28th April 2009

Our driver (Gusman) picked us up about half 10 this morning, his wife also came as she spoke better english, we got the impression that they were fairly well off as they both dressed very nicely! We had a fairly new car with A/C which is always good! Our first stop was at a batik Painting and Art Gallery, here we got to watch some Balinese guys painting some amazing pictures on canvas, the detail is amazing, the pics do no do justice at all! After we looked around the gallery at loads of different paintings. The most expensive painting was 500,000,000 rupiee which is about 33,000 gbp. After here we went to see wood crafting and the wood gallery, again we saw guys at work then looked round the gallery, there was some really impressive stuff, also some really random pieces and often rude! You always have someone walking right behind you in the hope you will purchase something, that is always an annoying thing both here and in Thailand, so much pressure to buy, even if you take a glance at something, they jump on you, which often puts you off.

Our third stop was in Tampaksiring, norh of Ubud to the rice paddies. Again the pictures will not show how impressive these paddies are. The rice fields are made up from numerous tiers down both sides of a vally approximately 80mtrs in depth. When we were there the rice had been growing for two and a half months and is harvested after four.

Stop number four was the coffee plantation, here we saw the process of coffee production. As you walk in you see all the different types of coffee, spices, fruit and coco being grown. We then sat at a table with Gusman (big respect) and his wife where we sampled coffee, coffee ginsing, hot coco, ginger tea. Amy loved the ginsing and i myself, who does not like hot drinks, sat there politely trying everything. We then paid 30,000rp to sample a small luxurious coffee called 'Pee Berry Coffee', the name comes from the fact the coffee beans are picked from animal droppings, AKA s***!

Stop six dropped us breifly at a scenic view of Gunung Agung, Bali's highest and most sacred mountain which is also a volcano, which last erupted in 1963 resulting in Bali's worst natural disaster. As soon as we got out of the car we were pounced on by street sellers, selling everything from braclets to large knives and bow and arrow set! After a few pics we got back in the car and drove up to a chinese buffet where our guide had arranged balcony seats for us, over looking the Volcano and other mountains. It really was unbelievable to have your dinner while looking at such a picturesque view. The food wasn't bad either.

The final stop required me to dress in a purple sarong and a silk pink wrap, which to be honest i made look very good! We were visiting the oldest temple in Bali, Pura Besakih. As normal we went inside and took the usual touristy pics, then we met the "Temple Keeper". An old man, about 70, no teeth and appeared from over the top of a high wall, which we later worked out was actually outside the temple. He started telling us about the temple but neither of us had a clue what he was banging on about so we nodded and smiled politely. At the end of his speech he asked for money, us thinking he really was the temple keeper we offered a donatin. We were unsure how much to give, i told Amy to give him 5,000rp (33p), Amy miss heard me and thought i said 500rp this being 3p!!! The pretend temple keeper got angry with Amy's insulting offer and told us where to go. We quickly left.

The day had definately been worth the money, we had a great driver his wife included, and saw some great sites. We then got dropped off in Sanur. To any one thinking about hiring a driver for the day i would definately recommend doing it on a day when you are moving areas, hassle free and a comfy air con car is better than an old stuffy bus.