Private guide for Indonesia

[digitl]

We will be visiting Indonesia in February 2016 and would like to book private guides in each port. Recommendations for Tanjung Priok, Jakarta; Semarang, Java; Probolinggo, Java; Benoa (Denpassar), Bali; Lembar, Lombok and Surabaya would be welcome.

Edited October 27, 2015 by digitl

[Haddonqueen]

Hi, we are doing most of them ports sailing 12 December on Azamara quest, have a peep into the rollcall for names of companies we are using.

[Mellis2312]

we will go on the same cruise on the 17.of february, looking for a guide aswell

[cashmeremypuppydog]

Hello All,

We cruised Asia in Jan-Feb 2015 but did not cruise Indonesia. However, we did a post-cruise in Bali. We spend 7 days in Ubud and 10 days in Seminyak.

As it was our first time in that beautiful part of the world, Bali's way of life blew our socks off! The rice fields are a gift for the eyes. I just don't have the words to explain how wonderful our time in Bali was. We had asked our small Balinese hotel (only 6 rooms) to included transportation. Well, the person, Dewa, who picked us up was a blessing. He toured us around Ubud and area for 3 days (including rain forest, rice paddies, volcano, temples...).

 

Dewa became a dear friend to us. His passion for his country and his religion was addictive. Their community is really important for them and they are selfless people. Everyday, he would give us all he got; his passion for his work. So it was easy to become close friend. After 7 days, he drove us from Ubud to Seminyak (60 min). We thought, we would not see Dewa anymore. We were wrong! My DH became seriously ill and almost died! He spent 2 weeks at the international hospital. I emailed Dewa to let him know what was happening... Who did we see at the hospital? Dewa. He drove twice an hour away to visit DH. And he felt bad he could not come more often! We were blown away by his generosity and care.

 

Dewa's email is dgrock1140 at yahoo.com

 

Believe me, if you hire him, you will know you have been touched by someone really special.

The Canadians!:D

[Mellis2312]

We will be only 2 days, 1 night in Bali. If we like it so much than you, we will go back another year to visit it.

 

So which tour would you tell me we can go in 2 days?

Should we sleep in Ubud instead going back to the ship?

[cashmeremypuppydog]

We will be only 2 days, 1 night in Bali. If we like it so much than you, we will go back another year to visit it.

 

So which tour would you tell me we can go in 2 days?

Should we sleep in Ubud instead going back to the ship?

 

Hello there,

I am assuming you will be cruising on HAL Rotterdam and will be in Benoa on Feb 24-25. If it's the case, there is no need to sleep in Ubud as it is not that far from the port. You should disembark around 8am and you will be leaving Benoa the next day at 10 pm (this is great as you will not be scared to miss the ship...). After 8 hours of touring, you will be extremely tired and going back to the ship to unwind will be pleasant. The money you will save on a hotel room can be given instead to your driver if you feel he did an awesome job.

 

Dewa has toured people around for several years and he is extremely knowledgeable. I had research the area before arriving in Bali and knew a bit what I wanted to see. However, there is no need to research much as he will ask about you and will know what is right for you (can you walk down to see a temple, if not he will bring you to another one).

As you will have two full days, you will be able to see a lot.

1-) Terraces Fields (candies for the eyes)

2-) Different Temples: Gunung Kawi - Tirta Empul (Holy Water from the Earth) - Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) - Ulun Danu Beratan ...

3-) Downtown Ubud is great

4-) Monkey Forest in Ubud (extremely entertaining, we could have spent a few hours there)

5-) Coffee plantation (more to try different type of coffee, tea and hot chocolate). We tried the Luwak Coffee.

6-) Eat at a restaurant overlooking the mountain (sorry can not give you more info).

7-) Saw several HUGE bats (2 feet tall). The Australian friends we met in Bali were not as surprised as us Canadians as they see these type of bats all the time in their country.

8-) We did a rain forest trek by Tambligan Lake.

9-) Munduk waterfall (15 min steep walk down but well worth it)

10-) Pura Tanah Lot (not in Ubud area but west of Semyniak)

 

 

You will not have time for visiting small villages but in your future trip, you can visit a small store demonstrating wood carving, Batik store (showing the Batik Processing: wax-resist dyeing applied to whole cloth), a typical Balinese house (Dewa explained everything to us, extremely interesting) and a "Kekak & Fire Dance".

 

We were there during Nyepi (Day of Silence). It is a Hindu celebration mainly celebrated in Bali, Indonesia. It will be on March 9. Google it and ask Dewa about it. It is extremely interesting. The International airport even shut down for that day. NO ONE is allowed on the streets. I could not visit my husband at the hospital. All workers had to sleep at the work place... Can you imagine Barcelona International airport closed for one day????

 

I really hope you give Dewa a chance. He will treat you very well. Don't forget people (and Dewa) are paid about $7-8 USD/day. He uses his employer vehicle and he is paid by his employer. We now feel he is a member of our family. We have met a couple from Australia last year while cruising the Mediterranean. They will be using Dewa on Nov 2 (their cruise ship will be in Benoa from 8am to 5pm, not enough time!!!) I am really looking forward to hear from them and Dewa...

 

If you want more questions, please leave your email and I will reply directly to you.

 

Good luck and I really hope you fall in love with Bali as much as we did. However, the ocean is not the best. We visited Perth, Australia just before visiting Bali and LOVED the ocean in Perth.

 

Again, good luck and have a great cruise.

The Canadians!:D

[digitl]

Hi, we are doing most of them ports sailing 12 December on Azamara quest, have a peep into the rollcall for names of companies we are using.

 

Thanks, I'll have a look.

[digitl]

@ cashmeremypuppydog

 

Thanks for the recommendation: we have booked Dewa.

[cashmeremypuppydog]

@ cashmeremypuppydog

 

Thanks for the recommendation: we have booked Dewa.

 

You will not regret it. Please, let us all know how your day went...:D

[Lesx2]

For anyone stopping in Bali, we echo the recommendations for Dewa! Met us a the dock at 7 am holding a sign with our name on it and we held one with his name on it.

While the ship's tours only went to either the Elephant Park or the Monkey Sanctuary and Ubud, we were able to do both plus a visit to a Balinese home, batik factory, rice fields, and coffee plantation, wood carving factory and the Harley-Davidison Store, (all per our request) and all in one day. Dewa understood the importance of being back on time (early) to the ship. He speaks great English, had a clean, comfortable auto with AC, and is knowledgable about history, customs and life in Bali. He answered our emails promptly dgrock1140 at yahoo dot com or phone -8523849089. Bali is wonderful! Have a great time

[cashmeremypuppydog]

For anyone stopping in Bali, we echo the recommendations for Dewa! Met us a the dock at 7 am holding a sign with our name on it and we held one with his name on it.

While the ship's tours only went to either the Elephant Park or the Monkey Sanctuary and Ubud, we were able to do both plus a visit to a Balinese home, batik factory, rice fields, and coffee plantation, wood carving factory and the Harley-Davidison Store, (all per our request) and all in one day. Dewa understood the importance of being back on time (early) to the ship. He speaks great English, had a clean, comfortable auto with AC, and is knowledgable about history, customs and life in Bali. He answered our emails promptly dgrock1140 at yahoo dot com or phone -8523849089. Bali is wonderful! Have a great time

 

Lesx2,

We are so happy you had a great day in Bali. Thank you for sharing your opinion on Dewa. He is such a great man with a great aura. He really made our days in Bali much more meaningful. Wow, you really did a lot in one day! Wonderful.

The Canadians!:D

[John Bull]

I'll echo the remarks about Bali, and especially Ubud and its craft villages & monkey sanctuary.

We found the Balinese to be the friendliest and most artistic & religious people in S E Asia, perhaps in the whole world. That may not appear to be the case when you get off the ship, because of all the van & taxi drivers and street hawkers hustling for business. But once away from the port, you'll be enchanted.

We didn't book a guide, we negotiated a day's rate at the pier. Our trip was five years ago, so any prices I quote would be irrelevant - but it's ridiculously cheap.

 

No, no need to overnite at Ubud.

 

Item 6 on the Canadians' list is probably the volcano & lake at Kedisan, quite some distance further north but still part of a fairly easy day (make it the second day if it's a 10pm sailing). The restaurant there is attractive - but huge and crowded, used by tour buses. We turned-tail and our driver took us to a brilliant & relaxed restaurant with its terrace looking almost vertically down into a patchwork of paddyfields. Good buffet lunch for pennies. And we fed their pet fruit bats hanging upside down * outside the front door :cool: The proprietors provided sticks for the purpose - they're vegetarian, but voracious & clumsy eaters ** that can easily eat a finger or two. Can't remember the name or location, but a guide or driver will doubtless know "the restaurant with the fruit bats at the front door".

 

You are likely to visit a few temples. As well as village temples, every household has a temple. Wealthy folk with large houses have a separate temple in the yard, for the poorest it can be just be something the size of a dolls-house in a corner of a room.

Take a light shawl or some-such to cover bare arms or legs, and low-denomination USD for donations.

 

If your tour takes you near Sempura, visit the historic Hall of Justice.

 

----------------------------------------------

 

Semarang isn't the most interesting port on your itinerary. We rarely take ships' tours but if you want to go to Borobudur, the main attraction, you are strongly advised to take a ship's tour. It's a couple of hours away & ships' tour buses have a police escort to whisk them thro' the traffic.

We did our own thing locally in a van, and while heading back to the ship we were passed by a fleet of them, led by their police escort complete with blues & twos.

 

JB :)

* the bats were upside down, not us. :D

** The bats were clumsy eaters, not the proprietors. :D

[Mellis2312]

Anybody knows the name of the port in Komodo? Need to go out there with tenders.

 

We are doing a tour to the waterfalls not to see the dragos.

[digitl]

Thanks for the additional information: it will be helpful in our planning.

[Mellis2312]

John, what did you mean with Semarang?

 

Borobudur will be the best place to go?

With a guide and car, or taxi on our own?

Just seen it on google, looks fantastic

 

Still mixed up with all the other ports we go. Have got tours now for Bali, komdo and Lombok.

Edited November 16, 2015 by Mellis2312

[Mellis2312]

Is it better to take a sightseeing tour in Jakarta, or move arround with a taxi?

 

Taxidrivers speak english?

[cashmeremypuppydog]

I'll echo the remarks about Bali, and especially Ubud and its craft villages & monkey sanctuary...

 

Item 6 on the Canadians' list is probably the volcano & lake at Kedisan, quite some distance further north but still part of a fairly easy day (make it the second day if it's a 10pm sailing). The restaurant there is attractive - but huge and crowded, used by tour buses. We turned-tail and our driver took us to a brilliant & relaxed restaurant with its terrace looking almost vertically down into a patchwork of paddyfields. Good buffet lunch for pennies. And we fed their pet fruit bats hanging upside down outside the front door :cool: The proprietors provided sticks for the purpose - they're vegetarian, but voracious & clumsy eaters that can easily eat a finger or two. Can't remember the name or location, but a guide or driver will doubtless know "the restaurant with the fruit bats at the front door...

 

Hello John Bull,

I wish I would know how to attach a photo with my post as Dewa took us to the same restaurant you experienced as he did not want us to be with too many tourist... Good food, great view and cute bat hanging down the tree beside the front entrance. We never saw such huge bats like that! Later in our travelling in Bali, we saw more. The texture of their wings is so beautiful. I could have examine them for hours... Enjoy Bali everyone.

The Canadians!:D

[Ferry Beach Kayaker]

John, what did you mean with Semarang?

 

Borobudur will be the best place to go?

With a guide and car, or taxi on our own?

Just seen it on google, looks fantastic

 

Still mixed up with all the other ports we go. Have got tours now for Bali, komdo and Lombok.

 

We went to Borobudar last year from Semerang and the visit to this Buddist master piece was amazing. We did a private bus tour with other people from the ship and had a police escort to get us there and back in time. The traffic on the island of Java is horrible and Borobudar is up in the mountains. We were first off the ship in the morning and got back a little more than an hour before sailing. The trip was worth it.

[frodo1]

We have a one day port call in mid March. We been to Bali many times and have no particular wish to visit anywhere and DEFINITELY don't want to go to Kuta! We also don't want to shop or visit the 'cultural experiences' again!

 

We would like to go to a private beach or luxury resort which is relatively close to the ship, spend the day by the pool, have lunch and a few drinks and then get back on the Ship.

 

Any suggestions?

[Kristal Blade]

There is a hotel about 30 mins away. Melia Hotel. You pay admittance to get down to the beach, it was 3000 for 5 of us, very cheap. There is a private beach bar on the left as you look to the sea then the big hotel along the board walk to your right. We had a paddle then rinsed our feet in the hotel beach shower then headed off to Ulu Watu temple which was our main destination.

The beach was lovely, but so hot. We were there in November last year.

Im sure any taxi driver could take you there. Enjoy.

[Mellis2312]

Just back from Indonesia, had a great time and very good guides.

 

Bali guide- Kardi speaks perfect spanish aswell, great guide, we had a good laugh with him.

http://www.baliexcursiones.com

nicokardi@yahoo.es

 

 

Yogikarta, Semarang, Lombok, and all around there, he organise a lot of places. Stayed with him for 5 days going all over, very good speaking english guide

Frans. Here is mail dejongasia@gmail.com

[digitl]

Just to feed back on our Bali experience... Dewa was beyond excellent!

 

He took us around Bali for two very full days and showed us more than we could reasonably have expected. His English is good and his ability to pass on details of so many aspects of local life was a highlight.

 

Dewa was flexible and listened with care to all that we said and changed our itinerary to take it into account.

 

It was a delight to see his family waving at the roadside as we were returning to our ship late on our first day. Late because the ship's captain messed up on tenders to the port after we arrived at low tide. In the circumstances Dewa emailed us to say he knew what was happening and he would be waiting!

 

It must be fairly obvious that we would unhesitatingly recommend Dewa (dgrock1140 at yahoo dotcom).

[cashmeremypuppydog]

Hello Digitl,

We are so glad you took the time to update this post. I knew you would love Dewa and his professionalism. Actually, he is like a fun teacher... We learned so much of Bali and Hinduism because of him. If we would not have met Dewa, our trip to Bali would not have been the same...

 

Just so people understand how special he is, we are now helping his daughter Ayu, going to international school to learn English twice a week. His son is too young yet but we hope he will want to learn like his sister and he will help him as well. We believe Dewa made us become better people through our time together and we want to help his family.

 

To everyone who will email him, we know you will not be disappointed.

 

Bye,

The Canadians!:D

 

Just to feed back on our Bali experience... Dewa was beyond excellent!

 

He took us around Bali for two very full days and showed us more than we could reasonably have expected. His English is good and his ability to pass on details of so many aspects of local life was a highlight.

 

Dewa was flexible and listened with care to all that we said and changed our itinerary to take it into account.

 

It was a delight to see his family waving at the roadside as we were returning to our ship late on our first day. Late because the ship's captain messed up on tenders to the port after we arrived at low tide. In the circumstances Dewa emailed us to say he knew what was happening and he would be waiting!

 

It must be fairly obvious that we would unhesitatingly recommend Dewa (dgrock1140 at yahoo dotcom).