Urwald

After years of devouring travelogues and scientific treatises, a curious naturalist finally sets foot on the tropical shore of Ceylon. The moment his ship passes a jagged mountain, a chorus of bright yellow, sky‑blue and deep green butterflies swarms the deck, while the scent of Indian flowers mingles with salty air. He steps into a dense coconut‑palm forest, eyes filled with tears as lotus blossoms and tangled lianas rise like a living cathedral.

In this lyrical travel narrative the author charts his immediate impressions of the rainforest’s overwhelming scale, the solemn banyan trunks that resemble a hundred‑column temple, and the subtle rhythms of unseen creatures. Drawing on a lifetime of study, he contrasts textbook knowledge with the vivid, tactile reality he experiences, inviting listeners to rediscover the jungle through his eyes. The first act offers a richly detailed portrait that blends science, history, and personal wonder, setting the stage for deeper explorations of tropical ecosystems.