Boy do I love these forums. I've learned about duck parades, been advised to never "kiss a chook" (you guys really talk funny), told to carry liver snacks to befriend beach dogs, smear myself with various potions to ward off the mozzies (funny talk again) and protect my hat and glasses from the cheeky monkeys. I shall take all this advice to heart and hopefully live long and prosper. I do however find my self in a state of fear and anguish. The joy of my mornings and the reason for my youthful appearance and merry demeanor is my morning walks. I like to start before the sky even begins to lighten and to put in at least a mile or two before first light and a couple more before
sunrise. MY first trip I was horrified when my first morning I headed for the beach in Tanjung Benoa and was accosted by the sight of the beach dogs. I retreated, armed myself with a palm frond and a positive attitude and restarted my walk. All was well and the dogs turned out to be gentlemen. As the days passed I realized that they always slept in the same spots and had their particular buddies and tended to their own business. Good dogs.
At home (California) my greatest fear is loose dogs. They do not have the tolerance of the Bali dogs. I've been accosted by deer, scared by skunks, buzzed by nesting jays, bullied by raccoons and even tripped over a roadkill raccoon and just missed getting run over. The most dangerous beasts afoot at that time of day are the people. By and large the bad guys sleep in and in the over 23 years I have been taking my early exercise I have only run into trouble a few times. Mainly from police type inquiries and occasional bullying. I like to think I am as much of a gentleman as the Bali dogs.
I will be in Tuban to start my trip on January 28th and get to Sanur on February 10th and am looking forwards to my walks HERE IS MY PROBLEM!!! I will be in Ubud from February 3rd through the 10th and find even the name of Monkey Forest Road ominous. I have been hustled by the monkeys at Uluwatu and can easily visualize monkey harassment getting rapidly out of hand. I know nothing about monkeys except that they are bold, fast, hang out in packs and look might they might be quick to anger. That can also be said about roaming gangs of human miscreants. How do I handle this? Are monkeys nocturnal? If I don't carry food will they be interested in me? Should I make a noise like a panther to fool them (I doubt it)? Will they take my flashlight away from me and beat me to death with it? Is there such a thing as monkey repellent? Hey guys, HELP! I have been known to let my stubborn get in the way of my good sense, but forewarned is forearmed or some thing like that. If any of you have advice or experience with this situation please help. I would not like to have my poor wife have to explain to our wondering friends that I had been mauled by monkeys. I don't want to be mauled by monkeys. It would not help bring tourism back to the Balinese. I can accept the danger of the occasional terrorist, tsunami, diseased chicken or the other horrors, but come on. I want to walk in peace without fear of monkeys. Please Help. Thank you, jingle john de califa (husband of ruthrat)