An exciting ‘double’ early start or an exiting early start were the options for today. All of us were eager to explore a little of Sumatra’s natural wonders. The more civilized of us had a slightly later start and headed on a cultural ride into the Berastagi and Karo highlands for a visit to some local communities and their colorful way of living. The rest of the team set on a quest to find orangutans in their natural habitat. Bukit Lawan Orangutans Sanctuary was once a center that recovered hundred of captive animal and released them into the protected grounds of the national park. Nowadays the recovery center does not function anymore but many of the animals, now in the wild and totally independent, live in the surrounding area. After a short briefing on orangutans viewing etiquette we took to the trail hiking up a couple of hundred meters and passing a rubber plantation before entering the jungle. Fairly soon we were surrounded by the sound of birds and cicadas and just when the heat was becoming a factor, we found them.
A mother and its son, probably about two years old, were quietly moving a few meters from the ground and seemed quite interested in observing us for a while. Two hours and a few thousand pictures later, it was clear that they were totally confortable with our presence. The young orangutans explored the resistance of the thinnest branches and trees he could find, always under the close scrutiny of his mother. It seemed no challenge could stop him even when the trees were bent all the way to the ground. Extremely satisfied with the encounter we retreated to the beginning of the trail were a spread of local dishes awaited. Celebratory beers and recovery naps on the bus back to the ship were the order of the afternoon. The long and colorful drive back through Medan seemed to weave around hundreds of shops and food stalls (did anybody count them?) to end up at the pier, were the faithful National Geographic Orion waits to take us to our next adventure.
