Swinging with the Orangutans!

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Orangutans

After a few days of recovery in the hotel we decided it was time to visit Sabbah to see the Orangutans sanctuary. We found ourselves in frantic panic in the morning as we had lost our tickets for the flight! We found them last minute and then nearly died on several occasions as the taxi man swerved through traffic to get us to the airport.

We took a ten minute walk through vegetation in the jungle until we reached the feeding platform. There were six orangutangs jumping from tree to tree, fighting, cradling their young, swinging on ropes and the amazing thing was we were 10 feet away. We were told they share 96.4% of human behaviour and when you watch them carefully this stat seems true. My favourite part of the day was after feeding time; the orangatangs stayed put in the trees however the chimps decided they would ascend onto the tourists. They were all around us, babies fighting around our feet and mothers feeding on bananas inches away. It was all quite cute at first until the mood changed. One monkey leapt onto a tourist and grabbed his camera case then bared all its teeth at him when he tried to retrieve it. Secondly it was my Dad that fell victim; Dad got too close and the monkey arched its back and barked extremely loud. Dad suddenly lost his head and in a stricken panic flung his bag hard at the monkey. Dad then turned and ran… absolutely hilarious moment! All was not over we then had to leave the jungle. The railings were on either side of us and were covered in flea ridden chimps. The Japanese group were the first to leave and yes they decided to take pictures right next to them. They then wondered why the monkeys kept hitting them. Me Nick and Eleanor were told to stay calm and look at the floor by the guide…this went out the window when the first monkey barked and we paced it as fast as we could out the jungle. All in all though it was a classic experience one I will never forget.

Next to our hotel there is also a sanctuary for baby orangatangs so we decided to visit this also. We watched the babies at feeding time when they are most lively. This is definitely the case proven when Yoda the youngest one paid us a visit. He left the platform and his carer and waddled as fast as little legs could carry him towards us. His big brown eyes open wide, focused on us. Unfortunately the carer grabbed him before he could say hello. She started to walk him back to the platform and he pulled a facial expression very similar to a teenager he looked all sad and stroppy. The other babies meanwhile were finding it funny jumping into the cactus plant and some were even eating it.

The rest of our family holiday mainly consisted of chilling on the beach, taking dips in the pool, drinking cocktails and watching sunsets. It was great to relax and have no worries. One of my highlights was when Dad rented out a beach veranda for a night for my parents 25th wedding anniversary. We had it all to ourselves, our own music, Willy our waiter, alcohol. The one thing you do miss when you are travelling is descent food that fills you up. After 5 courses I was full for the first time in 2 and half months.

Myself and Nick kept ourselves busy daily by having tennis, table tennis, football, golf and swimming competitions. We even wake boarded which was great fun until I pulled a ligament in my arm again.

Anyway after a classic ten days with the parents it is time for us to go our separate ways from them once again and explore 5 more countries. We will be meeting the guys in Kuala Lumpa and then hitting Singapore.

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Comments

[anonymous]

Keeping in touch
hi everybody What a wonderful time you had in the 0rangatang sanctuary glad you managed to escape without being bitten. Dad had a narrow escape thanks to throwing his bag (hope it was.nt the money bag}. The pagoda looks so nice and what alovely suprise for you all. Wish we were with you. Keep Blogging. Weatherr here better but still cold. Cassy now completely fenced in the garden and enjoying her stay with us (we think} LUV Nanna and Granpop God BLESS X X X ,

[jan hair]

jealous
Hi you two remember us we met at Nana's 80th in Prestbury. Big Lis told us of your blog site. You reslly are having a fab time keep it up. Lovely for family to visit, well at least to feed you up and pay a bar bill or two. We have set up a blog site, we are off to France on 23.4.08. for 5 months sailing French Canals blog site is ladydunbarfrance2008.blogspot.com. Lets keep in touch. Take care, be safe have a bloody good time The Hairy Boaters. xx