Babak - The Market

These are pictures that I took using my IPod on the first day we arrived in Samal. This is the market in Babak - the town right down the road from the cave. Our first impression was that Babak was terrifying, but after having been there several times now it's not so bad. I think the thing that made the biggest impression on us was seeing all of the emaciated and mangy stray animals walking around in the streets and shops.

Photo Shoot No. 2

Photo Shoot

Here are some up-close pictures I was able to take of the bats at the first entrance to the cave.

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Oh Boy...

A guest found this bad boy hanging out in the bottom of the 3rd opening of the cave.

Rest In Peace

Today, Sampson was laid to rest in a beautiful sunset ceremony. He was buried between the cave where he was born and the house he died in, the two only homes he ever knew. Unable to find a shovel, Ambre dug the grave with her bare hands. Elton John's Candle in the Wind played softly in the background while we both spoke our final words to Sampson. There were moments filled with both laughter and tears. Broken hearted, Waddles the penguin declined to comment and instead threw himself into the tiny grave so that he and Sampson could be together for eternity. We enjoyed our time with Sampson and regret that he did not get to live a full life. But every cloud has a silver lining and through this great tragedy we should all realize how important it is to make the most of our time together. Rest in peace Sampson.

A Final Farewell

Despite earlier reports that Sampson was doing well, things took a turn for the worst over the last day and a half. He developed several blisters on his right wing and yesterday we noticed a small hole in his left wing. Additionally, skin on parts of his wings had also begun to slough off, he stopped eating, and he eventually appeared to be having respiratory problems. Because he started to go downhill so quickly, Ambre and I do not not believe that we did anything to bring about his demise. Sampson passed on into the the great beyond at approximately 8:57 this morning, surrounded by his two adoptive mothers and Waddles, his stuffed penguin. We are happy to have gotten the opportunity to know him over the past six days and will remember him fondly. Memorial services will be held in the early evening. Candle in the Wind by Elton John will be played as a tribute and after a few kind words are said, he will be laid to rest near the cave. Please observe a moment of silence in Sampson's honor. Also, enjoy this picture; it was taken on the day we found him, after trying to put him back in the cave.

Sampson Update!

It's been four whole days since we adopted Sampson and I am happy to report that he is doing well. Dr. Sherwin estimates that he is probably about three weeks old. He is eating baby formula every four hours and seems to really enjoy it. We have also given him Ambre's stuffed penguin for company, which he has become quite attached to. Last night when I got up to feed him he started flapping his wings for the first time. It was so exciting that I had to wake up Ambre so that she could see it too. From the information we have found online, Sampson should start flying at around ten weeks.