Saturday, June 11, 2011

It's A Jungle Out There

This week Chase wanted to take a closer look at jungles.

So we decided to go to Kam Shan Country Park, which was established in 1977. Interestingly, there is a rock in the park that dates back to the early Jurassic period (formed 130 million and 160 million ago). And no, we didn't see it, at least I don't think we did. If we did do, we certainly aren't qualified to identify it.

So we set off to see the park - but first, we drove past the jungle in our backyard...














And when we finally arrived at the park, there was a monkey to greet us. As it turns out there are approximately 2,000 monkeys wild in the park. The monkeys are supposedly the decedents of pets set free in the 1920s.


















We drove in, Hubs rolled down his window (briefly) before deciding to roll it back up again. The monkeys came uncomfortably close to the car.













And then the car broke down. The radiator broke. And it was hot. And we had to get out, of our cool, safe, air-conditioned car - and actually protect ourselves and children from the monkeys until HK Auto Assoc. sent a car, a tow truck and a taxi.

And yes, there were monkeys everywhere. And did I mention how hot it was? And Chase wanted to go home (I did too). And Mads just wanted to swing in the trees with the monkeys. And so we watched, and waited...












And Hubs tried to convince HKAA that we were surrounded by monkeys. That we needed help. Soon. VERY, very soon.














And then, after a monkey almost peed on me twice, we realized how important it was to keep our eyes on the trees above...













So we moved the girls to the road ...












The monkeys followed us, and watched...

















And waited ...

























Until someone more interesting came along...

















And when we were finally safe at home, we made a jungle diorama ...


























It wasn't long before the Barbies move in...













We also talked about rainforests. About deforestation (which made Chase sad and she will probably use less than the entire roll of toilet paper next time she's on the potty). We checked-out a book from the library on rain forests, and a Charlie & Lola book about recycling. For those who have seen it, we will have a recycling tree in place tomorrow.

Next week, Chase wants to take a closer look at houses.