First of all, the Monkey forest is a sacred place – its full name is Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Around 1260 long-tailed macaques live here in the wild, and they are considered sacred animals by local population. In the centre of the forest there are three temples: Pura Dalem worshipping Shiva (itβs estimated to be built around the 14th century), Holy Water Temple worshipping goddess Gangga, and Cremation Temple worshipping Brahma Prajapati. The philosophical concept cherished here is Tri Hita Karana, or βThree ways to reach spiritual and physical well-beingβ. It comes without saying that visitors should behave politely because this is not an entertainment park.
We came to the park pretty early (around 9.10-9.15am while the park opens at 9) and were lucky to see the monkey feeding: they are fed 9 times a day and only by the staff. Visitors cannot feed the monkeys both for their own safety and maintaining monkeysβ wellbeing.
We came here expecting seeing angry monkeys greedy for food and stealing peopleβs iPhones because thatβs what you find on internet. However I must say that monkeys were all pretty polite and indifferent to the most visitors – unless people were like really invading their personal space putting the phones right into the monkeysβ faces or luring the animals to climb on their shoulders and heads for selfies. Monkeys are not aggressive unless they feel you provoke them – please check the behavior guidelines for visitors here https://monkeyforestubud.com/guidelines-faq/
Colours of Bali πΏ Today itβs the Nyepi, or the Day of Silence, here in Bali. Itβs the traditional local celebration with the main purpose of self-reflection, and tomorrow the New local year starts. Today we cannot leave hotel, the roads are closed, TV is off, no 4G/5G internet, and even the airport is closed. We stay indoors without any lights on. Yesterday we witnessed the ritual procession with Ogoh-ogoh, local demons, statues as well – I showed some of them in stories!