Halo!

My name is Ketut Suwenda and I look forward to welcoming you to my beautiful Bali.

Bali is blessed in many ways. It has everything: beautiful mountains, wide surfing beaches, rich culture traditions and enduring religious values, as well as wonderful food and vibrant nightlife.

Bali offers something for everyone and is truly the "island of the gods".

I want your Bali vacation (or business visit) to be unforgettable.

My services

My specialty is full day, half day and extended custom tours - made to meet your interests so you get the most out of your visit. I can offer you standard tours that take in most famous places in Bali or I can make a tour specially for you based on my lifetime knowledge of the island.

Many of my clients hire me for their whole visit so I am always available for going to the beach, seeing the wonderful landscape, shopping, evening events, restaurants, etc.

In addition to guide and driver I can help you source a wide range of quality Balinese products including textiles, stone and wood carving, ceramics, basketry, paintings etc. I have had several business clients and collectors who have used me for this knowledge.

I speak very good English and also speak some Japanese.

My car rental business is family business based in Ubud. It is always me who will be your driver and guide. I am married to Kadek and have a wonderful son.

Ketut Suwenda - your Bali driver and guide

In 1997 I learnt to drive and January 1998 I got my Driving Licence. Since 2000 I have been Bali tour driver and guide. I have very good safety record.

I was born in 1976 in the small village name Petang in Badung Regency. It is about 40km north of Ubud. My parents were farmers but sadly my father died when I was 16 years. To finish senior high school I work hard after school to get money for the fees.

Then I began work in a specialist textile shop and learnt English and Japanese.

In ten years of selling very beautiful old batik and ikat I helped many customers with their business needs. My business experience means I know ways of doing business in Bali.

Now my wife Kadek runs a shop where you can see traditional Balinese and Indonesian fabrics. She welcomes you to her shop.

It is not easy talking about myself. My customers come from all over the world. Perhaps it is best you look at my "Testimonials" to see what other people say about me.

For example Maya Trujillo Ringe from Seattle, USA said: "Honestly, our trip could not have been as fulfilling without you and we very much appreciate all you did. I actually cried when we walked away from you - we got used to your smile, your bright energy and contagious laughter."

My wife Kadek, myself and our beautiful youngest son Putu Abi at our local village assembly hall - 'bale agung'. 'Kadek' is a name given to the 2nd born child in a family, 'Ketut' to a 4th born child and 'Putu' to a 1st born child.

There are so many places I could take you to.

Below are examples of what you could see and do.

A tour of several days is best but also try clicking on 'Example One Day Tour' to get an idea of what can be done in one day.

Why not let me suggest a tour program especially for you? Then you can be sure to have the most excellent time in Bali.

I can take you to all the famous places but I can also take you to special places I have found in many years exploring Bali.

Temples

Bali is a land of temples. They all have a unique character, their beauty is astonishing.

Pura Ulun Danu at Bedugal in the central highlands is one of Bali's nine directional temples which protect the island from evil spirits. A Hindu/Buddhist temple founded in the 17th century, it is a great place to visit as it surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Other famous directional temples you can visit include: Pura Besakih, Bali's most important temple 1000m up on the western slopes of Gunung Agung in East Bali and, Pura Luhur Uluwatu on the western end of the Bukit peninsular.

There are also a set of 'sea temples' built in the 16th century by a hindu monk from Java named Niratha. The sea temples are mostly found on the western coast of Bali and include: Pura Tanah Lot near Canggu; Pura Kehen, The Temple of Fire, one of the largest in Bali, located in Bangli; and Pura Tirta Empul, in Tampaksiring with its well known water springs and bathing pools.

Shop till you drop!

Bali is a shopper's paradise.

I can take you to traditional markets like those at Sukawati, which is a wonderful craft market, or to Ubud for morning market filled with all forms of produce,spices and tropical fruit.

You can try bargaining at the street markets of Kuta, Sanur and Nusa Dua or go to fixed price shopping in department stores.

You can take home hand made clothing, jewellery, handicraft, antiques and artifacts, and leatherware.

Be sure to bring a big suitcase!

Balinese food and dining

You will love Balinese food. The climate means plenty of tropical fruit (bananas, papayas, jackfruit, durians, kaffir limes) and vegetables (especially kangkung or water spinach) can to be bought in markets daily.

All Balinese food has mixture of sweet, salty, hot and sour flavours, in ordinary food eaten at home and in temple festival food for the gods.

Daily food always includes rice and perhaps a vegetable dish simply flavoured with a paste of chilli, garlic, onions and turmeric, sometimes with chicken and tofu added along with spices and coconut milk.

