 Israel - Scary Israel | All Comments |
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| 22nd December 2009 Scary Israel | - From: Gunung Leuser National Park I stayed at the same place in Kutacane (although the name was variously spelled Maroon or Marron depending on which sign you were looking at). It's still 60,000rp per night. Re oil-palm plantations, there are actually several large ones along the bus route between Bukittinggi and Medan but I think I was asleep for most of that trip and therefore didn't know of them when I wrote this blog page. On the return trip and the return-return trip I certainly saw them though |
| 21st December 2009 pPamela | - From: Gunung Leuser National Park Hi, All the palm plantations you missed out on seeing are on the way to Bukit Lawang ( 3-4 hrs by bus from Medan) and also on the way from Medan to Tangkahan ( 5 hrs by bus from Medan.) Thousands of them. Where did you stay in Kutacane? Interested to know as I stayed by choice in Kutacane in November 2006 so I could let other travellers know there was accomodation there. My hotel was the Marron- about 60,000 rupiah per night. In Ketambe I stayed with Pak Mus and family in the bungalows nestled amongst his truly beautiful gardens. Loved reading your blog brought back lot sof memories. Pamela |
| 14th November 2009 tas | tassielink - From: the hunting of the Snark...I mean thylacine tassielink ticket picture is the tiger under the tasmanian blue gum leaf |
| 10th November 2009 Nic | - From: photos of fish I've been there! But there wasn't a stormtrooper then! |
| 9th November 2009 Andy | flower - From: Fail. Again and again and again.... hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah |
| 8th November 2009 Scary Israel | - From: Fail. Again and again and again.... hi Peter, good to see you got to Sulawesi. Its a fantastic place, and your photos as always are awesome! (Much better than any of the bird ones I got!) |
| 8th November 2009 Peter | sympathy - From: Fail. Again and again and again.... You have my sympathy! I have read a number of your postings and pasted some on to others. I am sure many have benefited of your travel stories. When you have a chance have a look at www.pbase.com/peterericsson/sulawesi |
| 3rd November 2009 Nic | - From: cigarettes: they make your brain go crazy MMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE :D |
| 2nd November 2009 Scary Israel | - From: Gunung Leuser National Park yes, "transportation malfunction" I believe the list said. |
| 1st November 2009 Andy | - From: Gunung Leuser National Park was a car crash on the list of ways you could die on the trip? i forget |
| 1st November 2009 Andy | - From: The Things We Do For Flowers ha they were selling that blue fanta frozen at mcdonalds a month or two back |
| 31st October 2009 anonymous | - From: Medan Zoo Aw, the poor monkeys! And, hahahahahaha at the Paedophile sounds great, perhaps yu should have bought one of those toys for mike! |
| 23rd October 2009 Scary Israel | - From: Bukittinggi: big flower town who's Shanti? |
| 22nd October 2009 andy | - From: Bukittinggi: big flower town god your starting to look like mike! |
| 22nd October 2009 Nic | - From: Bukittinggi: big flower town By the way, before you get back you should be made aware of a tragedy. Shanti on Shortland Street died. I know. I'm sorry to be the one to break that sad news to you. |
| 22nd October 2009 Nic | - From: Bukittinggi: big flower town Pukekos in a basket. Who would have thought?! I don't think there are any pukekos in Blenheim. There's a lot of things that aren't in Blenheim, including shops that open in the weekend. |
| 21st October 2009 Scary Israel | - From: final word from Sulawesi :) not a primatologist, just an interested wildlife guy who does a lot of research before travelling to try and get the best out of the trip |
| 20th October 2009 Joe Erwin | Sulawesi - From: final word from Sulawesi You seem to know a lot about macaques. Are you a primatologist? There are wonderful opportunities to observe and do field research in Sulawesi. I went there first in 1985 and had about 20 trips to Sulawesi from that time on. I was interested to see your mention of the Faruhumpenai. Most people don't know about it or that booted macaques range into the Faruhumpenai. At the east end, I have seen tonkeana and ochreata within 7 km of each other. |
| 16th October 2009 Patrick ODonnell | similar experience - From: Krabi and Khao Nor Chuchi: good and bad birding Your experience at that site sounds very familiar. I saw more birds than you did but not as many as I had hoped for (and no pittas either). Like Peter, though, I would love to go back and spend a week hanging out in the forest. Thats really the way to see all those shy birds and animals in rain forest. |
