November 20th, 2009, finally, I could experience kayak on the day! There are many rafting companies in Bali, however, only BALI ADVENTURE offers Kayak. I heard that Kayak is speedier and thriller than rafting, so I have been interested in the activity. Aiko visit there with 10 times rafting experience!!
Arrive at Reception, Go to Staring Point
Leaving office around 8:00 am. On the way, pick-up a Russian man in Sanur and go to the office in Ayung River.
The BALI ADVENTURE’s shuttle car is clean and comfortable, so 1.5 hours driving passed so quickly.
From by-pass to narrow road, from narrow road to rice field path.
Going to the rural road, arrive at the rafting reception. For kayak, it goes same course as rafting in same schedule.
Big vans arrive one after another, and Australian and Russian applicants get off. Today’s applicants are about 30 persons.
Finish check-in and sign agreement form, prepare now!
I wear bathing suit beforehand, so it’s easy to change clothes. The building itself is old, but it is organized and clean so I never feel uncomfortable. The dressing room is big and there is place to put bags, WC is flush water.
Wear helmet, life-jacket, and oar. Instructor choose them depend on my height and body size.
Life-jacket. It’s well-used, but no problem to wear.
Beside valuables, belongings such as clothes and cosmetics are brought by the car to the ending point. Leave your staffs on the car. I’m ready to go. Today also, I wear T-shirt and short pants top of bathing suit. The oar for kayak is really long!
With valuables and oar, climbing down 400 steps. The oar is annoying because it’s long, but be careful not to slip.
Down to the deep green valley, Ayung River is there!! It’s really the jangle river flowing in the wild nature.
Here is the starting point. BALI ADVENTURE’s starting point is the upper stream comparing with other companies’ starting point. So, there is no other companies’ applicants and quiet.
Put valuables such as wallet mobile phone, and camera, etc. on the water-proof bag. BALI ADVENTURE’s kayak doesn’t need to wear shoes, so put sandals in, too.
Put the water-proof bag to another water-proof bag, and fasten to kayak. You can take out your camera from the bag in the break time.
It’s the kayak for 2 persons. Comparing with the rafting boat, it’s thin and sharp body. It must be go faster!
Today’s instructor, Kutut. For rafting, one instructor for 4-5 applicants, on the other hand, one by one for kayak! It’s really supportive.
1 and half hour Kayak♪
With rafting members, I start kayak! Once I try kayak, it’s not difficult at all!! The boat goes fast and the instructor controls the boat, so mostly I don’t need to row. Go down to the river for 5 min., there is the great relief on the left hand rock. Here is the place to take picture. Okay now, take off the boat and picture, picture!! Ketut says, “Keep muscular pose!” but I don’t have muscle…
More new relief is carved now. There is no relief when I visited last time, but when they made such a big one!? I admire Balinese artistic sence.
For 15 min. from the relief, arrive at the big waterfalls. Here is the also picture point! We go into the basin of the waterfall by boat and walk to come closer… Other rafting members join and everybody is exciting under the waterfalls. I take picture with Indonesian applicants.
The passing view is same as rafting. But I don’t need to row all the time, so I can enjoy the view more. Wild small waterfalls, Hindu Temple, and hotel garden, etc. I like the natural view such as sharp cliffs, caught roots big tree, and big fern.
During rowing kayak, I only have one partner, so I learn Indonesian language from the instructor, have a chat like, “Where do you usually go for weekend?” I had fun time with him.
But, I have to be careful for rafting members! They play with water all the time. When the boat comes closer, they splash water as children. Of course, kayak boat make them join.
At the last part, the amount of water increases and flowing slow. When I tried rafting, I jumped into the water, however, I’m too cold to jump into the water this time.
Kayak goes faster than rafting, so I’m the first person to arrive the end point! I wet whole body and feel chilly, but fun! Thanks for nice guide by Ketut. Thank you!!
Shower & Lunch Time
On the way back to the restaurant and shower place, I have to climb up about 200 steps. I remember that I had hard time climbing last time, but I was okay this time. Not only up-slope but also flat road, and the rice field view is beautiful.
Restaurant, Dressing Room, and Shower are in the same building. The belongings which I left on the car are in this room.
Receive bags and towel, go to the ladies’ shower and dressing room.
It was hot shower last time, but it’s cold-water shower this time.
Made in Indonesia shampoo and body soap are in shower space.
Dressing room has enough space to put big bag, and easy to change clothes. You had better bring plastic bag for wet clothes.
I’m waiting the lunch time!! BALI ADVENTURE’s meals are famous for good taste. I go to the restaurant quickly. It’s the Balinese architecture restaurant with bamboo and wood.
From the big window, we can see the view of jungle and rice field along with Ayung River. Nice bamboo chairs.
I’m so happy to see foods with steam which are just done! Menus are changed every day, but today’s menus are not only Indonesian food, but also fresh salad, tempura, soup and dessert, etc.
Salad bar, I love pineapple and chicken creamy salad! Dessert & Fruit. I like Pisng Goreng (Fried Banana) which has crispy skin and sticky inside.
I take food on plate! It’s not just Indonesian food. It also has international taste in Indonesian foods. Can you see it?!! BALI ADVENTURE’s food is my best. It’s not including drink, though.
During lunch time, DVD is on aired that the view of tour on the day. From the starting point, rowing boats, playing with water and so on. They take all boats throughout the tour on the video, so it’s fun to watch it.
I can see such a view from restaurant. I took time to enjoy lunch with the view and went back to the office around 2:30 pm. It was earlier return than other time. Thank you!!
I compare Rafting and kayak:
1. Kayak goes faster than rafting, so don’t need to row!
2. Can have private instructor, so enjoy kayak time with relaxing atmosphere!
3. More exciting than rafting, wet whole body!
It was the first try of kayak for me, so I had the instructor, but for kayak experienced person, you can use kayak boat only for yourself or 2 persons can use one boat. In both cases, Instructors support you from forward and back, so please ask about it when you apply. I recommend kayak for person who experienced rafting and want more thrilling river flowing, and for individual applicant!!
※This report was written based on the information when the time of visiting. Course menu and schedule might be changed without notice. In addition, the report contains individual opinion and impression, however, these are not applied for all people. Please read it just for your reference. Thank you.