Recent Animal Encounters

In India I was being headbutted by highly revered cows and chased down temple-topped mountains by shrieking monkeys (or was that my voice?)...

In Thailand, I've graduated (downgraded?) from mammals, a bit of a relief, to be honest. In Ko Lanta, I'm happily strolling the dirt path to our bungalow on the beach when I feel a whizzing by my face and immediately hear a loud slap beside me. In confusion, I turn, as does Marc, who points and shouts, "OMG, a massive snake just flew past your head! Was it aiming for you?" Thanks, husband, how very sweet and reassuring of you. Looking to our other side, the only place the snake could have come from, with that height and speed, was this excessively high palm tree. Was it trying to attack me? We'll never know... Curious.

On the previous day, we're (again, happily) cruising on our motorbike when I notice this black 'thing' on the road directly in front of us. I was confused as to what it was but Marc, ever the knowledgeable, points out in fascination and awe (I would bet on a tremble in his voice had we been walking!) that it's a scorpion. Casually crossing the street. Hmm. Can I end two subsequent paragraphs with the same word? Curious.