Close Encounters

Last weekend Nikki and I decided to try out a sport neither of us has played for quite some time. Tennis, there are a couple courts at the Fajara Club where I have been playing golf. There is also a very refreshing pool and a bar right next to the courts for when you finish playing in 105 degree heat, near death and in danger of melting into the concrete court like Dorothy's Foe. I got up from relaxing in my poolside chair after taking a dip, Nikki had just left for the ladies room when I heard something. Pit Patter, Pit PAtter, Pit PATter, Pit PATTer getting closer and louder as if a huge wet Labrador retriever puppy was galloping up to pounce on me. I turned just in time to see a large monkey (about the size of the dog I imagined)about a foot behind me sauntering past at a bit of a four legged jog, his 4 foot tail trailing behind him just barely missed grazing my butt. I watched as he effortlessly jumped up a tree for a little nibble on something then continued through the yard to the 10 foot concrete wall which it cleared in one fluid move with not so much as a hesitation. Nikki came out seconds later disappointed to hear the news as she has yet to see a monkey outside the Bijilo monkey park.

Today I went for a bike ride which some say is a death wish around here, I think of it more of a practice in anticipatory planning and reaction time. So I am cranking along doing about 15-20 MPH down one of 3 paved roads in the area, when I glance over to see the grass along side me about 12 feet away being mowed down and flattened by something fairly big. It was fast too, keeping pace with me even through the grass. I thought to myself if this pans out like my last encounter with wildlife while mountain biking (Squirrel Pancake!!) I might be the one in the dirt counting stars in broad daylight collecting my teeth off the ground. Me and the unseen monster were neck and neck for about a 100ft when SWISH the grass path darted in my direction OH SH#@ CROCODILE!!!! Then as I stood up looking back while still coasting down the road I realized it wasn't a Croc but a hulking 6 foot Monitor Lizard that had bolted across the road just a few feet behind my back tire..It was AWESOME!!