Monkey festival โต๊ะจีนลิง in Lopburi ลพบุรี is a festival organized by Lopburi Inn hotel and held on last Sunday of November, every year since 1989.
Sunday 29.11.2014
Ask several locals: monkey buffet will start at 9 am. Whereas internet says there is monkey buffet at four times (10, 12, 14, 16), and so says a flyer I got during the buffet.
Sunday 30.11.2014
Arrive at Prang Sam Yot 8:40. Not much activity yet.
Preparation of the buffet.
More and more visitors gather.
Official opening 10:09.
One table next to the sanctuary.
The monkeys are a bit shy, slowly descend from the sanctuary.
First monkeys at the table 10:20.
Cultural activities (singing, dancing) accompany the festival (VIP seats in picture).
Now I realize that my timing was poor (8:40-10:40, arriving early did not bring any advantages, but I skipped breakfast and now I'm getting hungry), monkeys will only descend on the tables after the crowds have disappeared.
Lunch and visit to royal palace (separate post) to spend mid-day in shade. Come back 14:35 for the third round (which was scheduled 14:00):
If you replace plates, cans and fruits with bottles, glasses and spilled liquid, it looks similar to a disco at closing time.
My advice would be to skip the opening ceremony at 10:00 (crowds, no view, monkeys shy) and come for the subsequent food presentations.
Lopburi Inn hotel (about 5 km away near Narai roundabout), which organizes the monkey buffet:
Copyright 2014 ChristianPFC
I like just temples without that crowd, monkeys and all the mess left better.
ReplyDeleteAgree with your comment about disco closing time