Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 10:27 pm    

Hi,
Here is a cut and paste of the latest reports of trips to Bukit Lawang from a couple of travellers.
Lonely Planet Thorn Tree forum does not have an archive so in 6-8 weeks these reports will disappear forever.

samnorker
Posted: 12 Apr 2006
3:51pm
Bukit Lawang

I've just had the best time in Bukit Lawang. Its so beautifull and the people are sooo friendly, don't be deterred by flood damage stories as it is fantastic and I would urge anyone to go there.

I went on a jungle trek with a guy called Udin who is absolutely lovely (lone girlies would be very safe with him). Udin goes to Medan twice a week to check his emails so its easy for him to meet people in Medan and save you a lot of hassle and money getting to Bukit Lawang. I met him one morning and had a really nice journey on the bumpy roads talking to him about the orangutans.

He is an official guide. His number is (+6261) 081361081655 or email him on [email protected]

I went on a 2 day trek and saw 3 orangutans, 1 with baby. The food on the trip was some of the best I have eaten in 14 months of being away, we also did tubing on the way back which was great fun, through stuning scenery.

I stayed at Jungle Inn, on the river, which has an amazing location and watched orangutans on the other side of the river whilst eating my breakfast. I also had the great pleasure of waking up to find 2 orangutans had broken into my room and where stealing my things and eating anything they could, I'm soo lucky....jsut wish I could do it all again without the initial shock!!! I didnt' think the food at the jungle inn was so good though.

I also stayed at Noras homestay which is a lovely place and she is a right character and worth a visit just to meet her. Her cooking is good, Indonesian and western and I enjoyed eating there the most. She can also arrange to meet people in Medan if you call her 081362070656

I also spent a lot of time at the Indra Inn, also a great place to stay, but most of their huts got washed away in the flood (and family too) but they have a few rooms which are also on the river. Obiwan who works there is a lovely guy and can arrange treks also. Indra Inn ahs party night on Saturday night...good greif....lots of whisky and too much fun was had!!!

Anyway....Bukit Lawang and these poeple will stay in my heart for a long time and I promised them I would tell as many poeple to visit them as possible...so hear I am!! They need the money.....its soo quiet!! I stayed for 10 days in the end...I only left cause I ran out of money (no ATMS and no internet).

leereemo
Posted: 12 Apr 2006
9:45pm
1.

Sam, what a great description, it may answer my post after yours. I'll look into it. Thank you for the post, but please people give your country. It's gives us a better idea.

hughjass
Posted: 13 Apr 2006
1:51am
2.

glad to hear things are on the mend. Bukit Lawang is still at the top of a short list of my favorite places i've ever visited.

wilduk
Posted: 16 Apr 2006
8:48am
3.

I cant agree more with the OP, I was in Bukit Lawang about 3-4 weeks ago and had an amazing time. Stayed at the Eco-lodge on the other side of the river, did the 2 day trek, feeding station a number of times, tubing down the river, went round the markets on bikes, atempted the regular afternoon game of rotan.
The people were wonderful, on our last night there we were invited to a wedding which the whole village turned out and had a great night.
We used 2 guides called Anton and Lias who were extremly friendly & helpful. They helped us settle in our first week of traveling round SEA we planned on staying 3 days but fell in love and stayed a week ( could have spent all the 30 day visa there).
It's such a shame people don't seem to want to suffer the road up there as it's fantastic place which I can't wait to return to, They need people to start going back, and instead of trying to rip us off like a few places we went the only thing they asked us to do was to share our experiences and try get people going there again and if we got some good photos of the local people to send them a few.

Word of warning tho on our last trip to see Sa-sa she hijacked the canoe, turns out its quite a challenge to get an Orangtang back to shore and out of a canoe when she is happy sitting there

RedApe
Posted: 16 Apr 2006
12:53pm
4.

Wilduk- Great photos on your site. They really catch the personality of the people there!

pPamela
Posted: 18 Apr 2006
9:00am
5.

Hi Samnorker,

Sorry I did not see this post, completely missed it. What a great report on Bukit Lawang. I went on a trek with a guide called Uddin as well, but checking the hand phone number, is different.
Stayed at Eco Lodge and then at Nora's. had a great time and I actually stayed for 19 days, used to get a ride on back of a motor bike up to Binjai to go to Internet or to the bank.
It is just so wonderful to read that travellers are once again going to visit this amazing place.
Thank you for posting.
Pamela.
P.S. Agree with RedApe, those photos of Wilduk's are amazing. Makes me want to be there RIGHT NOW instead waiting until June 21st.

Koodles
Posted: 28 Apr 2006
2:26am
7.

Sam and John...Indra Inn..Saturday nights....sexy boys dancing....Sea Horse whisky...Happy Days......

Miss ya's
Kirst xx


samnorker
Posted: 28 Apr 2006
8:54pm
8.

Bloody hell Kirsty...how the hell are you!!! THats mad!!! Have sent you PM.

Ladies and gentelman...this Kirsty girl is another one who most certainly enjoyed her time in Bukit Lawang (ohh er missus).....happy days indeed!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ChrisatSMERU
Posted: 09 May 2006
7:30pm (NEW!)
9.

Thanks for the information samnorker. I just came back from a trip to Sumut including 3 days in Bukit Lawang. I took your advice and rang Nora who came down to Medan to meet me. When I was saying goodbye to her on the phone I said "Terimakasih Bu" and she said "I am not an Ibu, my mother is" so I knew straight away that she was going to be an interesting character.

I stayed at Nora's Homestay and also did a 2 day trek in the national park. I was really lucky and don't want to brag but I probably saw 15 orang utan in 4-5 different places during those 2 days, including a pregnant female and another female with a baby so I was really satisfied with my trip there. I also had the pleasure of seeing Sa-Sa taking over the canoe at the feeding station crossing and then when one of the guys handling the canoe got her out she made off with his bag!! What a hoot!

It is a damn shame about the state of the road up there but it is definitely worth the effort.

pPamela
Posted: 09 May 2006
10:15pm (NEW!)
10.

Hi Chris,
Great to read you had a great time in Bukit Lawang and stayed at Nora's. Stayed there last year and the photos of Nora's are below.
Yes, dear Nora is definitely an interesting character, I just love her, spent a lot of time with her over those 19 days last year.

What a lucky man to see all those orangutans in just two days - a lot luckier than I, who saw only one on my trek and he was up a tree making a nest or whatever.
Did however, get to see one old red man walking along, across the river from Jungle Inn - such a beautiful creature.

Agree the road is a disgrace- had some interesting trips on the back of a motor bike to Binjai with a guy who had done a bit of motor cross. One certainly has to do some ducking and weaving on that road with all the big buses and palm plantation trucks.
Can't wait to get back there sometime in September this year.
Pamela.