Son and I had not booked drivers before we left, but had taken note of the suggestions from people on the site. We found that we had to ring around sometimes as the drivers were booked out or were not in a service area, but that was fine. However, one suggestion I have is that if you use a mobile to call a driver's number, don't have your number displayed. We found that we were bugged a little by drivers we had not reached ringing us back and then trying to get us to book for another day. Not a huge problem, but we did get a bit sick of trying to get off the line without being rude and a couple rang back more than once and late at night. I know that it is their living and important to them, but it was a bit of a pain.
We used two drivers, as we had some trips organised with Freestyle.
"Magnum"- was recommended by our travel agent. I had done a search on BTF and there had been mixed reviews. I had booked him the night before, when I had started getting sick but was hoping it would go away. By the morning I was very feverish, but didn't want to cancel- thought that would be slack and figured I could give it a go.... were heading over to Nusa etc. for Mitch to do water sports (which he loved, paragluiding, jet ski) then up the coast. When Magnum arrived he could tell I was not well- he told me not to move and went across the road and bought some FOUL smelling medicine and a bottle of water and told me to mix it and drink it- would be better in no time. I was feeling awful, quite off the planet really- goodness knows what it was- would not normally take something unknown!! Anyway, off we headed until after 15mins i realised i had forgotten the camera. Back we went- I was now really not well- floating somewhere out of my body- but sure it was the fever, not the "medicine." Magnum speaks good english, is chatty and worked well to include a 16 yr old. We called into a school/orphanage for kids who have disabilities- Magnum was a help there although the kids were fine, loved to see us, made us very welcome etc. However, i did not spend as long as I would have liked as I was not doing well walking around.When we got to the water sports and negotiated the price, I found even though I had a "fat" wallet, I had nowhere near enough money- had forgotten to change any that morning.I was so embarrased- remembered reading how rude it was to bargain and then not take the agreed price, was still in first timer first days culture shock etc and crook as..... Magnum was very kind.... "no worries- I pay- its OK...." So down to the beach- I kept nearly fainting with the heat and the sick, but Mitch happy, although very worried about me. I took 2 photos and the film ran out!!!! There were anumber of other mishaps with our time there, but wont go into that. Went over to Turtle Island, which I found not the best- they were really rushing people through....
Anyway, after 4 hours of trip I had had enough- I really was unwell by now and it was all too much- I know now it was as much first timer/ unsure nerves as well as not being well but at the time I was really not coping (oer was it the "medicine?)
To cut this shorter..... Magnum took us back, I apologised heaps as we had booked him for all day.... "no worries, no good if you are sick..." When we got back i repaid the water sports and then aked how much for the 5hrs- he said 70,000!!! No matter what I said he would take no more- gave me change. He kept saying" you could have cancelled, lots people would" and "you have bad time in Bali you not come back, you wait for a better day" etc. I burst into tears!!! He would not take money for the water or mdicen either. I ran and got him some books and chocolates etc. SOOOO.... he was very kind and nice. However, he really fancies himself with the girls and I found some of his manner on the beach and with my son not appropriate. He would be fun with a group of young guys (well some) and I would not suggest him for a group of girls or any one else who would not appreciate his tooting at girls and making comments to them.... but he was very kind as I tried to indicate.
LEROY- (0361)298414 leroykp@yahoo.com.... once we found Leroy, that was it- what a nice man. (as SO many on BTF have said.) He took us to out of the way places- he understood we are from a rural area and found the country side and the culture much more to our liking. I have taken up too much time already, but i can not recommend him enough- very kind, took us to his home, met his family, saw lots of ceremony preparations in other homes etc- too much to cover, but he has become a friend we spent lots of time with him and enjoyed every minute. he really gave us lots of advice, too and really helped us feel more settled. (sorry its long)