A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of spending the day with a fellow teacher. Now I have traveled around Jakarta in various vehicles.... a mini taxi van, a van, our school bus (big van), a little red 'cart', a taxi car....
but never on the back of a motorcycle.... till now! Miko, a fellow teacher was gracious enough to show me some new things in Jakarta on the back of his motorcycle! I love excitement... and that's just what I got on this trip..... We went to the Biggest Primate Exhibit in the World and to Taman Mini (Mini Indonesia). We began our day at about 9AM (finally, I know someone who runs later than I do). We headed straight for the zoo. The sights along the way were pretty cool. I continue to see families all piled on their motorcycle, still amazing me each time. Once we got there, you guessed it, I needed to visit the little girls room. Now, here in Jakarta, they won't know what you are talking about if you ask for the 'restroom', 'little girls room', or 'bathroom'. It is simply the 'toilet'....
This particular toilet is one that I swore to NEVER use; however, when you are a long ways from home and need to pee..... you pee in what ever is available at the time, right? Besides, I just told myself that the 'squating' was no different than squatting in the pastures when I was young.... notice there is no bidet... the bucket of water is to 'flush' with. BUT, being the Mother that I am and being used to packing my purse for anything that I just Might need - I pulled out the Wet Ones that I bought in the States; just in case they would be needed. Problem solved, I join Miko outside the toilet to find that he is PAYing for me to use the toilet... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????
He explained that here in Jakarta if you need to use the toilet, then you will pay. I think he paid her something like 1000 Rp which calculates to about 12 cents. OK, not so bad... they can have their 12 cents. Off to the zoo.... nothing like what you are used to seeing when you go to the zoo. Personally, I think it's better! Take a look and see what I mean....
There's no cement, pavement... it's not commercial... just natural in it's surroundings.. here's more...
Most of the exhibits are in small buildings... enclosures and behind glass, not like in the states. Now, that part, I like better in the USA. Below is a pic of the leopard exhibit. You walk up and watch them while they spend all their time inside a glass wall.... not fun. :(
Off to search for the primates! Where oh where can they be....
Should we go this way... or that way.... not knowing for sure, we asked a man who was sitting along one of the paths. We finally reached our destination -
Pusat Primata Schmutzer - The Largest Primate Exhibit in the World! Awesome! Let's go in....
First a little photo op... say Cheese my little friend -
OK, now, we are off to the Real primates. This exhibit is Awesome! It is about the size of the entire Tulsa Zoo and all primates. The gorillas have a ton of room to roam and the chimps have 'monkey island'... all the others have their own enclosures and look as if they are at least enjoying their captivity, such as it is.
This little guy sits inside a glass enclosure all day. He has plenty of things to play with, but seems very excited and eager to communicate with all the passers by. He was playing on his tire swing till we walked up to the window. With great excitement, he quickly swung over to us and begged for attention. I was all too happy to give it to him.
She was all too happy to sit for me a while and pose while I took her picture. Then she got bored with me and decided to find something else to play with...
She made me think of and compare her to The Thinker by Auguste Rodin... ya know the one - if you ever studied Humanities, you know what I am talking about... so, am I right? LOL Just saying. OK, moving on. The Orangutans and the Gorillas are in some amazingly spacious living quarters. Open spaces, plenty of places to hide from us if they don't want to be seen... and plenty of natural trees to play in and around.
I love my Orangutans....
This little guy is being selfish.... If you notice, he has his own bottle of milk - and he has his buddy's bottle of milk. He is on the run with the buddy not far behind. It was a lot of fun watching all of this unfold. There is a little cave around the corner and he goes into it, trying to hide from the other one.
He is followed, but the buddy (bigger than him) sits there and Watches him drink both bottles and doesn't do a thing to stop him... interesting. Sometimes you don't have to be bigger to be the bully. hmmmm
I loved watching this little guy.... There were several of us up top on a walkway watching him and None of us could get his attention. He just sat there patiently and quietly. Somehow, I think We were the ones putting on a show for him. I think they are smarter than many of us give them credit for. However, if you are patient enough, you might get them to do something picture worthy....
Isn't he just Beautiful!!!! We were on the other side from where we seen him earlier and he showed up long enough to prance around and show his stuff.... then, like most males - he was gone.
Off to the other exhibits... the more primates I saw the more I wanted to see More.... big ones, little ones, fat ones, skinny ones (OK, I am sounding a little Dr. Seussy here) you get the point... I got a little brave and climbed up on the railing to get a better photo opp. (Yes, Mom, I did! - Somehow I know you are not surprised) Anyway.....
Hello! This little guy come swinging over to me, out of nowhere to get a better look at me getting a better look at him. (Can you see where this is going?) I was getting as close as I could to get a good shot of this little bitty tiny baby monkey and this one was trying to get as close to me as possible. He lunged to the fencing, which set me back a moment.... but didn't get me off the railing. I wanted my pic of the Baby! Just about the time I got a good shot of the baby monkey, I was touched by the big one... WOW! Talk about excitement. He reached through the fencing and raked the back of my hand! It was Awesome! I didn't think a person could get off a railing that fast! Ha! He and I shared a gaze, then we were off to the next exhibit. Miko, by the way, got a big kick out of the monkey coming after me..
BTW: Here's the itty bitty tiny baby monkey that caused all that ruckus earlier.... Definitely Worth It!!!!
Here's some more pics of..... more monkeys... Yea!!!!
This little lady was resting in the shade with her baby playing beside her... When she saw us walking up to the glass, she snatched the little guy up and carried him to us.... she was so proud of her little baby. It was great how she kept looking to make sure we were looking at the baby... THEN, she put her hand up to the glass and I put my hand up to the glass to meet hers... She so knew what she was doing! I loved it! Wow! What an amazing day!
The chimp didn't want to play on this day.... he just laid there and watched all of us. So sad, I love Chimps! .....
There were babies everywhere! It was a day I will cherish forever... and I was touched by a monkey!!!!! Thank You Miko for a wonderful day.... Wait, we aren't through yet... We are now off to Taman Mini....
Till next time...
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