Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Sight Seeing

ON Saturday, we hired a car with driver to explore the island and it cost us 450,000 Rp for 8 operating hours including petrol. The hotel front-desk staff helped me find one through their link. I told driver the places we want to visit. We went Nusa Dua area first to witness famous beach where we took some photos. After that we continue to a batik workshop and whole-sale center for present. We got a chance to see how batik are made by hands. The price are not so cheap though they claim it is original place to buy batik. The price tag are as good as its quality. I liked a batik shirt and read price tag to see 500,000Rp (S$67). My sisters and wife bought a lot batik for them and relatives back home. 

Next, we continued to drive toward a beautiful Hindu temple. The driver asked us to donate some in the donation box which is placed on the pavilion. All guesses are needed to wear longyi like clothes which is provided by temple administrative staff. The longyi shape is tied by attached rope with the help of staff there. We are happy to witness ancient temple and took so many photos there. Later we realized that temple visiting is the most worth for our money for the whole day visit. Then, we moved to a restaurant for lunch. The restaurant seems expensive one and full of Westerner tourists. We feel hungry and enjoy some foods for 4 adults and 1 kid. In Bali, restaurants charge 20% servicing fees and we felt that it is not fair for us. Because restaurant staffs we encounters are paying more attention to European customers. We pay same for different service is totally unfair for us. Perhaps the restaurant staffs know by experience that European customers are more likely to pay tip for their service. My eldest comment at one point that I don't want to eat at restaurant with full of Europeans visitors. She might feel inferiors when she visit such restaurants.

After having lunch, we continue to go coffee plantation. It wasn't in our wish list. The driver recommends the place as a beautiful and we get nods. We reached there to upset only. There are several front staffs awaiting visitors in front of their nursery artificial park. One of their staff will lead each group to explain how does a plant used in making coffee or chocolate. We then reach a stop where visitors would be introduced with paid coffee. Once we refused to drink, the guide started to agitate us and asked if we are interested in chocolate, citing a baby. Then we are led to chocolate selling shop which is located inside their man made park. We find chocolate in display with expensive price compare to their quality. As we are hesitate, we bought one small pack of chocolate for 100,000Rp. We doubt driver and coffee shop are linked for certain reason. We quickly went back to the car and asked driver to go capital city of Bali, Denpasar Town. We go through city area and driver explained on the way. We look at them from the car only. The time is already up for 8 hours and we urged him to get back hotel. Otherwise we may have to pay additional 100,000Rp per hour. My family felt tiresome and wanted to swim in the sea that evening. It was about 4:30pm when we get back our room.

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