Anyone who knows me well knows that I freaking love monkeys! I think it may be because I bear a slight resemblance to Curious George. Monkeys were part of my childhood. Though I never saw it personally, I grew up with many family stories about my great grandfather's pet monkey.  And, of course, like most young kids growing up in Owensboro in the late 70s and 80s, I was obsessed with the monkey at the shoe store in Towne Square Mall.

Last week, when Kevin and I were in Brazil, we visited Parque Lage (inside Tijuca National Park at the base of Mount Corcovado, where the massive Christ the Redeemer statue stands).  I read before going that it was possible we would see a monkey or two (and maybe a toucan) during the trip through the botanical garden and forest.  But, to my complete surprise, THERE WERE MONKEYS EVERYWHERE!!

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So, brace yourselves!  I confessed that I am obsessed with monkeys and always have been.  I wore my cellphone out.  LOL!  Here are a bunch of photos of monkeys.  I was in heaven!

A Bunch of Photos of Really Cute Monkeys

I recently visited Parque Lage in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It's a huge national park/forest that sits at the base of Mount Corcovado, where the famous Christ the Redeemer statue stands. There were monkeys everywhere, so I started snapping photos of nearly every one I saw.

This particular area of Rio de Janeiro was declared a national park in 1961 and is believed to be the world's largest urban forest. It is absolutely stunning.  Here's a photo of Parque Loge.  It's tucked into the base forest with Christ the Redeemer looming high above.

Chad Benefield
Chad Benefield
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Here's one more incredible shot of Parque Lage, this one from the side.  You can tell just how dense the rainforest is and how majestic (and high up) the Christ the Redeemer statue is.

Chad Benefield
Chad Benefield
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