| 28th September 2009 John Williams | bus Miri to Niah caves - From: Niah National Park September 2009 There is now a new mini bus which you can take from the Miri Bus Station, it leaves at 8.30 and is a day trip coming back at 15.45. Enough time to do the walk to the caves, well we did it in the time and we are older people. The trip costs 60 ringets and was well worth it. This bus has only just got started, we were lucky to be one of the first people on it, so please spread the word around otherwise they may stop it! |
| 8th September 2009 Craig Smith | very good - From: The Mountain That Eats Money Very good blog on Mt Kinabalu, Israel. Craig Smith |
| 16th August 2009 Craig | craig.smith@mcri.edu.au - From: Planet Of The Tobys Hi Mr Isreal. I live in Australia and I am also wildlife mad. I was in Malaysian Borneo last August (2008) and ,yes, loved Bako NP. I saw a colugo at night right outside the bungalows. Also saw the other critters that you mention, proboscis monkeys, bearded pigs, Waglers Pit vipers, etc. You sated that otters had not been seen in three years... Well, we saw a pair of them slast year; it was the late arvo right where the boats come in (the jetty at Telok Assam I think it was called) and they were swimming along happily. So they are indeed there. Craig from Melbourne. |
| 14th August 2009 Andy | - From: Brunei, the natural pitstop haha how cool call him Dean Sanders, or Proby the Probocis monkey, or Toby. though not sure you'd want toby traveling round with you |
| 6th August 2009 Radha | Happy birthday!!! - From: going to the zoo Have a great time. Love from us all xxx |
| 5th August 2009 Andy | - From: Planet Of The Tobys you are officaly my most hated person, man Borneo looks amazing. i take it no Binturongs yet |
| 4th August 2009 Justin | Happy birthday - From: Planet Of The Tobys Happy Birthday Mr israel...........Smuggle me back some fishies in your Gizzard Birdman my new Arowana requires sustenance |
| 1st August 2009 Justin | - From: Lore Lindu National Park Wow you look like you are towering over that guide like some kind of Giant dirty Wizard!! |
| 28th July 2009 Andy | - From: Lore Lindu National Park Ahh you look like Bear Grills with a beard |
| 17th July 2009 Radha | LOL - From: Dances With Maleo still laughing ... that rhinoceros beetle in the eye comment is so going into my Christmas newsletter ... |
| 17th July 2009 Oana | wow what adventures! - From: Tangkoko National Park -- tarsier land I've been following your trip through the blog entries, looks like you're having a great time and discovering wonderful things! Lovely photos too, and great writing skills - didn't know you were such a good journalist! I'm impressed! Well, keep it up as it's highly entertaining! And all the best in your travels :-) |
| 15th July 2009 Scary Israel | - From: Tangkoko National Park -- tarsier land "i wat a black macaque go damit" ??? |
| 14th July 2009 anonymous | - From: Tangkoko National Park -- tarsier land wow it looks like the trips getting better. i wat a black macaque go damit |
| 13th July 2009 Radha | Keep up the great photos! - From: Tangkoko National Park -- tarsier land Wonderful photos - especially the tarantula!! We're loving all the animals, and still laughing at that "Jimmy the Wolf" sign. Lucky you took a photo or we'd think you made that up. I'm so changing my name to "Radha the Wolf". Or maybe "Radha the Snake" ... |
| 3rd July 2009 Justin | Photos - From: Tiny parrots and giant rats, part III Your going to put up photos of what? cause it kinda sounds like you havent actually seen anything to photo :-P |
| 2nd July 2009 Andy | hahahaha - From: Tiny parrots and giant rats, part II hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. oh im sory, well you have definatly made up my mind, borneo it is. |
| 30th June 2009 Peter | - From: Tiny parrots and giant rats, part II Just relax, lay back and let the wind blow in your face! Don't be too ambitious! |
| 24th June 2009 Radha | Well, they've got you pegged then ... - From: Man On A Volcano thinking you're a bit touched in the head :). Sounds like you're having a good time. All good here, but absolutely freezing! |
| 22nd June 2009 Peter | hairdo - From: Man On A Volcano How is your hairdo coming along? I was wondering if that had something to do with all the staring you get????? |
| 18th June 2009 Andy | magic water - From: End Of Timor Days oh dear god they have done it "magic water" water you can keep both fresh and saltwater fish in, it does do them harm over long periods but oh well. what a world. anyway your trip sounds hmmm interesting so far fingers crossd on the rat. sucky sucky $5 |
| 17th June 2009 anonymous | - From: End Of Timor Days Why would you need to go searching in the middle of nowhere for giant rats when you work with a bunch already? :p |
| 15th June 2009 Scary Israel | - From: eating dogs in Gunung Mutis there are lots of trials and tribulations in this trip but the bits in between the hassles make it worth while. There's only one fieldguide for the region, called "The Birds Of Wallacea" which covers both the Lesser Sundas and Sulawesi. It weighs about 2.5kg! |
