Meeting My "Relatives" at Sangeh Monkey Forest

Hello everyone, this is my trip to Sangeh Monkey Forest I am sharing with you all. Robert and Sandra; my friends, and I arrived at Sangeh Monkey Forest, a captivating location, at about 10 o'clock. It was still quite early because I think we were the first visitors to this enchanting tourist destination.

the gate to the monkey forest in Sangeh, Bali

As we entered the parking area, I purchased tickets, each costing about 30,000 rupiah (approximately $2 USD). Then, we strolled through the gate and a short pathway that led us to the entrance of the Monkey Forest. This place is not merely a forest; it also houses the revered Bukit Sari Temple.

Upon reaching the gate, we were greeted by a split gate, a distinctive feature of Balinese Hindu temples. In front of this split gate, an imposing statue known as the Kumbhakarna statue stood tall. Kumbhakarna is a significant character from the Hindu epic, the Ramayana.

An intense fight of Kumbhakarna against the monkeys.

The statues vividly depicted the epic battle between Kumbhakarna and a group of monkeys led by Sugriva and Hanuman. It's a fascinating story; Kumbhakarna, often misunderstood, was actually defending his homeland, while the monkeys were on a mission to rescue the queen, Sita, who had been abducted by Rahwana. For those curious about the full story, it can be found in the Ramayana epic (you can search it on the internet)

After passing the statue, we proceeded through the split gate into the forest and arrived at the courtyard of the temple complex of Bukit Sari. Here, a few monkeys roamed and played while temple staff and forest personnel were at hand to assist visitors in case of any monkey-related disturbances.

We walked passed the split gate to a courtyard of Bukit Sari temple.

monkeys were lurking at the front of the temple..

During our exploration, we had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Made Rawi, a friendly local photographer who was well-versed in the ways of the forest. He not only helped us navigate the forest safely but also ensured that the mischievous monkeys didn't come too close to us.

Mr. Made Rawi later asked Robert and Sandra if they were interested in taking photos with the monkeys. Personally, having encountered my fair share of monkeys, I decided to pass on this opportunity. However, Robert and Sandra were eager to capture these memorable moments.

Mr. Made Rawi, the photographer was taking photo.

He used a small camera, his bags was full of peanuts to give the monkey, and a slingshot to scare the monkeys when they become too aggresive.

Under Mr. Made Rawi's guidance, he summoned the monkeys and offered them peanuts from his small bag. Soon, a monkey found its way onto Sandra's lap, allowing for adorable photos of the monkeys and Sandra. Robert had a similar experience, with a monkey perched on his lap in front of the temple entrance. They both had a wonderful time snapping pictures of these curious creatures, though the occasional appearance of larger monkeys did add an element of excitement.

The law of the jungle was apparent, with the larger monkeys asserting their dominance.

According to Mr. Made Rawi, there were approximately 700 monkeys in the vicinity, organized into three distinct groups, each occupying a different part of the forest.

After concluding our photography session, we continued our journey deeper into the monkey forest, where we encountered a smaller temple compared to the one we had previously seen. The monkeys continued to captivate us by their activities, from climbing trees to lounging on temple roofs. At times, it seemed as though they were lining up for a photo opportunity, though in reality, they were more interested in finding food.

were they posing for me as I tried to take their photos?

Oh, sorry, I have no food for you.

Walking through the monkey forest was a truly unique experience, offering not only the chance to observe the monkeys but also the towering nutmeg trees that had stood for generations. The local Balinese people hold this area in high regard due to its proximity to several sacred temples.

As a mark of respect for the sacred location, we made a conscious effort to maintain a peaceful atmosphere, as the monkeys themselves were surprisingly quiet, adding to the sense of reverence in the area.

Upon leaving the temple and forest, Mr. Made Rawi excused himself and made his way to the photo printing facility.

Mr. Made Rawi is an active member of the local photographers' association within the forest. They provide a unique service of capturing moments between visitors and the monkeys, printing these cherished memories, and offering them for sale at 50,000 rupiah (approximately $3.50 USD) per photo.

the photo printing facility

waiting for photography job.

However, Mr. Made Rawi's role extended beyond photography; he played a vital part in ensuring the monkeys did not disturb visitors and actively discouraged the more mischievous ones. His presence was a true asset to those exploring the monkey forest.

Once the photo printing was complete, he showcased the pictures to Robert and Sandra, who were particularly enthralled by the images capturing their moments with the monkeys.

And that concludes our unforgettable visit. After bidding farewell to Mr. Made Rawi, we set off for our next destination.