Very early this morning, we boarded the Zodiacs to begin our exciting adventure for the day. Once in the river, we saw plenty of boating traffic as well as Nipa Palms that initially flanked both sides of the river. It took us about two hours to arrive at Pondok Tanggui, where we disembarked onto a jetty. The jetty was quite crowded with Klotoks, which will be waiting for us after our visit here. We proceeded along the boardwalk, from there we walked along a well-prepared track through the forest to finally reach the feeding station. There weren’t any orangutans there when we arrived but after a short while a mother and baby arrived at the feeding platform.
There were many photos taken throughout this morning. There was plenty of action up in the trees as we had to crane our necks to get a glimpse and a photo. We then had to go back along the boardwalk to our awaiting Klotoks.
Once we boarded the Klotoks, we made ourselves at home with a welcome coffee, tea, and local sweet treats as well as enjoying our lunch packs. We then proceeded in convoy further up the Sungai Sekonyer, before turning into the smaller Sungai Black. It was a magnificent way to take in the majesty of the surrounding riverine environment, slowly cruising along.
We also began to see troops of proboscis monkeys and macaques. It was the spectacular aerial display of the proboscis monkeys that captured most of our attention. Watching them leap from high up in the trees and then come crashing down in the bush below. After lunch, we went ashore and made our way to meet Dr. Galdikas at the camp. She amazed us with her stories from the early days setting up Camp Leakey and studying the orangutans. We then followed Dr. Galdikas along the rain forest trail to the feeding station. The orangutans came from the trees, not only for the bananas and milk on offer, but because they came to see Dr. Galdikas. Not only were we watching the orangutans on the feeding platform, but looking up in the trees as they were climbing up and down from high above. We were also lucky to see the alpha male named Tom with his mate and sibling as they made their way to the feeding platform and amused us with their antics.
With a sad heart we finally had to leave Camp Leakey and board the Klotoks for our return journey back to the ship.
At a leisurely pace we cruised along the Sungai Black and into the Sungai Sekonyer. We sat back and took into the late afternoon light and saw tree after tree full of troops of proboscis monkeys and macaques—what a wonderful scene and a great way to finish a truly spectacular day.
