A wonderful scenic day

24.2.16
We had breakfast, John had his omelette again and I had a pineapple pancake with honey. Our driver picked us up just after 9.30 am as originally planned before the price fiasco.

After a short drive we arrived at Tanganan Village, the people there are a unique village group.
Entry to the village was by donation, our driver suggested 10000 rp each. ( approx 50p)
It was a beautiful village with people making mainly crafts, weaving, basket making, and decorative pictures of religious icons and Balinese calendar on palm leaf.
Everything was beautiful but expensive due to the amount of time involved to make the items.

There were lots of dogs around, all very nervous and many had just had puppies.

We asked if we could add the chocolate factory to our itinerary.
It was worth seeing for the funny little bamboo houses.
The chocolate is made with coconut oil and is poured into moulds which set overnight but are then left for 2 more weeks to dry out.

They make 3 varieties, dark, goji berries, and a crunch one.
John bought a pack of the crunch one, I wasn’t that keen on any of them to be honest.
There was a goose there who is very friendly and loves visitors. It was great the way he followed the staff around and went inside the buildings.
He likes to be stroked too.
We had iced chocolate and mocha at the tiny cafe, with Agus the goose of course.  

Next we went to Ujung Floating Palace. 35000 rp each. (£1.90)
It was absolutely stunning, just couldn’t stop taking photos.

We’ve fallen in love with the Frangipani trees and are hoping we can get one for our garden in Turkey.

We then went to Amlapura market, very much a local market, fruit and vegetables downstairs and clothes and shoes upstairs.
We didn’t see anything we wanted to buy but it had a good atmosphere.

Next was Kings Palace, (10,000 each)  a bit disappointing after the last one but lovely in its own right.
Part way around a small boy of about 4 with a stick started to give us a little tour, and was pointing to things and saying photo. So cute

John handed him a 5000 rp tip
He looked totally baffled and ran off to a man who was doing wood carving.

As we left the gardens it clouded over and the heavens opened, so our driver suggested a restaurant near our final stop.
Overpriced and obviously one of those where the driver gets a cut as lots of us being dropped off. John had seafood soup and I had spring rolls and as well as adding 15% in taxes and service they overcharged us.
The rain slowed right down and by the time we started walking around Tirta Gangga water garden it stopped. (20000 rp each )
I had planned to swim there but feeling so damp already and not sure if I’d ever get dry again I decided not to.
Did look fun though.

Had a drink before joining our driver and now in our way back after a fabulous day.
Really can’t recommend the driver private tour system enough, this trip was the equivalent of £15 plus admission fees.
Wonderful 🙂

A truly fabulous day.