Mandala Suci Wenara Wana, otherwise known as the Monkey Forest is a series of former Hindu temples, tucked in the mountains of Ubud. It is a combination of three Hindu temples, constructed sometime around 1350, that have since been turned into a monkey sanctuary. Nowadays it is referred to as the monkey temple and is one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions.
It was impossible not to see why.
This might seem like the kind of place that you would read about on the internet then show up to and see about three monkeys. It is not like that at all.
The temple was literally crawling with monkeys. Everywhere you looked the monkeys were scaling the temple walls.
It was strange how natural it felt to walk amongst monkeys. The mothers had their babies strapped to their chests, walking with so much ease that it was like they didn’t even notice.
You’re not supposed to make eye contact with or feed any of the monkeys, making it like a petting zoo where you weren’t actually allowed to pet the animals.
The three connecting temples were beautiful with moss-covered stones, massive statues, rushing streams, and monkeys lounging around like they owned the place, which, I suppose, they do.
The Monkey Forest was a fun excursion. I got to watch the monkeys come and go as they pleased, walking through a jungle that was draped with vines and seeing statues that were fuzzy with moss.
If you ever find yourself in Bali, be sure to check out the Monkey Temple in Ubud.
The Tragic Queen,
Raquel
P.S.: Check out my previous blog post in which I was flying high
The Tragic Queen 