Day 5 part 2, after heading back to the villa we deciding to go and watch the sunset fire dance in uluwatu. This is where the naughty monkeys are that will steal anything not attached to you. We go with Sar Brett and matt. It's only a ten minute ride which is great as everything else has been half an hour or more!
When we arrive the driver warns to remove jewellery sunnies and hats. It's all a bit scary really. We pay 3000rp each for entry and after no thought at all an extra 60000 for a guide. He assures us that the monkeys won't annoy us when we are with him and shows us his sling shot! The monkeys are in the trees waiting to pounce, on the ground and on people getting off them what they can. We walk about 500 meters along a cobblestone path alongside monkey temple. The sunset over uluwatu cliffs is magical. There are hundreds of people lining the path getting the best view. The dance costs us about 35 dollars to watch but it's well worth it. We are seated on the ground alongside the stadium seating. About a foot Infront of us there are 3 circles of Bali men in sarongs and headdress all circling a fire lit statue. They are chanting a prayer, the start of the story they are going to tell by dance. They all have 1 sound to make but when the 50 or so make their 1 sound it comes together like magic. The story is based around two young lovers that are forbidden to see one another so their family separate them. The man employs evil monkeys to find his love and the good monkeys try and stop them. They are in beautiful costume and it ends with a stack of grass being lit on fire and the monkeys kicking it everywhere. As this happens a small breeze picks up and we are all hit with burning grass, those of us on the floor. The guys shield us as best they can. The sweetest thing was as the bad monkeys entered Monique was petrified and one guy kept trying to warn us when he was coming back in and would shoo him off if ge came in our direction. After it was done he put on a monkey mask to try and show her not to be afraid and got a picture with her. He was so young but very sweet!
After it ended our driver came down to collect us and protect us on the hike back up, bless him. This kecung dance was my favorite thong so far.