A Tour Memory with Mikhail Semenov and Zenya from Rusia

On February 21 I handled a couple from Russia, Mr and Mrs Semenov from Russia on a one-day Kintamani tour.

I picked them up from their villa, Pat Mase Villas, Jimbaran at 8.30. The places we planned to visit as already listed were Toh Pati (batik center), Celuk (silver works center), Batuan village (11th century Batuan temple), Ubud (monkey forest and Antonio Blanco museum), Agro Tourism (coffee plantation and other tropical plants, and Kintamani (view of Mount and Lake Batur).

This was a private tour with only two passengers on the car. We used air conditioning Avanza, a small convenient car which is very ideal for a small group of passengers.

It was such a good morning when we started the tour. The sky looked so clear  and the weather in general was very good. We used two languages, English and Russian for our communication. They don't speak English so much, on the contrary I don't speak Russian well. But, everything went on smoothly since we tried to understand each other in spite of  the handicap in the language.

First, we visited Legong batik. It is one of the several Batik houses in Tohpati and Batubulan which provides exhibition of Batik making process as well as display of the batik works. Visitors can witness how some batik painters dance their fingers to draw special batik patterns on a piece of white cloth/ fabric. With their long experience in their work they can fluently draw special pattern without looking at a sample. This is such a unique skill.

We then continued our trip to Celuk. This is a place where you can see different kinds of exotic silver works. The gallery we visited was sari Dewi. This is one of the galleries with the most collection of artistic  silver and gold works. You will also see how Balinese silver smiths intricately create  a variety of silver work arts.

From Celuk we continued to Batuan. It is only 15 minute drive. After you signed up at the guest list and wore slash and sarong as a decent costume when entering holy places in Bali, you step up into the temple. Here you will be brought into a serene and contemplative atmosphere inside the 11th century temple. Beautiful ornaments and refined carving around the temple are the main interesting sightseeing at the temple. This is one of the most beautiful and visited temple in Bali.

The following tourist object was Mas. This is a village of wood carvings. Here you can see how Balinese skilled sculptors carve wood and change them into such an artistic and valuable art works.

A Tour memory with Daniel's family on Bedugul and Tanah Lot Tour

On Sunday 10, 2013 I handled Bedugul and Tanah Lot tour with Daniel's family from Singapore. Altogether they were 5 people consisting 4 adult and 1 child. This is Bedugul and Tanah Lot Tour. Based on the appointed time, I picked them up at White Rose hotel at 8.30. We were all on time. The objects we visited were Taman Ayun royal family temple, Ulun Danu Beratan temple, Pacung rice terrace while enjoying lunch time, Alas Kedaton monkey forest and temple, then Tanah lot with its amazing sunset time.At the end of the tour one of the tourists commented as saying, I must say this is such an interesting tour, especially the sunset at Tanah Lot. Here our tour goes.

First we left the hotel and went north to the first object, Taman Ayun. It took about one hour. On arrival we walked through the temple complex exploring every detail of the complex of this 17 century royal family temple. There were some visitors to this temple but not crowded. They enjoyed making pictures at this exotic temple. The ticket is IDR 15,000 per person. It took about half an hour for them to explore the temple complex.

We continued the tour to Bedugul  to discover the beautiful scenery of Ulun Danu temple and Beratan lake. The weather was very good. It was sunny but we felt very cool in the area of Bedugul. Beside enjoying the exotic panorama we could also enjoy the cool and fresh atmosphere that this highland offers. After paying the ticket which cost only IDR 30,000 we walked though the park to enjoy different kind of exotic tropical flowers while sometimes clicking the camera for an interesting object. Then we entered the temple which is located on the shore of the lake. On entering the temple we will instantly see an exotic picture reminiscing us of one of the Indonesian Bank note.  Yes, we have this picture on our money, 50,000 rupiahs. What such a nice view. They took  turn taking the pictures with the background of this exotic scenery. It took about one hour to explore this park, before we continued our trip.

From this object we went to Pacung for Lunch. Our choice was Lambaga Restaurant located on the right hand side of the Bedugul - Tanah Lot road. This restaurant offers delicious local cuisine while enjoying the panoramic view of Pacung rice terrace which has been widely well known. The location of the restaurant which overlooks the rice terrace view and perches above the  deep ravine is an additional value. Tourist will feel like they are  in the other planet.

The next object on the list was Alas Kedaton. Here you can enjoy playing with funny monkeys which sometimes jump on your shoulders. A woman clad in blue uniform will accompany you during the visit. They are employed by this park authority to help visitors enjoy their tour. Feel free to ask her to answer your curiosity. It is higly recommended that you never touch the monkeys in whatever circumstance  because though outwardly they look friendly they sitll  keep their beast character, wild. They will respond any touch as an annoyance. They took about half an hour to explore this park.

Finally we end out tour at Tanah Lot. With the ambition and curiosity to witness the exotic Tanah Lot sunset, they were willing to wait until 2 hours. We arrived at around 4 pm.  First, we walked down from  the drop off area, passed through the ticket check point, then down to the beach passing through long line of shops offering different kinds of Balinese souvenir products. It was at low tide so we could get closer to the temple complex. After making some photos, we continues to the western parts where we could see the whole view of the temple along with the splash of the waves. They took turn taking  to have the opportunity to take photos on the cliff with the background of the majestic temple. Finally, to get the best view for the sunset we moved to the east part of the complex where we could see the sunset along with the temple and its surrounding landscape while enjoying young fresh coconut. such a rare occasion. At about 18.30 the sunset was at its peak moment before it sank a few minutes later. that's the end of this memorable tour. a dozens of exotic pictures become the witness of this unforgettable moment on the island of paradise,

Good by Bali........thanks for this wonderful experience.