City of the Apes

Monkey Drinking Chang Beer Outside of Phra Prang Sam Yot, Lopburi, Thailand
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Lopburi is known for having a large monkey population and I couldn't pass that up.  After an hour ride and 17 Baht (approx $0.53) later I arrived at the bus station that is located between the old and the new city.  I had chosen a place that appeared to be relatively close to the bus station thinking I could drop off my pack and then walk the rest of the way into the old city.  As I walked and walked I was wondering if the hotel even existed anymore.  At least I was heading in the right direction that if necessary I could find a place in the old city to stay.  Just as I was about to give up and get some transportation, there was my hotel.  I checked into my room that was clean, a decent size, had a tv (with only Thai channels), a large bathroom (with separate shower stall) and oh yes, AC.  I didn't really want it but they didn't have any fan only rooms, but I did take advantage of it.  After showering, I headed into the old city to find all the monkeys the town was supposed to have.

Phra Prang Sam Yot, Lopburi, Thailand
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My first stop was at the Phra Kaan Shrine where I only saw one monkey.  Not exactly the hordes I had been expecting.  I then headed over to the Royal Palace but here there were none there.  Where were all these monkeys hanging out?  I saw more in Petburi that I had here.  I met a Thai couple and found out that I should go to Phra Prang Sam Yot.

So of course, I made a beeline over there.  Sure enough, there were monkeys everywhere.  I handed over 30 Baht (approx $0.94), my water bottle (apparently monkeys like them) and I was given a stick to defend myself.  This was a good sign!  I got about half way around the wat where I had a monkey attack my stick.  I saw some people in the wat safely hanging out behind barred doors and figured that maybe this was a good idea.

Monkey Eating Bananas, Lopburi, Thailand
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I spent some time hanging out watching the monkeys, but it wasn't the same as being up close and personal.  I figured safety in numbers, so I got as close to some other visitors as possible without actually intruding.  At one point, a baby monkey climbed up my stick, followed by a second one.  I twirled around, shaking my stick, hoping that the monkeys would get the hint, but all it did was make me dizzy!  Finally, a fellow visitor came over with his stick and got them to let go.  At this point, with many photos snapped, that it was probably my cue to leave.  However, I had to get a few more in as on my way out, a local had handed a monkey is almost empty Chang beer can and the monkey was quite happily chugging away what was left!

Ruin at the Royal Palace, Lopburi, Thailand
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I had not eaten lunch, so opted for an early dinner.  Walking over to find a place to eat, there were a few roads that definitely had a lot of monkeys hanging out, mostly on the awnings.  I must have been at the fanciest restaurant in town as I had three people waiting on me!  Even still the food was only 80 Baht (approx $2.50).  I had just finished up when a traveler walked in and seeing me as the only non-local, asked if he could sit with me.  Leon was a 22 year old from Clapham Common, London.  He had been traveling for some time through South America and then onto Australia stopping to work to make some money for his travels onto SE Asia.  It was the first time on my trip that I met someone who talked more than me!

Monkey Statue Outside the Phra Kaan Shrine, Lopburi, Thailand
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Leon was very personable, but I quickly realized that our agendas for traveling were very different.  I think he was happy to mostly party his way through traveling with site seeing as a secondary thing.  Don't me wrong, I like to party, but not like a 22 year old!  Anyhow, it was fun having out and sharing a couple of large Singha beers - which I am still trying to figure out how many regular beers are in a large one - 2?

Leon had wanted to watch the Man U vs. Chelsea football game, despite being an Arsenal fan (Dave S, a fellow supporter!) so we found a bar that was playing it, but unfortunately with a pitifully small tv.  After the game ended just before midnight, having eaten hours ago, we went in search for food.  Perhaps Lopburi does have a good night market, but all we found were a few stands.  We had to settle for a stick or two of satay.

Monkey Hanging Out at Phra Prang Sam Yot, Lopburi, Thailand
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I found a motorcycle to take me back to my hotel and said goodbye to Leon.  It wasn't far to my hotel, but given that it was on a street that had a barrier not allowing you to cross over, my driver opted to drive down the wrong say, on the shoulder.  Good thing it was late and not many people were on the road.

Back at the hotel, I went to sleep, only to be awaken by me furiously scratching my hand.  I put something on it to stop the itching and went back to sleep.  Then to be woken up by a very loud PA system.  I had found out from the Australian teacher I had met in Kanchanaburi that the schools play loud music and make announcements every morning as the school kids pile into school.  I guess the hotel was right next to one of the schools.  I decided it was probably best just to get up.  Once up, I noticed that my hands were hurting.  Upon further inspection, a spider had bitten me on every finger on my left hand as well as a couple times on my palm (about 10 times in all) and on a few of the fingers on my right hand.  Yuck! After several days they are still not 100% and the infection that I had on my right foot is back :(

Monkey Looking In As I Was Safely Behind Bars in the Wat, Phra Prang Sam Yot, Lopburi, Thailand
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After a quick breakfast, I walked back to the bus station to catch a local bus to Ayuthaya.