Bukit Lawang and the Orangutans

Our next stop was in Bukit Lawang a preserve of the Gunung Leuser National Park (spelling?)
A 3 hour trip from Medan, and a popular weekend holiday place with the locals and tourists, we arrived late at night to crowded hotels and Karaoke parties. Needless to say we ended up in the Eco-Lodge. Okay it wasn't that bad, in fact the mandi, Indonesia bath, a bucket of cold water and a ladle was great, especially after the drive and the heat. We would have periods of spontaneous sweating.
This was the place to see the half wild orangutans. we were lucky, we saw two wild males and one half wild pregnant female. There is nothing that can describe this experience. It was unreal, scary, and magnificent.

This wild male was around 35 years old and hanging around Sandra a young female. He was a little upset when they wouldn't give him more bananas. He decided to come and get them himself. oh no!

Coffee Exporters in Medan

We were fortunate to meet with 2 coffee exporters in Medan on Saturday June 27th, Mr. Ujang, Fairtrade Organic Coffee Exporter and Mr. Sadarsah of C.V. Arvis Sanada.



We went to each of their individual warehouses, met some of their cooperative members and talked about how the coffee business is going and the impact the Fair trade and Organic coffee markets have in the Gayo region. There is much we learned and much to share, later.

They welcomed us, were extremely friendly and helpful. We made arrangements to visit the coffee cooperatives the following week.

Because we caught them in the slow part of their season there was not much in the way of coffee processing to see. Some sorting of the of the non-premium beans were being sorted by groups of women workers. The smell and taste, we were served many cups of coffee, was a wonderful step into all that is coffee.

A day in Singapore

We have a day and a half in Singapore before we fly off to Medan, Indonesia. The biggest challenge today is getting used to the heat and humidity. And I was told the weather is mild today. Umbrellas came in handy.














The fruit at the market was incredible, the colors, taste and even the smell.












Durian is in season. All the fruit sellers got a laugh out of our sour faces as we came into the vicinity of the Durian. Smells like something died.


















Had to visit Apollo Banana Leaf, famous for its fish head curry. The tastes! Eaten with our hands on a banana leaf with rice and side dishes splashed on the side. Delicious. We all have yellow hands today.

Coffee Roaster Profile

During our stay in the Bay we had a chance to talk to Rouin Rahmani a local coffee roaster at the Beanery at the Alameda Marketplace. Everyone's story is so different with special moments of inspiration woven into them. This is part of the human side, both sides of the story indemic to the coffee business.

One Day and Counting

All is in disarray after several weeks of planning and gathering. I'm in a panic yet I'm not. This feeling is the culmination of all the details of our trip coming together. After today there will be no more room for second guessing and accumulation of required gear. thank goodness:)
We are heading into the wonderful land of Sumatra Indonesia for one month of exploration and adventure. We intend to meet up with local coffee farmers and exporters in the Gayo region of Bande Aceh in north Sumatra. We will try to profile the farmers, compare and contrast their life with ours in the US. What do we have in common? What are our differences? What are their challenges? How to their challenges and our lifestyle interconnect? What do they see as their future? How does that relate to our vision of the future?

I welcome any question you might want to ask. We only know of them through their coffee. They know of us through our media. They are the ones that nurture and grow the produce with care that becomes our daily pleasure. Lets get to know each other better.