Posted by Charlie on Friday, 9. October 1998 at 15:08 Bali Time:
In Reply to: DRIVERS/GUIDES posted by Rebe on Friday, 9. October 1998 at 09:03 Bali Time:
Hi,
I don't quite understand you request.
You want to book a guide but you want to travel by yourself. It sounds like what you really want to do is hire a car. Which you don't need to pre-arrange and are quite cheap.
If you plan to hire a car make sure you have an International Drivers Licence. Be awar that you will be stopped at various town entrances to pay a "Police Tax" or "Temple Donation". The usual fee is around 5,000 rp. You will also find scruffy looking parking attendents who will "find" you a parking spot and guide you back out for a small fee at all major tourist destinations like Temples, shopping areas etc etc.
But if it's a guide you want then I could definately recommend Wayan Purya at Bali Tourist Office in Ubud. Don't let his home base put you off because he would accommodate any request at any distance. He drives a BMW which tends to put the "police Tax" collectors off and his openning price of 200,000rp for a day is a bargain. If you speak to him say hello for me. His english is good and will take you to spots you never knew exsisted and explain backrounds to villages and answer you questions patiently. A true gentleman so if you are alone you will be safe.
Cheers and have a good time
Charlie