Selemat Datang everyone.
My name is Dianne and I live in Fremantle, Western Australia. Being so close to the beautiful island of Bali we Western Australians treat it as our playground. Hundreds of thousands of us flock to the warm lush country with its beautiful friendly and welcoming people every year.
Since 1980 I have been lucky enough to travel 10 times to holiday in this very happy little island.
On my second visit in 1983 ,with my family in tow this time, we were very fortunate enough to pick up a bemo, not unlike any others, from a roadside verge. The driver we hired was Wayan Arsana, at first a little shy and apologetic about his English, which by the islands standards was well above average.
Wayan was so excited and keen to show us his country in a way that no other tourists get the privilege to experience.
He became our exclusive tour guide and opened his heart and even his family home to us , mere strangers from another country, and became the catalyst for our love affair with his beautiful Bali.
Each time we went back, after contacting him beforehand, he would be there at the airport waiting for us with a mile wide smile and open arms. A noticeable change had happened to our Wayan, he had become confident successful, his English flawless, his eagerness to please even more so apparent.
Over the years we communicated by phone, mail and visits and as our children grew they also grew to love Wayan and trust him. This led to him caring for them when as young Australians they ventured out on their own in groups to holiday and play in Bali, knowing all along that although their parents weren’t there to watch over them they had someone to turn to in case of trouble.
I am returning to Bali in October this year after a 7 year gap. I know I will be excited by the changes and the growth, I will be saddened by the recent history of turmoil and young Australian lives lost but I will be absolutely 100% sure that I have someone who I now call “friend” whom I can trust to be my guide and advisor once again when my feet touch that beautiful Island of Bali.
I personally and highly recommend this gentle family man who has now over 25 years experience of making sure that foreign visitors to his land are made to feel welcome, safe, educated and just absolutely delighted that they chose Wayan Arsana as their guide. He will find a way into your hearts that will make your visit to Bali a time to remember.
Hei teman! Selemat tinggal
Dianne Boon
Fremantle Western Australia
G’Day from W.A.
