2:46.53S  111:59.55S

Camp Leaky, Orang-utan sanctuary, Kalimantan

Tuesday 5th –Wednesday 6th October 2010

Ollie’s Blog:

On arriving at Camp Leaky, we moored up against other boats along the bank and followed a walk way through the submerged undergrowth into the forest where we hoped to see the Orang-utans. As we arrived early our guide asked if we would like to take the long way round through the jungle to the feeding station, we heartily agreed, as we really wanted to get a taste of the Jungle. Immediately the small trek filled a few boy hood dreams of plodding through the rain forest trying to find the wildlife.

To our great surprise we were rewarded with seeing one of the Orang-utans on its way to the feeding station, it was incredible to be able to get so close an added bonus was that she actually had a baby orang-utan with her which embodied sweetness and at one time did the classic reach out to David (a bit like God reaching to Adam, the Orang-utan being God Obviously, no offense David).

The apes prefer to roam the rainforst canopy and eat seasonal fruit and termites.   

On reaching the feeding station it was obvious that the orang-utans where abundant, well especially if there is food on offer. The feeding station swelled with the Orang-utans, manly the platform being dominated by the 27 year old male called ‘Tom’  and the females and young twirling and dipping down occasionally to stuff a good 5 bananas in there mouths. The feeding station was also full of the other pink apes but the Orang-utans paid no attention to us and were completely mixed up in getting the fair share of Bananas, while we got our fair share of photos.

This 3 month old baby nearly took my carmera from me! Whoops!

The youngr male will no doubt have to fight for his position against Tom when he reaches his prime, usually at about 22 years old.

The guides enjoying their smoke whilst waiting for us

Again we were able to get really close to another Orang-utan, which was dubbed princess by the guides, although I think you have to kiss her pretty hard before she resembled one. It was great to get close to the Orang-utans, but I was told by the Guides, that I spoke to whilst I stayed the night on the boat, that the more the Orang-utans have human contact the more aggressive they become.

Our guide, Sabris with David walking along one the many board walks where sometimes visitors get close up and personal with the apes.

One of the decrepit buildings at Camp Leaky, set up in 1973, no longer in use.

A relaxing afternoon in between feeding station visits.

Whilst I stayed on the boat,  our lady cook tried to marry me off to her daughter, asking whether I would like her to be my mother in law. But I think I can do better.

This was my luxury accommodation for the night, which they assured me was the honey moon bed. Before settling down, I stayed up the best part of the night chatting away with all the guides from the surrounding boats, along with their crew, all asking me questions about England and I in turn trying to find out more about the Jungle and its creatures, Obviously no long night,  drinking lots of coffee with lads goes without talking about other more pressing subjects, such as ‘how do you ask for sex in English?’

The following day we went again off along the river to the next feeding station to get a few more good looks at the Orang-utans. But due to such large amountof a rain the path was flooded so we hopped into a canoe on the way to the feeding station and feeling braver we waded through the water on the way back, as no Rain forest trek would be complete without a bit of a wade.

A short cut throuh the Muslim graveyard, the bodies are buried standing upright, so as not to take up too much space.

The next chief male Orang-utan we saw really knew how to pose for the camera, so much so he almost seemed to enjoy it. He really played for the photographers, with all the classic ape positions.

After we had seen enough orang-utans to fill our memories we headed back to the boat to make the trip down river, back to Kanaloa. On the way down we saw more Proboscis monkeys and the Macaques and sat out on the front of the boat enjoying the sunset over a truly remarkable place. I was sad to leave the river, but happy in the knowledge of all the amazing sights that will now beforever be etched into my memory.