BORNEO DIARY 
02/03/2002
I know this sounds bizarre, but the metal ball I stole from the Orangutans seems to be getting heavier, at first I thought it was hollow, now it feels solid and from the weight now I would say it was made of lead. It may just be the lack of food and the pain from my ankle, but I feel lucid and calm.
Now, even stranger, I've come across this-
I'm in an area of the jungle so dense I thought I was the first human ever to step foot here, but the growth seems burned around the door. I must be several kilometres from the river, perhaps more, there is no way this should be here, so where does it lead? I've got to know. It's obviously man-made and steps lead down underground from the entrance, it looks old and it's taken me over an hour to clear the door so it opens. I've got to go in and see, but the phone and solar cell won't work underground, so I'm leaving them here, I'll uplink and let you all know what's down there as soon as I can. This is so weird.
01/03/2002
I escaped last night while it was dark and the Orangutans were asleep, I hate to leave them like this, they have been the closest thing to a family I have had in years. I don't think the large male, George, broke my ankle after all, it is sore still but the swelling has gone down and I can put weight on it now. Just before I left I went to see what the apes had hidden under those leaves, it was a metal ball. It's like a fist sized ball bearing, but weighs next to nothing, weird, I put it in my backpack and limped into the jungle.
It was dark when I set off and I still have no idea where I am. First light is breaking through the canopy and I am heading west I think. I want to get back to civilisation for a while, enjoy a hot meal that doesn't crawl off the plate , wash in something other than rain, have a conversation with someone who isn't covered in orange fur and sleep without having half the jungle bite, crawl over and try to kill you in the night, I think I'm getting soft.
29/02/2002
Rain very heavy today. I needed a wash. Going to try and make a break for it tonight. Abraham, the Orangutan that seems to stay in the same spot all day and night (I did wonder if he was stuffed), came over to me today and put his arm around me.
That was the highlight of my day.
I am beginning to crave human company. Thankyou for all your E-Mail, except for Tony from Germany who is evil and should be locked up.
27/02/2002
I am in a very serious, life threatening situation, so please do not send any more E-Mails that give 'funny' advice or information. I have had E-Mails suggesting I do 'the funky gibbon' , that I burrow my way out, that I fly away using my solar unbrella in a similar fashion to Mary Poppins and that I 'spank' the primates into submission, these messages are neither funny nor helpful. I received this from Prof Gregor -
Hey Marlowe,
I have worked with Orangutangs for several years and their current behaviour is typical of a group situation where leadership has been challenged. You need to show the pack head that you are submissive to his rule by rubbing the exrement of the younger apes over your body and then making high pitched whining sounds. Hope this helps.
Prof. Gregor
National Institute of Unusual Primate Behaviour
Johannasburg
I tried this last night, rubbed my self all over with the Orangutan poo and made a whining sound for a few hours. I then tried to leave and George hauled me back again. I waited until they were asleep and tried again early this morning, I didn't get far, I smell so much now they could find me if I was in another country. Thankyou for that Prof Gregor, I checked the Internet and there is no 'National Institute of Unusual Primate Behaviour' in Johannasburg or anywhere else.
Any serious suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.
My ankle is numb now and I can't move my toes, but I still have my backpack and my laptop, so all is not lost yet.
26/02/2002
I decided today that it was only a matter of time before the Orangutans seriously hurt me, they have been mostly gentle so far, but are incredibly strong, so thought I'd quit while I was ahead and leave. I said my goodbyes and walked away, but George and Laura got extremely agitated and George physically prevented me from leaving. They seem to like me, and I was touched that my leaving caused such a stir, then I tried again a few hours later and things got nasty. George chased after me and dragged me back to the others by my leg, I think he might have broken my ankle, its very swollen and I can't feel my toes. Then Abraham and Ronald sat either side of me and hit me whenever I tried to get up.
If anyone reading this has some tips on Orangutan behaviour than now would be a good time to share it with me.
25/02/2002
Bambang has kindly sent me this -
Hi Marlowe,
I'm from Indonesia. You refer big apes as "Orangutang", actually the correct word should be "Orangutan" or "Orang Hutan" which means jungle people. Where as "Orangutang" means a debtor (a man with debts).
I know most dictionaries show "Orangutang" but they're simply wrong. May be the westerner who borrowed our language consider a debtor as an ape ... :)
Best regards,
--
Bambang
So, the Orangutans seem disturbed today. Perhaps they I offensded theem by my ignoredance of nartive Indonesian spyelling (!). Georgwe and r Ronald left for a few hogdfurs this mogrning and when they cagme back thgdey were concegdaling sofmething from me. I could see tg them covering an object with leadfgves and when I went over to investigate, George became quite hostile. I'm going to wait until they are all asleep dandgf find ogut what it is. Sorry abput the typing but Baerbara keeps copying me and hitting the keys whene |I tpyre.
w
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