My first stop during my trip to Ubud was the Sacred Monkey Forest.
Sacred Monkey Forest
This place is succinctly called Monkey Forest, and rightly so because of the many wild monkeys wandering around this forest. One of the monkeys climbed onto me because it was looking for food.
The Sacred Monkey Forest is a nature reserve and temple complex. The monkeys in this complex are wild and aggressive, and may even attack humans if not careful.
The Sacred Forest has different sections, there is a bathing area, cemetery, temples, and a cremation area. The temple and the forest merged, and created quite an intriguing atmosphere.
There were plenty of animal statues in different areas of this forest. I liked how this place kept its forest feel despite being a popular tourist attraction.
There were quite a few monkey statues and temples all over the Sacred Forest. You could spend an hour or two just wandering around this place, but just be careful of the monkeys lurking in the woods it seems that they have lost their fear of humans.
There was an auditorium like area in the Sacred Forest I didn't know what it was for. There is a 20,000 IDR entrance fee for the Sacred Forest.
Goa Gajah
Goa Gajah was next on my list as I day toured Ubud. Goa Gajah is not a big temple but still interesting. This temple was built in the 9th century.
There is a bathing area right out side the Elephant Cave.
I found these statues inside Elephant Cave. The Balinese are truly a religious people.
I liked walking around Goa Gajah. There was a nice garden and lake inside this complex. The Balinese are in-tune with nature, hence the many stones and trees wearing sarongs and the many offerings laid in front of temples, trees, and statues. There is a 15,000 IDR entrance fee for Goa Gajah.
Turtha Empul
Turtha Empul is an interesting temple to be in. Like most of Bali, the spiritual vibe is strong, everyone seems to be into meditation, and there are temples either big or small sprouting out in even the smallest of places.
To think the the Nazis used this symbol for their propaganda, symbols change depending on context I suppose.
There are a few temples where offerings were given inside this complex.
The temples were not the main attraction of Turtha Empul, the holy springs and bathing area were the main reason why people flock to this temple. Many tourists and locals visit this temple to bathe and purify themselves in the holy springs and bathing area. There is a 15,000 IDR fee to enter this temple.
Ubud Palace
My last stop in Ubud, was Ubud Palace. This palace is right in the city center where most of the establishments are. There is no entrance fee for Ubud Palace.
I regretted only day touring Ubud, I rushed through places but still I liked the places I visited in Ubud. Ubud presented a different vibe compared to the places I've been to in Bali. Ubud had a mix of art, nature, and development that endeared me to it. Although I have seen better looking landscapes in the Philippines, Bali presented a more cohesive cultural experience that made it charming to a lot of tourists. I rented a bike with driver for 125,000 IDR for my day trip around Ubud and to Besakih Temple, and then back to the hostel in Sanur.
