Based in Dallas, Texas, David T. Ball has traveled extensively. For instance, he has spent some time in Bali. There, a world away from Dallas, David T. Ball visited a number of famous and unique sites, including the Ubud Monkey Forest.

Owned by the town of Padangtegal, the Ubud Monkey Forest is a special cultural site and a treasured sanctuary for monkeys and wildlife. Visitors have the opportunity to view the hundreds of Balinese long-tailed monkeys, or macaques, that make the forest their home. The monkeys live in seven groups, and each group has its own territory in the forest. Visitors might see babies and their mothers, juveniles, and other members of the monkeys’ society. Each group tends to stay in its own territory, although they might periodically cross into another group’s area.

In addition to viewing monkeys in their natural habitat, tourists can enjoy the lush natural setting of the sanctuary, where over a hundred species of trees grow. In Balinese spiritual tradition, many of these types of trees are sacred, and some types are used in ceremonies or for constructing shrines. In fact, the Balinese people consider Ubud Monkey Forest a spiritual location, in addition to being a place of conservation and historical significance.

The forest has three temples, located in the southwest, the northwest, the northeast. These temples, which were likely built in the 14th century, are an important part of Balinese culture and Hindu religion. The nearby community uses these temples for religious ceremonies and events.