| 14th June 2009 Peter Ericsson | hassles - From: eating dogs in Gunung Mutis With all the hassles you are describing I doubt anyone would like to follow in your footsteps. I am amazed at all the info you have gathered prior to your trip. You seem very well prepared. What kind of fieldguide do you use for this part of the world? |
| 14th June 2009 Nic | - From: eating dogs in Gunung Mutis I was going to ask you to steal a puppy off the bus and bring it back for me, then I read the rest of the post and realised you ATE it. That's not cool. And I though Justin and his Guinea Pig obsession was bad enough! |
| 11th June 2009 Scary Israel | - From: Sumba nights re the giant rats, I'll be in Flores in less than a week, and that's where I shall be trying to find them. I hope my search goes well! |
| 10th June 2009 Peter Ericsson | - From: Sumba nights Kids want to know if you ever found the Giant rats?? We just exterminated 5 baby rats from a nest in our air-con in the living room and believe me, the folks here were 'scared stiff'! |
| 10th June 2009 Peter Ericsson | betel-nut - From: Sumba nights I love your description of the betel-nuts. I was a bit surprised that they have this habit in the Lesser Sundas. It is common in Northern Thailand as well. You are a brave man going around like this. Staying humble (I know it isn't our natural state but something we must choose to do) is a key to protection and receiving help. Keep smiling and the world will smile back to you. Remember that nothing happens by chance in our lives. There is a force that not only controls but helps our circumstance and choices to blend together for good, provided we stay humble and keep our senses open. How is your hair coming along? Peter |
| 4th June 2009 Radha | Well, at least the scenery is beautiful! - From: Baluran National Park Glad you arrived safely and didn't get delayed by people thinking you must be a terrorist since your name is Israel ("it's my name, not my nationality!") .... hope it all keeps getting better from here. The photos are lovely. |
| 3rd June 2009 Peter | hand of God - From: Baluran National Park That was just the hand of God moving you on! Bali has precious little wildlife to offer for nature enthusiasts. Don't know if they even have a single Bali Starling left in the wild. |
| 3rd June 2009 Nic | - From: Baluran National Park I would laugh, but that would be mean. ;) |
| 1st June 2009 J | Stuff - From: Once more into the East, dear friends Nicola says shes misses you....however the rest of us dont. P.s all your fish are dead |
| 26th May 2009 Peter | hairdo - From: Once more into the East, dear friends Well, looking like a dirty hippy or like one of the many insane folks one can see scrunging for food might not go over that well at border crossings! Why not try another method: cut it short! Ha! |
| 12th November 2008 Scary Israel | - From: Hell and High Water perhaps erstwhile was something of a too esoteric descriptive: my girlfriend is now my ex or former girlfriend, and as she has chosen to remain but a sad memory to me then the swimming lessons will not be transpiring. Besides, if I learnt to swim then I wouldn't be able to write exciting blogs about nearly dying through drowning.... |
| 7th November 2008 Peter Ericsson | swimming lessons - From: Hell and High Water How about having your girlfriend give you some swimming lessons in the privacy of some in door pool for starters? I am sure you'll get your Kiwis one day. You are not know to be a quitter. |
| 19th October 2008 woeiyann | - From: Sai Yok National Park You definately a wildlife lover. a very good info for visitors going to the park. |
| 9th August 2008 andy spall | dam you to hell - From: the Atherton platypus and other creatures of truth well israel i see you are trying to fool us but we all know the so called platypus you saw was actually just an aquatic wombat{wombaticus aquaticuss} to be exacte. i do find it very conveniant that you were not able to take any photos. oh yeah and as for the tree kangeroo do you truly think people will belive that there is such a thing? everybody knows kangeroos need dirt to bounce on. god!!!! |
| 23rd July 2008 Peter Ericsson | - From: a rare and wonderous thing Good on you! You have a good sense of humor. So much of our happiness comes from an appreciation of the little things in daily living. Great sample! Here is something I'd like to call to your attention. www.pbase.com/peterericsson/bluewinged_pitta |
| 16th June 2008 Scary Israel | - From: Lamington National Park I was pretty amazed myself at the ease I was finding the lyrebirds. One of them was right beside the Gardens by O'Reilly's! Apparently they are easier to find at this time of year (winter) but still! As for riflebirds, I saw several in the forest on the first day but found them to be rather shy. Once they realised I was around they would take off and disappear. But I saw one male on the morning to last right outside O'Reilly's in the tree by the Feeding Area, which was a bit of a surprise. |
