Monkey Business

We started off our second day in Singapore bright and early walking down Orchard Street, the big shopping street with around 30 malls on it. It was just as well that the shops were still closed because we had no money to spend.
Instead we took the local bus from Orchard Street Station to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve where we had our first encounter with monkeys but also turtles and lizards.

We had some nice lunch and met some super friendly people that were happy to help us on our way to our next stop of the day. We took the bus again but this time to MacRitchie Reservoir Park where we headed for the Tree Top Walk.

MacRitchie Reservoir Park

Tree Top Walk

Once there we started crossing the bridge but towards the end we spotted some monkeys jumping between the handrails. As we were approaching Therese reached in her bag for her iPhone to snap some pictures of the cute little monkeys. But as she did the monkey came running towards us on the handrail and leaned out with both hands and grabbed her bag. As Therese slapped the monkey's fingers off her bag, I turned and ran for my life as I screamed "run Therese, run", as I stop to turn around I see her close behind and luckily the monkey is returning back to the gate and the rest of his gang. So there we were in the middle of the bridge up among the tree tops whilst the sun was beaming down on us wondering if we should ignore the "no turning back" signs and return to ask the ranger for help. As we stand there we see another tourist stepping on the bridge, clever girls as we are we decide to let him go past us to see if and more importantly how he manages to pass the gang of monkeys. He walks past us and up to the gang leader, who is now on the floor, and looks confidence, he stops for a stare off with the gang leader before he moves and lets the guy pass. The gate slams and the monkey and his gang runs down the steps next to the gate. We see this as out shot to make a run for the gate. So whilst clutching on to our bags and with our water bottles as our only weapon we walk through the gate with as much confidence as our shaking hands can possess and give the monkeys a look that says: "Don't you dare try anything like that again". (Around the park there were signs forbidding any harm to the animals however, despite Therese getting physical and slapping a monkey's fingers we have decided to argue self-defense if any accusers come our way). 

We continue through the park encountering lime green snakes and lizards which makes us jump after our terrifying encounter with the monkeys. As we think we made it out of the worst part of the jungle we reached a small section of maybe 10 meters that stretches through a jungle path where 10 monkeys are casually sitting. After discussing our options carefully we decided that it was my turn to head in towards the monkey gang first, so off I went running through the jungle in the most elephant like way I possibly could as to ensure we were not attacked again all whilst hanging on to our bags and closely followed by Therese. What a victory and massive laugh attack as we came out on the other side, right on to a golf course! 

After our traumatic and slightly exhausting 15km walk through the jungle we went for a calmer alternative as our last stop of the day: The Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery which is a complex of 12 temples.    

She fits in like a fish in the sea!

The Temple of Strength

In hindsight we realized (once the shock of the traumatic events had calmed down) that the monkey probably thought that us reaching for our bags meant that we were about to bring out some food for them. So today's lesson will be: Don't feed the monkeys people!