PKK Walk Up Monkey Hill to Wat Khao

After our breakfast this morning we thought it would be a good time to tackle the Monkey Hill. Try and get up there before it gets too hot. The hill is at the end of the waterfront and there is a Buddhist temple at the top called Wat Khao Chong Krajok.

To get to the bottom of the steps is a nice warm up flat walk off just over a kilometre. At the bottom across the road there was a tuk tuk man that rented sticks for 10 Bhat. A worthwhile investment to ensure the monkeys stay at arms length. There are 397 steps to the temple at the top plus a few more inside the temple gates. The monkeys certainly make things a bit more stressful. A few are a little aggressive and reluctant to move out of our way. Banging the stick on the concrete encourages them to retreat. There was just one that tried to get close enough to grab Sarah's water bottle. A quick wave of the stick at him was required. Half way up Sarah was pretty puffed and hot. I was walking slow but maybe not quite slow enough and because of the monkeys she needed to stay close to me. 

We made it up to the temple without any heart attacks. There is a gated wall around the temple with barbed wire to keep the monkeys out. The views up there could be enjoyed without needing the stick. Photos taken and breath caught we braved the steps back down again. A friendly dog was a handy companion for some of the descent and he seemed to like chasing the more aggressive monkeys away. Good dog! 

A well earned swim in the pool and chill out session was next on the cards.