I woke up at 9 am but chose to sleep in since Jamie and Maguire were still resting. We had plans for rafting to Bukit Lawang that day. By 10:30 am, I finally got out of bed, leaving Jamie and Maguire sleeping soundly, seemingly unfazed by the flat surface.
Our jungle base camp consists of basic shelters with several huts. The sleeping area is a long hut, approximately 3 meters by 10 meters, providing only rain shelter. One side of the hut lacks a wall. Although the ground is firm, it is flat. I didn’t mind spending one night sleeping here. Yesterday, Michael and Gaya had prepared me for the basic amenities. For restroom needs, one simply had to walk away from the huts into the jungle, ensuring to bring along toilet paper and a headlamp. Last night, during my visit to the bathroom, I was astonished by the numerous pieces of toilet paper scattered everywhere.
Putra and Herrie were already up, enjoying a joint in the kitchen hut. I greeted them and spent some time chatting with Putra.
Our Neighbor Komodo Dragon
Later, I observed a Komodo dragon strolling along the riverside. Although we had noticed the lizard yesterday, I hadn’t taken a picture at the time. I also captured some shots of the river. It was amusing because Erwin (a Dutchie I met on Pulau Weh/Sabang) had shared fascinating stories about this Komodo dragon, and now I was encountering one in its natural habitat. This area was likely its territory. I was surprised to learn that Komodo dragons could swim and were present here in Sumatra as well.
Jungle Breakfast
Upon Jamie and Maguire’s awakening, Ivan prepared a delightful breakfast for us. I indulged in a delicious jungle-style club sandwich. I hadn’t anticipated such good food in the jungle—basic ingredients yet surprisingly tasty! According to Herrie and Putra, it was the jungle magic at play. Following that, Putra and Herrie treated us to a fruit dessert. In the end, the meal proved to be too ample for the three of us.
Rafting Back to Bukit Lawang
Departing from the base camp at noon, we had the choice to swim at the waterfall, but collectively decided to embark on a rafting journey back to Bukit Lawang. Thirty minutes later, Herrie and Putra had readied our tubes, and we were set for the rafting adventure to Bukit Lawang.
The exhilarating journey back to Bukit Lawang by raft spanned an hour, offering a thrilling adventure. En route, we enjoyed picturesque views of numerous waterfalls and small shacks lining the riverbanks. As we progressed, I observed several ropes with attached wooden carts suspended above the river. Locals utilized these unique carts as makeshift ferries to traverse the water. To me, these contraptions resembled something out of a peculiar and adventurous movie set.
Navigating the Bahorok River on tubes back to Bukit Lawang proved to be an enjoyable and secure experience. Despite encountering a few rapids, the river maintained a gentle flow due to the limited rainfall during our adventure. The safety measures taken, such as placing my bag and camera in a large dry bag provided by Herrie, ensured that both items returned to Bukit Lawang unharmed and dry.
Upon our return to Bukit Lawang, we docked our tubes on the eastern outskirts of the village. We joyfully cruised past my guesthouse, Thomas’ Retreat. It dawned on me that the more we extended our rafting adventure, the farther I’d have to trek back for a refreshing shower. As we disembarked our tubes, I swiftly coordinated dinner plans with Maguire and Jamie for 7 pm and bid them farewell.
Bukit Lawang
Bukit Lawang isn’t particularly vast. Eventually, I had a ten-minute stroll back, and to my surprise, Herrie volunteered to accompany me. This humorous and fantastic tour guide even insisted on shouldering my bag. As we strolled back, I ascended the bridge with Herrie, providing me with the first clear daytime view of it.
From the creaky rope bridge, I came to the realization of the true magic that envelops Bukit Lawang. The Bohorok River, serving as its lifeline, meanders beneath several charming rope bridges and alongside simple dwellings lining the riverbanks. The prospect of spending another two weeks here seemed appealing—perhaps reading a captivating book on the terrace of Thomas’ Retreat, and indulging in nighttime song sessions accompanied by a few beers.
In recent days, I’ve observed young children, around five or six years old, joyfully playing on tubes in the water, seemingly carefree without vigilant parents overseeing them. There were individuals washing their clothes or bathing in the Bohorok River. Even my room’s water supply was drawn from the river. The simplicity of everything here was truly charming, and I found great delight in it. The breakfasts at my accommodation were accompanied by the tranquil melody of the flowing river, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere.
In Need of a Refreshing Shower
Upon my return to my accommodation, I noticed the absence of my neighbors, Michael and Gaya. Knowing that I took a chance by leaving my bag in their room, I anticipated not seeing them immediately. Inquiring with the staff, I learned that they had left their room around noon. Opting to wait through the afternoon, I decided to take a nap. When I met up with Maguire and Jamie, they expressed surprise that I hadn’t showered yet. I proposed delaying dinner, as neither I nor they were hungry at that moment, and they agreed to a one-hour postponement.
Thirty minutes later, I headed back to Jamie and Maguire (their accommodation was a 5-minute walk), and coincidentally, I encountered Michael and his daughter, Gaya. Despite his apology for not being at home, I reassured him, expressing my understanding of the situation. I extended my gratitude once again for safeguarding my belongings. Michael handed over my bag, and at last, I was able to take my shower.
I arrived at Jamie and Maguire’s place at 8 pm, and together we decided to find a restaurant. Eventually, we opted for the same restaurant where we had relaxed two days ago. Despite the delay in receiving our food, we made the most of the situation. Putra joined us and treated us to some tunes on his guitar, while another local musician accompanied him. I relished the atmosphere, and when our dishes finally arrived, the staff gave us some space to savor our meal. Truly, the locals in Bukit Lawang were exceptional.
A Final Party in Bukit Lawang
After we finished our meals, Putra invited us to join them. The evening turned into a delightful affair with numerous local beers. Another girl, Kyoko, joined our gathering, and I engaged in a pleasant conversation with her. Born in Japan but raised in the United States, Kyoko shared her profound love for India, recounting incredible stories about its rich culture throughout the night.
In the end, we successfully bought out the restaurant’s beer supply. To replenish our stock (for Maguire, Jamie, and me), I headed to my accommodation. A local named Edik accompanied me to avoid disturbing them as their guest. Edik woke up the owner of my guesthouse, and we managed to secure three more beers.
That night, I initially believed my boots, left outside my door, had been stolen, but it turned out they were not. The following morning, the staff returned my shoes, having taken them inside for safekeeping. Perhaps they felt a bit uneasy that I entrusted my bag to Michael and Gaya for safekeeping instead of leaving it in their care. Perhaps this was their way of reassuring me, or maybe I was overanalyzing the situation.
At around 1 am, the locals retired to bed, leaving Jamie, Maguire, Kyoko, and me alone. With the absence of music, the enchantment of the jungle faded. We conversed for another five minutes and then decided to call it a night. Tomorrow, Jamie, Maguire, and I were set to depart early, around 8:30 am, for an eight-hour drive to our next destination. In my slightly tipsy state, I lay down in bed, hoping that the alcohol wouldn’t result in a significant hangover the next morning.
