Just a quick report for those that are umming and arring about whether to add this to the list of things to do.
Having moved to quite near the temple and eating dinner across the road at least twice a week it was decided as we have the whole family here this month that we would finally succumb and give it a go.
Although we would not have to fight the traffic (we sometimes cannot cross the road at the time the Uluwatu traffic goes past our main road), we are still not people big on crowds so a little hesitant.
Parked the car at friends house and walked up the hill, hubby paid for all of us, I think it was only 3000 each, he inquired about the Kecak Dance and mumbled under his breath something and informed us all we were not going to that. Turned out is was 70,000 per person and hubby doesn't open his pockets that far.
We had all left glasses, earrings, necklaces etc in the car, put on our sarongs, walked past the very large prominent sign that said to remove all said articles that we had already removed and headed down the path.
Now, I was expecting a temple, so walking and walking we approached the scene of the ocean, quite beautiful but where is the temple. Walking along many paths past the many monkeys, still no temple, up the path winding around and locked gates with signs saying only priests may enter.
Quite disappointed with this we decided to keep walking to get some sunset shots. Walked past monkey pulling earring out of Asian girls ear and eating it, walked past an old English couple both looking in shock that 1 monkey had stolen both their prescription glasses. Grabbed one very large stick straight out of one Asian mans hand as he was beating up a monkey and threatened to beat him up with same stick. (Monkey had just tugged on his sunglasses that were in his hand, but Asian man decided this was a good opportunity to let out many years of aggression by beating up a living creature). Hubby removed stick from me and apologised to very shocked Asian man who could not work out how small blonde lady managed to turn the stick on him. Took scarf from another monkey and gave back to shocked European tourist who could not believe monkey had taken said scarf. Basically walked around for about 1 hour wondering how so many people could be so shocked that monkeys were stealing anything removable (did they need to make that sign out the front any bigger?).
Then as leaving hubby managed to end up with 2 monkeys on his shoulders, the monkeys decided that hubby needed grooming and proceeded to look for any creatures in his hair, ears, down his shirt. Hubby decided they were harmless so proceed to walk off with 2 monkeys still grooming him and trying to pull the tag off his shirt. Finally after hubby decided enough was enough he calmly walked up to a wall and bent over for them to step onto, they stepped off and proceed to groom each other. Hubby turned around to his now quite large audience who applauded and hubby bowed said thank you and put his hand out and asked for tips (he's been here too long).
We walked back up the path, out of the 'temple' and went and had dinner.
Would I make the effort to go there if I didn't live close? Maybe not.
If you do go may I suggest doing what we did and eat dinner in the area, you can go across the road or just take a left and there are some great places to eat, just wait out the traffic leaving after sunset.
Would I go to see the Kecack dance? Probably not, the reason being is that I accidentally walked in the auditorium where it is held and it was so manufactured, it looked too contrived to me but I have more opportunities to see authentic dances so as a tourists that is up to the individual.