Post adventure final post

Post adventure final post

 I have always been a bit confused about bucket lists. How are you supposed to know what you should experience if all you do is borrow the idea of the experience from others? For example ....how could I have written down the past few days. Leaving Berastagi to arrive at Bukit Lawang (? Sp) was a trip of winding curves as we descended from the cool of the mountains to the jungle of the plains. Palm oil plantations for acres and as impressive as it is to see, at the same time you know it's destroying the land it grows on. The stats for water consumption alone is staggering and how it destroys the vegetations all around, sad and impressive. Scott was finally feeling a smidge better....not needing to use the facility every hour and under strict guidelines for eating and drinking. I think the man lost about 6 pounds....

 We arrived at the village at the edge of a million hectare reserve. As we settled at the guest house...we were informed that our place was on the rocks...or On the Rocks. 228 steps up we realized why; lovely guest houses with coconut shower heads, mosquito nets and wide open, no screen windows. As we caught ...as I caught my breath, Scott who has been struck with illness the past 4 days still could climb all the way up without a stop, we noticed the trees shaking. There in a tree were monkeys just playing and eating. This was just a foreshadowing.

 Next day....the jungle trek. So, I had a conversation with the Creator. I asked Him if He would nudge the orangutan's our way since it's a huge reserve ... You can always ask, right? So we began. About an hour in...2 males, 2 juveniles a swinging by...JUST like that. There they were...pictures to prove. Coolest EVER! I was just smiling and oohing and all that. We walked up. Down, over up and over...so nice that it was under the canopy and not under the hot sun otherwise we would haven been baked and steamed. This way, we just walked in the sauna all day. It wasn't an easy trek but the rewards so worth it. Lunch of nasi goreng ( fried rice) and fresh fruits...all so good. I would have never put this on my imaginary bucket list, but then if you have one maybe you should.

 We and Mario Andretti as our driver on the way back to Medan. Up till now we have asked all our drivers to pelan pelan ( slow down). This time....let him drive. You begin to realize as you duck and swerve, pass and honk and pass, he knows what he is doing...we hope. We listened to The Scorpions, G and R etc. a lot of the way and as he sang along, talked on his phone , changed gears and passed every car, truck and motorcycle possible...you hang on and enjoy the ride. Yes, I realize , I should have been scared there and not on the airplane today. When we got into the city, he put on his seatbelt ... Maybe it's the law :).

 What a great, wonderful, full, exciting, memorable time this has been. I am sooooo grateful for it all. So many highs, so few lows. So much beauty, such amazing people, such a great family, so much to understand and learn. I felt so often the pleasure of the Creator on His canvas and tapestry of land, sky, animals and people. I'm ready for home, for our kids, for my adopted country. I don't usually have favorites but Indonesia never disappoints. You should come if you can.

Thank you so much for following along.