The first time I took the kids to Lalbagh gardens we had the most amazing monkey encounter of all time thanks to a very kind man whom we lovingly refer to as the “Monkey Man.” The Monkey Man actually comes to the park 3 times a day to feed the monkeys and has been doing this for around 20 years. When our driver Naveen inquired as to why he does this, he simply responded that a monkey saved his life once, and ever since then he’s felt its his job to take care of them. What a great guy!
Unfortunately the day we had the monkey encounter was also the day I forgot my camera and so no pictures were to be had. But for me, all that meant was that we would for sure HAVE to go back and interact with the monkeys again! Yay! And if you know me, you know that I LOVE monkeys! So no disappointment there! Monkeys have always been my favorite animal for as long as I can remember and I’ve always wanted one as a pet. It seriously was just so super fun for me! Harry and Adalynn also enjoyed feeding the monkeys, but Branson and Dawson and Adam didn’t quite have the same enthusiasm the rest of us did! ha! To each his own. Below are some pictures from our fun day. And please forgive the picture overload, but I LOVED this day and want to remember every detail. đ
At first when we arrived – the monkey man was no where to be seen. We weren’t too worried about that though because we’d brought our own food and water for them (bananas & potatoes). However, right away we saw that the monkeys were acting aggressive so we kept our distance. Within a few minutes though the monkey man arrived and the monkeys calmed down immediately. They really have come to love him and trust him and are always happy to take food from strangers as long as he is there. He seemed to be the KEY to them acting friendly and nice.
As soon as he arrived he instantly handed us all cucumbers that he had brought (the last time he’d given us cut up onions) and the monkeys really seemed to love those. He had a huge bag full so we got to feed monkeys for quite awhile!
Adalynn absolutely LOVED feeding the monkeys and usually had the biggest grin on her face after they would take something from her hand. She was having just as much fun as I was and seemed to have no fear at all interacting with them where Dawson and Brans were very hesitant to get close.
My favorite was having them drink from my hand. I loved the feel of their little lips and tongue on my hands. It was so cute!
Later the monkey man saw that we had peanut M&M’s (for the kids) and he decided to hide those in my hair to get the monkeys even closer!
This picture I would like to entitle “please don’t poop on me!” đ
This pregnant Mamma monkey mostly preferred to keep her distance and watch all the action, but would occasionally come down for a cucumber. She loved it when we threw them too her though and was always a great catch!
The M&M hunt in my hair soon became very popular after the monkeys discovered how delicious the chocolate was! đ
We got one to get down on my shoulder by hiding a cucumber in my shirt. I wasn’t quite sure how to feel about that one though! ha!
This little monkey melted my heart with his “sucking on his finger with his eyes closed” So cute! Their babies act just like our babies to put themselves to sleep.
We were all SO excited too when right as we were about to leave the little newborn baby monkeys came out. When we came the week before they had had NO fur yet and looked really funny. This time they were looking much better and healthier but were still cute as can be and the two little babies stuck together like glue never leaving each others sides. They would also let you full on PET them while they sat in the bamboo. They had absolutely no fear of humans from what I could tell. They were pretty much my Fav!
We sure did have a lot of fun thanks to the Monkey Man! He always asks for rupees before we leave to help pay for food for the animals, but never expects it and lets you play with the monkeys for as long as you want. I think we were there for a good hour or so before leaving.
This sure has been an AMAZING experience being in India. We feel so blessed to be having these very rare opportunities and encounters. Is it any wonder why we love it here so much? đ I don’t know that we’ll ever want to go home! đ