Ubud Monkey Forest

Stalking a little macaque tot clutching tightly grotty peanuts to his heart, you are as well allured by the omnipresent banyan trees to take a stroll into a different planet, planet of the apes. Here you are an alien, intruding a primitive universe, the crab-eating macaque's Macaca Fascicuiaris. But don't get it all literally, these macaques are not seafood lovers. They still fancy bananas, although once in a while few might hop onto your shoulder and snatch away your branded sunglasses. It is actually a slick trick monkey business you may saysince you will inquire for bananas as the ransom. Other smart acts orchestrated by these primal mammals may enamor you tentatively, succumbing to their cute bear-face smiles and gibberish chatter. Indeed, to surmise that apes are no better than humans is a perplexing confession sometimes. Especially after a rendezvous with the cheeky mammals at Ubud Monkey Forest (Wenara Wana), they should be unquestionably listed as your strict subject of suspicion, of how far they have become, and of how human-like they have grown to be.

We also have to make a compromise to these gray monkeys. Their existence bears a holy task to protect three Hindu shrines clustered in the territory. Who ever thought that long-tailed macaques are apt for guarding sanctuaries? Nevertheless, who are we to judge; the Balinese have long trusted the macaques to preserve not only a couple of dainty temples, Permandian and Prajapati, but also Dalem Agung Temple, a fourteenth-century signature heritage. These trio temples occupy distinctive area each, where the last is the most important and totally sublime with Japanese carps swirling underwater in the nearby garden spring. Unfortunately, only a number of discerning visitors are knowledgeable about these entrancing mainstays entrancing held within the public forest – only charged with unbelievably-modest price per person. The stone sculptures dotting around the temples exude high level of crafting mastery, endowed in the skilled hands of devout ancestors. And these temples, beautiful ponds, and intricate statues render scintillating reminiscences beside fussy monkeys, some of which come to be uber-friendly with clueless foreigners, exposing arousing pose to every click of the camera. Perhaps, this is just another witty trick to distract our attention from exploring the secluded shrines – if it is so, you got to admit that the macaques are intelligent guards and are full of strategies.

Stopping by at Ubud Monkey Forest takes a quick swerve of one kilometer from Ubud's downtown. The exact location resides in Padang Tegal regency, sheltering all 340 monkeys – and still counting – in a dense yet vast jungle. Be sure to grab a camera prior arriving at the forest. Taking pictures of macaques, particularly the babies, is worthwhile thing to do along the way on trekking down to the unique temples. One last necessary advice requires a cluster of bananas tossed in a bag before you carry on inside. Who knows a wicked macaque might confiscate your precious snapshot device while you are in action – that one yellow banana curve can turn back the situation to once it was: you with the camera, and the monkey with a charming pose.