Sumatra is the world's sixth largest island (not including the continental islands) at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538, 22% of Indonesia's population. Its biggest city is Medan with a population of 2,109,330. The reason for our trip though was the wildlife!! The island's tropical climate and diverse eco-regions have created habitats that house thousands of unique species and the world’s last remaining Sumatran tigers, orangutans, pygmy elephants, and Sumatran rhinos (although the tigers and rhinos are very rarely seen --- and we didn't now either). Massive rivers cut across the landscape. These are the islands’ lifelines, offering transport and and providing the freshwater needs for the people.
Our flight took us to Medan and then about a two-hour drive west and a bit north of Medan took us to Bukit Lawang a small tourist village at the bank of Bahorok River in North Sumatra. Lost in the depths of the Sumatran jungle, it's easy to while away time lounging in a riverside hammock, listening to and watching the jungle life swing and call around you.
Bukit Lawang was extensively damaged by a flash flood in 2003, which killed 239 people and had a devastating impact to the local tourism industry in the area. The village worked hard to rebuild itself and the essentials of the town and tourist infrastructure have been rebuilt but the community is still grieving for lost relatives and livelihoods.
The riverside village of Bukit Lawang
The locals love swimming and tubing in the river
Indah's Bridge (Long Bridge) over the Bahorok River. We had to cross over this bridge to get to our accommodation.
Standing on the bridge looking down onto the village.
We were staying at a place called "On the Rocks" which was about half a kilometre from Bukit Lawang Indah’s Bridge (Long Bridge) and then what they say is about a five minutes trek up the side of the jungle ... which probably took me about 15 minutes! Nonetheless, the trek was well worth the effort. This little place has 5 bungalows and a restaurant and spectacular panoramic views of the jungle!!
The view from our bungalow
Our bungalow
Very fancy accommodation for the area - it had a bathroom (with a western toilet I might add),
and a shower!
They are doing some renovations right now - extending the dining room. Health and safety requirements, especially around working at heights, just aren't quite the same as we're used to!
And our adventure continues in the next post!
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