In the range of the Simian Radar

I know you are in there

 I see you behind the black there 

All that I want is the banana  you hold

 Let me get a hold of that 

And I will be gone as you behold

Agumbe is a high-altitude village in the southwest Indian state of Karnataka (13.5087°N 75.0959°E). Surrounded by the western ghat mountain ranges, it is the second wettest place in India. Cherrapunjee in  Meghalaya takes the first position. Apart from being a naturalists paradise, this is a place of tranquillity, away from the chaos of the city. Thankfully, this place has survived the evils of development so far. As you enter the jungle, you enter an area of silence.No sound of vehicles honking, or people showing off their new mobile phones. All that you see and feel is the wet weather, the mist drenching you and of course, the chirping of the birds. This place is a mecca for medicinal plants too. For any travel and photography enthusiast, this place is a must to visit. If you can adjust with rustic accommodation and are content with the food you get, you will enjoy this place. But yes, don’t waste your time going there, if you have an overnight stay in mind. Agumbe truly needs more time from you to reveal its beauty.            

 My only trip to Agumbe thus far was a good eight years ago. It was a long drive across many destinations of the western ghats before we reached the base of Agumbe. I still remember it was a chilly morning. Our eyes were hunting for a cup of tea. Suddenly we chanced upon a roadside stall and pulled up there. It was a small shop brewing up freshly brewed tea for the travellers passing by. The shop consisted of packets of chips, a large pan brewing tea on a rickety stove and fresh bananas. When you have bananas, there are bound to monkeys’ around. We made ourselves comfortable on a shaky wooden bench adjacent to the shop, sipping tea and watching the simians on the trees above. A few minutes later another vehicle pulled up to the shop presumably for some tea. The gentleman orders for tea while the lady asked for bananas. Just as the lady collected the bananas and was returning to the vehicle, there was a rustle above. A bunch of young simians had noticed the lady with the bananas. The lady saw them too. Hastening her pace, she reached the vehicle just in time. One bold simian was still wanting to take a chance and clambered onto the vehicle. He could see the bananas probably through the tinted glass. This picture was taken at that very moment. Years’ later I still remember the incident vividly, every time I see this picture.