Wed Jun 08, 2005 2:04 pm
I am posting a link to about 80 of the best photographs I took when I was in Bukit Lawang in Jan/Feb this year.
Photographs include photos of the area of the river and the newly cleared area for the new houses for the refugees, photos of guides I believe to be good, reliable and trustworthy, photos of my 2 day trek into the jungle which was such a memorable and wonderful experience- being in the jungle is such a beautiful peaceful experience, photos of Nora's Homestay, and photos of some of the people in Bukit Lawang who touched my heart in more ways than one.
It is a special place and one day I will return. Pamela.
http://community.webshots.com/album/354912564dvtkJh/0
If you have a look at the link below you will see photos Alice took on her recent visit to BL in April ( 7-8 weeks after I left) and her first photograph shows the building had begun. I had heard the houses were meant to be completed by June.
For me the houses do not seem much different to the shacks built beside Ruko Bus Station, but they are probably are, but they are going to be very small. The Ruko houses were really horrible.
Nora and Nani were living in one of the vacant houses there and I spent many days there with them. Very very small and uncomfortable.
I have posted the photograhs on different forums hoping that potential travellers will seriously consider thinking about adding Bukit Lawang to their destination in Indonesia.
And yes, I had a great trek with Uddin and Em the cook. They were both great company and I loved all the little match games etc that Em so delights in showing all the trekkers.
It was just so amazing being out in the jungle and it was the first time I had ever camped by a riverside in Indonesia, although I have been to Indonesia many times since 1997.
As I was the only Western person in BL at the time wanting to go on a trek I actually paid for two people as I really wanted to do the trek and did not want to disadvantage any of the guides. Life is really tough for everyone there at the present time.
And the price was I thought more than reasonable.
The tent was very primitive, plastic over a bamboo structure.
Whilst the bamboo structure remains standing ( see examples in my photos) the plastic sheeting is packed away and brought back for each trek. Although primitive, I actually loved the Indonesian tent, it all added to the atmosphere of the adventure in the jungle.
The food was wonderful, Em is a great cook.
Sadly I only saw one orangutan, but lots of butterflies, Thomas leaf monkeys, and other jungle bugs.
I was really impressed with the care of the guides to the Jungle and no rubbish was left behind.
I probably should not mention this, but because Mentari have put up a mobile phone tower in BL, you can take your mobile phone into the jungle which I did. ( I always take my mobile to Indonesia to keep in contact with people in Indonesia/world whilst I am there)
Then I smsed all my family and friends around the world telling them that I was camped by this incredible spot in the jungle at Bukit Lawang and wished they could all be there with me.
From the replies there were quite a few VERY envious people back slaving away at work.
Pamela.