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The story of this travel trip is about 23-day Java Bali tour with French tourists. They consist of Alain, Eliane, Serge and Andree who come from France and are siblings. According to them, this visit is the first time to come to Indonesia. Therefore, I have to give the best service for them.
At first Alain contacted me via email to ask about private transportation and drivers in Java and Bali. With a happy feeling I immediately answered all the questions he conveyed and I directed Mr Alain to continue the conversation with WhatsApp. After several conversations through WhatsApp, he finally agreed with the price and program that had been agreed upon together. The 23-day Java Bali tour was the longest time I worked as a tour driver. Starting from Yogyakarta on November 7 until November 28 at Ngurah Rai Bali airport.
With full enthusiasm I started the first day of the java bali tour by picking them up at Yogyakarta airport. Because the journey from France to Indonesia takes quite a long time, so on this first day they will just rest at the hotel. On the second day we planned to visit Borobudur temple and Prambanan temple. Incidentally, they have already bought entrance tickets to Borobudur temple.
Before entering the Borobudur temple complex, we must go through several steps ;
- Re-register the tickets that we Brough online.
- Take the shuttle car that has been provided
- Use special sandals called upanat and this includes the entrance ticket
- Get the sequence number of the guide that will explain the tour at the temple.
The third day of the city tour in Yogyakarta
The third day of the tour in Yogyakarta only, by visiting Malioboro street, Beringharjo market, Keraton and Taman Sari. On the fourth day we plan to do a bicycle tour in my village and see the traditional market, as well as the place where keris and tempe are made. I picked them up at the hotel around 8 in the morning and went straight to my house to prepare for the bike tour.
After arriving at my house, my wife gave us fried cassava dishes, coffee and hot tea. It turns out that they really like fried cassava and enjoy it. After talking, we immediately did a bike tour by starting with visiting the traditional market. In this traditional market they can see directly trade activities that are still traditional and they also see directly some types of spices that they don’t have in their country.
Then we continue to visit the place where keris is made. Keris is a tool that is often used to show one’s self-esteem. Once upon a time only the nobility could have a quality keris. Nowadays keris is only used for certain events and for collection only. It’s already very difficult to find a place or person who makes keris. Incidentally, in the village where I live, there is someone who can and has a profession of making keris.
Then we continue to the place where tempe is made from soybeans. It was the first time they saw process of making tempe. They also want to try wrapping soybeans that have been processed with banana leaves.
Because it’s already noon and its time for us to end the bike tour, although actually there are still several places that are planned to be visited. We will continue our journey which is quite far, to the city of Malang in East Java.
Stay for two nights in Malang city
23-day Java Bali tour is now located in Malang city East Java. We stayed 2 nights here and will visit the tea plantation, Singosari temple and Mount Bromo. On the second day in Malang we saw the tea making process in Lawang, but unfortunately because it was not the harvest season, so we couldn’t see the process of making tea.
They just enjoy the tea plantation and try to taste the original local tea. Oh ya before that we saw the Singosari temple even though it was only from outside the fence. This Singosari temple is on the side of the road, so we can see it from outside the fence. After finishing enjoying the tea, we continue the tour to Jodipan village or colorful village and to the Eng An Kiong temple
The next day we continue our Java Bali tour to Mount Bromo. We didn’t climb Mount Bromo but only looked from the top of the hill. Incidentally, the weather that day was quite sunny and I could still see the beauty of Mount Bromo. After finishing enjoying Mount Bromo, we continue the tour to Banyuwangi. The time needed from bromo to Banyuwangi is about 7 hours drive. Along the way we stopped for lunch at a strategic beachside restaurant.
Exploring the city of Banyuwangi
In Banyuwangi we only stayed for two night because they had no plans to climb the Ijen crater mountain to see the blue fire. So the tour in Banyuwangi this time is only to visit coffee plantations, rubber and coffee factories. But unfortunately this time was not in time for the coffee season, so we couldn’t see the coffee making process. Oh ya, they stayed at the Ketapang Indah hotel which is located on the beach, has a beautiful view and can see the island of Bali.
The next day we checked out from the hotel and left the city of Banyuwangi to go to Sumberkima Pemuteran Bali. Crossing Java to Bali through Ketapang port in Java and Gilimanuk port in Bali, it takes about an hour by ferry. Java and Bali have a time difference of one hour and Bali is earlier. When we arrived in Bali, we went straight to the restaurant on the edge of the street beach while enjoying the sunset.
