In Banjar, we often had some rather unusual visitors – a group of monkeys. They would typically drop by for a short while, check out the surroundings, hop around the area, and then quickly be on their way. However, on our penultimate day at the villa, we decided to keep them around for a bit longer by offering them some treats. We started with a mango, which was peeled and eaten down to the stone in the blink of an eye.

Photo: A monkey eating a mango

The monkeys, seemingly surprised by such a warm welcome, began inching closer to the door, peeking through the glass with curiosity and a hint of caution.

Photo: A monkey looking at us right outside the door

After another round of treats – this time avocado – the monkeys confidently approached the door, practically tapping on the glass as if to ask, “Do you have any more fruit?” 😊

Photo: A monkey right in front of our door

Next up was a coconut. We didn’t expect such small monkeys to handle a green coconut so easily, given how thick and tough the shell is. Holding the coconut in their mouths, they were even able to leap along the wall with it. After making a bigger hole, one monkey used its hand to scoop out the coconut flesh from inside the shell.

Photo: A monkey eating part of a coconut

We didn’t dare venture outside for a face-to-face encounter with the monkeys. The feeding session ended when one of them started to open the large compost bin, pulled out a bag of fruit peelings, and scampered up the hill, tearing the contents apart as it went.

There are many places in Bali where you can encounter monkeys, but most of them have become so commercialised that the animals no longer behave naturally. There are also roadside spots where, for a fee, you can pet a monkey that’s been “trained” by locals to stay calm and pose for photos. We, however, weren’t tempted by either. Our encounter with the monkeys at the villa in Banjar was more than enough for us.