Simon at Sepilok

Up at 5.30 again, bikes not repaired so we waited for 15 mins for hotel shuttle bus - that didn't look like it was coming so we started hitch hiking. The 2nd car to pass us stopped and we got in, just as apologetic shuttle bus driver pulled up! So we said thanks to the car driver and bused it into work as planned.

My first day as animal curator. Prepared food for goats, tortoises, chickens, geese, peacocks, hornbills and Arra the semi-tame long tailed macaque.

Then the fun really began. I led young orangutans Austin, Siti and Annie up to the feeding platform with Dino and Lynn (two of the full-time animal curators). This is definitely the best job of the three we have to do as we get real contact with the OUs. On the way back down Vicky sneaked a quick picture of me "in action" on her phones camera...
I expected to see Fran and Jan up at the platform but the session was apparently fully booked. The afternoon session was booked up too. Looks like they will have to wait until tomorrow afternoon now.

Met them anyway after the second feed and gave them tour of the Nature Garden. Arra was very friendly today, but obviously i hadn't fed him enough earlier as he sat on my head and checked me for bugs (without success i hasten to add!).
Fran helped feed some of the other animals and the fish.

After work Nick, Vicky and I all showered and changed in the staff facilities and then joined Fran and Jan for dinner at the Coffee Terrace "all you can eat" buffet. Tonight was Italian themed. All 3 of us made sure we got good value for money (especially as this one was out of our own pockets!!)

The ride back to our sauna-come-bedroom was with Remy, a guy who apparently owns the whole boilerhouse complex and will be our driver until the bikes are fixed.