So early in the morning we headed out, grabbed a taxi and rolled on into the zoo.
The staff is super friendly, it is not a bad price for a zoo-not a GREAT price but whatever...it was very entertaining. Eddie and I plus the cost of a bag of food for the animals cost almost 400 pesos. Tam was free. I think up to 5 years of age is free which is pretty good.
We lined up with a very small group (we got there early!!) and a guide (who took our food and zipped it into his pants pocket...monkey issues he said).
We saw snapping turtles, baby crocs and BIG crocs, hairless Mexican dogs, parrots, snakes, deer and lots and lots of monkeys.
In fact, one of the first things to happen to us is that a monkey tried to take tam's sippy cup of water away. I think i may have squeaked...er...screamed. I took it back though! No monkey is getting the best of me!!!!!
Eddie held 3 year old crocs, wrapped a small boa around his shoulders, chest...and (ickickick) neck. I keep telling him how very very brave he is. They guide tried to get me to hold a snake...I kept backing away, he got closer...I hid behind Eddie.
We walked through a pit of very large crocs. Ok when I say that, you are probably envisioning a US set up with fences and what not. HA I say!! NO. You walk in a gate. The guide says loudly that you MUST stay in the MIDDLE of the path!!! Do you hear me? THE MIDDLE OF THE PATH AT ALL TIMES. We all huddled together quickly I admit. Then we walked down a little path through a large-ish area where crocs lay snoozing or just eyeing us. Guide says "no worries guys! As long as you don't look like easy food they don't care that we are here!" Great. Awesome. Those words greatly encouraged me.
Through this entire fun event we have many a monkey following us and dropping in on us from the trees. At one point, a larger one misjudged a branch and landed on my head. It hurt. I think I may have screamed again.
We fed some deer, kids loved that! That is until a couple of males got feisty over some banana Eddie had and got a little crazy and "hoofed" him as we are calling it. They reared up and kinda fought with each other. Unfortunately Ed was standing between them. Ya. Only one arm had some broken skin. Just a little blood guys. No biggie! After a quick wipe down with some baby wipes, a spray of colloidal silver and some salve he was good to go and we got down to some serious feeding of the monkeys. And man, those baby monkeys are freaking so cute!!
All in all it was really fun, the guides are super nice and both kids enjoyed feeding and petting everything they could get their hands on. Really, if Eddie does it, Tamra is damn sure she is gonna do it as well.
Even with minor animal drama I would highly suggest you go!