What I learned in the last 10 days about the plight of the tiger is actually the best news I have heard about this endangered species…ever! Iding Haidir, a Park Ranger at Kerinci National Park, led me on an amazing trek to the heart of the park, and in addition to being my guide, taught me a great deal about tigers, conservation as it’s really done in the field, and a lot about Islam as well.

There is nothing like the rain forest to ground your soul. It was great, but glad to be done; it was grueling. Did not see any tigers in the wild. Thank goodness actually. Saw hornbills, sambar deer, langur monkey, soaked and swam in a hot river (heated by volcanic action), harvested date palm and wild mushroom and we cooked it, probably caught over 200 fish for the four of us, and prepared them every way under the sun.

So this was really a great experience. A lot more to say, and it will soon be said right here. In 10 minutes a cab picks me up to take me to Padang Airport, where I go to Jakarta, then Bangkok, then Columbo, Sri Lanka.