Local Guides

Markit

Use the same guy your brother did...

nowhere

Hi All, I am coming to Bali with the other half for a week. We normally go to Thailand and have used the expat forum there for great advice. Figure the Bali one would be the same. My brother was in Bali about a year ago and hired a local he met outside his hotel to show him and his family around for the next few days. He said that he was glad he took the chance on the local, as his family had a great experience and got to see a lot more than otherwise. He went on to say that what he paid, he considered reasonable. I have seen enough of the world to know not all locals are well meaning to ignorant tourists. Could any of you members give an ignorant tourist some on the ground local advice? I know there will be commercial businesses offering this service but they always seem a bit clinical. The local man trying to make a few extra dollars for his family, the proud local who personally shows you those different experiences has always worked better for me.

davita

Hi nowhere and welcome to the forum. Bali is like any other resort in Asia...there are touts everywhere, some genuine and some just plain crooks...no different to Phuket, Pattaya etc. I think your brother just got lucky. If his guy is contactable, like Markit said, go for him. On the other hand most tourists just do their own prior research like tourself and, when arriving at the airport or hotel, pick up the many brochures available there to ponder over. There is plenty to see and do in Bali as it is bigger, and more diverse, than most other holiday resorts...and what your family requires will be different than others. Therefore, as you only have a week, it is best to identify those your family will be interested and post here....then we 'locals' may be able to help in a more practical way. First off is that Bali has a number of areas where tourists book accommodation and they are diverse...i.e. Sanur area is used more for adults and seniors and young couples. The single crowd like to be in Kuta as that is the centre of night-life. Nusa Dua is 5 star but kinda isolated. Legian and Seminyak are more for upscale tourists who shop and then there is the backpacker crowd who come mainly for surfing and look for cheap accommodation and rent motor-bikes with a contraption to hold their boards. Adventurous go outside this mainstream in the south and live in Ubud for it's 'apparent' mystic and spiritual-ness that they saw in 'Eat, Pray, Love'. Divers usually rush to the Padang Bay area as that is the jump-off for that recreation. The further away the more local environment can be seen but accommodation becomes less 'starred'. As you can see....you should identify your principal interest as 1 week is insufficient to explore all...I've lived here 5 years, and visited for many more, and still scratching at what is out there.

nowhere

Markit wroteUse the same guy your brother did...

You'd think he kept his number. Sadly, no.

nowhere

davita wrote1. You are a man after my heart...that's what I do and no better than to sit in one of the 'warungs' on the beach in Legian and watch the passers-by and girls in bikinis; the young kids playing footsie in the sand without shoes and ..........

The 'warung' sounds like my type of place. Showed your link to the Mrs. I was told that particular temple is already on the list of 20 she has. It seems she has herself sorted, and it's only me needing advice. Thanks again.

ronb

I know this guy and he would be good value https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g297695-d3631369-Reviews-Ask_Wayan_Bali_Drivers-Gianyar_Bali.html

nowhere

ronb wroteI know this guy and he would be good value......

Thanks ronb. Couldn't ask for more of a perfect review then this bloke gets.

Markit

Finding a Good Driver 101 1) Ask if he has his own car; yes - good, means he does it professionally 2) Can he speak English/German/Swahili/add your language; many are multilingual 3) Does he actually know the island? Little test; ask him how long to get to Amlapura (most don't even know it's in east Bali by Candi Dasa) and his answer should depend upon time of day (early/late 1.5 from Sanur) 4) Can he actually drive - take test drive 5) Get one that is near your main base - not good having to wait 2 hours when you are in Ubud for him to come from Nusa Dua 6) Tell him you want the "best" advice, not the advice that earns him the most - there is a big difference; Driver takes guest to Tenganan II with 5 shops and 2 weavers but all pay him big commisssion instead of Tenganan I which is the real Tenganan. 7) Make sure he understands you go where YOU want to go not where he does - see (6) don't put up with "Oh that's closed today" or "Not good there" usually means his choice pays more commission - food/drink/cloths/jewelry/pretty much everything. 8) Discuss price BEFORE you go! Agree that it means about 6 or 7 hours tour with an added 50k/hour for over run 9) When you stop for lunch/dinner/food don't bother inviting him for lunch as he will get free from resto anyway for bringing you there. 10) If you don't like something he's doing - tell him to stop, right now. 11) If he has to wait all day for you to do a temple/sit on a beach/ whatever do not worry about him - that is his job and he's probably a lazy fecker like the rest of us. Now go and conquer the island but watch out for the man eaters in Sanur.

nowhere

Markit wroteFinding a Good Driver 101 1) Ask if he has his own car; yes - good, means he does it professionally 2) Can he speak English/German/Swahili/add your language; many are multilingual 3) Does he actually know the island? Little test; ask him how long to get to Amlapura (most don't even know it's in east Bali by Candi Dasa) and his answer should depend upon time of day (early/late 1.5 from Sanur) 4) Can he actually drive - take test drive 5) Get one that is near your main base - not good having to wait 2 hours when you are in Ubud for him to come from Nusa Dua 6) Tell him you want the "best" advice, not the advice that earns him the most - there is a big difference; Driver takes guest to Tenganan II with 5 shops and 2 weavers but all pay him big commisssion instead of Tenganan I which is the real Tenganan. 7) Make sure he understands you go where YOU want to go not where he does - see (6) don't put up with "Oh that's closed today" or "Not good there" usually means his choice pays more commission - food/drink/cloths/jewelry/pretty much everything. 8) Discuss price BEFORE you go! Agree that it means about 6 or 7 hours tour with an added 50k/hour for over run 9) When you stop for lunch/dinner/food don't bother inviting him for lunch as he will get free from resto anyway for bringing you there. 10) If you don't like something he's doing - tell him to stop, right now. 11) If he has to wait all day for you to do a temple/sit on a beach/ whatever do not worry about him - that is his job and he's probably a lazy fecker like the rest of us. Now go and conquer the island but watch out for the man eaters in Sanur.

Thank you and Davita. Personally I'm happy to sit with good food and a cold beer and watch the world go by. The Mrs however is Buddhist so visiting temples is going to be the main activity other than beer. Don't expect to see all in one week, just the feel of the place. Thanks again.

davita

Thank you and Davita. 1.Personally I'm happy to sit with good food and a cold beer and watch the world go by. 2.The Mrs however is Buddhist so visiting temples is going to be the main activity other than beer. Don't expect to see all in one week, just the feel of the place. Thanks again.

1. You are a man after my heart...that's what I do and no better than to sit in one of the 'warungs' on the beach in Legian and watch the passers-by and girls in bikinis; the young kids playing footsie in the sand without shoes and the kite fliers. Beware of the touts but don't offend them. They will leave you alone if you just shake your head...some items are worth buying but bargain ferociously. Cheap beer and decent food available. 2. Your Buddhist wife will love to visit Garuda Wisnu Kencana cultural park...the statue isn't finished yet...I believe soon but much to see and do.... bali garuda wisnu kencana - AOL Image Search Results There are literally thousands of temples in Bali but 99% are Hindu. Borobudur, in Java, is the mecca for Buddhists and tourists and it's spectacular.