Hey all
Where to start??
I guess I should start with letting you know how difficult it is just to make this posting. I'm on a computer that has the full 16 colours and what I'm sure is an old 486 processor. The connection is sooo bad, I waited about 3 mins for this page to download and when it didn't I hit the refresh button epileptically hoping it will load faster.
So... I'm sitting in the lobby of the Novotel in Bukittingi in West Sumatra!!
Check this out - out of one window I can see Mt Merapi, where the type speciman of Nepenthes bongso was found, and out the other Mt Singalang - bongso, gymnamphora and, of course, singalana. Going up there tomorrow. Didn't want to but my guide up Mt Talang decided he didn't know the way after a few hours so I canned that, maybe later.
Spent all day yesterday up to my knees trudging around in sphagnum in a swamp at about 1200m (4500 feet?). There was so much ampullaria I gave up trying to avoid it and just walked all over it. Also heaps of a very pretty form of mirabilis ( as much as mirabilis can be pretty) some tobaica which is pretty bizarre as I was in Jambi (take a look at a map), HEAPS of reinwardtiana too. Last time here I aslo saw spathulata but none this time. I did get a pillowcase full of the tobaica seed, which I'll send off to someone later.
Day after tomorrow I'll head up to Sibolga where I should see sumatrana (extremely cool plant but I only know the location of about 3 plants so I don't expect to get seed), more rein and amp, some gracilis, longifolia and rafflesia. May even go for a hike to look for Rafflesiana arnoldi which is found in this area. Found quite a few of the smaller Amorphaphallus as well as the Mimosa I promised.
Re the Mimosa, I found a third, medium sized species too so I also have seed of that.
My plan has changed due to my not being able to do Talang so I'll have about 3 days spare so I may try a new mountain. Last time I did that we found 2 new Nepenthes so I have my fingers crossed!
I am geting through my 5th glass of icy cold beer after a few days off so forgive the typing.
Ciao for now, Troy.
Where to start??
I guess I should start with letting you know how difficult it is just to make this posting. I'm on a computer that has the full 16 colours and what I'm sure is an old 486 processor. The connection is sooo bad, I waited about 3 mins for this page to download and when it didn't I hit the refresh button epileptically hoping it will load faster.
So... I'm sitting in the lobby of the Novotel in Bukittingi in West Sumatra!!
Check this out - out of one window I can see Mt Merapi, where the type speciman of Nepenthes bongso was found, and out the other Mt Singalang - bongso, gymnamphora and, of course, singalana. Going up there tomorrow. Didn't want to but my guide up Mt Talang decided he didn't know the way after a few hours so I canned that, maybe later.
Spent all day yesterday up to my knees trudging around in sphagnum in a swamp at about 1200m (4500 feet?). There was so much ampullaria I gave up trying to avoid it and just walked all over it. Also heaps of a very pretty form of mirabilis ( as much as mirabilis can be pretty) some tobaica which is pretty bizarre as I was in Jambi (take a look at a map), HEAPS of reinwardtiana too. Last time here I aslo saw spathulata but none this time. I did get a pillowcase full of the tobaica seed, which I'll send off to someone later.
Day after tomorrow I'll head up to Sibolga where I should see sumatrana (extremely cool plant but I only know the location of about 3 plants so I don't expect to get seed), more rein and amp, some gracilis, longifolia and rafflesia. May even go for a hike to look for Rafflesiana arnoldi which is found in this area. Found quite a few of the smaller Amorphaphallus as well as the Mimosa I promised.
Re the Mimosa, I found a third, medium sized species too so I also have seed of that.
My plan has changed due to my not being able to do Talang so I'll have about 3 days spare so I may try a new mountain. Last time I did that we found 2 new Nepenthes so I have my fingers crossed!
I am geting through my 5th glass of icy cold beer after a few days off so forgive the typing.
Ciao for now, Troy.