A photologue.

[Vanhelsing]

I'm currently in Bukit Lawang where I'm looking forward to some down time playing guitar, trying to improve the photography and generally being a bum I thought maybe some lurkers or those who are considering coming to Indonesia for any reason or for the first time might get some kind of impression of this part of the country, and other parts as I move, if I move.

As adorable as these macaques are, at two thirty in the morning when they decide to invade your roof space...

Dangerous, yes, but as a youth it would have been my preferred method of transport to school.

The lushness of the place is so appealing. It does rain a bit, but I guess you can't have a rain forest without the rain.

I had lunch with a remarkable French doctor who has been living here for fifty years in her crusade to save the greater and lesser apes. Francine has invited me to the local market Friday which I've accepted.

River is Life. So much of the community's life revolves around the river, from laundry to rafting, fishing, socializing...

Fortunately for me this young man was happy to repeatedly jump from the bridge and play for the bule. We had coke in celebration of him not having to jump one more time.

To move from one part of the village upstream you have a cave system to move through.

Clever.

Off to school.

 

[Anglian]

Very interesting photos Van, is Bukit
Lawang in Sumatra

 

[Vanhelsing]

Yes Anglian, northern Sumatra. In 2003 Bukit lawang was destroyed by a flash flood caused by deforestation as i understand it, many died, two hundred odd if I recall correctly. The village was rebuilt, and where you might expect it to have been relocated to safer ground, I'm told they just rebuilt on the same spot.

 

[Puspawarna]

Great photos, they remind me of why I fell in love with Indonesia.

 

[Vanhelsing]

Great photos, they remind me of why I fell in love with Indonesia.

I wonder how you're adjustment is going.

 

[vocalneal]

I visited there before the flood. Does that make me older than Noah? Answers on a postcard?

 

[Vanhelsing]

Chatting as best I could with an old fishermen as he fixed his net. I called it mancing and was happy to be corrected and learn the term jala.

Some gambling just behind my room.

We shared some tunes together.

I was hesitant to ask for this photo, but the lady was more than willing.The guitarist's wife.

This little place sits unused.

Getting the gear ready to bring trekkers down from upstream.

 

[Vanhelsing]

Up early for the market.

 

[vocalneal]

I like the anti-theft device or is it lack of....?

 

[Anglian]

Another interesting batch of photos, cheers

 

[Vanhelsing]

From my balcony of my host and her daughter.

I try to get into places that are removed from the tourists and it's a surprise for some.

This young boy came out of a doorway, saw me, and took to the hills.

Dogs don't bark here, or show any sign of aggression at all.

I also get to enjoy kids at play in the river from my balcony.

Perhaps the cleanest and brightest warung food cabinet in Sumatra.

 

[Vanhelsing]

Today's walk.

 

[Puspawarna]

Beautiful. What is in the baskets above the flame in the photo in post #12?

 

[john madden]

Gourami?

 

[Puspawarna]

Gourami?

Tasty!

 

[Vanhelsing]

Another morning of people watching.

 

[Bad_azz]

Love the pics VH

 

[Vanhelsing]

 

[Vanhelsing]

 

[Vanhelsing]