In Reply to: JBR - Same, Same But Different posted by FabHaz on Wednesday, 21. May 2008 at 16:18 Bali Time:
Have done the Bintang trip (amazing lunch) but found the roads a little dangerous. Did the Bali Adventure Tour Bike trip (was too short and the driver was rude, and we weren't given any water on the trip, the guide was lovely and I think he was a little upset with the company as well, as our driver disappeared and we were left waiting for him on the side of the road).
Have now done the C.Bali tour and this tops them all, the owners are a Dutch and Australian couple and they live in a village where they do community work (you can even get involved) you can do a 1 night tour, they'll pick you up, it includes accommodation (fairly basic, has hot water but found out you can upgrade for only $5) all meals and water, tea coffee etc. you get top quality mountain bikes, (for the ride you need to be of medium fitness), they take you through their village where you get to see the back Gangs (small lanes behind the homes) that I didn't even know existed and see how a traditional Balinese house is designed and the family temples, you go to a fruit plantation etc, you get the same thing with the kids saying hello on the way etc, but it's more as these kids all know the couple from having movie nights with them etc so they'll come up and chat, you soak in the Hot Springs after your ride and then have dinner (you'll go to sleep after that, believe me), then in the morning you wake up and they'll have inflatable canoes ready for you to go out on the lake, it's magical. Then you have breakfast (you can have it before if you want), then they'll take you back to Kuta or wherever you are staying. It only costs US$60 and thats for everything, there are no hidden costs. If you do a 2 night tour you get to be involved in one of their community projects as well. I'll do that on my next trip. They are really big on environmental issues so they do things like get you to refill your water bottle from their water dispenser etc and you can use the bikes if you want to explore yourself. Go to their website www.c-bali.com. They also give you great tips on traveling in Bali, ask them anything while you with them, their advise is free and they really care not only about the Balinese but about their tourists enjoying Bali as much as they do.