Festival food is more elaborate and is always purified by the local priest before being enjoyed by the families who bought it. Lawar is the most famous festival dish - a mix of pig and turtle, fresh blood, vegetables, seasonings and sauces, served on banana leaf.

'Warung' (restaurant) food in Bali is high quality, diverse and delicious. Jimbaran Bay is famous for its seafood barbequed over coconut rusk coals; Singaraja for its 'babi guling' (pork). 'Bebek' (duck) is a must for all visitors to Bali.

There are many good cooking schools in Bali but Casa Luna in Ubud is one of the best known with its friendly, trained staff and superb location.

Beaches

Sun baking, swimming, surfing, white water rafting, snorkelling, diving and boat trips can all be enjoyed in Bali.

Bali has some of the best surfing beaches. Kuta's Beach has a long expanse of white sand and great waves for beginners. You can walk out of some of Kuta's best eateries or speciality shops straight onto the beach.

For surfing specialists Padang-padang beach is the best with the Indian Ocean's long rolling waves.

Close by is Uluwati Beach. Its big waves are just wild - best for the experienced surfer. On a good day the waves are 5m to 15m, but can go to 30m!

Landscapes and Gardens

From east to west, north to south, Bali is so picturesque. You will find landscapes of startling beauty, others of wild energy and others will fill you with gentleness and calm.

You could begin with World Heritage Site, Jatiluwih, in the shadow of Gunung Batukaru. Here are picture perfect rice terraces and traditional village life including gamelan playing and ceremonies.

A trip to Kintamani will give you spectacular view of Gunung Batur and Danau Batur. Your trip there can take several routes and include experiencing: Goa Gajah, the elephant cave; near Tampaksiring you will find the sacred springs of Tirta Empul; Gunung Kawi, the “Candi’s” (tombs) of Anak Wungsu and his queens; and the Elephant Safari Park at Taro.

On the slopes of Gunung Agung is “A Garden Fit for a King” – Tirtagangga. This is beautiful complex of water gardens, stepping stones, statues and fountains. The garden is near Amlapura, on the east coast of Bali.

North from Bedugul are Bali’s Botanical Gardens, a branch of the national botanic gardens at Bogor, near Jakarta.

Ubud’s Botanic Garden is a place of peace. It is only 5 minutes from Ubud centre and is open daily.

Bali's west offers a wide range of adventures, on land and underwater. This area includes the Bali Barat National Park, 19,000 hectares in size. As you move towards the West, a different group of flora and fauna flourish in the drier air. Here you will find deer, large monitor lizards and over 80 species of birds.

Within this wonderful wilderness you will be very welcome at the Menjangan Jungle and Beach Eco-Resort. It offers you an amazing range of eco-experiences. I can get you there in a three hour drive, straight up the west coast through Negara or go by the road across from Bedugul, my home territory.

If we go to the far east of Bali, Candidasa is a good base from which to explore. Then you could wander around the coast to the sleepy fishing village of Amed. The waters off Amed teem with fish species making the area very popular with snorkellers and divers. The contrast between the water's edge and the black sand and the 'jukung' (the fishing boats) lining the shore is a sight to remember.

Your welcome to Bali will be as warm as these smiles.

This is typical example of what can be seen and done in a one day tour. It is cultural tour.

The tour will start at 8:30 am (or when you wish).

I will pick you up from your hotel.

First stop: Batubulan village

Here you will see Barong and Kris dance.

The Barong play represents an eternal fight between good and evil spirits. A barong (a mythological animal) represent good spirit and Rangda (a mythological monster) represent evil one.

This village is also famous for stone carving.

Second stop: Neka Museum, Ubud

Stop to see nice painting museum located in Sanggingan village.

Neka Art Museum is in a beautiful garden overlooking a river valley. Separate buildings based on traditional Balinese architecture show you the history of Balinese painting.

It is ideal place to see art works by Balinese, other Indonesian, and foreign born artists inspired by the magic of Bali. The foreign born artists include: Donald Friend (Australia); Rudolf Bonnet (Dutch); Arie Smit (Dutch-born Indonesian), and Theo Meier (Swiss).

Third stop: Tegallalang village

To see one of the most beautiful rice terraces in Bali. The patterns in shades of gold, green and brown created by rice cultivation captivate all visitors to Bali.

Rice is the most important crop grown in Bali: 'padi' is the rice plant, 'beras' is the uncooked grain and 'nasi' is cooked rice. Water is essential for rice cultivation and the maze of waterways across the island is organised by the 'subak', the rice growers’ association.

