I was happily ambling along the road side this morning on the way to the pier when I saw something move up ahead. Out of the trees strode this big monkey (I assumed he was a male due to his size and general demeanour) and I stood there frozen as he sat in the middle of the road staring at me. Luckily I did not emit my usual high pitch squeal of joy (which is how as I tend to greet any and every animal I see) as he was not looking best pleased as it was. I was desperate to get out my camera but doing so in a subtle and quiet manner proved to be very tricky. After what appeared to be ages he gave a snort of indifference and strutted to the other side of the road.
I was just thinking how lucky I was to have this encounter when another monkey came out from behind the trees and raced and across the road to the bushes on the other side. This one was followed by a female with its young clinging to its belly and then another. I realised I had stumbled upon a troop of monkeys and stood transfixed as the young playfully darted around their mothers all under the watchful eye of the original male. They started climbing the trees and the younger ones appeared to play chase along the overhead cables. I tried to be as quiet as I could while taking plenty of photos (I felt like David Attenborough and David Bailey all rolled into one!).
Although I was enjoying witnessing this I was starting to wonder how I would walk past them as the male was still keeping his beady eye on me. I didn't want to antagonise him especially as there were very young monkeys in the group. I was just contemplating turning round and heading back to my accommodation when the monkeys gave a warning cry and scrambled further into the forest. I then noticed the stray dog I had been 'talking' to down the road was standing by my side and with a little growl in the direction of the bushes he proceeded to escort me past them and didn't leave my side until I was far down the road. All in all it was a very extraordinary encounter.
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