Badung The Center of Tourism

Bahama Rafting at Northern Ayung River

The northern part of Ayung River (downstream part) has a stable water debit, clean, and unpolluted. As well as the rapids of river channel that change due to the weather, that makes the nuance lively. Five rafting companies operate within Ayung River. One of them is Bahama Rafting that officially located on Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai Graha Niaga Sanur No.405 G Denpasar.

Putu Yoga Swara, Marketing Manager Bahama Rafting said, his side opening for rafting company on Ayung River just because the situation and condition of that river is naturally prospected with its clean water. This river has a rapid channel that changes depends on the rain, which has become an interesting defy in river adventure. “Obviously security and comfort is our first target,” he stresses.
Besides the rafting company, the enterprise under PT Bali Wahana Prima owns a restaurant at the finishing spots. Before splashing into the water, a comfortable waiting room is also available at the starting point for seeing the natural beauty of the virgin panorama. With 80 employees, Bahama Rafting is available with 30 boats. “This August, we are waiting for 6 additional boats to anticipate the crowded season on next December,” he asserted.
Bahama Rafting was founded on 11 Desember 2002 with a starting point at the place of Beng, Carangsari Village and finishes on Tegal Kuning sub village, Bongkasa Village, Abiansemal District. Both villages are a distance of about 10 Km within a 2 hours journey. For that, this company prepares two routes for each day. The first leaves at 10 am, and is followed by the second route at 1 pm on the afternoon.
During the journey across the river’s channel, the company provides one photographer who documents the rafters’ situation and experience. “Previously, the ticket price was US $66 for adult and US $42 for children. Now, we give a discount up to 20% for all tickets,” said this single man from Singaraja.
This explained, as we arrive in the waiting room, the guest is served coffee or tea as a welcoming drink. Sooner, the rafting equipment distributed such as life jacket, helm and the drinks to carry while assailing those rapids channel. There is also the short course instruction available before the rafting begins. At 10 am in the morning, the participants start splashing into the river. Instruction about the route journey, rowing, and facing the accident or falls into the river are intensified when the participants get onto the boat. After half of the journey, more or less 5 km from starting point, exactly in front of the waterfall, the participants rest for a second to watch the nuance and natural sight. This spot is called a terminal and the taking picture action begin. Drink supplies can be enjoyed here while relaxing muscle and mind after passing the horrifying rapid channel. The time needed to relax depends to the participant and group of each boat.
After reaching the finishing spot, the participant are handed a towel to dry the wet body and bath in the rest room. Then, walking on bare foot they go to have lunch. In the restaurant, the photographer shows them the pictures while rafting. “We want to give a pleasure memory for the tourist who enjoys adventure,” he said again.
When asked about the incoming guest, Putu said, their number decreased sharply after the Kuta’s bombing. At present, visitor numbers reach 100 person/day or have decreased 50% on average to 200 person/day. “Since June 2003, the guest starts coming, mostly from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan,” he explained.
Bahama Rafting is joined with the same company that operates on Ayung River form the Forum Komunikasi Rafting Ayung (FKRA) – Ayung Rafting Communication Forum. Through this forum, this company distributes a contribution for the villages that passed by the rafting channel. “Besides that, we also offer a contribution voluntary if there is any religious ceremony within the village’s temple or bazaar,” he said while asserted his ally also providing an opportunities for surrounding people to work as employee in Bahama Rafting.
This man who was born in Singaraja, 15 December 1970, explains, commonly the tourist feel satisfied after rafting on Ayung River. There was an Australian who enthusiastically ended up rowing the boat and almost landed upside down. Meanwhile, the Asian tourists are generally fond of relaxing by walking while enjoying the sights. Almost a year ago, this rafting company canceled its rides. It happened on 22 February, because the currents were too dangerous for rafting.
How do we get there? “The tourist group is usually accompanied by their agent from the hotel where they stay up to the location. If you are from nowhere, we will pick you up. Just calls for booking from your office or through telephone. Our office is available from 7am until 8pm,” he explains once again. (BTN/015)

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