Janis in Monkeyland
A Bucket List dream come true
Looking over the excursions for Punta Cana, some looked interesting, some less so. Catamaran sailing and snorkeling, yes. Horseback riding, no. Jungle buggies, no. Cigar making, nah. Monkeyland, OMG yes!
I read the description, “A unique activity in the Punta Cana area. You get to be in close proximity with adorable squirrel monkeys that play around you and eat from fruit bowls in your hands. This is an all-time favourite . . . because the monkeys are really gentle and friendly even though they are free in their natural environment. . . .”
Everyone who knows me knows I love monkeys (why is a long story). I have five monkey tattoos and, as we in my house like to say, every room has a “touch of monkey.” Decals, a potato peeler, sponge holder, stuffed toys, wood carvings, flower pot, clocks, even a garbage can. My nephew once came to the house and counted twenty-one monkeys, but he missed several, some hiding in the silk tree in the sunroom, one in the laundry room, and more I don’t remember!
So, it had to be! Holding a monkey was high on my bucket list. Before Covid, I had planned a trip that included a stop in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan at the DeYoung Family Zoo so I could hold a monkey. My daughter, Sarah, convinced me that a better trip would be anywhere else, so we passed on that and went to New Mexico instead! Certainly not a bad substitute but I didn’t get to hold a monkey!
I mentioned the Monkeyland excursion to Braeden (our nine year old grandson) and he thought it would be fun and said he wanted to go along. Our son, David, and our daughter-in-law, Rianne, and our thirteen-year-old grandson, Espen, wanted to go too; Espen because he also liked the idea of being close to the monkeys, David because he wanted to see my face! Rianne knew she’d get good pictures. None of the other grands or adults wanted to share in my dream. They wanted to spend the time by the pool!
On our second day in Punta Cana, the six of us piled onto the Monkeyland bus and headed into Higuey, Dominican Republic, through such poor, sad areas that I wondered if I could be happy with the monkeys. The poverty there makes you almost feel guilty for the relative wealth we have.
Arriving at Monkeyland, we first had to learn about cocoa and coffee processing. It was a small price to pay for my monkeys. Then we were escorted to another area to taste cocoa, coffee, and a delicious wine and rum drink called Mama Juana. There was a larger price to pay since we bought a huge bottle of the rum concoction!
Finally! On to the monkeys. Actually, first, there was an orientation. We were told that these were squirrel monkeys, not indigenous to the country. (They were originally brought there by a Canadian couple, but I don’t know the reason why). Now to the rules: Do not pet the monkeys. Be careful not to step on their tails. Let them jump on you but don’t stop them or hold them. (So, I wouldn’t get to hold the monkeys — but they would sort of hold me!)
Now, really, on to the monkeys. We were brought into an enclosed section that would stop any monkeys from escaping if they got through the first door. We walked out into an area of lush forest growth. There were monkeys all around, climbing trees, scooting along the handrails, getting precariously close to underfoot. The monkeys were small and brown with golden hands and feet. Several had tiny babies on their backs.
We walked a short distance, marveling at the beauty around us to a patio enveloped in thick vegetation, where we could feed the monkeys. The guide passed out small metal dog bowls with sunflower seeds and cut-up vegetables and fruit. Almost immediately, the monkeys surrounded us, climbing on our arms, shoulders and heads, picking tiny pieces of broccoli and cantaloupe from the bowls. Could I have been any happier?
We walked a while more to another patio where mountains, tall trees, and bright green underbrush surrounded us and the guide put more food into our bowls. At this stop, a photographer took family photos of us with the monkeys. He must have known that this was special for me because he took thirty-two pictures of our group — and we bought every one! Even when it wasn’t our turn to pose for pictures, the monkeys found their way to us. They must also have known that this was special for me!
The terrain at Monkeyland is very rough and hilly. We had to walk up and down slopes to get to the monkeys and back to our bus. David, who was very proud of my efforts, congratulated me on climbing a mountain! My legs were sore for several days after, but it was worth every ache to have had the opportunity to be immersed in monkeys!
