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The Monkey Ranger

Let's start with my last blog... the Lady Boys. The whole time I was typing that blog I thought to myself, "Man, I wish I had a good picture of a lady boy so everyone could see what I was talking about." I shouldn't have to explain the trouble with that however, I will. 1. You can't just take pictures without asking...well sometimes but you have to be really quick and stealthy (ie: Asian grandma's practicing Tai Chi in the park with swords). But in this case the risk was too great, even more than the sword-baring grannies. 2. Asking to take a picture of a lady-boy is also risky. Either they think you are making fun and can potentially snap. And don't forget they are still dudes so yes they can fight (no offence girls). OR even worse they think you are interested. So that leaves only one viable option: Take a cooking course where your teacher is a Lady Boy. PERFECT! So to view this picture click on the flickr picture box where you will find Micky the Lady-Boy Chef. The cooking class as you can imagine was quite fun and we were taught some 6 Thai dishes. All delicious if ever I can reproduce them.

I would tell you more about the cooking but I have a lot of catching up to do, so moving on. I also mentioned the Tiger Temple in my last post. Once again you can see a picture of a brave Derek cautiously stroking the ferocious beast. And I swear that is a roar not a yawn... What? It's a roar! You weren't there, ok? Tiger Temple day was pretty great. Of course petting a creature that a few days ago you personally watched hunt it's prey with frightening efficiency is fantastic. So is feeding the boars, cows, horses, and water buffaloes which we did at the Tiger Temple. But maybe the higlight of the day was renting a scooter for 150 B ($3.50 US-which was split with Christina, so really $1.75). Driving through the lush country side of Thailand racing the monsoons back to town.

This got me thinking and checking. Here's a travel tip for anyone considering a visit Thailand in the future. To buy a motorcycle/scooter here costs $1,000 for a brand new one, or $400 for a used. So think about it, buy it for $400, drive it for a month all over the country that you would be renting scoots anyway or buying bus tickets. Then when it's all over sell it for $300. Cake. That's free of charge. And no I'm not doing it, I've decided it's too late now. Moving on.

After our time touching tigers and cooking with a hermie, Christina and I traveled back to Bangkok. Decision time: Go north to do some elephant trecking then working my way down Laos, Cambodia and back to Bangkok. Or go south to the islands. My choice: South. I have been so looking forward to some beaches and coconuts that I just couldn't wait.

Ok I'm starting to ramble again to I'm going to jump right to the good stuff. We rented another scooter (see, I'm telling you just buy one!) and headed up the legendary Monkey Mountain. Ok, that's really my name for it and there may not be a legend behind it but as soon as you get to the top where the temple is an old lady comes up to sell you bananas. That's a good sign. Then come the monkeys. Instinctively they start swinging out of the woodwork to get a piece of this banana action. Now those of you who have been following from the begining know that I have already had a monkey experience. Turns out these are the same kind of monkeys. Except this time I have harnessed the monkey spirit and they can tell by my eyes I'm not to be messed with.

Problem is Christina, has not harnessed the spirit of monkey. She and I get off the scooter which is instantly covered with monkeys trying to tip it over or check themselves out in the mirrors. Fair enough, not my scooter so they can have their way with it, we will just walk up the steps to the temple. Well as we come to the base of the steps one white fanged beast climbs up the back of Christina. Ofcourse I calm, collected, and prepared with a stick, first warn Christina. She yells. I poke the monkey and the monkey runs away. And now Christina has also been christened with the spirit of monkey.

That was the initial excitement, which had Christina freaked for the remainder of our time. However there were many other highlights, such as me showing my paternal instincts to one darling ape. The ape in turn tried to show his gratitude by grooming my facial hair for bugs. Bless his little heart. An awesome day. And if that picture doesn't win the hearts of ladies all over this planet I don't know what will.

Next up? Ko Tao (Turtle Island) where I should be a certified diver in 3-4 days.

posted by Travelin' D @ 5:27 AM