So 24 hrs after arriving in Sumatra we leave Bukit Lawang and the Bhorok River. Once again we drive through hours of gravel road through palm oil estates.
Every once in a while a dusty village sluggishly slips past the widows. In this one a new bakery was being welcomed with traditional good luck signs - flowers stuck onto board:
Of course the motorbikes continued to come and go, some with only people (up to 6 or 7 passengers) and others offering things for sale - here you can buy bread.
Three hours later we stop in a village for lunch. We suspect that the curried chicken had been cooked after the last cock fight. Raymond struggled through the spicy dishes that were a treat for me. Some very enthusiastic flies kept us busy.
And we arrive at Tangkahan. I am about to test my nervous system.
We cross the Batang River and are greeted by a troupe of children who seem surprised at our survival
After putting our stuff down in our accommodation (generous name given for where we slept) we go off to meet our elephant
Theo and the mahut take us on a tour of the river Buluh where it joins the Batang river and we pass a river raft from which some village youth sing "Jungle Bells."
River, forest and back again
and again
and again
Then washing the elephants ....
and a not too tearful goodbye to our room.....
A last meal in Medan (to Raymond's relief - his last overdose of chillis)
and home again
Looks awesome A. Souse! Can't wait to hear more stories.
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