Background:
My boyfriend, let's call him Braveheart (30), and myself (22) headed over to Bali for 10 nights on 23rd June. Fifth time for me and 2nd for Braveheart. 5 nights staying in a villa in Seminyak, 3 nights of a birthday surprise (for Braveheart) stay at the Conrad in Nusa Dua/Benoa, and 2 nights back in north Seminyak. I had to head home early as my grandfather became very sick, so Braveheart stayed on the last couple of nights by himself. Apologies in advance for the length! Day 3 follows.
Day 3:
9am pick-up by the Bali Quad driver- also called Ketut- he really made the 2 hour trip go quickly with interesting conversation. Headed up to their base about 20 mins out from Ubud for a day of canyon tubing and quad biking. Got to the base at half 11 and were told canyon tubing was first. I've previously done white water rafting a few times with Sobek. Bali Quad was fine but probably not quite as professional and smooth as Sobek. They are the only company doing canyon tubing however, which was something I'd been keen to try.
The scariest part of the day was the drive down the mountain to the river- unbelievable sheer drops at the side of the road in the old 4wd and very slippery gravelly tracks to get down there. Braveheart has a fear of heights so this was a test for him- as was the flying fox that came as a surprise during canyon tubing! The tour was great, plenty of tour guides and they were happy to take photos for you and keep your camera safe in a waterproof bag. It went for about 2 hours and I enjoyed it more than white water rafting because there were more drops and more time to just be by yourself and drift down enjoying the scenery.
Lunch was basic but tasty back at base then a test-run on our quads before heading out. There were 6 other people in buggies and myself and Braveheart on our own quad bikes. The tour was okay- make sure you take sunglasses- the dust is unbelievable. We did a loop through the paddies, a village, through some forest and down through a very muddy crossing. I think Braveheart enjoyed this more than me, the fumes and the dust got to me after a while and I didn't like that we couldn't always stop at will to take photos or take in the view as we'd get left behind. The day finished around 4pm and we headed back to Seminyak.
We chanced Ku De Ta for dinner without a booking and got lucky. Potato gnocchi with truffle, goats curd beetroot salad, pork loin, and barramundi with scallops. Vanilla & passion foam martini- fave from last time and lived up to the memory, elderflower & cucumber Collins, lychee rose & Italian rose martinis. $160. All was perfect except the pork loin which was barely edible! Braveheart isn't picky at all but this meal put him off pork for the rest of the trip.