Come on a Date With Me! ๐ 'The Temple Where The Monkeys Take Your Stuff!' ๐๐๐
You know I love monkey-ing around so of course I'd go to the beautiful cliff top temple here in Bali to hang out with my furry friends!
Wanna come with?
Well, come on then!
First, I want to get a little information from the guide about what's going on, do you want to hear it?
If not, go ahead and I'll catch up with you in a minute! Here's some info from Wiki for later if you're interested! Uluwatu Temple Wikipedia
Fun fact!
'Pura' as in Pura Luhur Uluwatu means 'temple' in English.
This one here is a sacred Balinese sea temple set on a 70 m high cliff that goes straight down into the crashing waves of the sea!
It's no secret in Bali how beautiful Uluwatu is, however getting to it can be quite the journey since it sits at the south point! It's 100% worth whatever amount of time it takes you to stand on these cliffs, overlooking the waves coming in and seeing the sun in the sky. It's truly another world!
'Ulu' translates to the โtopโ or the โtipโ and 'watu' means a โstoneโ or a โrockโ in Balinese. Hence why when we put them together, we have Uluwatu which is an area encompassed in a beautiful cliff side, notorious for its sunsets and a surfer's paradise (the waves are insane!)
The temple itself is said to have been built sometime in the 10th century. It's a large site with two entrances that contain a forest (which is home to the monkeys you'll see coming up) in between them!
I found myself gently hypnotized by the sound of the waves crashing into the rocks below, the birds in the trees and the music floating through the air....
Looking out across to the right of me, there was the 'pre ceremony' area for couples getting married! I skipped merrily over on my way to see what I envisioned to be a beautiful white set up... do you see what I see?
Little, learned soldiers on the wait to take your shiniest possessions! But we have to make it past them to get to the other side! Quick! Hide your phone! ๐
Monkey see? Monkey... take your stuff!
The monkeys are all part of the magnificence of this site and it's said that they are there to protect the temple from negative influence (however, those little buggers will steal anything they can get their hands on!)
Fun fact:
Monkeys troll the area looking for shiny things they can swipe from unsuspecting tourists! How do you get what they have stolen back? A bag of fruit that the temple 'police' will gladly throw to them, then charge you for!
This behavior was curious to me so I looked into it a little bit more...
Some information from Wiki
Scientist and experts on primate behavior have conducted studies on the Macaque monkeys in the area and have collected data suggesting that they learn bartering behavior. This trade is passed down to the young offsprings. New groups of Macaque monkeys introduced into the area quickly adapt and learn the new skill from the locals.
As cute as they are, (trust me, I know) they'll give you the doe eyes, then rob you blind!
Crossing back through the treacherous path, I had my not shiny bag tugged at by an unseen little guy who came flinging himself out from the forest. Luckily, I had a good grip on it and he went to find an easier target! Great because there was this amazing photo-op! ๐
If you're interested in watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean, this is one of the most magnificent places to do so! The temple also hosts routine Kecak (a type of Balinese dance) shows which are a great way to see Bali's culture, first hand!
On the other side, you get the same view but different (you know? Same, same but different?)
Up close and personal! Those blues make me swoon! ๐
I rounded a corner and came to a no-go zone. The area behind is sacred for praying, I just thought the architecture was gorgeous!
At the end of the visit, just as we were making our way to the exit, out of the corner of my eye, I saw this incredible dome like structure that was calling my name, away from the monkey theives where no-one seemed to be around. I could have basked in the sun there all day!
Actually, to be honest it's pretty hot with that sarong on and the site is so large, I was eager to head to a secret beach spot my friend told me about for sunset! So this is where our date ends, unless you wanna come along for the next round?!
If you're heading to Uluwatu Temple, here are some tips!
- When you come in and pay 30,000K (IDR) you'll be given a sarong to wear, there is no need to pay extra for one!
- Kecak dances are every night at 6pm and last 1 hour. (Amazing to see over sunset!)
- Guides are available at the counter but are not necessary, it's easy to find your way around!
- You should make sure to have a ride there and back, it can be difficult to catch a ride all the way out here!
- Open from 9am - 6pm (You probably want at least 1.5-2 hours to explore and enjoy!)
I hope you loved this trip as much as I did! It was so fun seeing the monkeys and the beauty of the cliff tops was out of this world!
I hope you'll come along with me again soon!
I can show you the world!๐ ๐
Hey! PS:
Since we've gotten this far together...
Check out the latest from my unbelievable story of getting caught in a 'predicament' when I went to the Dominican Republic...
You won't believe your eyes! Here is the new chapter!
Very amazing facts and beautiful photos!
Thank you! The site is really interesting as well as spectacular in beauty, happy to share =D
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What a stunning post! I love the gif where you are looking at the ocean - it's gorgeous.
