Summary
My Experience at Ubud Monkey Forest
On my initial excursion to the Monkey Forest, I was enveloped with an unnecessary level of anxiety.
A member of our group, whose identity eludes me (not that it was me 😄), noted that the monkeys in the forest could exhibit erratic behavior, potentially attacking visitors for food, belongings, or even items such as cameras and sandals.
It suffices to say that following an incident when I was pursued by a monkey in Singapore, I was quite cautious around monkeys and had no desire to be harmed or bitten.
Further research online about the Ubud Monkey Forest revealed a multitude of accounts illustrating interactions where visitors faced aggression from monkeys, or were subjected to theft of belongings by them.
As a result, my enthusiasm for visiting the Ubud Monkey Forest waned, leading me to convene with the idea of postponing this visit until later in my travels; I reasoned it preferable to experience a monkey bite towards the end of the holiday rather than the beginning.
Preparation Tips
Ultimately, we resolved to visit the forest the following day after exploring the Rice Terraces and Gunung Kawi Temple (see post here) along with the Tirta Empul (and a secret waterfall – see post here).
Choosing to leave my camera at home, I brought only my cellphone and wallet, cleverly tucked away in an additional pair of shorts worn beneath my main shorts. I was determined to avoid becoming a victim of monkey theft or being left without my wallet during my visit in Bali.
Understanding Monkey Behavior
It turns out my previous apprehensions were significantly exaggerated! The accounts regarding monkey attacks are predominantly attributed to individuals who fail to adhere to the established guidelines.
Notably, the monkeys are primarily focused on procuring food. Your cellphone holds no attraction for them, nor does your camera.
Nonetheless, if you possess anything as small as a pack of Tic Tacs, expect to be pursued by the monkeys, as their sense of smell is remarkably acute.
Safe Visit Guidelines
Moreover, I recognized that an uneventful visit to the Ubud Monkey Forest is unlikely to be reported by most bloggers or journalists, hence the multitude of stories centering on isolated instances of monkey attacks. Some accounts tend to be quite foolish, such as individuals attempting to entice monkeys to sit on their heads for photographs, only to be perplexed when the monkey decides to take a nibble out of their hair.
In conclusion, prior to visiting the Ubud Monkey Forest, ensure you observe the guidelines. If adhered to, the likelihood of encountering issues during your visit is minimal.
Avoid bringing unnecessary items, food of any type, plastic bags, and refrain from engaging with the monkeys unless you are proficient in Simian and prepared for potential scratches or bites from the hungry animals.
Refer to the official monkey forest website for detailed rules before your visit!
