As part of our round-the-island car journey through Bali, Leonardo and I had the chance to visit one of the island’s most famous attractions—the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud. While monkeys were not the main highlight for Leonardo, given his experiences with their mischievous counterparts in Thailand, the forest itself was what truly captivated him. The Ubud Monkey Forest is more than just a home for Balinese long-tailed macaques; it’s a sacred natural reserve, a place of tranquility, and a symbol of harmony between humans and nature. Leonardo’s Unique Perspective Leonardo, being a nature lover, was immediately drawn to the lush surroundings of the forest. The monkeys here behaved surprisingly well: they didn’t attempt to steal or interact with us in the way Leonardo expected, which gave him a new perspective on these creatures. Although he maintained a healthy respect for them—keeping his distance—he seemed less frightened after seeing how they calmly coexisted with visitors, walking freely around the temple grounds. This made our time in the forest much more enjoyable, as Leonardo was able to relax and focus on the beauty of the place. The Sacred Forest: A Natural and Spiritual Haven Spanning about 12.5 hectares, the Sacred Monkey Forest is not just a tourist spot—it is a site of cultural and spiritual significance. The forest is home to three sacred Hindu temples, including the Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, the Holy Spring Temple, and the Prajapati Temple. These temples have stood for centuries, making the Monkey Forest a place of reverence as much as it is a natural sanctuary. Walking through the forest with Leonardo, we passed these stunning structures, surrounded by towering trees and thick vines. The natural beauty, combined with the peaceful aura of the temples, created a sense of wonder and serenity for both of us. Immersed in Nature’s Beauty The forest itself boasts a rich ecosystem, featuring over 100 species of trees, many of which are centuries old. As we strolled along the winding paths, Leonardo marvelled at the sheer variety of plant life. The cool shade from the forest canopy made it the perfect spot to escape Bali’s heat, and we took our time to explore the bridges, streams, and natural clearings scattered throughout the area. It was a paradise for Leonardo, whose love for nature took over any initial hesitation about the monkeys. The sacredness of the forest also intrigued Leonardo. We learned that this space is believed to embody the concept of Tri Hita Karana—a Balinese Hindu philosophy that aims to achieve harmony between humans, nature, and the divine. This sense of balance was palpable as we wandered deeper into the forest, creating a lasting impression on both of us. A Different Perspective on Monkeys Though monkeys weren’t the primary focus for Leonardo, they were undoubtedly an integral part of our visit. Over 1,000 Balinese long-tailed macaques live in the forest, and we saw them in every corner—hanging from trees, resting near the temples, and interacting with visitors. Leonardo was cautious, as monkeys in Thailand have a reputation for being aggressive, but here they behaved differently. Although he didn’t get too close to them, seeing them coexist peacefully with people challenged Leonardo’s previous experiences and gave him a new outlook on these intelligent creatures. It is worth mentioning that the staff at the Ubud Monkey Forest played a vital role in maintaining the harmonious atmosphere of the sanctuary. Their presence, all dressed in traditional Balinese clothing, was felt everywhere, from watering the lush plants and trees to assisting visitors with directions or capturing the perfect photo. They were also instrumental in managing the monkeys, ensuring that the animals behaved well and did not interfere with guests’ belongings. These dedicated rangers and guards seamlessly balanced their duties, ensuring that both the visitors and the natural inhabitants of the forest coexisted peacefully in this sacred environment. Art and Culture: A Creative Retreat One of the unexpected highlights for both of us was the art gallery located within the sanctuary. The gallery showcases works from renowned local painters and artists, offering visitors a taste of Bali’s rich artistic culture. What fascinated Leonardo most was the section featuring creations by children from different age groups. Seeing the artwork of other kids his age left Leonardo inspired, and he lingered here, absorbed by the creativity on display. It was a wonderful addition to our visit, as it provided Leonardo with a way to connect to the local culture on his own level. A Memorable Experience in Ubud Our visit to the Ubud Monkey Forest turned out to be one of the highlights of our Bali trip. While Leonardo approached it with some initial skepticism due to his past encounters with monkeys, the peacefulness of the sanctuary, the beauty of the forest, and the sense of harmony it embodied left a strong impression on him. Watching him explore the forest, interacting with nature, and observing the calm behaviour of the monkeys was a special experience for me as a parent. The visit provided him with a deeper appreciation for both the natural world and the unique culture of Bali. For families or anyone looking to experience both the cultural and natural beauty of Bali, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a must-visit. It offers not only a glimpse into Bali’s spiritual and ecological heritage but also an immersive experience in the island’s lush, tropical landscape. Leonardo and I left with memories of adventure, discovery, and a newfound perspective on the world of monkeys and nature alike. For more information about the sanctuary, visit the official website here. Entrance fees for foreign visitors are 80000 IDR for adults and 60000 IDR for kids. FURAMAXCLUSIVE Resort & Villas Ubud Asian Itinerary stayed at FURAMAXCLUSIVE RESORT & VILLAS, UBUD, set amidst the picturesque paddy field and framed by the majestic Mount Batur in the background, offering a sanctuary of accommodations for our guests to relax and unwind. Echo Bali Car Rental AsianItinerary drove around the island of Bali with a reliable car provided by Echo Bali...

