Monkeying around in Bali

Indonesia's Bali has something to offer the eco-tourist and the cultural buff, with old temples, museums, and lush rice fields.

The small island, which lies in the south of the archipelago, has a rich and diverse population of wildlife to observe, such as the simians of Monkey Forest Sangeh.

Holidaymakers should make their way over to Sangeh, a village whose northern part covers 14 hectares of a forest of Pala trees – the only place on the island where these trees can be found.

It is in here where avid ape-watchers will come across the sight of hundreds of monkeys living in harmony, swinging from the Pala trees and monkeying around the mossy temple that is hidden in the undergrowth.

Tourists in the area are warned to watch out for their belongings however – while the monkeys are tame and friendly, they could also teach the Artful Dodger a thing or too about pick-pocketing.

A cooler reception awaits adventurers who make their way up to Bedugul, in the central highlands of Bali. Up in this spectacular and mountainous region, there is an exotic and rarefied range of orchids and vegetation proudly being displayed by Mother Nature.

While it is not advised to pick the local ecosystem's delicacies, there is a vibrant market at Bukit Mungsu where you can find some eye-catching natural treasures for your garden or as gifts.

There is much to be enjoyed at the nearby botanical gardens, or you can catch a swift round in exotic surroundings at the Bali Handara Kosaido 18-hole golf course at Pancasari.

Kertha Gosa's pavilions are culturally worth a visit thanks to their eye-opening religious imagery.

Based near Klungkung, around 40 kilometres north-east of Denpasar, the pavilions include striking ceilings, chock-full of religious drawings.

Painted in the traditional Wayang style, they depict hellish punishments for evil-doers, while the higher up the ceiling one looks, the heavenly rewards of those who have lived good lives are displayed.

For more information on the Bali Handara Kosaido Golf Club, visit www.balihandarakosaido.com XXX