Bali Tour Guide

Here is a short video that I made for the trip I took with French speaking clients. I don't speak French. Not one word. But it's not a problem. Sometimes I work for local travel agent in Bali who have French clients. But this time they also assigned one of their staff, a French girl, named Orianne to go tour with me. She translated what I explained to the clients. I think she also added some of her own stories. I think that's great.

Here is my my adventure as local guide in Bali with a friend of mine who acted as trip leader, Emanuel. Emanuel is from Java (or Jawa as he likes to pronounce it). He had been with the travelers (who appeared in this video) in Java. And when in Bali, I took over his job in guiding them for Bali portion. In this video, you will find snapshots of some activities the travelers do in Bali. Some days were quite busy with many activities including dolphin watching in Lovina, or learning Balinese dancing. Some days were more loose with free and easy activities like walking around Ubud market and doing cooking lesson.  Well, for me cooking is not my strong point. Watch the video to get some inspiration for your next trip in Bali.

In the past, people can only enjoy the view of rice terraces at Ceking village. Nowadays, beside the view, people can walk on the rice field paths leading to the hill top. If you decide to walk, here is what you can do. From the main street where you get down from your car, there is a way to get down to the field.  There are many ways to get down to the path, one of them, is through a restaurant named Rice Terrace Cafe. Pass the restaurant, you will get path going down. Don't expect well constructed pavement here, just soil path. It can get muddy and slippery when wet. It is okay on the dry season. Once you get to the bottom, you will see a bridge that will lead you to the main hill where you can start walking up to the top of the hill. It takes about 20 minutes more or less to reach the top. You can rest any time if you are tired. And there is a lady who sells coconut somewhere on the path. You can rest there and buy young coconut to drink, So, there it is. Start ...

I was in the monkey forest in Ubud with my clients from Denmark. They enjoyed their stay there. Besides the monkeys, they enjoyed the walk around the forests. There are about six hundred monkeys who will entertain you once you get in the forest. It is not a forest like you may think a forest where it is hard to walk around. Since there are many visitors coming to this forest, the local government has made path around the forest. These are the "polite monkeys", they don't snatch your glasses, earring, hair clip, or your credit card. They have enough to eat so that they don't have to take your belongings and force you to buy food to exhange with stolen items. They don't have that kind of mentality. Local provide them with sweet potato to feed them for several times a day. Of course, they will not refuse banana. Monkey and banana are just not to be separated. Close your eyes and say monkey to yourself, and your brain will think banana. Please don't...

This is a video I make during my visit to Lovina beach, just outside a restaurant and hotel named Aditya. The beach was calm, and the wave was not that big. Not so many people when I came. It's lunch time, and was quite hot day. Lovina beach is not like the beach in Kuta or Nusa Dua. It has black sand. And being in the north, it is not as popular like Kuta beach. From south Bali, you need to spend 2 to 3 hours to go here. But on the way, there are many beautiful places to visit along Bedugul and Gitgit. So, when you have time you can go tour to Lovina or just spend overnight at hotels around Lovina.

This is my favorite holiday as a kid years ago, (feel like yesterday, though). I feel that everybody goes to the temples on this day. Well, of course that's not true, some may stay home because of certain reason. Back to me as a kid, it was my happy moment. This was the time I got new clothes from my parents  and some money that I can spend the way I like it. I think every Balinese kid will be happier at the Galungan day because they can wear their best clothes. Maybe it is not always new, but you know what I mean. But the atmosphere is different than the normal day. There is peacefulness in the air. A sense of holiness and celebration. This is a day that nobody should go to work or goes to school. Everybody should go home and meet their parents or families and exchange news. At home in the village, I imagine the conversation will start with " he, kenken kabare, tumben ngenah? " (hei how are you? long time no see? )  " Dije jani megae, Yan ? ( Where do you ...

Here are some photos I have taken during working as tour guide in Bali. I took these photos in several locations including Tegalalang village, Pupuan Village, Belimbing village and also the popular Jatiluwih village. If you have the chance to visit Bali, I recommend you to visit some of those villages, or all if you can, to enjoy breathtaking views.