OpinionAugust 5, 2026 — 12:45pmWhat is it about monkeys and me? I often think an inbuilt radar alerts them to the fact that they aren’t my favourite animals. Then that seems to trigger a mood of “let’s wreak havoc” around her, anyway.Regardless of where I am, if there is a roaming monkey nearby, it tracks me down. Photo: Illustration: Jamie BrownThink I’m crazy? Mean? An animal hater? Well, I’m not. Let me declare my love for most animals. Living on a farm, I have survived mouse plagues, had rats from grain bins run across my feet, recovered from a redback spider bite and trodden on a slithering snake.But nothing gets my heart pumping quicker than the thought of a monkey encounter. I freely admit I have pithecophobia – a fear of monkeys and apes – well, just make that monkeys.Maybe word got around after I threw a wet, sandy towel at one when I interrupted a monkey picnic in my glamorous suite in an Indonesian rainforest. They helped themselves to the fresh fruit and escaped with a tube of sunscreen, screeching at the top of their voices.Sign up for the Traveller newsletterThe latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.Later as I made my way to the spa, the big daddy of the monkey family sat smugly on the spa boardwalk, hissing as I approached. As partial as I am to spa treatments, even I wasn’t taking a step closer to that monkey. I retreated to the lobby where staff ferried me in a golf buggy. I swear that monkey hissed even louder at me as I passed by.“Game on,” I wanted to shout and, “keep your distance!”Another time I was stretched out on a beautiful beach when I felt eyes on me – yep, it was a monkey. Sitting, staring, watching and waiting. I quickly retreated to the pool, hiding beside a kind fellow sun worshipper as that monkey gave me “the” look.I wish I had a dollar for the number of times I have been told by guides not to look at a monkey and it will ignore you. Wrong – the more I try not to connect, the more they do.Several years ago, at Bali’s Uluwatu Temple, as I walked with friends, a monkey started tailing us – no, make that tailing me.I stood still, arms by my side, when it raced up a stone walkway and snatched my sunglasses from my hand. I screamed and shook. Later a Balinese guide exchanged them for bananas and handed them back. Tales of monkeys running off with phones are real, too.A monkey snatched sunglasses right out of my hand at Bali’s Uluwatu Temple.iStockOn a serious note, the unchecked and unmanaged human interaction with primates, in places such as Bali, and Thailand, often ends badly for both.I’ve had a friend treated for rabies after an encounter. I know it’s often the result of offering “Western” foods and stepping into their territory. However, if there’s a monkey around, my battle plan is set like jelly. Windows are closed, glass patio doors are bolted and no food is visible.In India last year, I watched monkeys do their version of tightrope walking across a bustling street. I was so intrigued I failed to notice a menacing monkey making for our tuk-tuk. Our driver accelerated hard and that monkey narrowly missed its ride and my wrath.That night at our hotel, I was greeted by towel art fashioned into a monkey with a banana by its side – nightmares assured.Over my years in travel writing, I have walked behind elephants, trailed polar bears, pursued pumas and searched for tigers, with the greatest respect. But when someone mentions I may encounter a monkey or two, that’s enough to set me trembling.That’s my monkey business for you.Default avatarSue Wallace is an Albury-based freelance travel writer who loves writing about country ventures, luxury stays, cruising and dining and the journeys to get there.From our partners