In Reply to: looking for a bike riding tour posted by davidkerr on Monday, 27. July 2009 at 20:01 Bali Time:
Bike Baik Tour.
Me aged between menopause & death
Son & Daughter in law late 30's
Grandsons 16,14 & 3
This was the highlight of my 2008 trip.. What value for money it was.
This day rates with the best I have ever spent in Bali
Wayan Sujana contacted the day before and confirmed our details and arrangements. I had contacted him by email and booked the trip moths before.
We were picked up at 7 from the hotel - the driver actually arrived at 6.50 'to just check you up' then he waited patiently at reception for the couple of stragglers .We then detoured to Sanur to pick up a lady and her 2 teenage sons 12 & 14. As luck would have it I got to sit next to Jill who hails from the USA but now lives in Delhi. They have lived in some interesting places as her husband works for World Health Organization. We were all amused when they commented how clean Kuta was and how refreshing it was holidaying in clean air. I guess when you compare anywhere to Delhi it would present as cleaner.
Just on the outskirts of town we were met by Wayan and it was nice to put a face to the many lines of words that we had exchanged over the months. I told Wayan that I had some exercise books and Filo teddies for his village and he insisted on taking us to the school to make the donation. I explained that I didn't want to interrupt, as I felt uncomfortable that we were dropping in unannounced. . Wayan advised that it was OK and took us to the teachers' staff room where we met the headmaster and some teachers - one of the teachers was Wayan's father who explained that Wayan has sponsored an English teacher for the school. I requested that we not interrupt the students as I was still feeling like an intruder although our visit was well received by the teachers.
We then drove to a restaurant that overlooks Mt Batur and Lake Batur. Had an uninterrupted view of both these geographic wonders. Breakfast was so nice a buffet of juice, rice, noodles, fried banana, scrambled eggs, toast, tea& coffee. The 4 teenage boys had plenty to eat but there was no chance the food was going to run out. Before we left the restaurant we were given a talk about the volcano and the lake. The three eruptions were in 1917, 1926 and more recently 1963. It is amazing to look at the blackened bare hillside and consider that it was 45 years ago that the volcano scorched that mountainside. But in typical Balinese waste nothing fashion the volcanic residue is trucked away to be recycled some for building. The Trunyan village on the lake was also discussed and the fact that these villagers don't cremate but lie their deceased in an area where fragrant Taru Menyan trees grow - hence no smell. The villagers also marry within the village and this custom has obviously created a few genetic nightmares but we were told that the custom is slowly changing to allow outsiders into their community.
We then drove to an area and visited a garden where many trees and their fruits were explained. We saw coffee roasted and sampled a few types of coffee and chocolate. I am not a coffee lover but I enjoyed the coffee and ginseng sample. It was a favourite for most of our group. We also had snake fruit, which I find tasty but too dry- it's like a combination of pineapple and apple. We tried my favourite rambutans and also passionfruit. I don't enjoy many fruits unless they are chilled especially rambutans. I was glad the boys tried the fruit as I had purchased a large quantity of rambutans the day before at the local markets and I was trying to get them to try the ugly looking 'hairy fruit'. I also advised them that they would not be in great supply back home at Nanas as they are usually $18 plus per kilo. I paid 4000 a kg at the morning markets. There was a small shop here selling teas coffees, perfumes and massage oils. Like most shops attached to tourist attractions they were a tad expensive so I resisted the temptation to purchase. I did buy a few packets of coffee & ginseng at the Candi Kuning markets for next to nothing compared to the asking price at the shop.
We then drove to a parking area and there were many bikes and helmets to choose from. There was one bike fitted with a child's seat for son & the 3yo. Before long we all seem satisfied with our choice of bikes and helmets so we set of as instructed in Indian file following the guide. I managed to wipe out 6 garbage cans before we left the car park. My excuse for this slight mishap was that I hung my heavy water bottle on the handlebars and it over balanced the bike. I then decided to ride at the rear of the group keeping their safety in mind. Flat and down hill - the ride was wonderful.
We passed through villages and were greeted with numerous 'halos' and 'ayos'. We stopped and had the various rice farming stages explained. We could stop at any time and take photos and often our wonderful guide would explain another aspect of Balinese life. We could have an ice cold drink at any time from the van that followed. I did take a large collection of lollies, balloons and small toys and I would ask permission from the adults to give them out. I'm sure many did not understand what I was asking. On some occasions there were no adults at the compound gate and the kids there saw the kids back up the road getting things so I just couldn't let them miss out. I later spoke to Wayan about this practice of giving out lollies etc and I suggested that perhaps it would be best to just give a bag of treats to someone in the compounds and let them distribute the goodies. Perhaps work out a system where it was given to an area and next time to the next area and continue to the end then start the system over again. I was concerned as a young 7 or 8 yo boy chased my bike and tried to grab the bag of balloons I had on the handle bar of the bike. I was not travelling slowly and this incident could have caused a nasty accident.
We stopped near a temple and were informed about ceremonies and family practices. We stopped and had a drink and a banana under the most amazing banyan tree. I am so disappointed that I didn't take a photo of this awesome specimen and I can understand why the trees are considered so sacred and special. I did experience something very calming and spiritual under the spread of its wings of shady canopy. Maybe that's why I didn't take a photo. I am going back to find that tree next visit yet I can't really explain why I must seek it out. I couldn't help thinking about the tree and after 21 kilometres of the journey completed I gave in and decided to park the old frame in the comfort of the air conditioned van and the younger frame (the bike) went onto the back of the truck. I was disappointed not to complete the last 10 minutes but I was also pleased with the distance I had achieved. All my muscular and cardiac problems of the past few years were put on notice that ' this old girl has still got a bit of fight left in her' - bring on the tread mill stress test now - I'll blitz it.
At the end of the ride the riders are given a cold towel and another drink - the bikes are quickly loaded onto the truck and everyone climbs into the van for the trip to Wayans family compound for lunch. The lunch was delicious and was prepared by Wayans beautiful wife and family. We enjoyed every dish and I especially enjoyed a soya bean dish that was red in colour and tasted wonderful. I would take the bike trip just for the lunch. I will write to Wayan and ask about this dish, as I must have it again.
So for 350000 rph we received hassle free transfers to and from the hotel, great breakfast & views, enjoyable and informative commentary from our guide and host, an easy down hill bike ride through villages and fields, a sumpious lunch and the opportunity to learn so much about Balinese families, farming and culture.
In closing I will confess that I did negotiate a cheaper price with Wayan for this great day out but at the end of the day we were so satisfied and pleased with this activity that I happily paid the 350000 as it was worth every rupiah. In the slogan of that famous company with the tic- 'Just Do It' this activity gets a 10 out of 10 from our family.
Wayan Sujana of Bike Baik Tours can be contacted.
Phone:0361 978052
081338673852 ( 8.45 am - 9.30pm)
email: bikebaik@yahoo.com
Post Script.
I noticed on the back of Wayans business card that he also conducts a sunset tour, sunrise volcano tour, white water rafting, paddy field walks and cooking classes. Now I'm keen on the cooking class and it will be on my next agenda, as I must learn how to make that soya bean dish. If anyone has done this course I would be interested in your comments.
As petrol has again increased I believe Wayan is asking a little more if people are being collected from their hotels. It is worth the extra to get picked up.