プライベートショアエクスカーション：ウブドのアートビレッジと聖なる猿の森

<p>Where to start.......Our guide Wayan was 11/2 hrs late! He didnt have a good enough grasp of English and certainly didnt have a good enough grasp of Bali history. He was too keen to take us to shopping outlets rather than places wed asked for. He hadnt planned any refreshment stops.<br/> He has great potential, but needs support and training to make that happen.</p>

<p>Wayan was a young, enthusiastic guide and driver who was eager to show us around. We enjoyed stopping at the batik, woodcarving, and artists' workshops but the silver shop was a bit of a bust because they had no power. The Batuan temple was interesting and Wayan was particularly knowledgeable here. He then took us to a great restaurant for lunch. The highlight of the day was the Monkey Forest. It met all expectations.</p>

<p>One of the worst tour ever. First there was the 3 day horror of trying to get a confirmation of our requested pick up time. I asked the question through Viator and sent several follow up emails when I got no response. I was told to call the local number, but I was in the middle of the ocean. We reached port and I had local call the number provided for the tour operator. They either got no answer or spoke to someone who had no record of our tour. It was a nightmare to sort out and has made me seriously question the Viator services. We did finally get a confirmation, 14 hours before the scheduled start time. That is not service in any country or language. The guide/driver was on time and did speak English, but did not understand the questions we asked, nor offer any commentary on the areas we were driving through. We hired a GUIDE, we got a driver. Absolutely, thoroughly disappointing.</p>

<p>Our driver Putu was on time and waiting for us at the Port of Benoa. He greeted us with a big smile. Once in our comfortable Toyota and on our way. Putu asked us what we were excited to see. He suggested two temples - but we had visited them the day before so he suggested other points of interest and we left ourselves and the day into his hands. </p> <p>Our first destination was the Sacred Monkey Forest. Putu dropped us off and he said he would meet us inside after parking the car. We paid the 100,000 Indonesian Rupiah 8 US. There were monkeys everywhere. The little babies hanging onto their mothers were so cute. The forest was just that. A beautiful, dense tropical forest with bridges, a river. Our next stop was the rice terraces. Another beautiful scenic place with lush greenery.</p> <p>Our next stop was a coffee factory. We were given a tour and a guide explained the entire process of Lauwa coffee. Putu had arraigned for us to have a taste test of 9 different coffees and teas that were free of charge. I ordered a cup of the Lauwa coffee and we also had some banana fritters 8 US. We purchased some teas before leaving for our last stop a Bali house. Putu showed us the different rooms, inner courtyard, family temple area. Once again, Putu our Bali Ambassador that is what we called him received an A.</p> <p>With the help of Putu we had a wonderful time and saw exactly what we wanted to see. He was friendly, helpful and informative of Bali and what it had to offer a tourist. We made it back to the port in time to have a massage in the terminal area.</p> <p>We HIGHLY recommend this tour and wish that we could give it 10 stars. By the way we found this tour listed as NEW to Viator. </p> <p>Mike and Robin</p>