| 15th June 2008 Peter Ericsson | Lamington - From: Lamington National Park I was there for one night. Worst night ever my wife said. Cold, turkeys stealing your food and not being left along by the Paddymelons. As for me, I loved it. Have to go back next year. Still need the Lyrebird. Can't believe how easy it was for you. I only did spend a couple of hours but still. Did you see your Riflebird? I saw one. But nothing like Regent Bowerbird. What an awesome creature that is! |
| 11th June 2008 Scary Israel | - From: A River Runs Through It I did visit Doi Inthanon, but when I was at the summit it was too early for other tourists :-) |
| 10th June 2008 Peter Ericsson | mountain peaks - From: A River Runs Through It I don't recall if you visited Doi Inthanon or not? It is simply like watching a theatric play to watch the local tourists come up to the Summit in their odd 'winter robes' ranging from the latest fashion wear, to rugs, towels, mittens and whatnot. Camera comes out, shouting and yelling, a cup of coffee and back down! |
| 2nd June 2008 me | but...but...but - From: photographs from the edge Hooters isnt open!!! i hope u went back later |
| 2nd June 2008 Andy | - From: photographs from the edge Did you find Justin in that reject shop |
| 2nd June 2008 esther | yay a koala - From: North Stradbroke Island YAY Israel you saw a Koala!! Am I jealous??? YES I AM!!!!!!!!! bring one home!! he could display nicely with the kiwi. have fun... |
| 25th January 2008 Cas | Park - From: Launceston: the town with a gorge I stayed in the hotel overlooking this park, and thought it was beautiful, it smelled of pine trees, and had a little train running round it, also a cihildrens park, were familys had there teas there on the Barbacues, and it was also a place to sit till the sun set, it is such a change from the rest of Aus, as it actually has green grass and trees, instead of dry bark, it also has a pond with ducks in, I also watched a couple Salsa dancing on the band stand, they had a speaker with music on, Yoga lessons are tought in the park as well as Ti Chi, it was just like walking in to a post card, I loved it. |
| 28th November 2007 Scary Israel | - From: general bird stuff around Hobart I don't have a hatred of sci-fi movies, just ones that should have never been made. Michael Bay is an insult to all that is good in Hollywood. Transformers is to sci-fi movies what elephant polo is to the Olympics. |
| 27th November 2007 Justin | grrrr - From: general bird stuff around Hobart You must of watched a different transformers movie because the one i watch was awesome........im sick of your hatred of all good sci fi movies im gonna kill your marine fish (Any actual marine fish deaths are enitirely daves fault) |
| 22nd November 2007 Scary Israel | - From: Melaleuca, parrot town there had been juice in the bottle. I think he liked the taste. |
| 21st November 2007 Divey Spidey | - From: Melaleuca, parrot town Why would a rat be wanting a water bottle??? |
| 16th November 2007 Divey Spidey | - From: shy little devils Wow, those photos are great. Looks so close, like you're at a zoo or something. Wish I were there :) |
| 16th November 2007 Peter | red devils - From: shy little devils So glad for you that you got to see one. The fulfillment of a dream I suppose. God is good! |
| 10th November 2007 Peter Ericsson | imperfection - From: Origma and Batman I C U R starting to realize the world is an imperfect place full of imperfect people. Don't let it get you down, keep your face to the sunshine and there is no place for darkness! Remember, there is always the silverlining to look for...... |
| 5th November 2007 Peter Ericsson | Rail - From: Sydney is a hole Nice shot of the Rail......nice to see you on the road again,,,keep up the postings...makes for enjoyable reading...... |
| 4th October 2007 Peter | prices - From: whales and kites It is sad how everything always has to be so overpriced. Whenever we travel in the western world we find the same problem. Like visiting caves in Australia. Why pay hugs bucks to look inside a dark hole? Same thing in Thailand for nothing. Anyhow, money is a great motivator and without it lots of these places would have gone down. |
| 21st August 2007 Peter Ericsson | Orange Dove - From: Taveuni, "the garden island" That Orange Dove sure is a winner. Mindblowing.....I didn't know Fiji had such colorful and unique birds........... Good on you for correcting the tourists. It takes guts to stand up. |
| 21st August 2007 Divey Spidey | Yay - From: Taveuni, "the garden island" Go cane toad swim club! I love the gecko photo, he just looks so happy. Even though he's probably irate due to you throwing my top at him... |
| 19th August 2007 Scary Israel | swallows - From: Off to Fiji... re welcome and Pacific swallows it depends on how you deal with splitting and lumping. I treat the NZ/Aus bird as Hirundo tahitica neoxena, some people treat it as a seperate species (H. neoxena). |
