New Pictures from Indonesia

Tokay gecko in my hotel in Bogor, Java:

My friend Aminah and I at the zoo in Jakarta:

Schmutser Primate Center at Jakarta zoo, really cool!

On the beach in North Siberut:

Harbor in North Siberut:

Fauzan getting soaked on the speed boat ride to Politioman:

Mentawai sikerei (shaman) perform:

Sikerei:

Little whip snake from camp:

Me holding the whip snake:

Little frog in the forest:

Little skink on my house that the local people claim is venomous:

Little turtle in the forest:

The camp resident simakobu:

A couple more:

My field guide and assistant, Matias:

The prince of Monaco (to the left of me) and lots of others:

Fauzan cooking lunch for us:

After a loooooong ride on the ferry:

View of Sumatra from the ferry:

Fishermen off the Sumatran coast:

It's official. I'm off to Indonesia!

Finally, after a summer of holding my breath and waiting for research permits, I have booked my flight to Jakarta. I'll be hitting the skies Nov. 3 and will return stateside May 1. For 6 months, my days will be chock full of monkey-chasing fun (and a little data collection, too), and my nights full of reading and writing by oil lamp light while enjoying a nocturnal jungle soundtrack. Although I will not have regular access to internet and email, I expect to send out an update when I head to Bangkok for New Year's Eve, so check back then for all the latest news and pics. Happy Thanksgiving and Christmas!

If anyone has the time and money to contact me, you can do this:

1. Call the satellite phone at +62-86812126951, usually best to call me between 7:30-9p.m. our time Monday-Friday or 9a.m.-9p.m. Saturday-Sunday. (Please keep in mind, we are 11 hours ahead of Eastern daylight savings time; otherwise 12 hours ahead--so if you are trying to reach me on Saturday morning, you are calling onFriday night!). I think Skype has good calling rates to Indonesia. Charles and I have used this calling card with success as well ($20 for ~4 hours) (http://www.phonecardonsale.com/index.html?action=2&todo=gsd20.html).

2. Send mail to Sumatra, which is surprisingly fast, and can reach me within a couple weeks if the stars are all in alignment. I've been pleasantly surprised by how quickly packages and letters arrive, so don't be shy!
Wendy Erb c/o SCP
Jalan Thamrin Dalam 1A
Padang, Sumatra Barat
Indonesia