Monkey Forest, Bali: An Enchanting Sacred Forest for Simian Families (part 3)

Bali is also dubbed as island of gods...island of temples. No wonder that even within the forest we'd encountered two temples with different architecture although in essence they're typically Balinese.  

Prior to entering this sacred temple, we're requested to wear sarongs or any attire symbolizing we're part of the temple... so as to 'respect' the temple.  

Now we saw one simian family on the ground. Freya was still terrified to see that monkeys did roam and walk around us. It's a new experience for her, of course. 

The archetype of the temple we visited within the forest was Balinese dragon or snakes. 

Even the pedestal of this temple was fully covered in snake-form carved stones.  

Thank you, Freya for taking a picture of us. 

oops.... !!!! !

let's take a pose.  

This forest with its temple inside really held the spirit of its existence. I wonder if the monkeys are some kinds of guards of the forest as well as the temples. And I think that's what makes it even more enchanting. 

As the name suggests, apart from being a home to hundreds of simian families, the forest is also full of statues celebrating the lives of monkeys in every gesture and manners imaginable as well as the unimaginable ones. 

Like this one!!! wow..what a sight! a spectacle only to be found in Bali. 

...and all shapes of simian statues to respect the harmony of nature and gods.

Monkey Forest, Bali (part 2)

Deep into the forest where a Balinese temple nestled, we found no monkeys on the ground. That's an eerie thought. I noticed that monkeys were either sitting on top of the trees or just avoiding the area. None of them touched the ground. hmm...wonder why. 

so, this is the moss-covered stone-bridge (God knows how old that was) we passed through to reach the temple. Even, the tree's roots seemed to get immersed and dwindled seamlessly into it. 

A rare view I could not see anywhere else even in other parts of Indonesia, I presume. So, this is so typically Bali-- a unique culture of its own. 

Koi ponds in front of the temple--yes..this is the very temple that nestled underneath the huge trees.  

There was this wooden platform leading to I-did-not-know where..since I'd rather not be too adventurous at that time..considering my kids wouldn't want me to. oh, well..let's re-route. 

there and back again...we glanced again at those trees with their roots dangling from above. 

oh..I saw someone was going down the path.....that may lead to somewhere. 

A small narrow path just next to a creek seemed to be adventurous enough for any thrill-seekers in a sacred place like monkey forest. 

But, for us...let's take a re-route...re-route...ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ..and Eyra already led the way. She hadn't had the faintest idea of why we visited the place. 

Now..this is something. On top of the monkey statues was a real monkey. 

Monkey Forest, Bali (part 1)

 

The second place we visited in Bali was Bali's unique forest where monkeys are the kings: Monkey Forest at the famous Ubud area.  Even before we entered the area, monkeys were easily spotted everywhere. Can you see some? 

This is the entrance to the forest. There are paths for visitors to explore the forest without having to be afraid of getting lost. 

After paying for about 20,000 rupiah or around 2,000 Won, we started off our adventure into the land of monkeys. But, Freya was adamant to beg us not to go in:-) 

But, Dear...of course we got to enter the forest. We paid for it..and trust me...you'd find something interesting inside. Freya sulkily agreed. 

hmm...just like other parts of Bali, green lush tropical forests were visible. It's so soothing to the eyes. Despite the tropical heat in Bali, we're content to what we're experiencing. 

We're warned not to bring any food or beverages from outside...lest the monkeys would snatch them from our hands. We got to  keep our belongings inside the tightly-zipped bags:-) 

These two statues stood at the entrance to the old Balinese temple lied beneath those trees. what trees? well...let's just go see it. 

These cow and elephant statues were surprisingly big.  

oh...so these were the trees...with their roots uprooting themselves ....out into the air...hmm eerie. and down there ...obscurely obstructed by the trees...I could see the temple. Okay..let's go.