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Published: February 1st 2010
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Day Twenty-Three - Shanitood Surly but Sweet Sixteen
I could have lain in bed all day but the lovely Tune shower melted away any last aches as Angela went next door to calm the Shanitood and of course wish her a happy birthday. I think Leanne kept her up for part of the night and Shannon’s grumpier alter ego has emerged (again).
We checked out, took a cab to KLCC and settled in a DeliFrance in the bowels of Suria Mall for breakfast. After topping up on supplies we took the LRT to KL Sentral, checked in our bags and took the Expres to the airport - much nicer than the bus & half the time for twice the price, works for me.
At KLIA we got some lunch we knew it would be a while before we got to Bukit Lawang before going through to departures. Leanne was wowed by the Toblerone displays and picked up a few bars to sustain her in the jungle.
Landing in Medan, we got through the various Indonesian immigration hoops easily enough and were met by our driver and tour guide. Obiwan (I kid you not) was friendly and took
me to the first of about eight ATMs to get out enough Rupiah. In Indonesia, most machines give out very small amounts and my attempt to lift about £400 was thwarted. In the end I settled with £200 (3million Rupiah) worth as Obiwan was happy for us to get the rest on the way back.
The ride down was eventful. I had originally planned for us to take the local bus for the journey but the later arrival had forced our hand. I was soon glad we had our own private 4x4. At about 10 times the price (£40 for all of us instead of £3.50 on the bus) we soon realised the value. The roads were chaos. This made Cambodia seem organised. Not only the mopeds took an unlikely route; cars, buses, trucks and 4x4s meandered where they pleased, weaving between lanes and overtaking through red lights etc.
Once in the country the roads got a lot worse. I had wondered how a 90km trip would be 3 hours long but it was soon apparent. Potholes and gaping holes turned the journey into a slalom - there will be no need for off road adventuring on this holiday.
It was also obvious as to why it took so long to get aid to the Tsunami victims in Banda Aceh.
As the kilometres passed we got to see more of Sumatra itself. The jungle peeked around the Palm plantations and wide rivers cut through the country. The poverty again was evident and some vehicles were measurable in decades not years. As we got further north the traffic dropped off as did the light.
We arrived with fading light in Bukit Lawang and had to walk along the river bank to our hotel, the Jungle Inn. I was exhausted from sitting in the front seat watching every bike and pothole so the 15 minute walk lost it’s charm when I realised how badly rutted the track was in parts. Anyway, we got a quick drink (Angela got quite giddy on her Bintang beer) and Obi suggested a trek for us the next day with rafting at the end of it. I wasn’t so keen on the rafting but Leanne was very excited so we agreed. I sensed a fleecing coming but we had no time to shop around...
We got our keys and the girls were in the
Rock Room. It was built around the rockface and was pretty special. Ours was the Waterfall Room, built with a balcony overlooking our waterfall. The balcony had a hammock and the room had a raised netted bed. The bathroom was built on a few ledges with the shower coming out of a large gourd and ferns. It was water straight from the waterfall so bloody freezing.
Dinner was eaten with more Bintang to wash it down and it was an early bed for everyone - we are getting lightweight...
Today’s Highlights Shannon’s sixteenth; Angela enjoying a McDonalds (but don’t tell anyone she says); and arriving in the jungle.
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