"The president only visited the Ubud market and has not come to the Monkey Forest Sanctuary as initially planned," the resort`s manager, I Wayan Slamet, said citing information that the head of state had canceled his visit to the sanctuary which is home to around 600 monkeys.
Wayan said he had previously received word that the President would visit the sanctuary after breakfast at the Bebek Bengil restaurant in Padangtegal village but the visit was later canceled.
The Monkey Sanctuary, locally called Mandala Wisata Wenara Wana, is located at the end of the Monkey Forest Road.
True to its name, the sanctuary is home to three groups of long-tailed Balinese Macaques each comprising about 200 monkeys.
These forest denizens are always open to handouts of food from visitors, although it is safer to avoid feeding them, as they can become quite aggressive once they know you have food.
In addition to the monkeys, the forest is home to three temples built in the 14th century.
The largest is the Pura Dalem Agung, located at the highest point of the forest are.
A path through the trunk of a huge tree and across a small creek leads to the Holy Bathing Temple.
The third temple, the Pura Prajapati, is a cremation temple and located next to one of two graveyards in the monkey forest.
(Uu.O001/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