| 18th August 2007 Peter Ericsson | yuur travels - From: Off to Fiji... Great to see this trip coming about. I look forward to your updates. That Fiji Parrotfich is excellent! Is the Welcome Swallow really the same as Pacific Swallow? I thought Welcome was endemic to Australasia region. I better check. Glad you are having company on this journey..... Peter |
| 18th August 2007 Divey Spidey | - From: Off to Fiji... Awww I miss playing with cute geckos. I want a pet one! |
| 23rd March 2007 Peter Ericsson | Very cool! - From: If the Fonz was a bird... Fantastic sighting! So happy for you. The bird looks a bit like our Tesias in shape. I didn't try for it but sure will if I ever come back. I didn't know the south Island Robin was at Arthur's Pass. Great find! Yours Peter www.thaibirder.blogspot.com |
| 26th October 2006 Peter Ericsson | - From: Singapore again... You have been very persistent in your birding adventures. Thus you have been rewarded with plenty of memories. It surprises me you didn't connect with Striped Tit-Babbler in Thailand. It is everywhere if even a bit hard to see. It took me years to see the Rufous-backed Kingfisher. Well done! |
| 18th October 2006 Peter Ericsson | warning - From: Krabi and Khao Nor Chuchi: good and bad birding Ha! I believe I warned you about KNCC didn't I? Still, every time I go there I want to go right back in. You have to get the birds by call and then pursue. Once you start using a scope and seriously look at waders you will get the 'itch'. They are my favorite group of birds. Yours Peter |
| 6th October 2006 Kevin | Same thing here - From: "Worst episode ever" I had the same thing happen. It seems that the ticket touts and information people don't really know. I decided to stay in KL and try again in the morning. We will see how it goes. |
| 5th October 2006 Peter Ericsson | - From: a not-so-good night out My, oh, my, what an adventure. Bet you won't go off inside the djungle without proper survival kit again. Anyhow, thank God u made it out. |
| 25th September 2006 Peter Ericsson | your story - From: Taman Negara Hi Israel, I like your style of writing. Honest with a fair bit of humour. The tropical rain forest is almost overwhelming at times. But as you say: I could stay here forever! As for Khao Yai, you simply hit it during a low period. At other times it is as rewarding as can be. Even in the tropics there are seasons even though they are not as distinct. Yours Peter |
| 6th September 2006 corrie | Cause of death - From: Preparing for my untimely death Too bad you didn't add"stung in the heart by a stingray" on your list |
| 5th September 2006 Justin | 3 cheers for stingrays - From: and Pattaya ahoy are u gonna do a dedication on your site to steve erwin i know he was your hero and u will miss him greatly such a tragedy to have him die by a stingray i mean if only he had not pulled the spine out of his heart..... i guess he died as he lived....A IDIOT!!!! |
| 2nd September 2006 Justin | dirty bastards - From: one day in Bangkok u should of put a rope around the squirel stall keepers neck and tied them down to the curb drain and let trafic run them over or street kids urinate on them. On a brighter note love the site even though im not a birdie , u should keep it up when u come back and add NZ stuff now that u have the sexy camera P.S didnt i see that puppy lover sighn on the back of tobies car? |
| 23rd August 2006 Ingo | greetings - From: Taman Negara Hi Israel, I'm sorry you didn't get your dream views of Garnet Pitta. But then, that's a good reason to go back there. Was nice seeing you out there, good luck in Thailand now! Cheers, Ingo & Conny |
| 15th August 2006 Ariel | - From: today was my birthday. Your big, fancy and very expensive birthday present is in the post- I hope it gets there!! :) |
| 15th August 2006 Ariel | remosquito bites - From: Templer Park Well, that's good news for anyone with bets on number 1 or 2 on your 'returning early or untimely death' list!! |
| 2nd August 2006 Ellie from KL | 31st Aug - Malaysia Independent Day - From: Taken for a (taxi) ride in Malaysia Hi Israel, hope you'll have fun in KL. You will see a lot more of Malaysian flags because August is our independent month. We will celebrate our Independent Day on 31st August. You seem to know fishes, why not going to the islands for diving or snorkelling to experience swiming with the fishes. |
| 1st August 2006 Robyn | - From: Jurong bird park Are you going to Singapore Zoo? You can feed fruit to the manatees there! Cute! I learnt that from some random persons blog. p.s. In ecology today, the lecturer was talking about your brother & his research!!!!! I felt embiggened through the vague association. |
| 31st July 2006 Robyn | - From: Insects!!! Bring me back a softshell turtle! It's soooooooo cute! |
| 30th July 2006 Colin | No Title - From: day two: Pulau Ubin I like your sense of humour! Take care, have a good trip. |
