Fell victim to the old trick of being chatted up by a driver on the streets (in this case, Bruce and the girls at Geneva Homewares while I went through the checkout) and booking the driver, only to have him send his friend/brother/cousin the next day. But it was definitely our gain!
We met Made and used him for the rest of our holiday. He was lovely and had great English. He is 22 and has been a driver for a few years. He drives an airconditioned van.
His story is fascinating - he is currently in France! This family in France who has known his family for many years has sponsored him to go there for a month or so. They did the same for his father once too. Made has never been in a plane before. He was very nervous. It was fun watching him buy a carry-on bag with wheels at Makro.
He hails from Singaraja where his village is, but he lives in Seminyak. (Said he knows Gloria at Lovina too as I think he said he had taken people there to drop off stuff). Knowing he would be gone from his family for so long we bargained on the more generous side and paid him 200,000 for a half day and 300,000 for full day.
He became a friend to our girls and went out with them a couple of nights and took eldest one surfing with his mates. I think being away from Bali will be hard for him spiritually, but what an adventure. He was pleased that he returns on August 10, just in time for Galungan!
He is a really lovely young man with a gentle nature and sense of humour. He was gracious about all the questions I asked about culture and language, and Bruce's questions about the election and the candidates, and was by far the driver we have felt the most comfortable with in all our visits to Bali.
He offered to take us to the airport, but we chose to pay him as well. Imagine our surprise when he produced a camera and asked if he could have a photo of him with our family.
He said he checks his email almost daily so if you wanted to book him (he will be in his village for Galungan, though) you could make contact that way. Please tell him that Carol and Bruce and Anna and Holly send their best wishes. Here are his details:
Made Wira Sanjaya
madebagus2002@yahoo.com
Cellphone - 081 3387 63718
You could also contact him through the office of his 'boss' - the guy who owns the van. Jalan Abimanyu Seminyak (0361) 732948