Wenara Wana, more commonly known as the Ubud Monkey Forest, is a nature reserve and Temple complex in Bali. It has over 300 long-tailed macaques, a holy spring bathing temple, and is owned and governed by the local village of Padangtegal. Is the Ubud Monkey Forest the Greatest Place on Earth?
Yes (according to Ben)
The Ubud Monkey Forest has everything one could want – and more!
Guaranteed Friendship. With so many monkeys in such a small forest, a visitor is bound to interact with their long-lost cousins with tails. On any given day, a visitor may have their lice removed by a monkey (what a hospitable gesture!), find a furry friend tugging on their pockets (like a child, but cuter!), or enjoy a game of tag (except that the monkey is always ‘it’!).
Location, Location, Location. Situated at the southern edge of Ubud (Bali’s cultural heart), the forest acts as a gateway to traditional Balinese life. It is surrounded by rice paddies, village life, and world-class $5 massages.
Bananas. As you enter the sacred forest, a visitor may purchase a large bushel of bananas for a negligible amount of rupiah. One can use the bananas to play a game of keep-away with the monkeys, reward them for good behavior, or even eat one. What a treat!
Sacred Forest. The forest is a cultural sanctuary in Balinese tradition. Balinese traditions are beautiful and peaceful. Therefore, the forest is full of beauty and peace. It is sacrilegious NOT to be in awe of the forest and everything that lives in it (i.e. long-tailed macaques).
Evolution / Family. These monkeys remind us where we come from. They look like us (just a bit shorter and hairier), use their hands like us, and they’re just about as clever as most of us. We are the Ubud Monkey Forest, and the Ubud Monkey Forest is us.
And if that’s not enough, look at this picture from the Ubud Monkey Forest. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2010/aug/25/bali-animals Case closed.
No (according to Holly)
Monkey Forest is disgusting, frightening, and offensive.
Guaranteed Aggression. The official website for the “attraction” warns you not to make eye contact with the monkeys. Difficult when the place is unnaturally crawling with hundreds of these nasty critters. I read the guidelines, strictly avoided all eye contact, and I was literally chased (yes, I ran) by a damn monkey, nearly tripping over another in my escape.
Location, location, location. I love Ubud. It’s probably my favorite spot in Bali. Why would you waste your precious time in this gorgeous, unique spot at this freak show? Go get a world-class $5 massage instead.
Bananas. These monkeys lurk at the entrance gate, waiting for idiot tourists to purchase over-priced, over-ripe bananas. Even if you aren’t dumb enough to buy the bananas (Ben bought some bananas), the greedy little monkeys lunge at you expectantly. You have to throw the bananas to prevent an attack. Sometimes this won’t even do the trick. Ben threw a banana to a monkey, the monkey continued to advance, grabbed Ben’s pants, and only left when Ben gave him another banana. Ben wasted all his bananas in 30 seconds (and he didn’t eat one – a monkey would have ripped it out of his mouth). Fun.
Sacred Forest. If this forest was ever actually sacred to the Balinese, it’s now been completely exploited for this shitty tourist attraction. The forest is entirely overpopulated with monkeys. The monkeys are entirely dependent on humans. The forest is entirely more beautiful outside the city. The temples are entirely more peaceful outside this “sacred forest.” This place is entirely overrated.
Evolution/Family. I refuse to even respond to Ben’s remarks (but Golden family, you should probably be offended that this place reminds Ben of his family).
Danger. Something Ben failed to mention. People get bit by these monkeys every single day. The official website has instructions on what to do when (not if) you get bit by a monkey. Google “Sacred Forest Ubud monkey bite.” I can’t believe we even entered this “sacred forest.” Rabies (guaranteed death, especially for Ben, who refused to get the rabies vaccine). Monkey herpes (70% chance of death, only carried by macaques, the kind of monkey in this forest, http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EiD/vol9no2/02-0272.htm). Hepatitis C. Enjoy!
And if that’s not enough, look at this picture from the Ubud Monkey Forest.
Case closed. (And to refute Ben’s kitten and monkey picture…there were no kittens in the forest when we visited, that photo is probably photoshopped, that cat does not look happy at all, it looks drugged/afraid, and how gross and unnatural?!?! That monkey probably just gave that kitten monkey herpes.)``
Hahahahhaha this is amazing. Sorry, Ben, but I'm pretty sure Holly wins this one hands-down. Not only are her points valid, but her picture is incredible. And she's right, your picture does look a lot like the monkey just gave the kitten herpes.
ReplyDeleteMaya and I just had a good laugh at this. Ben, the monkeys look like you (with beard), not us. After our Barbary Ape experience in Gibraltar, I can see how aggressive simians can be unappealing. Sorry, Ben, I vote with Holly. - mom
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