Monkey Business at Uluwatu

Yesterday, we journeyed to the southernmost tip of Bali to see the Bali Hindu Temple of Uluwatu which is perched high up on the cliffs, at the southwest end, of the Bukit Peninsula. Aside from being able to say we did the whole Bukit Peninsula in one afternoon, there were also three good reasons to check this particular place out which I will describe in more detail shortly.  First, let me recommend that you see this site in the late afternoon, that way you are less likely to get mugged and you will have an opportunity to see the show that happens as the sun sets into the Indian ocean.

Reason #1:

The Monkeys

I'm sure I've peaked your interest with the comment about getting mugged. When I heard about the capers that go on right outside this holy temple, I had to see it for myself. Don't worry, it is not humans that mug you, it's monkeys. The forest and the temple itself are full of Long-tailed Macaques and all you need to do is look at www.tripadvisor.com to read about all the kinds of capers these furry little criminals pull off on mostly unsuspecting tourists. Mrs. Gym and I were ready when we got there though, we wore running shoes and not the bright-colored flip flops that the monkey's prize and we went without hats and glasses. The camera was firmly tied to Mrs. Gym's wrist. Monkey-proofing yourself is a good idea but for us, it may have also been the time of day and the fact that it was a hot one that afternoon because we were unscathed after running the monkey gauntlet. Unfortunately, we did not even witness a crime. We did however get some some great shots!

raising a family of no-good criminals

hardened mugger

you've got to pick a pocket or two - forget about the leaves

scoping the prospects

a reason to forgo criminal activity

it's just too hot!

Reason #2:

The Temple

Most the monkeys were outside of the temple grounds and once we were clear of them, we donned our sarongs and did a circuit around the temple itself.  Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple was built in the 11th century and is one of the nine directional temples which were constructed to protect Bali from evil spirits. In this case, I guess the evil would be coming from the south. Only those that go to the temple to pray our allowed to enter the main courtyard but tourists like Mrs. Gym and I were able to almost completely circle the temple on walkways which were built along the edge of the cliffs. There were some awesome views from up there.

looking north

entrance to the temple courtyard

some white guy and Mrs. Gym

looking down

cool pagoda at the tip of the furthest point

night fishing boats coming out from the island to start a shift

Reason #3:

The Performance

We capped off the visit by purchasing two tickets for the open-air bali dance that happens every night at Uluwatu which is entitled, "Kecak Ramayana & Fire Dance". The show is performed on the cliff top facing directly west, so that the visiter can watch the sunset before the performance begins. As the sun is swallowed up by the Indian Ocean, the play starts. One of the things that sets this performance apart is that there is no music. The play is accompanied by 50 bare-chested Bali men who chant acappella while this Bali fairy tale is acted out by colorfully dressed Bali dancers. The star of the show happens to be a character name of  Hanomen, a white monkey with magical powers, that saves the day for Rama and his true love Sita, who has been abducted by some bad guys. One thing leads to another and the climax is reached when Hanomen kicks around a bunch of stuff that is burning and almost takes out a score of his choral group. But it all ends well with no apparent serious casualties and Rama is reunited with Sita. The performance concludes with all of the performers on stage including the smouldering back-up chanters. After the show we returned to Jimbaran Bay.

the sun setting into the Indian Ocean

the 50 bare-chested chanters

Sita

I think this is Rama

Hanoman finds Sita

   Fruit of the Day:

The Snake Fruit (Salak)

This fruit is about the size of an apple and sort of tastes like one too, except it is firmer and more tart. The flesh is white like an apple and inside the fruit is a surprisingly large seed (about the size of a cherry). What sets this apart though, is that the outer skin looks like the skin of a snake.

Hey, as we only have one more full day here, Mrs. Gym and I are going to the pool, to soak up some equatorial heat before we have to go back to that mess in Calgary. It rained last night, so it is stinking hot here today and we need to stock up on that heat, so that we can make it through the long winter. Sorry to say, there may only be one last instalment for this trip and it will be a wrap-up written from a series of airplanes and airports as we make our way home.

Cheers!