A visit to the Uluwatu Temple in Bali, a popular attraction that stands majestically on a cliff, turned into a real test for a group of tourists. The problems started when a pack of monkeys jumped out of the jungle, and the guide screamed: “The horde is coming, all tourists hide their phones!” the Daily Star reported.
Journalist and tourist Jack Mortimer described his experience on the island of the gods. He said that the situation escalated immediately after the tour group left the bus and headed to the temple. “We were attacked by at least a hundred macaques, who rushed down the path, intimidating everyone around,” he recalled of the encounter with wild animals. According to him, the guide was desperately trying to warn tourists about the need to hide valuables. The traveler himself held his camera tightly with both hands as he moved towards the temple. At the same time, on the way, he managed to notice “a lot of accidentally thrown flip-flops and glasses.” Despite the lively obstacle course, Uluwatu Temple remains a must-see attraction in Bali, thanks to its unique combination of spirituality, history and stunning views of the surrounding forests and ocean.
Meanwhile, the problems with macaques are not limited to the Uluwatu Temple. For example, in the Indian district of Kollam, a local resident said that they are afraid to open windows or go outside because of the aggressive behavior of monkeys. “Monkeys entered our homes and wreaked havoc. For the past six months, we have kept our houses closed during the day. If they couldn’t get inside, they destroyed our water pipes, reservoirs, and land. We have been putting up with this for eight months now, but the authorities have not taken any action,” he complained.
The problem is exacerbated by the fact that primates are used to receiving food from people in temples and become aggressive when there is not enough. While the authorities are developing plans to install cages and move the monkeys to safer places, the situation remains difficult. This is worth considering when visiting Balinese attractions.
Reference: Uluwatu is a Balinese Hindu Marine Temple (Pura Segara) located in Uluwatu (South Kuta, Badung). The temple is considered one of the temples of the Kahyangan Garden (“Six Shrines of the World”) and is dedicated to Sang Hyang Vidhi Vasa in his manifestation of Rudra. The temple is built on the edge of a 70-meter cliff jutting out into the sea. The temple is inhabited by macaques, who are famous for stealing visitors’ belongings. They can usually be persuaded to give up stolen goods in exchange for fruit, although this only encourages them to steal more.