monkey fights and the uneven sidewalks of Ubud

OH MY GOD! got picked up this morning by my driver, Kadek and we drove to Ubud, about 45 minutes northeast of Kuta. and yes, I did see Ketut Liyer, but he'll get his very own post this evening!

went to Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana (the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary) where there will literally monkeys EVERYWHERE! I got really scared actually walking through and around them on the path, thinking they were going to attack me! I got video of this one older monkey who was pushing two stones back and forth together on the ground. he was really into it- trying top figure out how they fit together and would best move around. very smart monkey!witnessed a monkey fight, visiting the Pura Dalem Agung (the Temple of the Dead) where you can see the pics of the Gods devouring children! eewww and very creepy, as these statues literally surrounded you. and when visiting a temple, you have to follow some rules: no bare shoulders, need a sarong and a scarf/belt if you are a woman and you cannot by any means visit if it is your time of the month. bad stuff. so I donated and got dressed and set my fav self-timer for a glamourous pic. I bought some little bananas when I came out of the toilet to feed the monkeys and the woman took my pic for me. these monkeys were crazy! and seriously, they know if you have food. I kept the bunches in my purse and when they get a hold of your shorts, they do not let go unless you feed them. it was pretty awesome, I do have to say. but the monkeys at the entrances were very fat and deven when I peeled a banana for them, they refused. gluttonous monkeys.

got back in the car and went to get a palm reading from a well-known healer. see newest blog.

got back in the car and drove to the center of Ubud, at Jl. Raya Ubud and Jl. Suweta. at this corner, you can visit several temples and the Ubud Palace, where a family actually lives! they formal living rooms and dining area were just under tentlike wooden structures. no walls. they also hold a dance that I bought a ticket for, but in the end, Kadek took me to another Kecak Dance in Sanur. that was earlier, as I was very tired from walking up and down Jl. Monkey Forest like 3 times. and no, I don't need a taxi ride; can't you see I am walking up and down these uneven sidewalks. I was not wearing good shoes for this either. it's unfortuate I didn't take a pick of the sidewalk b/c it was crazy messed up! had lunch at the beautiful Cafe Wayan (2 cokes, 1 water, Wayan chicken curry w/rice) and bought some silk scarfs and a batik sarong for myself.

Kadek's english was better than I anticipated, from what Laila told me, so that was a welcome suprise. I saw the Kecak Dance and followed along with my english language theatre study guide that they give you to follow the storyline. pretty awesome. look it up online to get the gist. the sounds that these men were making were amazing! and yes, like other performers in the world, I saw them laugh out of character a few times when something funny happened. actors are all the same. I took lots of video, but my pics didn't come out well. try and post later.

want to save some money, so I don't think I am gonna travel to Yogyajarta to see more temples b/c actually, they are all starting to look the same. I am gonna to try and stay in Bali till Thursday night and work on my tan, then return for the weekend to Sari, who hopefully will be getting out of the hospital tomorrow. that's about it. gonna write about my future now...