cage and looked pretty funny. During the first Sumatra trip the year before the group had bought a Loris at the same place and then released it.
I remember thinking during the plane ride to Sumatra how there was no way I was going to give money to some guy who traps animals, even if it means keeping the poor animal there. I'm not going to help the endangered animal trade. Sometimes you have to be rational rather than emotional. Also at the place was a baboon with a large tumor on its butt. It was tied up and it just looked terrible. That same day we visited a crocodile farm and even there they had monkeys tied up. they forced the monkey to sit on the crocodile's head. It kept trying to jump off but the man poked it with a stick and yelled at it. I'm very happy our group didn't buy the Loris.
I'm glad we donated $400 to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. The center doesn't get government funding and a lot of the donations don't even go to the center. The people there want to make the center into an International education Center. Our donation went directly to the orangutans to help buy bananas, milk, and medicine.
I think what else is important other than the orangutans is the river. The river here, especially near the hotels, is very polluted. The hotels here pump the sewage into the rivers and then we swam in it! Oh well, swimming in the river is really fun and the water isn't too cold. to build pools here ruins the biological filtration which "eats up" the sewage into less harmful material. If anyone has an aquarium with really messy fish you know what I'm talking about.
I wish we could drink the water and not always have to be worried about getting sick. Even when we brush our teeth we have to use bottled water. Right now I'm sitting in a boat on Lake Toba. We just were watching some cultural show and the people said if we paid $50 they would sacrifice a bull...yeah right. The shopping here is really good. I've bought a few very abstract sculptures, a magic stick, and a calendar. I also bought a sarong for my sister. To earn money for the trip I sold homemade ice cream from my house. Because I live in Saudi it sell really well. Well, bye. Stephen H.
For Internet from Jessica W.: the Sumatra trip is so awesome! The best part of the trip was the white water rafting. We went on a class 1-3 rapids. Stephen fell in, but he came out okay. White water rafting is definitely an experience that I'll remember.
From Casey M.: the volcano hike was cool! the first part was steep and muddy, but then it got better at the cement sidewalk. When I first got a smell of the air at the top, I almost puked, rotten eggs all the way. It was a nice view, I hope the kids next year have a good time too.
From Natalie L.: the best thing on the trip was rafting, but the most important was our chance to write letters to the government and try to persuade them to fund the conservation center. Right now the centers are running on donations and volunteers. I hope people following our trip on the internet will take the time to write a letter as well. trying to control the raft as a team you also had to be careful not to fall off which one of my teammates did. At some parts it was very scary but all in all it was very cool.
From Scott L.: Rafting was my favorite, our raft was always in the lead. I almost fell out but it was cool, I like our boat in Lake Toba, This is one big lake.
From Georgia Ann R.: I think the most exciting thing that happened on the trip so far was when we saw orangutans in the wild. they had been released from the rehab center, and so they thought our guide's orange backpack had food in it. The mother actually bit him on the leg and we got out of there as fast as we could.
From Karen S.:. Going to Sumatra has taught me a lot about the problems that exist, and now I know that we can save the rainforest and endangered species by writing letters, making donations, and helping educate the local people. I've had so much fun swimming and tubing and rafting through the beautiful country side and am glad I'm here.
From Chris S.: today we went shopping and the prices are really cheap. I bought a magic stick for 30,000. there are all kinds of shops and many items to buy. The people sell the things here real cheap because there is so many shops to choose from and they haven't had good business. In Lake Toba we have just been relaxing and looking at historical sights. This trip is really fun.
From Julia N.: The other day we went to a Lingga village. There the kids can't start dating until 17 years old.