Hair pulling, animal loving and partying

Trip Start Dec 28, 2005
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Trip End Sep 01, 2006


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Friday, July 14, 2006

For enrichments, we decided to make parcels with leaves - stuffed them with goodies like nuts, jam and banana - and tied them with vines. Once we were satisfied with out Blue Peter-esque moment we set off on our delivery rounds. Was all going brilliantly - they were loving the challenge of getting into the parcels and devouring the fillings, but then, in my happy, fulfilled state, I accidentally let my guard down - stupidly got a bit too close to one monkey to take a photo of it merrily munching away, when suddenly there was a monkey above me who had spotted my hair and decided he had to have it! With two hands he grabbed hold of it and so began the yanking session - needless to say I was terrified I was getting balded and in pain. The two volunteers I was with were trying to tell me not to panic which is hard when a big primate is having so much fun ripping at your head, but then out of nowhere, another gibbon swooped in to save the day (and my follicles!) He pushed the other one off me, which is quite unusual in the monkey world and I was suddenly free, big sigh of relief 01 The langurs waiting for their parcels of fun
01 The langurs waiting for their parcels of fun
 . Had a massive headache for the next few hours, but on the positive side, it gave me a new lease of confidence. Had still been feeling quite nervous, mostly with the macaques, but it made me realise they can't do that much harm and that if I can handle that I can handle them in general - don't worry not going to get over-friendly, but am much calmer when dealing with them all now.

Working at the centre is amazing. Getting up in the morning has even been bearable! The jobs include preparing the food, feeding, watering, collecting the bowls, sweeping, collecting leaves, enrichments, and cleaning. The animals are incredible; I could watch them for hours. I go and have a little chat with a gibbon called Oo (after the noise she makes) daily. I sit down at the side and she comes over to hold my hand or to get a back scratch - she has big brown eyes and the softest fur, a really gorgeous colour. Apparently she can be a bit volatile, but she's always been so gentle with me - I'm going to really miss her. I'll miss all of the animals - they are so entertaining. It's really calming to watch them playing - despite the hard physical work I'm feeling really relaxed here.

Other dramas from the centre - a friend of mine, Sema, had her finger chewed on by a gibbon called Milo - he just suddenly snapped and took a bite. She's ok, but has a set of impressive teeth marks on her finger and a very black gruesome nail. Not pretty! Moral of the story - don't put your fingers near a gibbon's mouth!

Have had a couple of nights out drinking with the other volunteers. Been to two different local karaoke bars 02 Mmmm
02 Mmmm
 . Last night was lots of fun - Samsung (rum) and coke was being bought by the bottle and rock n' roll was blasting from the machine so all was good. Really like everyone and will definitely stay in touch with the people here - most of the volunteers are English although we have a few Americans and a few from other places in Europe. We've been to Hua'hin - a city about an hour away - a couple of times to pig out on Western food (getting my cheese fix!) and shop at the night market. Have bought some lovely cheap clothes that I'm going to try and keep clean - my clothes that I work in are absolutely wrecked.

Managed to get two days off work this week to go to the Full Moon Party with Kelly, a fellow volunteer. Brilliant - loved it, loved it, loved it. Was a mission getting there and back and now I have to work 12 days straight - but so worth it just to hear good music and to dance my heart out! Took us eight hours on buses and boats to get there, had no accommodation so partied all night, drunk from the infamous buckets, had a two hour nap on the beach, woke up and carried on partying til 10 in the morn and then the journey back took us 12 hours - we were wrecked! Hardcore baby! Really pleased I got to go to my second Full Moon Party - hopefully it won't be the last.

Right I've got to go - there's a kitten outside the window waiting to be cuddled! I love it here!
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