“ Our 6-Day Bali Visit with Sila (July 18th to 23rd) ”

Our family thoroughly enjoyed our 6-day visit with our driver, Sila. He comes highly recommended in Trip Advisor and he did not disappoint. We were based in Sanur and in our six days there, we visited the Bali Safari & Marine Park (which our kids loved), watched a Barong dance, drove up to Kintamani to get a view of the majestic Mount Batur (an active volcano), played on the beautiful Nusa Dua beach (great for kids), enjoyed a sunset dinner at Jimbaran beach, and visited the Ubud area and the famous Sacred Monkey Forest. While there, we also toured the temples, Pura Tirta Empul and Pura Luhr in Uluwantu. Based on Sila’s recommendation, we also visited a couple artist shops, a wood carving place where you get to see master carvers at work, and a coffee and spice plantation. If you are into shopping for artwork and wood carvings, Sila will be a great help as he will steer you away from the knock-offs and give you a general idea how much discounts you can bargain down.

There are a lot more places we wish we had time to visit, but Bali is a much bigger place than we realized, and we just couldn’t fit it in (especially with kids). Our kids’ favorites are definitely the Bali Safari & Marine Park and the Nusa Dua beach. For me, it was definitely the sunset dinner at Jimbaran beach and the Pura Luhr. For dinner at Jimbaran, make sure you get there by 5 pm to get the best spot/view and to not miss the sunset. Sitting on the beach watching the sunset and soaking in the view is something you simply need to experience for yourself.

Sila also know the better restaurants to go to in each area. Be sure to get his suggestions. The last thing I like to add is there are lots of peddlers everywhere. It is simply part of Bali and cannot be avoided. Just understand that they are very poor and they are just trying to make a living. Best thing to do is simply keep saying ‘No Thank You’ and walk away.

We had a great time and won’t hesitate to go back again (if the opportunity arises). Sila spoke great English, is a very skilled driver (almost too skillful), punctual, and best of all, very personable.

Sila's web site: http://funwithsila.blogspot.com/

Ben, Mary, and family

JBR - 29 June to 13 July 2010

Day 9 I had booked another Trip Advisor recommended driver, Sila. Sila picked me up at 9.00 am and we headed for the Tanah Lok Temple. The beauty of this temple and the surrounding ocean is amazing, it exceeded my expectations. We then headed for the spectacular rice terraces which are nothing short of exhilarating and I thoroughly recommend a visit as it will not disappoint. As we passed through villages along the way many of the villagers had their favoured world cup team’s flag flying proudly in the breeze, not something you would normally see and it too was a spectacular sight. Next we went to the Lake but it was raining so Sila suggested lunch first so we went to the Strawberry Stop which was a great idea as the rain had subsided by then and I got some great photos of the temple and the lake. Last stop on the way back to Sanur was another temple which was very picturesque too. What an amazing day out and another wonderful highlight of my trip. And, finally, what can I say about Sila other than he is exactly as described on this forum. He is great company, lots of fun and I recommend him highly too.

The rest of my stay was spent relaxing by the pool with a good book and visiting a day spa a couple of times (Mandurah in Sanur) for massages and treatments which I also recommend highly.

Overall,an unforgettable holiday and I now look forward to my next holiday in Bali, in the not too distant future. Thanks again for all the advice!

Happy to answer any questions.

Jane

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294226-i7220-k3781844-JBR_29_June_to_13_July_2010-Bali.html

Bali Five days Trip with Soon Huei & Friends

Thanks Guys,
Hope you enjoyed your 5 days with my service!
the weather was great, explore the beauty of Ayung river with river rafting, visit fantastic view of Uluwatu temple, sunset dinner in jimbaran, clean our spirit at the spring water temple, tasting Balinese coffee and spices, beautiful volcano view, woke up early morning to watch the dolphin at lovina beach, gorgeous view of Lake Beratan, tasting the real local food and spectacular view of Tanah Lot.
Wow!!! we almost visited the whole part of Bali.

See you next time again and I'll bring you to the other side of Bali.