Fourth stop: Penelokan

To see a good view of Gunung Batur (Mount Batur) the most active volcano in Bali. It has erupted on large scale more than 20 times in the last 200 years. The worst occasion was in 1917 when over 1000 people died and over 2000 temples were destroyed.

Fifth stop: Temen village

To see plantation of coffee, cocoa, spice and fruit garden. Also you can see processing of Bali coffee with traditional process using wood fire.

Sixth stop: at wood carving village, Mas and painter village, Batuan

Mas village produce very good quality wood carving from hard wood such as teak, mahogany, ebony and hibiscus and woods imported from Java, Sulawesi and Sumatra.

In Batuan village artists have created variety of painting.

Here also you can see Pura Desa Batuan (Desa Batuan temple) with famous split gate, nice stone carving and statue in the temple.

Final stop: back at your hotel

'ABI BATIK' the best place for traditional Bali fabrics

My wife Kadek has recently opened a shop on Jalan Hanoman in Ubud.

Jalan Hanoman is very interesting street to visit and shop because of the wide range of goods you can buy. Also many people visit Bodyworks for its famous massage.

We can make up shirt, dress, etc from your chosen cloth

The shop, Abi, has a great range of Balinese and Indonesian textiles including batik and ikat.

We have many sarong length fabrics for that special souvenir of Bali.

Also Kadek can have your chosen pieces of fabric made into shirts, skirts, trousers, etc.

Please visit our shop at 12 Hanoman Street (next to Tattoo Shop), Ubud, Bali.

My car is a Suzuki APV made in 2006. It can carry up to 7 people (or up to 4 people with luggage).

It is fully air conditioned front and back ensuring comfort for all passengers. Looking out is good from all seats.

All seats have safety belts and safety headrests.

In the car I always keep bottled water and umbrellas to shade from the sun.

It has CD player so you can enjoy Bali music or bring your own CD's.

It is perfect for comfortable guided tour.

A one day tour of Bali taking in a number of key sites takes 8-10 hours.

For this the cost is IDR 400,000.

A half day tour, duration 4-5 hours is IDR 250,000.

If your tour includes staying somewhere overnight the fee is only IDR 100,000 per day extra.

The costs include:
- the car for up 7 passengers
- my driving and guiding
- petrol, car insurance, parking fees, tolls and taxes
- use of sarong and scarf for going in temples
- bottled water

The costs do not include:
- your meals (and accommodation)
- any entrance fees
- tips

The cost is the same if your party is one person or seven persons.

Payment can be made in Indonesian rupiah, US dollars, Australian or New Zealand dollars, Euro, Yen, etc.

Pickup service

I am very happy to do Bali airport pickups.

If you know your flights already, please advise date, flight number and time on the form in the 'Contact me' page.

I will be there waiting for you at the Airport, with a big sign with your name on it. You will see me as soon as you come into the Arrivals Hall.

I will help with your luggage, take you to your hotel, and be there to assist you, if necessary, at reception.

You may have many questions about Bali, like where to eat, what to see and do, etc. Please ask as I know Bali very well.

I am also happy to take you anywhere on Bali at your request.

Pickup / Taxi fees

For other areas please ask for rates.

Please note that, with luggage, my car is comfortable for maximum four passengers.

Here are some of the nice things people have kindly said about my services as a driver and guide

From Maya Trujillo Ringe - Seattle, USA

Ketut picked us up from the airport upon our arrival and immediately suggested a lovely restaurant on the beach to have our first meal. Each morning, Ketut arrived an hour earlier than expected and was always available to meet our needs. He was not only a skilled driver but an excellent tour guide. He helped us plan our day so that we managed to see everything we wanted to and more!

He speaks very good English. He taught us how to exchange basic pleasantries and how to bargain with vendors. He suggested great restaurants and where we could get the best bargains. I never felt pressured or obligated to do anything suggested by Ketut--he does not make suggestion in order to gain something.

In January 2009 we spent two weeks with Ketut and learned so much more about Bali and Balinese Culture than we ever would have learned had we travelled on our own. He is a warm and trustworthy man with a wonderful sense of humor and with an in depth knowledge of all parts of Bali.

Honestly, our trip could not have been as fulfilling without you and we very much appreciate all you did. I actually cried when we walked away from you - we got used to your smile, your bright energy and contagious laughter.

Ketut made Bali feel like home yet still an exciting adventure.

From Greg Roberts and Ian Reed - Queensland, Australia

Ketut has been known to us for some 10 years. During that time he has not only been our safe and reliable English speaking driver, but also a friend and informative travelling companion.

He is well versed in the history and culture of his native Bali and his charm has ensured we have come to know and love Bali too.

