Local Flavours

Living in Bali, chances are you are going to have friends and family regularly descending on your doorstep and you need to find them things to do to get them out of the villa before you go mental. What better way than a personalized sightseeing trip around the island in a sexy and stylish convertible? A personal tour of freedom that will not see you
squashed up and sweating amongst strangers in a vintage Land Rover.

Putu, aka Blacky, is originally from Karangasem in East Bali and has been showing tourists around his island for over 10 years in his own fun, funky and knowledgeable way. He is a man with great English who knows how to enjoy himself - and he loves a laugh!

His two cars are classic drop-top Volkswagen Safaris which have been recently rebuilt, are meticulously maintained, safe and lots of fun. It's a real roof-down, close-to-nature, wind-in-the-hair experience and it offers the kind of photo opportunities you won't get from the back of an air-conditioned Toyota.

He is extremely flexible and can take the lead or follow yours. Half-day, full-day or longer should you wish, he knows all the places you are supposed to visit and even a few you shouldn't!

Contact :
Blacky : 081 835 3790
volks_world@yahoo.com

The Locksmith

Locks are a great invention. They keep the bad guys and sales people out and the animals and children in. They protect your possessions and stop people stealing your money, or your secrets. But, only if they work or if you have a key!!

Standing outside my house at 3am on a Friday morning, watching the key to my front door going around and around in the spent lock barrel, I was glad nobody was around to hear the nasty string of expletives escaping my mouth. I ended up shinning up the lamppost and climbing over the wall, nearly avoiding the wall-top broken glass security system
along the way, just so I could get to bed.

At 8am I rang Nurman at his shop and he was around within 15 minutes with a top quality new lock for an unbelievable price. Located right near Bintang Supermarket, the shop has been in his family for three generations and he still runs it with his brother Yusef.

Safes, locks and keys from all the top names including Schlage and Yale, they can install the security you need at exactly the time you want and it won't empty your wallet.

Contact :
Nurman : 0878 616 26801

The Teacher

How much?!! A common phrase the foreigner can be heard exclaiming loudly and often in Bali. There are two prices for everything; one for locals, and one for the rest, but if you can utter a few phrases in Bahasa Indonesia like minta harga lokal saja? – can I have the local price? – you may just gain enough respect to get a bit of a discount.

Ida Bagus A. Gangga, or Gus to his friends, is a teacher with many years experience under his hat. He speaks perfect English with a Gianyar accent, and has been teaching Bahasa Indonesia to expats in Bali since 1989.

He has taught the bosses of many of Bali's top hotels including Amannusa, Four Seasons and the Ritz-Carlton. Illustrious company indeed, but he hasn't let it go to his head, and sessions remain flexible and his prices are better than competitive.

Of course, learning to speak Bahasa Indonesia, or even Bahasa Bali, is not only about saving money, it's about integrating into the unique culture that is all around us. Private or groups, one hour of your week is all it takes and you can watch your world open to a new level of fun and understanding.

Contact :
Gus : 081 2398 1813
gusgangga@seabelow.com