Barrel of Monkeys

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A visit to Ubud is not complete unless you visit the Scared Monkey Forest. The monkeys are mischievous and have been known to bite tourists. But, if you are calm and keep your items close at hand, your interaction with them can be quite pleasant.

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Photos

Monkey Forest
Close to downtown Ubud is a cool and dense swathe of jungle, officially called Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana. There are three holy temples here, and the area is inhabited by a band of grey-haired and greedy long-tailed Balinese macaques who are nothing like the innocent-looking doe-eyed monkeys on the brochures.

Pura Dalem Agung
Also called the "Main Temple," is used for worshiping the god Hyang Widhi in personification of Shiva, the Recycler or Transformer. Like the other two temples in the complex, it is thought to have been built around 1350. The temple complex plays an important role in the spiritual life of the local community.

Monkeys at the temple
The monkeys in the sanctuary roam free

Naughty Monkey
The monkeys are known to be mischievous

Watching tourists
Keep your eyeglasses and water bottles in check. Monkeys have been known to snatch them.

Banana Seller
Yes, we decide to interact with the monkeys...but we stayed by the lady that held a BIG stick

Katie & Friend
Camping out on Katie's shoulder eating the banana

2 Monkeys with Katie
A baby monkey saw the banana and wanted to join in

Patrick and Friend
Just sitting down, a baby monkey decided to check out Patrick...who did not have a banana

Polly want a cracker?
Perched on Patrick's should just like a parrot. Monkey was happy and content.

Just chillin'
Monkey and Patrick just chillin'

Uninvited Guest
For some reason, the monkey just decided to camp out on my head.