Unexpected monkey sighting

Today was another treat.  My Dutch friend Henk said that he likes to get a gift everyday, something like meeting an interesting person or seeing something beautiful.  I like his philosophy.  Today my gift was seeing a group of monkeys, including a baby monkey, clinging to it's mother.

I've semi-planned my next week but am waiting to hear about one part of it so today I decided to do some exploring in Phuket town by foot.  I discovered another vegetarian restaurant (my whole area is vegetarian, lucky me!) and had a nice lunch of fried tofu and pumpkin and talked to a woman from my hostel who gave me a map and recommended a view point not too far away where I could see most of Phuket town.







I stopped on the way at a chinese temple right by the hostel, I've been curious about it, but I usually only walk by it at night.  The chinese temples are so colorful!

I also stopped at a market stand and bought a refreshing coconut slushie, served in a bag, and only 5 baht!

I saw lots of interesting things on my walk.  I saw a small chedi over a wall and went to check it out.  I didn't see any monks or any real temple, but I did see a Buddhist nun walking around.  

I found another overgrown Chinese shrine.  Of course, when I was scrambling over the bushes to take a closer look I walked into a pricker bush.  I didn’t realize I still have prickers in my skin until I tried to wash it later.  Ouch!

I also saw another large seated Buddha, the temple was down at the level of town but my road overlooked it.

Next to the viewpoint was a forested fitness park built on a hill.  It was set up like a parcourse with clearings where equipment and obstacles were set up, but on a very steep hill.  

The shortest chin up bar I've ever seen

I walked through the park to find several tour buses at the viewpoint as well.  There was a group gathered by the wall in one spot and I almost just past them but then I realized there was a group of monkeys!  The shop was selling bananas for them so they must be there all the time, or maybe they keep them there, but I had no idea so it was an exciting surprise!

The view of the town was nice, but the monkeys definitely stole the show.

On my way back to the hostel I stopped at yet another vegetarian restaurant, where I picked up an interesting pastry filled with soy bean paste.  (Thailand is such an enabler, I love to snack and there are just so many delicious looking snacks everywhere!)

I sought shelter from the heat this afternoon in a nearby coffee shop with delicious apple crisp!