.Friday November 8

Today was a transit day.  We were to move from Bukit Lawang in the mountains to Medan near the coast for the flight to Singapore.  We booked the driver for all day and asked him to drive into the mountains to Beristagi where we could see active volcanoes.  He was a good driver and we stopped along the way to see a palm oil plantation and the local market.  Driving in Sumatra is very slow. The roads have potholes and the traffic is very erratic – people never look behind, only in front.  Added to that, everybody stops on the road to pick up passengers and drop off goods.  As we were climbing into the mountains we were driving switchback roads and we did see 2 accidents. 

We got to Beristagi and we saw 2 smoking volcanos – one of which had erupted in September.  Joan was happy and we continued on the way to Medan.  Joan and Barb fly to Singapore tomorrow and I start a 3-week bike trip soon.                    

Mount Cinabung

Mount Sibayak