The monkeys with their little mohawks are also adorable.
Thank you for taking me along on your travels via Steemit!
Oh why thank you my dear! Perks of living in paradise ;) I need to explore around home more instead of always taking off!
I love that you noticed that! I forgot to mention it! They do that themselves- I thought it was uber cute too!
I will take you anytime you want to come along my lady ;) <3 XO
Another awesome story with awesome pics and anecdotes. I have also noticed you seem to have a collection of fruit themed clothing .
;) You know it my friend! Just going through the astounding amount of footage I've been collecting :)
I do have such a collection! That actually is thanks to my poppa as funny as that is. He loves buying me dresses and thought a vegan food blogger should wear what she eats ;) He's my favorite <3
Well it has been noted . Hope everything going well going to send you this soundcloud pod cast I just listened to about this old pro skater talking about doing a detox type thing sounds good. Basically if you want to convince me to do anything using a pro skater as a reference is always good . Will send to Dischord
Haha well pro athletes know what it's all about when it comes to their bodies because it affects their performance so I'm definitely interested to hear! Though, I'm on an anti-detox right now because of how powerful mine was just last week -wow! :) I'll check it out! Thanks for thinking of me!
What an amazing post my friend. Love the view. What a breathtaking view from the top and the temple. I definitely need to visit Bali one day. That place is sure my kind of place. Beautiful view such as this one, ocean, and full of nature. It does not get much better than this.
Loved all the monkey photos. They are adorable. Where did one of them get the glasses? lol I heard these type of monkey sure know to rob people as well... lol
Well, it was not only the pictures looked amazing in this post. You look gorgeous as well. Happy and smiling. It is awesome to see. :)
Have an amazing day, my friend. :)
You are so right about Bali, it has everything- ocean, jungle, mountains, sun... it's a slice of paradise ;)
Haha well for the monkey, I'm not sure if you saw my excerpt on them being little thieves but he took them from a tourist and it was actually quite a challenge getting them back - it took 5 fruit bags from the guards before he would give up the glasses LOL
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you add Bali to your bucket list and come visit me when you do :)
@heart-to-heart it truly does look like it. I have many plans to travel after my basketball career is over. Bali is definitely on my bucket list for obvious reasons. Some of them you can see in your post. :)
hehe 5 fruit bags are a lot of fruits. That monkey knows how to bargain no doubt. lol Intelligent little suckers... lol
If I do visit expect a message from me for sure. It is definitely easier when you have somebody to show you around. :)
Have an amazing day. :)
Well of course play your heart out before you go gallivanting ;)
I'll be here and would be happy to show you around! I'm still exploring myself, there is always something amazing to be seen here, it's a never ending paradise :)
I'll stick you in with the monkeys and see if they take you in, if not, I guess I can let you stay here with me =D Have a great weekend!
hahaha
"I'll stick you in with the monkeys and see if they take you in, if not, I guess I can let you stay here with me =D" lol
Still laughing at this. lol
That place sure does sound like paradise. Have an amazing day as well, my amazing friend. :)
<3 ;)
๐ต Welcome to the jungle, welcome to the jungle ๐ต
A thousand year old temple. On a spectacular cliff/peninsula. With theft prone monkeys? Sounds pretty likely to be cool to me!
What a stunning view of another slice of life. Thank you for it.
This was on my must do list since I got here! I only just made it around to show my poppa before he took off! It's gorgeous down at the cliffs- have tonsssss and tons of footage but it takes me so many hours in a day trying to organize it all haha I have to stop doing things for a bit so I can catch up ;)
The monkeys are where I live too and they do try to tag along with me when I pass by! =D
Wow. I love the views. So gorgeous and love your GIF with the beautiful views.
The monkeys are so cute.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful country with us.
Awww thank you! That view is such a show-stopper! I wanted to stand there forever but it was quite a popular photo spot as I am sure you can imagine ;)
These monkeys live in the town I live in too so I'm lucky enough to see them a couple of times a week, they're really fun to watch! I'll try to get some more photos of them doing monkey business =D
You are most welcome, I figure I am fortunate to be living here, I have to share what I get to see as a trade ;) <3 Have a great day!
Yes, I once saw a documentary about these thief monkeys, LOL! Location is beautiful though.
Haha they are quite feisty! I saw them steal a lot of people's things! I had to keep mine safe under my dress! It can be hard to get what they take back lol
You look absolutely stunning. Nice outfit too. You smile so good, my val. Your title made me remember the statement, made by our government about monkey and money. Hahaha. Let me just keep quiet.
Haha yes, the monkeys like our valuables it seems ;) Better keep them safe when petting the little guys! =D
Hahahahaha or better still, greet them from afar.
Fun mangkey hehehe
=D