Snorkeling in Menjangan Island
Yeah! The day I’ve been waiting for has finally arrived, it’s time to snorkel. They want to do snorkeling in Menjangan island and I have prepared all the necessities for snorkeling. Starting from private boats, guides and equipment needed. In this tour we can snorkel for about three hours and also visit Menjangan Island. We start the tour around 9 am and go straight to the snorkeling spot.
Snorkeling is one of my activities that I like. Seeing the beauty of coral reefs and various types of fish can make me feel fresh again. In my opinion Menjangan Island is one of the best spots in Bali for snorkeling. I have a good friend who is a guide on Menjangan Island, his name is Mr. Samsul. He and his son have been guides on Menjangan Island for a long time, not only for snorkeling but they also serve other activities such as beach touring, diving and various other activities.
Any way anyone who wants to do a snorkeling tour in Menjangan island can contact me, I will help you prepare all your wishes
Everyone looks happy after snorkeling in Menjangan Island, so do I hehehe. We went back to the Menjangan port to go back to the hotel. Coincidentally, the hotel they stayed in was on the Sumberkima hill and had a very beautiful view. They can see the sunrise and sunset from the front of their room. They can also see the view of the northern sea of Bali island which has sloping waves.
23-Day Java Bali Tour continue to Munduk Bali
We stayed for two nights at Sumberkima Pemuteran Bali, and now we will go to Munduk. Before that we will visit Brahma Vihara Arama Temple and Banjar hot spring. Only a few hours they enjoyed the temple and hot springs, we continued the tour to Munduk. In Munduk we stayed for two nights and the hotel they stayed in the mountains that had a view of terraced rice fields.
The next day we headed to the Wanagiri waterfall, saw the view of Tamblingan lake from the top of the hill, had lunch and returned to the hotel.
During my stay in Munduk, I also got a strategic accommodation and had a beautiful view. Seen in the distance the north sea of Bali and clove plantations surrounding my place. The air is very cool and I can also see the sunset from the terrace.
Overland Java Bali continues to Sidemen
Two nights felt so fast and next we went to the sidemen which was in Karangasem Bali. No less beautiful than Munduk, in the sidemen is very well known for the view of the terraced rice fields.
In this sidemen area there are several tourist attractions, the nearest ones are Besakih temple, Kintamani, Tirta Gangga, Taman Ujung and several other places. But this time they just want to visit the Besakih temple, have lunch and go back to the hotel. On the next day we plan to visit Panglipuran village, Tirta Empul and want to try luak coffee.
When we did this tour, it happened to be very suitable for the celebration of the Hindu people in Bali. So the atmosphere of the streets in Bali is filled with very good Penjor decorations, this adds to the beauty of the rural atmosphere in Panglipuran village. Sometimes we also meet a group of Hindus who parade on the street to pray at temples in Bali
Anyway, while in the sidemen I stayed at the Homestay of the locals. The place is beautiful, comfortable and very clean. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to stay at Sidemen and want to feel the atmosphere like at home. The name of the place is Jero Tebola. With an affordable price and breakfast included.
Ubud-Centric 23-day Java Bali Tour
Five nights to be precise we will stay in Ubud Bali and this may be the peak of activities while in Bali. Because Ubud is a tourist area that is very crowded with tourists and has many interesting tourist destinations. While in Ubud we have a lot of itineraries. We are going to visit
- Tirta Empul.
- Tegalalang rice terrace.
- Campuhan ridge walk
- Monkey forest.
- Ubud center
- Tegenungan waterfall
- Cooking class
While staying in Ubud, they often visit Ubud center on foot, because their hotel is to be close to Ubud center. All the itineraries that I mentioned above make our tour very memorable. They all really enjoyed their vacation in Java and Bali.
Time passed very quickly and my last day with them was in Canggu. After checking out from the hotel in Ubud, they plan to move to the Canggu area and spend their vacation in the South Bali area. Before I take them to the hotel, we first visit Tanah Lot Temple.
It’s so sad to be separated from them. Alain, Eliane, Serge and Andree they are so kind. But there is a saying that says “if there is a meeting there must be a farewell” so with a heavy heart I left them in canggu. Thank you very much for everything, hopefully we can meet again next time. Always be healthy, happy and successful, greetings from Don Decky.
