Tour guide-cum-driver
Before my Bali trip (end of Aug 2013), I sent out a few requests for tour guiding quotations as well as proposals for itinerary for my 9-day trip.
I believe fixing my itinerary was more challenging because I had not booked any accommodation when I sent out the requests, I just knew I wanted to stay at 3 or 4 different places around the island to save time from travelling to and fro as well as to spend more time at different towns. I listed down places that were of interest to me and requested the tour guides to recommend how I should plan my lodging.
Galung’s quotation came back as the cheapest and he was the only one who patiently answered to my various queries and guided me through my trip planning. So this is factor #1 why I am recommending Galung and crew.
With Galung, before Mt. Batur sunrise hike
Factor # 2, Galung speaks decent English and is a fun tour guide to be with. He is also someone who likes to engage logical thinking. He shared many funny stories and the following left the most impression on me (and I don’t know why, haha!)
Story # 1
Galung: *not in exact words* Many people denigrated me on internet by leaving all sorts of inaccurate and malevolent reviews in the forums. One was saying Galung and tour guide B are lousy; tour guide C is the best! If such accusation stands, that means he hired 3 tour guides during his trip to Bali!
*SG and I laughed aloud in the background*
Story # 2
Galung: *also not in exact words* It is my bête noire to see tour guides giving inaccurate information to visitors. There was once I overheard a visitor asking what Balinese gates signify. The tour guide replied, “The gates represent Mount Agung and Mount Abang!” How can that be true? The gates are always symmetrical whereas Mount Agung and Mount Abang do not have same heights!
Balinese gate. Mt Agung and Mt Abang? :p
Galung only accompanied us for first half of our trip. The second half was taken over by Plek. Although being very shy and having inferior English proficiency than Galung, Plek is very helpful and has great sense of photography! :p
Plek took this photo for me! I looked a lot slimmer than in (the cruel) reality!
Here come the contact details:-
info@balifundriver.com
+628123644549
Teja Homestay in Ubud
I stayed in Kuta, Lovina, Ubud and Sanur during my Bali trip. Teja Homestay of Ubud is my favourite lodging and has my stellar rating! I will let the photos do the convincing.
Balinese style, tranquil ambiance!
Cordial staff! 🙂
Cute companion, Chocky!
Cute guard! 🙂 Its co-workers (different species of birds) are as cute!
spacious, clean porch and room!
Delicious Balinese breakfast is served
Visit this page to make your booking!
Not to bike around Ubud
I visited Ubud during the peak August month. Not only there is no dedicated bicycle lane, the road width is narrow even for the vehicles (1 lane on each bound only), so it is really not bicycle-friendly!
It was really draining to bike around! We tried to bike to Goa Gajah around 4pm We gave up half way due to the traffic condition 😦
Not bicycle-friendly…
Nasi campur at Gula Bali, Ubud
Gula Bali offers the cheapest nasi campur we had during our trip in a restaurant setting and not warung! And it’s yummy!
Nasi campur @ Rp. 35,000
A restaurant with nice ambience
There’s performance of musical instruments too!
It’s the time of the month… Planning is needed maybe?
There were some places that I can’t/chose not to visit (was advised by Galung on religious/cultural grounds not to defy the rule for my own good) because….
At Bajrasandy Monument, Denpasar: Women having menstruation are not allowed to go up to the attic…
Similar rule is practiced at Goa Gajah, Ubud
Galung stated that the advice should be taken for all temples in Bali.
Spa
I only visited 2 spas and Sang Spa stands out (a lot better in fact) of the 2!
Sang Spa! In Ubud
In Bali, I like it when they put flowers on my ear!
At Sang Spa, you get to choose the type of scrub and mask you want!
Samples are there to help you make decision 🙂
Clean and bright setting!
Rose petals in spades!
Reminds me of the scenes in the movie “American Beauty”! 😉
View from the head rest hole.
This small gesture of making it more visually pleasant always makes an impression on me
To be continued… Stay tuned!
the hedonistic felis~domestica... 