Gone to the Birds

Dennis-- Upon arriving at Kumai in the mid-morning we noticed many freighters lined along the shoreline of the river with many concrete building about 6 stories high all along the water's edge. They were many other buildings currently under construction but on closer look they had very few windows and the only openings were at the top. We realized that there were thousands of birds flying around them, darting in and out of them. When we got to shore we saw hundreds of 4" holes on each floor for ventilation. While some were solely bird houses some had a business on the ground floor, an apartment on the second then 4-6 stories of bird houses. I will not feel guilty about eating birds nest soup anymore as it is a big business down here.

Birds to banking.... Here in Kumai things are tough to get, especially money. Apart from the wad of Rupiahs you get, finding a bank ATM is a challenge. We went to an Indonesian National Bank 24h ATM but it was closed. Great!! Went to the open branch a few blocks away and they wouldn't let me take money out from the counter and it had no ATM and they said the other would be repaired in an hour. Went to another bank (BRI) and the ATM would not spit any money. Went inside and they said the machine is out of money and wouldn't have any that day. So we had to wait by the first machine for it to be repaired. Luckily we were able to sit under cover from the downpours that are frequent right now. Banks here don't accept travellers cheques. So a warning get lots of Indonesian Rupiah as you will spend them quickly even when you take out 2 million of them!

Anyway this is my last entry into the blog as we are going to the Tanjung Puting National Park to see the Orangutans tomorrow for 3 days then Rita and I will be flying home. Someone will write about our park trip I'm sure. We have really enjoyed our sail and look forward to more in the future.