Day 58 - Ketapang Borneo - more wood moving and enrichment

I woke up from the best sleep I have had in the last two months. I felt pain free and relaxed. However, by the time I got to work relaxed had turned to lethargic. I just could not snap out of being a zombie (maybe she rubbed that weird stuff in me) by the time I got the the island every bit of my back was aching and the soles of my feet were sore. I struggled through with some encouragement from the others, we moved more and more posts. Then it started raining and we all lost motivation trudging through it trying not to slip on the instant mud that appears as soon as it starts. Dispute our moods we shifted a 'shit ton' (as Vicky the American calls it) of posts.

Lunch was well deserved by all. Joules and I watched Breaking Bad for a bit. I watched the first five seasons when I was here last time but couldn't ever find the last five episodes. But she has them so I can finally find out what happens! 

For the first part of the afternoon we all went up to move wood. Random bits that have been left from bridge construction. I think we had already walked a good 8km in the morning and must have added another four doing this. My back was slowly giving up and thankfully we got to spend the rest of it making enrichment items for the Orangs.

You may think this would have been a relief but sitting wasnt doing me any favours either. I needed to resort to painkillers, but I didn't have any. We made leaf parcels with nuts and raisins and honey in and tied them up. They would be hung in the juniors night cages and on the lead up to them to make getting them in for bed easier. It was very relaxing, no one really spoke we just sat quietly listening to music making away. 

At home we had my favourite dinner of pea and squid curry with Spanish omelette that had noodles in the middle. I treated myself to a warm rain water Mandy which was delightful and I felt nice and clean. I managed to FT my dad which was an achievement in itself and then got a chance to speak with my mum and aunty later on. Not only that the pain had reduced in my back. Perfect. Karmele came to say goodbye as we won't see her again before we leave. It would have been nice to speak to her more but we jests didn't cross paths that much.

                                    

Day 57 - Ketapang Borneo - Carrying wood is rewarded with massage

Well the massage lady didn't turn up last night which sucked a lot. I was still aching when I got up but we had a lot of work to do. Up at the island the concrete had set in buckets holding up the supporting beams for the feeding platform, we now needed to transport them into the middle. Three people per post carried them in over vines and muddy lumps in the ground. The atmosphere inside the forest is so much denser, the heat isn't as much as outside but the damp air makes you instantly sweat. Add to that the Mosquitos and it becomes unbearable. 

We carried more materials into the jungle in a chain and then left a group in there to construct it. Aleta and I joined forces with Rebecca to go and finish the last bridges panelling only to arrive to a bodged effort from Kristi. We spent about 20mins working out how to rectify this and finish it without it looking like an orangutan had constructed it. We eventually managed it with time to spare before lunch so went to move some more fence posts down the island. 

My shoulders were so sore that I developed a way to carry the posts on a wheel barrow. I managed to get 8 per load which is the equivalent to 4 people loads. After a few loads we made it to the far corner of the island where some of the others were digging holes for them. We all broke for lunch where we had a pineapple curry, which is better than what we had been getting.

For the afternoon Aleta and I teamed up again for more post moving this time anti clockwise round the island to meet up at the far corner. We shifted a good few loads. I estimate we walk roughly 6km on a normal day by the time we have walked from the bus, then to the island and back for lunch repeating this in the afternoon. But today we must have pushed the 10-15km mark, backwards and forwards around the island. Needless to say I was a bit broken by the end, with the walking, the weight and the soaring temperatures. 

Dinner was lovely tonight we had fried rice and satay! Delicious! At six pm massage lady turned up and took me into Vickys room. I was told to wear nothing but a surrong. While I got comfy she placed some weird paste on some leaves and started to chew. Apparently it's a hallucinogenic which doesn't surprise me she looked a bit out of it. Having said that she was a natural healer, she knew the body intimately and managed to relieve all my aches and pains with the perfect pressure, a rarity with massages back in the UK. After an hour and a half and nearly every part of my body done she finished by pulling up her top and rubbing oil into her belly! WTF! Odd 

Vicky was up next and we all started to worry when she didn't show after two hours. Between us it cost 300000 rupia. Basically nothing for one of the best massages EVER. Sleep soon took over.

Day 56 - Ketapang Borneo - The Borneo Sunset

 

I woke up to various swellings from the bites, some go red, some swell and some just disappear! It's so odd and I can't seem to work out why. The ones on my arm are like golf balls.

There were a few errands to run on the way to work including withdrawing some more cash! It's so weird withdrawing half a million even though it's only about £26. There is nothing to spend it on here but it's my turn to buy the beers and I wanted to have some spare for some more trousers.

We arrived at work only to discover we had no more planks varnished for the boarding so Aleta and I did some of that then made our way up to the bridge to do the finishing touches. We got into a factory routine with Rebeccas help pre nailing batons of wood before nailing them to the bridge. It is really all trial and error here.

Lunch was exactly the same as yesterday I think the chef at the restaurant where we get our food from has lost all imagination! I managed to finish my book though so now I think I will be required to socialise on the morning bus, in the evenings etc..... Hahaha

Aleta and I joined forces with Noel this afternoon to put some supporting planks over our boarding which we bolted in! I am still not convinced this is going to be orang proof but the proof will be in the pudding, luckily we won't be here to witness the destruction.

Eventually our day came to an end and Lisa decided it was high time we did an early evening visit to the beach for sunset. What a truly magical end to the day. We drove through several coastal villages about 10 minutes from the centre. When we arrived there were huts jutting out to sea. The kind of thing you see in the Maldives but a little less pristine. Kristi and I ventured up onto it and headed out to the furthest hut. Absolutely breath taking, I have seen a fair few sunsets buts every single one is unique and always makes me soooo thoughtful and appreciative. 

