Sacred Monkey Forest and Beyond : Ubud’s Essence in One Tour
Hi everyone! Welcome back to my blog. Today, I want to tell you something about a very special place. It is called Ubud. Ubud is in the center of Bali, Indonesia. It is a town full of many beautiful things. Especially Sacred Monkey Forest. The air feels different there. It is green and peaceful. I went on a tour that showed me the best of Ubud Tour. It was a one day adventure. I want to share my day with you. It felt like seeing the true soul of Bali.
Our First Stop: The Sacred Monkey Forest
Our day started early. We went to the Sacred Monkey Forest. Its real name is Mandala Suci Wenara Wana. That is a big name! But everyone calls it the Monkey Forest.
This is not a normal zoo. It is an ancient forest right in the middle of the town. It is known as a holy place. The moment you step inside, you would feel it. Lots of tall trees reach for the sky. The sun shines through the leaves. It makes pretty patterns on the ground. You hear the sound of water from a stream.
And then, you see them. The monkeys!
They are everywhere. Do you know they are called long tailed macaques. They are very funny to watch. Some are playing. Also some are sleeping. Some are eating. The baby monkeys are the cutest. They cling to their mothers.
But remember, they are wild animals. Our guide from Bali Touristic gave us great advice. He told us to be calm and quiet. He said not to look the monkeys directly in the eyes. They might think you are challenging them. He also said to put away our things. No loose sunglasses, hats, or food packets. The monkeys are very smart and very quick!
I saw one monkey take a water bottle from a bag. The monkey opened the bottle and took a drink. It was really funny.
Inside the forest, there are also old temples. The monkeys being guard these temples. I felt like having a scene from a movie. The mix of nature, animals, and spirituality is powerful. This is a place you must see.
Next: A Taste of Bali
After the Monkey Forest, we were hungry. Our Ubud tour took us to a local restaurant. We tried “Nasi Campur.” This is a plate of white rice with many small side dishes. You get a small taste of everything. There was grilled chicken, spicy vegetables, and fried tofu. Can’t believe, it was so delicious! The flavors were new and exciting for me.
Walking Through the Green: Tegalalang Rice Terrace
Next, we drove to the Tegalalang Rice Terrace. Oh my, the views! It is like a green staircase stand at the hills. The rice fields are stunning. They are so green and lovely to see.
We walked down into the fields. The path is narrow and a bit slippery. We crossed small bridges that made of bamboo. Also we saw farmers working in the fields. They had to wear big hats to protect them from the sun. It is hard work.
We stopped at a small hut for a fresh coconut drink. Sipping coconut water while looking at the green valley was perfect. It was so peaceful. I felt very calm and happy.
Feeling Creative: An Art Village
Ubud is famous for its art. Our guide asked us what we liked. Some people like painting. Some like wood carving. We chose to visit a wood carving village. It was incredible.
The artists there are so skilled. They take a simple piece of wood. Then, they carve beautiful shapes into it. They make statues of gods, animals, and flowers. We watched one man work. His hands moved so fast. He was creating a beautiful bird from a block of wood. It was magic.
The Final Stop: A Holy Water Temple
Our last stop was Tirta Empul. This is a water temple. It is one of the most important temples in Bali. People go there to pray and to purify themselves.
There is a natural spring inside the temple. The water flows into two large pools. People line up to get into the water. They wear special clothes. They then move from spout to spout. Under each spout, they say a prayer. They let the holy water wash over their heads and bodies. It is a ritual for cleansing the mind, body, and soul.
We did not get into the water. But we watched. It was a very quiet and respectful moment. You could feel the devotion of the people. It was a beautiful way to end our day.
Why a Ubud Tour is a Great Idea
You can visit these places by yourself. But a tour is much better. We used Bali Touristic. They made everything easy.
We did not have to worry about a car or directions. Our driver knew all the best routes. He avoided the traffic. Our guide was wonderful. He told us stories about each place. He explained the customs and culture. We learned so much more than if we were alone.
He also knew the best photo spots! He took pictures of us that we will treasure forever.
This one day Ubud tour showed us the real Ubud. We saw nature with the monkeys and rice fields. Moreover, we felt spirituality in the forest and the water temple. Furthermore, we experienced the local food and art.
It was a perfect mix. It was a day we will never forget. If you go to Bali, you must visit Ubud. And I highly recommend taking a Ubud tour to see it all.
Read More : Bali Tour: Wild Canyoning at Gitgit & Sambangan
We had an amazing experience with Bali Touristic. They were friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. If you want a stress free and enriching day, you should contact them.
Don’t just take my word for it. You can check out our reviews and many others on Tripadvisor! Just search for “Bali Touristic” to see what other travelers are saying.
Ubud Tour is a magical experience. It will touch your heart. I hope you get to see it one day.
Thank you for reading! Until next time, happy travels! (YL)
