The Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtegal | Ubud, Bali

I have been meaning to post on Bali since I started this blog, so here you go.......In Ubud, there is a monkey forest that is also a sacred Balinese Hindu site.  Hinduism in Bali is a little different than Hinduism practiced in other parts because it combines Animism, Ancestor Worship, Buddhism, and Hinduism.  Animism is the belief that non humans, being animals and plants, have a spirit and/or soul.  And these spirits can help us humans or create havoc.

These long tailed Macaques can create a little havoc themselves.  Whatever you do, don't walk into the forest with a bunch of bananas.  One of us did just that and one of the monkeys came flying off a tree branch onto her shoulder and you have not heard a scream like that before.  Of course I was doubled over in hysterical laughter.  That same person fell off her bike in the middle of the rice paddies and landed in the water with the leeches.  Another great moment for me to observe.   Ah!  Good times!!!!!