Tuesday 31 December. Two feeds at Sepilok and a flight to KL.
This was to be a busy day, culminating in my return flight to London, via KL. I started off by going down to the Orangutan Centre for the morning feeding. The first stop was the nursery area where the younger (though not that young) orangutans are brought for food and exercise. I watched behind glass as they trouped in, reminiscent of a group of actors. It was quite mesmerising watching them feeding and using the ropes between feeding stations.
After about fifteen minutes it was time to go to the main feeding station ready for the 10.00 a.m. feed. Whether there was some signal or the orangutans had an amazing sense of time, I'm not sure but they all started to pitch up almost on the dot of 10.00. Again, it was a fascinating experience watching them feed and negotiate with each other - one or two bringing babies along with them.
After this I went and finished packing and checked out before returning to the orangutan centre at about 11.30. I thought this was reasonably well before the lunchtime closure at midday but on my path back towards the feeding station I met two members of staff who seemed keen to send me on my way until the 14.00 reopening. Fortunately, I managed to persuade them to let me finish my circuit and I carried on with them close behinfd me. I was very glad I was able to do this as part way round I came across an orangutan on her own and was able to pass with a few feet of her. It was a great moment.
I went back for the afternoon nursery and feed which was a repeat of the morning and worthwhile.
However, I was getting conscious of time and left a bit early to get into 'go to the airport' mode.
The Grab taxi came quickly and off we went. My bag checked in to Heathrow with its 'hot transfer' tag, I got the flight to KL which was uneventful, - perhaps the power of prayer,
- and made the transfer to the international terminal at KL with the airline lounge to pass the couple of hours.
The flight back to London was scheduled at 14 hours and I think took about 15. For me, it was very pleasant but I must say I empathised with anyone sitting in a normal seat all that time.
After about fifteen minutes it was time to go to the main feeding station ready for the 10.00 a.m. feed. Whether there was some signal or the orangutans had an amazing sense of time, I'm not sure but they all started to pitch up almost on the dot of 10.00. Again, it was a fascinating experience watching them feed and negotiate with each other - one or two bringing babies along with them.
After this I went and finished packing and checked out before returning to the orangutan centre at about 11.30. I thought this was reasonably well before the lunchtime closure at midday but on my path back towards the feeding station I met two members of staff who seemed keen to send me on my way until the 14.00 reopening. Fortunately, I managed to persuade them to let me finish my circuit and I carried on with them close behinfd me. I was very glad I was able to do this as part way round I came across an orangutan on her own and was able to pass with a few feet of her. It was a great moment.
I went back for the afternoon nursery and feed which was a repeat of the morning and worthwhile.
However, I was getting conscious of time and left a bit early to get into 'go to the airport' mode.
The Grab taxi came quickly and off we went. My bag checked in to Heathrow with its 'hot transfer' tag, I got the flight to KL which was uneventful, - perhaps the power of prayer,
- and made the transfer to the international terminal at KL with the airline lounge to pass the couple of hours.
The flight back to London was scheduled at 14 hours and I think took about 15. For me, it was very pleasant but I must say I empathised with anyone sitting in a normal seat all that time.
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