personal driver/guide

[Coco]

Hello,

I am travelling to Bali with my mom and some of her friends for a week. Can anyone recommend a reliable personal driver with good English and can also cameo as a guide to the island? I'm thinking of hiring him/her for the entire week which means that he'll need to arrange a good itinerary for us plus recommending good places to eat, shop and do spa so that we can get to know the real Bali (not the normal toursit traps) and hopefully not have any direct commercial connection with any particular establishment where he gets commission from our visits. My other concern is that since most of my travel companions are elderlies over 70, this person should be patient and caring in order to cater to their needs such as not arranging any particular route that's too strenuous, helping us find clean toilets very often,etc.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Coco

[Roy]

Coco, I can highly recommend my own driver that I have used for years. His name is Agung Blado and his vehicle is a Kijang in good condition. His e-mail address is gungbl@hotmail.com. His phone number is (0361) 949489 and his hand phone number is 08123924648.

His English is excellent and he is a very careful driver. He lives in Gianyar and is very familiar with all areas of Bali.

Please understand that if you do any overnight touring using Agung, or any other driver, that you are expected to pay for his room wherever you stay. Virtually all hotels have small rooms set aside for drivers. In addition, you should pay for their meals. You can expect a driver's room to run from 100 to 200 thousand and meals another 50 thousand for the day. His fees for driving, gas and use of his Kijang as well as acting as your personal guide is something you have to work out with him.

If you would like to write to me directly with more information about your dates in Bali, and desired areas you would like to see, i.e. “the REAL Bali” I would be happy to call Agung and discuss specifics for you.