Monkey business

The highest point in Singapore is in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, which holds the last patch of primary rainforest on the island and estimated to be more than 1 million years old. At 535 feet, the climb is similar to walking up the Counterbalance to the top of Queen Anne Hill in Seattle. But the typical heat and humidity made it seem higher and steeper.  

They likely put this rock here so people would know when they arrived. Otherwise, it would be hard to tell. The guidebook said there would be "scenic views of the island." All I found besides the rock was a sea of trees and vines in every direction, and a couple of rusty TV towers (just like Queen Anne, only smaller). Makes me wonder if the author actually made the climb.

The reserve is said to be home to 850 flowering plants and 500 animal species. Nothing was flowering during my visit and the only critters I saw was a spotted butterfly, a very large ant and a squirrel high-tailing it up a tree. Disappointed, I headed back down. But just then a troop of long-tail macques, young and old, came up the path toward me. 

I didn't get the best picture of the monkeys, but re-energized, I decided I might see more if I continued my descent on one of the unpaved loop trails. The road less traveled. Really less traveled. I'm thinking it's been a million years since anyone groomed the path.

As the trail got rougher, the forest grew darker and the cicadas louder. With all the mud and standing water, I kept thinking of the sign I'd seen at a construction site on my way over warning the workers about dengue fever. The graphic was a menacing, sci-fi sized mosquito. It took me more than an hour to complete the loop. Nothing much to see, but I was pretty focused on where my feet were landing most of the way. I felt good, though. While I didn't get a spectacular view, I did encounter monkeys in their natural habitat.

As I was leaving the reserve, I saw some critters in the distance. Soon I saw what they were. 

Monkeys! Everywhere. Running in the street. Lounging by the road. Chasing cars.

So much for my wild encounter. 

On the bright side, no dengue symptoms, yet.