We were met with hugs and happy faces from the two coordinators for the project, Christie and Grant. Both enthusiastic and supportive.
Christie and Grant organised our pick up and hotel in Pangkalang Bun... the group meets for the first time
where's Ange?? |
Our first week is a leisurely trip to the Tanjang Puting NP to see the Orang-utans.
Our home for the next 4 days...A two storey kelotok, hired from Majit |
...Majit's two sons, waiting to wave us off... |
...setting off ...Louise at the fore, Inez and Ben in the distance....ah chilling |
Christy and Rob |
...Sekonyer river is a major commercial artery |
It's a hard life. |
Pitcher plants |
That's not an orang-utan. |
The resident male - Tom |
Spot the baby. |
So cute! |
Leeched |
The park is accessed by water. |
Loading up - we have to transport everything we'll need as the nearest shop is 3 hours away by boat. So near no SPAR! |
Waiting for the kelotoks to be loaded. |
Jetsam or flotsam - whatever the river is a mass of rubbish. |
The wee room! |
Under way - fully loaded. |
Walking the plank! |
First job - construct a bridge using string and wood. |
Sunrise over the Lamandau River - you can just see the WC in the foreground. |
The wc rises and falls with the tide, making going to the toilet an interesting experience. |
Relaxing |
Watch out for the crocs Louise. |
Wildlife safari in a kelotok. |
A cheeky monkey. |
The river is very busy. |
There are small communities at various points along the river. |
Sunset |
Once the generators are switched off it's time to light the candles. |
Sunday is rest day. Time is spent playing games and dpoing the washing. |
A furry friend. |
Inez having an afternnon nap. |
Night night! |
Grant and Pak Seraymat |
A view down the toilet. Spot the fish. |
There are lots of butterflies around the camp.
The main river is fed by many tributaries.
Food is prepared in the camp kitchen three times a day.
Preparing the vegetables. |
Look at the pancake stack on the left. Louise is so happy she's having a dance. |
Time for work.
You can now see the first stage of the boardwalk. |
The boardwalk extends across the marshy ground...
and into the forest. |
...as do the volunteers.
Fish for tea. |
Heigh ho heigh ho it's off to work we go - come on Pak Seraymat. |
The longer the boardwalk becomes the further we have to walk before we can start work.
We do see some wildlife whilst we are working...
A bird of prey |
A strange caterpillar |
Another day dawns at the wc...
... and on the river. |
Today we have some visitors.
Changing of the guards. |
A view of the camp from the river.
The only place to sit is on the steps and veranda at the post house.
Christie and Grant |