We had the very fortunate opportunity to visit the Tanjung Puting National Park, Camp Leakey, and the Orangutan Foundation International Care Center and Quarantine in the company of Dr. Birute Mary Galdikas this week. After two action packed days, we all enjoyed a well-deserved sleep in this morning as National Geographic Orion slowly navigated the Java Sea. After a hearty breakfast we joined one of our Global Perspective Speakers, Lawrence Blair, in the lounge to learn about strange, fascinating wildlife here in Indonesia. We listened closely as he told us about crazy looking creatures and how nature is such an integral part of the Indonesian culture. On a more serious note, our naturalist Marieke elucidated the travesty of the palm oil’s detrimental effects on the environment via deforestation.
After filling their minds with a better understanding of the circumstances here in Indonesia, our guests filled their tummies with an outstanding buffet lunch created by our executive chef Rannie. Some of our eager guests then took the opportunity to find the recently posted pictures from the previous day at the Care Center interacting with precious orangutans.
The infamous Tom Ritchie, the human, not the boat, peaked people’s interests in the afternoon with a talk about the wild and primitive predators within the Komodo National Park that await us with forked, flickering tongues! Later we joined our National Geographic photographer, Jeff Mauritzen, in the lounge for his interesting photography presentation, “On Assignment with National Geographic” regaling his professional tips and experiences. Jeff also took the extra time to assist with guests’ personal questions concerning photography and their cameras.
As part of our expedition, the ship made a generous donation for each of us to the Orangutan Foundation International and in doing so we had each officially adopted a young orangutan to be cared for by the organization. After lunch, Dr. Galdikas was available to personally sign our adoption certificates and told us captivating stories about how each of these young orangutans were saved and how each one had their own personality.
After a much needed relaxing day we found ourselves very refreshed and ready for another day sailing towards more adventure in the Java Sea.
