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We sailed 4 days and nights from Bali to get to Kalimantan, the southern part of Borneo that is now Indonesian.
Anchoring in the Kumai River was not scenic but rather hot and we were facing a "worse than" third world town. But this is where you leave your boat
to take a 2 day jungle river trip to learn all about wild orangutans. We shared a boat with friends from "Shiva", Lillian and Rudy from Switzerland.
Our 4 other friends were on another boat so we all set out together and rafted up at evening when it was time to tuck in. Each boat has a crew of 5
to serve us on the trip but it was not "luxurious"! Our sleeping on deck under a net while anchored in cool, quiet jungle was rustic but a lot of fun and
Febree's food was remarkable. The whole adventure was one of the most memorable experiences we have ever had. The actual 5 hour trip along the river going deep
into the jungle was scenic and exotic. We saw eagles, probiscus monkeys and caymans, really ugly freshwater crocadiles. We also saw how the
villagers along the river live just like they have for hundreds of years on fish and rice. We stopped in several places to walk and look around for wildlife.
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The greatest thrill was reaching Camp Leakey where the Orangutans that need care for any number of reasons but often due to forest damage
and lumbering in their habitat. They are studied and prepared to be released back into the wild. Some have been taught to sign and have continued
to return to camp and communicate with the caretakers by signing. We visitors would calmly sit or stand around taking photos as the orangutans would come for
the daily snack provided by the camp of coconut milk, bananas and cereal type gruel. The orangutans are quite inquisitive and often allow us to come close.
Some even allow petting as the photo with Chuck shows. They have an amazing intellegence when we looked deep into their eyes. The most
agressive female, Uno, got particularly friendly with Lynn, for darn some reason. Uno stopped by and put her hand on Lynn's knee then even patted her shoulder.
Lynn sat as still as possible [per instruction from guide] while we all figured out what was going to happen. Then she wandered over to tear into
another persons backpack. This was the same frisky female that had bit a guide's leg leaving quite a scar! It was truly a close encounter with wildlife
that we will always remember.
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