Tag: Indonesia

Temple of Monkeys

Categories Uncategorized2 Comments on Temple of Monkeys

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. 

When I wasn’t staring at the monkeys, I was looking at pools of koi fish and a ceremony with dragon masks that was taking place for children.

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

Joy Ride

Categories Uncategorized1 Comment on Joy Ride

The Island of the Gods had a way of making me feel like a goddess and it’s not just the poolside mojitos. For me, it was swinging over a rice terrace in a beautiful red dress on a bright, sunny day.

On an outing in Bali, I got to go for a joy ride in a giant swing overlooking the beautiful Bali countryside. I was taking part in a service in which you are given a long, flowing dress and have people take pictures of you as you swing over a rice terrace. 

It was a gorgeous sunny day, perfect giant swing weather. The people who ran the service provided me with a beautiful red dress and helped me into the swing. 

As I got situated into my harness, about to take flight, it felt like I was going to be slingshotted across the rice terrace. Despite being harnessed in pretty tight, I still got a stomach flip right before they let go and sent me flying. I screamed at the top of my lungs pretty casually when they first let go of me, but if anyone asks, I swung at a death defying height and flew through the air with the greatest of ease. 

Once I got over how panic-inducing it was, it was actually very fun. I relaxed into the swing and took in the view. I was trying to listen to their instructions as they told me to hold onto my dress, then let go of my dress, while swinging. A breeze blew through my legs and bare feet, cooling me down on a hot day, as the dress flapped around me.

This is the shape my adventure travel has taken so far. I’m enjoying the ride. 

The Tragic Queen,

Raquel

Ubud Art Market

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Ubud Art Market

After enjoying much of the splendors that Bali had to offer, I knew that I wanted to buy a painting while I was in Bali in order to commemorate my trip. 

The guy who sold it to me insisted that it is an original painting, but when I went to the Ubud art market afterwards, I discovered that there were about fifty or so exact copies of that painting. 

I bought what is basically the “live, laugh, love” poster of girls who have gone to Bali.

But I still like it.

I bought the painting because it reminded me of myself: her strong nose, full lips, the eccentric way she is clasping her hands, and the way that she is staring off into space, lost in thought. Some of them were in black and white but the one that I chose was in full color, looking kaleidoscopic to me.

Once I’d gotten my fill of the Ubud Art Market, I walked across the street to the temple and looked around. It was like a beautiful public garden.

It’s not everyday that you get to casually walk up to a temple by crossing a busy street.

Later, we stopped by a market that sold inexpensive clothes and I bought several red sundresses, so while I don’t have original artwork, I am ready to run with the bulls in Pamplona.

All and all, we had a very art-filled day. 

The Tragic Queen,

Raquel

P.S.: Check out my languid first day in The Island of the Gods

The Island of the Gods

Categories Uncategorized1 Comment on The Island of the Gods

Known as the Island of the Gods, Bali, Indonesia has one hell of a reputation to live up to. It has been the subject of many artist’s, adventurer’s, and wanderer’s fantasies, acting as a spiritual destination for people looking to heal their souls. 

It seemed like it was impossible to do a trip to Bali wrong. With its rich, vibrant wildlife, fun nightlife, and deeply spiritual culture, it seemed like the island could pack an adventure for any type of person. If you want to sit idly by the pool, you can. If you want to trek through a jungle, you can do that too. Bali struck me as the perfect place to travel if you want the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, a place where you can drink and hike, although ideally not together.

My family arrived in Seminyak in the midafternoon. We were staying at a hotel right at the water filled with palm trees, paper lanterns, and almost panoramic views of the ocean.

Between its breathtaking waterfalls, long, glittering coasts, and 13-foot-waves that are in every surfer’s dreams, it’s not hard to see why Bali is considered the island of the gods. Everything was stunning. 

When I asked my aunt if I could learn how to surf she said “not a chance in hell,” since everything that goes wrong with me must later be explained to my father and how I got whisked out to sea on a surf board would not be one of those things. Bali is not for beginner surfers anyway, with waves that sound like thunder when they crash. Red flags were out on the beach from dusk to dawn, so there would be no swimming in the ocean for me during this trip.

Instead, I spent my first day out by the hotel pool, floating around on a raft and drinking mojitos. I was blitzed out of my mind within minutes. 

I had a wonderful time soaking up the sun, water, and booze, my dreamy, lackadaisical trip to Bali well underway.

We spent four days in Bali where there were more mojitos by the pool, but also trips to see waterfalls and temples and going for a swing ride over a rice terrace. The Island of the Gods treated me well. 

The Tragic Queen,

Raquel

P.S.: Check out my blog post about my previous day in Singapore