In Reply to: What drivers do while you eat posted by Micronesian Steve on Sunday, 13. March 2005 at 19:23 Bali Time:
We always offer, but understand if the driver declines. Three things have occurred to me now that we have been to Bali five times and had a variety of drivers. Firstly, some of the restaurant staff can be pretty cool towards any driver eating with the group..this we have noticed. Secondly, perhaps they feel uncomfortable eating a meal that the cost of would feed a family for a couple of days. Thirdly...we eat with cutlery and think nothing of picking up food with left hand if left-handed...and we chatter all the way through a meal. The Balinese way is to use hands to eat, but not the left hand, and they generally eat in silence, appreciating the food...and often find a quiet place to eat away from rush and bustle..so imagine what our chattery mealtime gatherings must seem like to them!
I always bring a bottle of water or fizzy back for the driver after we have been exploring/eating/shopping...and they always accept it but do not neccessarily always open it then and there, which is fine by me as it is the gesture that counts. A good driver (to us) is one that feels like we have met up with an old friend you catch up with after a time apart! We like to ask questions...my husband about the local and recent politics, and me about the language and culture, so a driver that understands our interest, and is happy to share, is a bonus.
On our last trip we had the best driver we have ever had. He was young and the van was fairly ordinary, but it was his personality that made the difference for us.
Made is a really lovely young man of 23 and has been a driver for a few years now. He drives an airconditioned van that will seat five.
He became a friend to our girls (who are 22 and 24 and enjoy the nightclub scene) and went out with them a couple of nights - just as friends - he is no 'kuta cowboy'.Made has a gentle nature and a sense of humour.
Most drivers charge about 150,000 for a half day and 300,000 for full day. We tended to pay him 180,000-200,000 or so for a half day as taking our half-day job often meant he could not get more work later that day.
If you do hire him, 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 (He clears his email regularly).
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