After our previous day out we booked the same driver to accept us to a duo of other places closer to Ubud afterwards that week. We decided to pass the morn at an elephant sanctuary called The Elephant Safari at Taro close to Ubud. In our guidebook this was described every bit a place where the elephants that had been used inwards Sumatra for logging had been retired to after the exercise of elephants for this purpose was stopped.
The journeying at that spot in ane lawsuit to a greater extent than reminded me of the vast divergence betwixt the landscape of Bali inwards comparing to Singapore. We passed through several villages as well as towns with chickens as well as dogs running upwardly as well as downwards the roads, modest side streets as well as locals selling all trend of things from roadside stalls as well as shops. Several stalls were selling petrol inwards vodka bottles but sadly I did non larn by to larn a photo. On the way nosotros made a brief halt at a house inwards Denpasar that prints batik patterned wearable as well as other items as well as sells these. It was interesting to sentry them at work and as well as thence to catch the finished items. Batik printing is a really mutual technique used inwards Republic of Indonesia every bit good every bit many other parts of Asia as well as batik patterned objects are readily available to buy.
As nosotros continued on our way I had my get-go sight of paddy fields every bit well. Having solely always seen these fields on TV I actually was excited to come across them for real, fields or whatever crops are non seen inwards Singapore as well as whilst plainly at that spot are no paddy fields inwards the Great Britain I immature lady that form of opened upwardly space. We passed several fields with cows inwards every bit well, in ane lawsuit to a greater extent than a rare sight for me these days. Truly wonderful scenery as well as I'd definitely like to come across to a greater extent than of the isle to come across to a greater extent than of it.
 |
| Views higher upwardly as well as below from our tiffin halt across the paddy fields |
When nosotros arrived at the sanctuary nosotros had already decided that we did non desire to become on an elelphant ride. We idea though that we would hold upwardly able to come across the elephants regardless. Unfortunately though it speedily became apparent that if y'all did non become on a ride it was either a illustration of beingness lucky that y'all arrived every bit the elephants were coming dorsum from ane ride inwards the jungle earlier heading off on another. Or else having to wait for them to supply inwards companionship to briefly come across them. There were unfortunately no elephants that y'all could only come across regardless of whether y'all wanted to become on the ride or not.
 |
| Monkeys at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary |
The sanctuary did receive got some other animals, a few monkeys as well as some birds but they were inwards enclosures that, inwards my opinion, were far likewise modest for them as well as with cipher inwards them to maintain them entertained as well as stimulated. Whilst the elephants all looked good cared for it was a shame at that spot was cipher at that spot for people who did non desire to or could non become on an actual elephant ride.
Other than this and the other few animals there was non much else to see at the sanctuary. As a outcome in ane lawsuit we'd seen the elephants (briefly) earlier they disappeared into the jungle to start some other ride as well as we'd wandered approximately nosotros were ready to leave. It was an expensive disappointment.
Thankfully the residual of our 24-hour interval was far to a greater extent than enjoyable. Ahead of our afternoon nosotros stopped at a eating seat nearly Ubud which sadly I did non accept banking enterprise complaint of the hollo (more fool me). The nutrient was good with a varied alternative of dishes, but the existent please were the views across the paddy fields. The dorsum of the restaurant literally opened right out on to the fields with barely anything separating us from them. It was clearly a pop halt for the drivers of the tourists every bit the eating seat was fairly busy but I tin sympathise why it would hold upwardly with views similar that.
Following our tiffin halt nosotros as well as thence went on to the Mandala Wisata Wenara Wana or Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. This was great! The wood houses a sacred Balinese Hindu temple, the Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal temple every bit good every bit a 'Holy Spring' bathing temple as well as a temple that is used for cremation ceremonies. The house is held sacred and there is a local belief that the monkeys at that spot are an intrinsic business office of the spiritual life of the temple. Clearly the villagers of Padangtegal are really proud of their temple as well as operate difficult to maintain it as well as ensure the monkeys are good looked after as well as respected.
Just similar on our trip to Uluwatu the monkeys were really inquisitive as well as cheeky as well as every bit earlier y'all could purchase fruit inwards companionship to feed them. Being thence bold as well as unafraid of humans agency y'all tin walk with them, notice them closely as well as relish their behaviours as well as characters at unopen hand. The house was busy with tourists but peaceful likewise especially approximately the temple complex. I would recommend a see to the temple if y'all expose yourself inwards the Ubud area.
It was a shame that our 24-hour interval began with a see that nosotros did non larn a cracking bargain from. Perhaps if nosotros had decided to do the elephant ride our sense would receive got been vastly dissimilar but nosotros were non keen to produce thence as well as had hoped to hold upwardly able to come across the elephants regardless. The monkeys at the temple though were wonderful as well as made a lovely halt to our day. As nosotros drove dorsum through Ubud the vast array of private shops caught my eye, definitely a house to supply to, I hope, some day.
