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To visit Bali conveniently and efficiently, is best to hired a driver instead of renting a car or hailing a taxi. Today we will start venturing around Bali with our hired driver Mr. Agoes. He came highly recommended by a fellow blogger that we came across while researching for our Bali vacation. He is a little on the shy and quiet side, but once you start to chat with him, he is very friendly and helpful. We feel at ease being under his care for 2 days. We had a deal for 350, 000 rupiah per day. Anyway, is best to get a good driver who is not only friendly and helpful, but able to recommend you to cheap places to shop.

Our friendly driver, Mr. Agoes

On our way to Kintamani, we passed by Tegallalang Rice Terrace, where the local plant their paddy on the hillside. The design is unique and very much different from how the Thailand and Malaysian plant their paddy, which usually on a flat surface.

Tegallalang Rice Terrace

We then head to the highland and reach Kintamani, which can oversee Batur Lake and its active volcano. The entrance fees seems to fluctuate and we got charge 25, 000 rupiah for 2 pax. We had lunch buffet at the Grand Puncak Sari that offers the great panorama view of the volcano mountain. It cost us 194, 000 rupiah for 2 pax. We like their Balinese satay stick the most.

Lunch Buffet @ Grand Puncak Sari

After filling up our stomach, we retreat downhill and went to Buana Amertha Sari (BAS) Coffee Farm to try out the world’s most expensive coffee, namely the Luwak Coffee, which is made from the civet’s dropping! Initially we planned on buying some back as souvenirs, but after finding out how much it cost, we decided to purchase other types Balinese coffee. We spent 50, 000 rupiah to try a cup of Luwak Coffee. Is very bitter. We got free ginger tea, and some other type of coffees as compliment.

Luwak Coffee @ BAS Coffee Farm

We headed to our first Balinese temple, Pura Tirta Empul at Tampaksiring. The entrance fees cost 15, 000 per pax. This temple is famous for its purifying pool with holy water.

Balinese girls queuing up to pray and bath in the holy water @ Pura Tirta Empul

We departed for Ubud town and visited the Warong Ibu Oka that is famous for their Babi Guling. Unfortunately, their best seller crispy skin is sold out. We regretted not coming during the morning instead. We ordered a different type of dish without the crispy skin. It cost us 40, 000 rupiah and we find this overpriced for such small dish.

Warong Ibu Oka @ Ubud

Right opposite Warong Ibu Oka, there is an old palace that open for visitors for free. We popped in for a quick glance. We then walked along the Ubud Street and was lucky to found a post box. We quickly purchased a postcard and stamp to mail it back to Malaysia.

Ubud Market

We told Mr. Agoes that we are looking for a Buddha painting for my dad and he recommended us to get it from Krishna Oleh-Oleh Khas Bali. This appeared to be a hypermarket of souvenirs. Everything here is much cheaper especially T-shirts, key chain and paintings. Unfortunately, the Buddha painting that we’re looking for one left two pieces and not in a good condition. Thus, we didn’t buy it. We did bought some local snacks. Is the end of our day 2 and we reached back hotel at 7.30pm feeling exhausted, but contended.