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ARTOTEL Haniman Ubud Jalan Jatayu Desa Padang Tegal Ubud, 80571 Ubud, Indonesia Tel +623619083470 happening.haniman@artotelindonesia.com  https://www.artotelindonesia.com/haniman-ubud/  A breath of fresh air in central Ubud – Bali – Indonesia Breathing fresh air in the heart of Ubud, ARTOTEL Haniman comes with 22 spacious handcrafted boutique studios, in three different categories according to its size (Studio 20, Studio 30 and Studio 40), artistically designed highlighting mural artworks by renown artist: Kemal Ezedine. ARTOTEL Haniman is  a place where a modern two stories building merged seamlessly with the lush surroundings. An accommodation that is distinctly peculiar from the rest due to its chic and modern design combined with a sense of clean simplicity in each and every aspects. Brushed by Bali‘s notable emerging contemporary artists, ARTOTEL Haniman sparks with its curated exclusive artworks.  The hotel indulges its guests with a personalized service and facilities such as Full Circle Restaurant by Expat Roasters, Swimming Pool, and Kamalika Day Spa. In-room facilities include; 49” LED TV, hi-speed internet connection, Dolce Gusto Coffee Machine and daily replenished amenities.  Strategically located in the heart of Ubud, around 37 KM away from Ngurah Rai International Airport, guests can wander off to Ubud Monkey Forest or Ubud Traditional Art Market in less than ten minutes walk.

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The next day I headed towards the central foothills of Bali. I drove along the magnificent and very convenient Bali Mandara Toll Road, a 13km bridge road over the water that stretches across the Gulf of Benoa, preventing traffic jams in the Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai, which was the only connection to the south of the airport and to the Sanur and hills areas. A mere IDR 11,000 (about 1 US$) saved me a long traffic queue, and projected my Toyota to the plains first, with their stunning palms, frangipanis and amazing vegetation, an area where artisans work the stones and the wood, carving them magnificently; and later to the terraced rice paddies, small farms and dense forest that surround the town of Ubud. Considered to be the artistic and spiritual center of Bali, with the times Ubud has engulfed 13 of the villages that surrounded it, becoming a town of 0ver 30000 people. Ubud is also home to the world-known BaliSpirit Festival ! I checked myself in at the SenS Hotel & Spa – www.senshotelsresorts.com -, a boutique hotel in downtown Ubud, located within walking distance to the major attractions in town. It was indeed a great choice, as it was convenient, comfortable and indulgent at the same time, and a great value for money. BOOK A DISCOUNTED ROOM AT SENS HOTEL AND SPA, CLICK HERE ! I spent the afternoon checking out the hundreds of stalls at the Ubud market and the myriad of boutique shops, art galleries, restaurants and coffee shops that dot the area around the Hanuman Road, and I had a great time with primates at the very popular Monkey Forest – entrance fee IDR 40,000 (about 3.50 US$) – http://www.monkeyforestubud.com – a spiritual and conversation center for Ubud, submerged in 12.5 hectares of dense forest that 186 species of trees and around 700 monkeys call home. I then enjoyed an evening Balinese dance performance – a must-do in Ubud including a Legong and  Barong – 90 minutes show – entrance IDR 100,000 (about 8 US$) – at the Ubud Royal Palace, one of the most prominent places in Ubud, located right on the main road. I ended my long day with a yummy dinner of Indonesian favourite food at Yonne Café and Bar, SenS Hotel & Spa poolside signature elegant restaurant, which serves up international favourites and the best of Balinese and Asian cuisine prepared in a vibrant show kitchen. At Yonne Café you have the choice to eat in air-conditioned comfort or al fresco, and it is opened 24 hours! The second day in Ubud took me to a very interested Bali eco educational cycling tour with Bali Eco Cycling – www.baliecocycling.com – a company  providing authentic eco-educational cycling tours since 1999. I loved the passion both owners Komang and wife and the guides put in their mission to please discerning Bali visitors. Their full-day downhill  tour allowed me to escape the Ubud hustle and to discover the magic of rural Bali, as well as to  have an amazing day out in the nature. The first stop was at the mesmerizing rice terraces of Tegallagang. We then had breakfast at the family restaurant in a terrace overlooking Kintamani village, active volcano Mount Batur, Mount Agung and Lake Batur was a plus! After a nice shower and a swim and relaxation time at SenS Hotel & Spa swimming pool area, I went out for a stroll and along the way, right on the main road, I was drawn by a consistent knocking, like a door shutting in the wind: Bang Bang Bang… I followed the noise and entered Oka Kartini Bed & Breakfast, where a traditional shadow puppet performance was underway. A shadow puppet show is one of the Balinese traditional favourites of visitors to Ubud, and I was lucky it was Sunday, since performances only run three times a week: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, starting at 8 pm – 1 hour show – entrance IDR 100,000 (about 8 US$). I was a bit late, and also did not understand a word since the story is told in Sanskrit, but I still enjoyed the theatre feel, the action and the humor. I have read online comments of people who found the performance expensive, or boring. Well, the group of talented artists work for a full hour, reciting and playing and moving the puppets, and these expert artists do their best to present this traditional art form in a digestible way to tourists, so, still a good value, and a nice way to spend a cultural hour while in Ubud. Dinner was once again at Yonne Café and Bar, SenS Hotel & Spa signature restaurant, where this time I dined on a great pizza 4 stagioni washed down by a beer, a special offer at IDR 100,000 (about 8 US$) NET! I had a drink and enjoyed live music at the Bali Bohemia – www.balibohemia.com – located at the south entrance of Monkey Forest, then returned to the hotel. Bed came as a relief, after two days of no stop activities in Ubud. TO BE CONTINUED… STAY TUNED ! A drive around Bali – Part 1 – the south A drive around Bali – Part 3 – Bedugul lake and valley A drive around Bali – Part 4 – scenic Munduk A drive around Bali – Part 5 – the North coast A drive around Bali – Part 6 – the West coast The Toyota Agya was kindly supplied by Echo Bali Car Rental BOOK A DISCOUNTED ROOM AT SENS HOTEL AND SPA, CLICK HERE !

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