Sumatra - Jungle and Lake Toba

For the first time on Indonesian soil - salamat siang. We were picked up directly from the airport to our guesthouse in Bukit Lawang. It took us 4 hours for 70 km :)) Some of the roads were not tarred at all and there is ridiculously heavy traffic in the 'bigger' cities. They like to make 6 lanes out of 3 here. Honking means overtaking, but what can I say - it works. And quite honestly, it would be great if we drove like this in Germany, it's more fun to find gaps than just standing in line, but that's another topic :)))

Arriving at our guesthouse, around 11 pm, we treated ourselves to a Bintang beer. After a few conversations with the owner, we went to bed. The next morning, the first view out of the door - it's so beautiful here! Located right by the river and on the edge of the jungle - wow. I can't describe it properly, but somehow the spirit of this little village immediately captured me. So peaceful, no rush, relaxed people. We walked along the edge of the jungle by the river. Saw the first monkeys, just climbing on the houses :) Cooling off in the river, so beautiful. Dreamlike!

The next day we went into the jungle. With our two guides, two really friendly guys in their 20s. And there it was, the first orangutan, with a baby. Wow! So close! So enchanting. Unbelievable! And there were many others as well. Females, big males, other types of monkeys. It was such an amazing experience that we probably won't have again. To be able to experience these animals up close. It was worth sweating or rather 'dripping' :))) Uphill, downhill. Mega exhausting! After the tour, we arrived at our overnight camp. In the middle of the jungle. We were served the most delicious food only by candlelight. Played cards, smoked and drank. And laughed so incredibly much. I felt so free, so detached. All worries were so far away. Indescribably unique. We slept so well. The next morning, showering and brushing teeth in the river, delicious coffee and off we go trekking through the jungle. After encountering several more monkeys, another highlight was rafting downstream with three huge tires. It was so funny! And that's how the tour ended. If I ever return, I will stay in the jungle for at least 3 nights! I am so grateful that I was able to experience this. To experience orangutans in the wild, sleeping in the jungle and having such a great time.

The song of the tour to the melody of Jingle Bells:

'Jungle trek, jungle trek in Bukit Lawang. See the monkeys, see the birds and orangutans - hey'

In the evening, we met up with our guides again. First, we taught them Phase 10, our favorite card game. What a great way to end the day. The next day, we continued, sitting in the car for 8 hours with only 2 hours of sleep. Not much sleeping, as the roads are known to be very bumpy. But it didn't matter, Lake Toba was worth it. A lake formed by a volcanic eruption. The landscape is so beautiful and idyllic, such tranquility... I love it! We rented a scooter there and drove around the peninsula. Somehow we got lost, but it led us to the most beautiful viewpoints up on the mountain. View of rice terraces and the island from above. We returned much later than planned in the dark with a minor mishap. We ran out of fuel. The scooter didn't indicate the speed or fuel level :) luckily it happened only in the valley and at the first hut we got gasoline. Although the residents didn't understand us, they made us coffee and gave us food. Sometimes you don't have to speak the same language to be understood. Great experience!

After more relaxed days at Lake Toba, our journey in Sumatra was over and we continued to the island of Java.

Thank you Sumatra for your beautiful nature and the spirit that I will carry within me for a long time!