As soon as it started to disappear beneath the horizon Kristi and I leapt onto the bike to make out way home. As we travelled the sky changed to a beautiful red and purple. Glints of the sun reflected off the houses as we passed. Suddenly we came to a clearing and I peered right and saw the palm trees silhouetted against the sky. One of those images that stays with you forever. 

Back home I sit writing today's blog awaiting a massage by a local lady who should be here shortly. I cannot wait, perfect end to a perfect day in paradise. 

                                              
                                    

Day 55 - Ketapang Borneo - Bent nails in the rain but wifi at home

After a restful Sunday it was back to work today. One day doesn't seem enough but two days would be too much I think we would all be too bored! You just get used to the weekday routine to much. 

We were again split into two teams for boarding the remaining bridges. Aleta, Helen and I in one and Rebecca, Kristi and Lisa in the other. We were in competition again so off we went.

When we had completed half the boarding the heavens opened, luckily we sheltered under the bridge which offered some protection from the downpour, when it had subsided we battled through the mud that had accumulated, slipping and sliding down the bank and had the majority of the boarding finished by lunchtime, we were on a roll. 

Lunch was the same as normal, we all sat inside leaving small pools of wetness in our wakes. I think because of the weather we had all wilted a bit but the show must go on. 

We returned to the bridges but our luck was out, for some reason every nail was bending upon entry and soon we admitted defeat and sauntered over to watch the others complete theirs. 

Luckily we had to finish early today as my trousers needed to be collected from the tailors. They are just perfect, hopefully I will get a chance to get another pair made before my departure. 

There was more luck when we arrived home. The wifi was working, it's taken three weeks but it's fixed. This obviously meant none of us spoke to each other instead choosing to sit on our various Internet wielding devices.  After a bit of Facebook and Skype it was time for bed, I couldn't sleep as I had been bitten so many times this afternoon, every inch of my body was itching, so I read my book, the trilogy is nearly over. 

Day 54 - Ketapang Borneo - Made to measure trousers and haircuts

Finally our day off has arrived. True to form and Sod's law I wake up at 7am like normal. I read some more of my book and try to get another hours sleep. By half nine my patience has gone and I get up for breakfast. The plan this morning is to head to the market to procure fruit and trousers.

Only half of us head out. We arrive to a street lined with tailors and hairdressers. An odd combination, but perfect for our intentions. We peruse a few material shops and some buy some, I find myself one that doubles as a tailor, pick my material and then get Lisa to try and ask to have some trousers made. I pay my 200000 rupia (about £12) and am told they will be ready tomorrow. 

After this I note Jaye goes to the hairdressers for a head shave. Mine is looking less than healthy and could really do with a trim. I decide to brave it with him. With the use of various gestures and the odd word in Indonesian I settle back to have it cut. It wasn't like Debbie at home cutting it with millimetre precision, she just kind of hacked at it, but by the end it looked fine. When I got up I realised how nervous I had been and I was covered in sweat. They offered to now wash it, bit backward but so glad I did. It lasted about half an hour and was so relaxing I nearly fell asleep. 

After this impromptu stop off we were running late for lunch so we all regrouped and headed to a small eat as much as you like vegetarian Chinese. The food was lovely and we had our iced jeruk, a local drink made from the jeruk fruit which is kind of like orange but sweet and obviously freezing cold which is amazing here. 

I popped to the cafe only to find that half of the teenagers in Ketapang had taken refuge there so no photos would upload, I decided to give up and try later around prayer time. Upon my return I went for an afternoon nap having finished book two. Kristi woke me to ask if I wanted to watch the second hunger games, seemed like a good idea, so we sat eating nuts and seeds for a few hours, while the film played.

I then popped back to the cafe and then got picked up by the rest of the group who had been on a walk. When I headed down I managed to fall over and face plant on the road, resulting in a small graze to my foot which bleed quite a bit. Having slept a lot today I was surprised to be ready for bed once dinner was over. My body clearly needed the recovery time.
                                           

Day 53 - Ketapang Borneo - Uggerbuggering in water and Nigels Blog Address

Everyone was pretty exhausted this morning, we have worked so hard this week in some serious heat but we just had one more day to get through. Leo had left in the early morning to return to Matang and Nigel was off home to England to return to his veterinary duties. He is also writing a blog which will give you his perspective on this place. www.nig501.blogspot.co.uk.

We arrived at work and were split into two teams.Today we had to board the bridges off to prevent the Orangs escaping under them and the electric fence. I was in the team with water under mine. It goes up and down with the rainfall and the others got lucky. Noel entered the water first but it soon became clear he required an accomplice so I stepped in. Before long I was up to it to my chest from kneeling down in it hammering and uggerbuggering the boards into the bank.

Lunch was mediocre at best but I didn't mind to much as I was more concerned that i would leave a dirty wet patch on the floor from my wet clothes.

After lunch it was game on to finish our bridges first, although my clothes were partially dry i got straight back in with Vicky taking Noels place while he ventured off into the jungle to find a new spot for the second feeding platform. we were all giggling so much this afternoon I am surprised we got anything done. Being in the water meant it was cool all afternoon even if I did stink form the muddy water.

We got home and Vicky and I were granted first dibs on the Mandy. I am pretty sure it was because we stank and not solely an act of kindness. haha. I opted to boil the kettle and fill a bucket with warm water for my turn. It was amazing!!

After dinner we decided to watch a film. I had just finished book two of the HUnger Games Trilogy so we watched the first of the films. It was good but nothing on the book. We started another film but I was just too tired to keep my eyes open so retired to bed to get a few more chapters of the book in before sleep overcame me.