In Reply to: Hey Addy..... posted by Balifever on Sunday, 18. July 2004 at 16:17 Bali Time:
Well, I did want to use Elvys, who had picked me up from the airport, as he was a really nice fellow with a good sense of humour, but when I rang to organise this 5 hour trip, he was busy with other tourists. So he sent one of his "brothers" Ketut No 2 - yes, he also sent Ketut No 1 for my day trip which I had previously organised with him via email from Perth! But that's another story!
I paid 120,000rp for the 5 hours, and because there were 4 of us, it only cost us 30,000rp each. We gave the driver a 20,000rp tip (total) as well.
I actually went to Geneva twice, first time by taxi. That driver was able to find the street addresses quickly and without assistance, but Ketut No 2 had real problems, and it ended up with us 4 ladies peering from the windows on either side of the van, desperately "searching for alibrandi" - no, that's wrong, not the brandy, but the gin - eva! He He! We sure felt like one when we finally found each shop.
If you team up with another person or two,it's probably more cost effective to share a van and driver, but otherwise the taxi plus waiting time isn't too bad for just one person. I think that cost me about 45,000rp for a 2-3 hour trip.
You need to do it this way, so you don't have to carry the bags from one location to the other.
Another tip, is to get your driver to turn on the airconditioning a few minutes before you are ready to leave, but that's only possible if there's more than one of you! I also bought my drivers an aqua or soft drink whilst they waited, and I think they appreciated the gesture.
Also, just down the road from Geneva is Bali Asean Haven, which has stone statues etc. I didn't check it out this time, but will do so another trip. You may want to include it on yours though.
Happy shopping, I wish I was coming with you! Have to wait another 12 months now.