The residents of the Monkey Forest on the south end of Ubud are banana connoisseurs. Don't even think of wandering into the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and weaving amid its labyrinth of ancient temple ruins without bringing a stash of ripe bananas. And make sure they're fresh, damnit! These monkeys don't want your leftover hand-me-downs. After thinking I had successfully paid my fruity toll, I more than once watched the monkey who had just grabbed the tiny plantain from my hand sniff it, register his utter disgust with its lack of freshness, and toss it back at me. Oh well, better than feces I suppose. Later that afternoon, I witnessed a monkey mugging a middle aged woman for her purseload of bananas. We worked up a policesketch but it just looked like alot of the other monkeys.

Padangtegal, Ubud

© Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli