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Published: November 11th 2011
26th to 28th October
To Ubud with Mr Egg We had an entertaining time checking in for our flight in Maumere. This time we had no dramas at all, we had booked seats, we got boarding passes and we actually got to board the plane and made it to our destination. The check in process was simply chaotic, staff and customers were behind the check in counter putting labels on bags, and big packs of dive equipment. We just took it all in and enjoyed the mayhem.
We had pre-arranged for a driver to meet us at Denpassar on our return from Maumere. Our driver, Mr Egg, took us to Ubud (via the Bali Zoo) and helped us find our accommodation.
Why Anne? & Pondok Frog We had a room booked at the Pondok Frog Bungalows, run by Nyoman and his wife Wayan. Nyoman describes himself as a “rubbish artist” because he produces art from recycled materials. Check out his website …
Nyoman the Rubbish Artist They have an art and craft shop on Monkey Forest Road in Ubud, selling a variety of items (clothing, art, bags, Christmas decorations, shoes, you name it they probably sell it, plus
a lot of smiles which were free).
As of June they have been offering budget accommodation in two bungalows they have built in the garden at the rear of their shop. The bungalows are really clean and comfortable. In the garden there is also a share kitchen and laundry. Nyoman and his family live in part of the shop. Their baby sitter lives out the back, so you are staying with a family, rather than an impersonal hotel. Whilst there was no aircon the fan and window made it comfortable enough for us.
Nyoman was in Java for an exhibition when we first arrived, so we were greeted by his lovely wife, Wayan. She is such a bubbly person, her smile was infectious. She is the unknown identical twin sister of a friend of ours back home so we felt oddly at home right away. Their two children are also very, very cute. We also got to meet Wayan’s mother and father – we really felt at home.
Marde, the babysitter also doubled as the breakfast cook and excelled herself with our eggs, fruit and wonderful Balinese coffee. We had a great few days with this friendly
family.
I have a habit of doing word associations in my mind to remember words in other languages or peoples names, my association for how to pronounce Wayan’s name was simply to ask myself a quick question “Why Anne?” and I had it! Yes my mind works in mysterious ways.
We found out that the Balinese have traditional names for the 1st, 2nd 3rd 4th born children and then start again. The first born (male or female) is called either Putu, Wayan or Nengah. Second born will be called Made or Kadek, third born Nyoman, Ika or Kamang, fourth born Ketut. If you are fifth born you go back to number one again.
While in Ubud we saw a traditional Balinese dance show. It was inexpensive and very entertaining. The dance told a story which comes from the Hindu scriptures.
A day tour with Mr. Egg After we farewelled Nyoman and family, Indonesia’s safest tourist driver, Mr Egg, took us on an interesting day trip around the area. We visited among other things, an art co-op, silversmith showrooms, two temples, a volcano, a coffee and agri tourism farm (Tegal Harum Agro Wisata) and some lovely
Bali Zoo
if I was stuck in that cage I would be looking that sad alsorice field vistas. The girls at the coffee farm not only sold great coffee but they also repaired Lorenza's glasses. We had a very pleasant time tasting coffee and chatting with them and their family. Luwak Coffee is smooth tasting, but you cannot bring it back to Australia.
Mr Egg speaks very good English and was able to give us a lot of background information on Hindu beliefs (the majority of Balinese folks are Hindu). He also gave us a lot of insight into daily life for a family man in Bali trying to do his best to make a living for his children. He is a very pleasant and easy guy to get along with, we really enjoyed his company.
Mr Egg found us a nice hotel with an extended checkout time so we could keep the room until the last minute before we had to depart. It had all we wanted for the night – a pool, a bar and aircon.
We lashed out on our last evening and had dinner in a nice restaurant on the beach front at Seminyak. It had been a very eventful few weeks; we were glad to be going
home but at the same time wished we could have spent more time with Yensi and her lovely family on the island of Flores.
Oh, if you need a driver in Bali please give Mang Taluh (Mr. Egg) a call on 081 338 722 295 or +(62)81 338 722 295.
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GRACIELA
non-member comment
Help...
can you tell me how much you paid for the tour with the driver? I am planning my trip to Indonesia and this information is useful. gracetandil@yahoo.com.ar Thank you. Graciela from Argentina.