Bukit Lawang we left late, because spent time for obnoxious Indonesian ATMs. It is not so easy to find ATM which accepting visa, but not even that - also Bank MANDIRI removed money from the card, but forgot to give them .... Well, at least give a card!))) How long we stayed with the staff of the bank - they call the office, for a long time try to connect internet to our leptop for checking the balance ... Money finally returned to the card (by the way, the card was a Thai bank KASIKORN). The problem of loss of money is decided, but did not solve the problem of lack of cash ... In the BRI bank nevertheless get the money from the Russian card.. The time was hopelessly lost and at the bus station we were only at 1am. At this time the bus was direct and quite tolerable - no music and very comfortable rear seats. Arrived in Bukit Lavang in the dark after terrible dirt road at a speed not more than 40km / h. Despite the fact that some hotels have been pre-recorded from the Internet, coming out of the bus in the dark, we're a little confused. We certainly have surrounded the taxi drivers, but we decided to go into the darkness on foot ... Already at the exit from the station approached us "helpers" and finding out our pricing desires (50 000 / night), we were seated on the bike and brought to the hotel for free (Bukit Lawang Hotel Inn). The room for the price was quite tolerable, no hot water, but it was warm, so we are not confused)))
The next morning we found out that in Bukit Lawang are no ATMs! Be vigilant when traveling))) By counting our cash, we realized that the remaining days we have enough money on the cheap room, 1 serving of rice a day and cigarettes. Well, it's ok! We went for a walk around - the place is very beautiful! And most importantly - warm! The whole village is located along the rough mountain river, on either sides. Many bridges a wide variety of designs.
We wanted to meet Alex's birthday in Berastagi, under the volcanoes, but it was cold and wet, so we go here))) local guides sang "Happy Birthday" and I ordered coconut cookies with candles. A candle was only one, but it was a surprise anyway!)))
Bukit Lawang is visited by tourists mainly because of the famous orangutans, places for feeding wild monkeys, and the area declared a reserve. The Association of guides created in this village so you can go into the jungle for 1,2,3 and more days to see different species of monkeys in the wild. The cost of even a one-day tour was too much for us ($ 50 per person), so in honor of the birthday, we decided to take an independent jungle trekking along the river. We walked to the source on the right side, to mini-hotel Back to Nature, and even a bit further.
The river is very turbulent and cool, a lot of fun. But be careful - if you drag on the rocks - it will be really hurt! Along the river are organized ruffting on car camera, it looks like this:
After about 1 hour of walking we met a funny ferry, local, however, waded. We decided to take the opportunity to ride on a miracle technique)))
The technology is simple - pull-up booth, sit down in it and pull yourself to the other side - a good pumping hands! I think during the flood of the river - a very valuable thing.
We got to the Back to Nature. The guys there - a miracle! If you are looking for peace and solitude, while possessing finances - this place is for you! I do not remember the exact price, it seems thousands 300-500 per night, but it's worth it - no one around, the sound of the river, the birds singing, good company, a private garden, excursions into the jungle .... We were even offered to sleep for free on the porch of this wonderful hotel!))) And in honor of the birthday we were offered a Jamaican tobacco))
After talking about the Russia with its snows, Indonesia, with its monkeys and America with its policy, we went on to the first camp, parked where guides lead tourists on excursions. As we explained at the hotel to get there you need to cross the river 4 times (no more rope crossings) and recalled that a few days before it was rain and the river became turbulent. Well, these emotions did not happen with me for a long time! I even could not imagine that it is so hard! If not bamboo stick that done for me, I'd have washed away!
Maximum water came up to my waist, legs do not listen me, the stream was really strong ... Alex said me, "Come, come!" - and anxiously looked at me, and I just could not make a step, so strong it was! To be honest, for me it was a shock that this innocuous-looking river can really knock you, pull the stick out of the hands, bend the legs! Several times I thought, " I'm dead, I do not feel all the way, now I'll go on all these rocks, long and painful" .... But I coped manfully with the river and we crossed it to 1st and 2nd camp.
When we walked up to the third camp Alex almost stepped on a lizard!
Lizard was huge, about 1.5 meters in length. After struggling with the flow and self-awareness like a fluff, compared with the elements, I was literally discouraged when this "body" playfully slipped into the river and swam lightly over demolished, to the other side. Oh, how much grace and confidence was in his movements! ... Varan safely escaped from us to the other side, and for good reason - Indonesians eat them, although the meat is cheap and do not "prestigious".
After a fight with the stream and after this lizard and adventure, I felt not ready for a next crossing of the river (if you go further, you can see the waterfall), and the river became more and more violent and deep, and we had a camera that could sorry drown. In general, I assumed the role of "coward" and we turned back. As it turned out, for good reason, because as soon as it came to Back to Nature, again crossings the river twice, a tropical downpour started. We were wet to the waist, so that the camera wrapped in a poly bag, we went in the direction of our hotel. The day was intense emotions - fear, joy, surprise and, of course, the spirit of the holiday! The birthday was good))) That we will remember for a long time)))
Will be in Bukit Lawang - do not limit orangutans, go down the river, it's really cool!
