Monkey Forest, Ubud (Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary) is a small rain forest dwelt by some group of monkeys and other tropical animals. It is strategically located in the hearth of Ubud Village, precisely located in the region of Padang Tegal Village, Ubud Sub district and Gianyar Regency, at coordinates 8° 30′ 50″ S, 115° 15′ 50″ E. Monkey Forests in Balinese language called Wanara Wana (wanara=monkey, wana=forest) have been known by the people in the island and Ubud Monkey Forest itself own very important function of the continuity the monkey habitat in Bali. Meanwhile the local community own important role to keep this forest naturally in order to all wild animals able to live smoothly.
Places of Interest
Kintamani and Batur Mountain
Kintamani is located in the southern part of Batur Tengah Village of Kintamani District, about 20 kms from the town of Bangli or 63 kms(2.30 hours drive) from Denpasar, the capital of Bali Province. All roads are generally in good condition to access to this place. The fog will descend and blanket entire area of Kintamani with cold temperature in particular at late afternoon until the whole of night. The most amazing panorama at Kintamani can be seen in the morning time, when the sunrise emerges on the surface of earth precisely on the Batur Mountain.
Barong Dance
Barong Dance, The legend Dance in Bali.
There are so many dances in Bali such as; Pendet Dance, Oleg Tamulilingan Dance, Legong Dance, Barong Dance, Kecak Dance, Mask Dance and many more (I’ll write about all these Balinese dances on other occasions). Balinese Dances are classified according to their function of three types: Wali Dance (religious sacred dances), Bebali dance, (accompaniment dance of the ceremony), (3) Balih-balihan Dance (dances that performed as entertainment). In this occasion I will write about Barong Dance, which classified as entertainment dance. Barong Dance is one of Balinese dance which is a apart of pre-Hindu culture, the word “Barong” comes from the word Bahruang which means bears, is a mythology animal that has supernatural powers, regarded as a protector. Barong Dance is the most popular performance for foreigner and local tourists. This dance represents an eternal fight between good and evil spirit, Barong represents a good spirit and Rangda represents an evil. So don’t leave Bali before watching Barong Dance.