Our Hosts & Guides
In Bali, they say time is relationship—it’s a phrase that conveys the island’s notable commitment to community and belonging.
That way of being is also big reason why Serena and Carrie first met & quickly became good friends with the very people who will be welcoming us to their village.
(left to right) Komeng, Angor, Rey, Dirga, and Putra
When we returned to Bali in 2018, Dirga had made his dream of being a driver come true. At the time, his business card read “The Second Best Bali Driver,” because he always wanted to leave room for improvement. That humility (and humor) may help explain why Dirga quickly built a global community of loyal clientele and friends.
Meet Dirga
Serena and Carrie first met Dirga by chance in 2015. We’d heard about a place to eat that was close to where we were staying. Dirga fortuitously happened to be our waiter. He was also a butler and had aspirations of learning to be a driver and owning his own vehicle one day. He was very friendly and we spent a lot of time talking and laughing even though we spoke zero Balinese or Indonesian and he spoke only a few words of English. But language turned out to not be a barrier to our connection. Our friendship was real from the start.
The day after we first met we were surprised to hear a knock on our gate. It was Dirga bringing us a bag of delicious mangosteen he had just picked from a tree in his yard along with a handful of incense. We were delighted!
These days, Dirga supports several villas in his village working as a plumber, electrician, and whatever is needed. He is also a woodcarver, a skill that in Dirga’s words make him a “very talented man.”
Dirga’s is always sharing his knowledge, helping his family and friends, encouraging their language learning and practicing speaking English. He is also a wonderful ambassador of his village.
Meet Rey
Rey is Dirga’s sister. We also met her in 2015 after asking Dirga about the beautiful dress that women wore to the temple and he let us know that his sister was a tailor and took us for a visit to her workspace. Since that first meeting, Rey has outfitted our groups in traditional Balinese attire for photos and temple visits. It has been exciting to witness how she has grown her business over the years. She is a boss lady (her words) that has a vibrant and loving energy.
Rey’s husband, Anggur also contributes to her business, helping Rey produce various styles of kebaya. They have two children: Anika, their daughter and Reyza, their son. Her business, Reyzanika Kebaya is named after these wonderful kids. She aspires to learn to drive a car like her brother and has plans to own a retail shop filled with her designs in the future.
In addition to building her business, Rey also makes time to attend music concerts — a passion that her younger brother lovingly describes as a little bit “crazy!”
Komeng is Dirga and Rey’s brother. His position in the family explains one of his nick-names: “ younger brother.” Komeng has a lot of experience in hospitality. After working in Dubai, he returned home and is currently a local guide in his village.
Komeng will (most likely) be with us during purification rituals at the holy water temples. His english speaking is great—and he enjoys finding ways to convey the deeper meaning of various rituals and ceremonial offerings. As you’ll see for yourself, Komeng’s energy is playful and unbounded! He is truly a lot of fun to be with. Also, he likes video games.
Meet Komeng
Meet Putra
We met Putra in 2024 when he was working at a villa where our group was staying. He is also Dirga and Komeng’s neighbor! They have known each other since childhood.
He comes from a family of stone and wood carvers, and is a lover of art, nature, plants & garden design. His eye for beauty has also been put to work as a professional shopper and interior designer interior designer for local villas. On top of all this, Putra also is a barber & really enjoys cutting hair!
Putra is a wonderful guide with a warm & friendly personality & lots of creative ideas of new places to explore. He is also a driver and will be great support to our group.
