MONKEY PARK WITH MISSIONARIES

On p-day Monday 6 missionaries from Los Cristianos and 6 from Santa Cruz went to Monkey Park in Los Cristianos.  Mike and I never went when we lived there but it never would have been this fun with just the two of us.  The Lemurs roam free in a little area of the park and you can entice them to climb on your shoulder or lap.  One little Lemur was especially friendly.  Once we got it to climb on someone he would crawl from person to person if we got close together.  He didn't like to be petted as Elder Anderson can attest to since he got bit trying and a young Elder also.  In another area one of the  monkeys would hold your hand if you reached for his.  Everyone managed to get a turn and he never seemed to tire of reaching out.  The crocodiles and iguanas were cool and a very cute friendly turtle and many fat guinea pigs of various colors. (Because we all bought a bag of food that no one but the pigs would eat.   It was a lot of fun.  Being with the young missionaries is the best!

This big chimp managed the best trick I have ever seen, all on his own.  He was pushing the red plastic thing (it looked like a smashed gas can) around and around the cement floor of the large area where he was caged.  It made a horrible noise but he was having  a lot of fun doing it.  It kind of looked like his skate board.  We all stood there in a little group watching.  After a few minutes he stopped and went to a corner to get a drink.  Then he ambled around and when we were all standing there having a nice little chat he took a flying leap high upon the fence and sprayed the water from his mouth all over us.  Some of us got quite a lot.  I was surprised he had that much water that he was holding in his mouth because it was a couple of minutes from drink to the spit.  It was hilarious.  He then got his little toy and started pushing it again.  We were all quite impressed.  He managed to spray us again but we had moved away a little further the next time and he didn't have as much water in his mouth.  I think he sneaked a quick drink hoping to surprise us again.

When we arrived in Los Cristianos last February this beautiful Bougainvillaea, shaped like a Dinosaur or maybe a monkey, was growing across the top of the entrance to Monkey Park. (you can see how large it is as per the cars)  Sadly a large windstorm blew it down some months later.

Here is a link to the pictures on Picasa if you want to copy any of them