His knowledge of Batik is extensive (his own shop is in Jalan Hanoman Ubud) and his restaurant recommendations are the best.

But what makes him special is not so much his formal advice and commentary but his willingness to share his own family life with those he trusts. We recall a visit to his family village as just as memorable as our visit to the Pura Besakih temple complex on Gunung Agung.

We have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Ketut to any visitor to Bali – the’’ Island of the Gods”

From Mr Takano - Tokyo, Japan

Ketut san niha bali ryokou de itumo osewa ni natte imasu.
Bali ni ha mou nandoka ryokou wo siteimasuga, saisyo no koro, tokuni kuroushita no ga Taxi no ryoukin kousyou desita.
Bali de ha taxi ha kojin taxi bakari nanode, souba no nanbai mono ryoukin wo teiji sareru koto ha nitijyousahanji de, kibou no gaku ni suru made no kousyou ni sugoku jikan ga kakari masu.

Ketut san ha, ryoukin ga hijyou ni ryoushinteki de aru noto, akaruku syoujikina sinraidekiru Hitogara nanode, kare to deatte kara ha maikai soraiba(driver) wo onegai site imasu.
Kotira no youbou mo dekiru kagiri oujite kureru node, kankou ya rejya(leisure) nado iroiro Onegai site miruto yoi to omoi masu.
Motiron, nihongo deno kaiwa ga dekimasu.(kono bunsyou ha ro-maji dessu ga…) Tokidoki muzukasii tango ha wakaranai youdesuga, denwa deno kaiwamo mondainai node
Komyunike-syon(communication) de kurou suru koto ha hotondo nai to omoi masu.

From Suzanna - Geneva, Switzerland

Hi my name is Suzanna, I living in Ubud-Bali for fourteen years. I know Ketut now for ten years.

He has always been there, quick and efficient when I needed him. It has been and still is a pleasure to deal with him. Also my family visiting from Geneva appreciate his service.

Beside his kindness, he is a trusty, loyal and helpful person. I am pleased to recommend him as competent tour guide, good consultant for knowing well Bali, for car rental and as shop manager.

With him we have the feeling to be in security.

From Robert Boughey - Bangkok, Thailand

I have been to Bali multiple times before and am still in love with the island and its people. Last year, I decided to take my girlfriend for a little surprise holiday in Bali and met Ketut by chance at his store in Ubud. Both him and his family were very warm and kind the moment we met so we decided to ask him to be our guide.

To this day, whenever I know that someone will be traveling to Bali, I insist on them contacting Ketut. He took us around and showed us the most beautiful places on the island.

He also went far beyond his duty when he hiked up with us to top of one of the local volcano at 4 in the morning!!! I would recommend him to anyone and hope that you will enjoy the Bali experience as I have.

From Jimmy - Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

We, me and my wife, were in Honeymoon in Bali in 2006. Mr Ketut and his kindly service has made our honeymoon is the most beautiful vacation. He takes us to enjoy the beautiful scene, fancy restaurants, balinese culture, traditional handicrafts, art, and cuisine, which is our interest.

Mr Ketut is an easy going person, friendly, and very listening person. He always understand what is our interest, that's why he always share his knowledge and experience of balinese culture, which we enjoy.

We personally recommend him to our friends and definitely will contact him when we come back to Bali for our second honeymoon next year (2010), but then it will be three of us. Me, my wife and our beloved son, Sebastian.

From Mary Leong - New Jersey, USA

My husband & I travel around the world quite a bit, mostly to quite unusual places. We returned to Bali in December 2008 for a two week stay. We found Bali's beauty surpassed only by the friendliness of its people.

We were also fortunate enough to come across a most wonderful driver and guide, Ketut Suwenda. His fees were very reasonable, and his knowledge of Balinese culture and various tourism information was excellent. He is also very honest & helpful.

I'm slightly handicapped, and he took special care to be sure that I was comfortable through our entire trip. He went out of his way to accommodate our plans. At times, he would work extremely long hours without complaint.

His main goal was to be sure that our vacation would be an unforgettable one. Well he succeeded wildly! We had the most wonderful time we could remember and we know that we will have Ketut as a friend in Bali to help us on our return.

These are just some of the testimonials from my past clients.

I am hoping that you will contact me so we can arrange the best Bali visit for you.

You can contact me by phone, or by submitting the Contact Form below.

Cell Phone: +62 (0)812 361 4683

Shop Phone: +62 (0)361-8568810

Also you can contact me at:

Kuno-Kuno Tourist Information, Monkey Forest Road, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Please also use this address if writing to me.

Shop is ABI BATIK, 12 Hanoman Street (next to Tattoo Shop), Ubud, Bali.