Free Horse Cart Rides Through Central Bali

The island of Bali is known for its beach and mountain areas. Most tourists head to the coast and overlook the capital city - Denpasar.

At first glance, it may seem like a typical Indonesian city, busy, not very clear, and seemingly unremarkable. However, in reality, there is much to discover if you immerse yourself in its unique atmosphere. In general, the city authorities are making efforts to attract tourists.

For example, last month they launched a free horse cart rides service for tourists. Since the beginning of February, more than 1000 people have taken advantage of this opportunity.

The head of the Denpasar Tourism Office, Ni Luh Putu Riastiti, said: "This service is also an attempt by the city government to preserve traditional means of transportation in Denpasar, which were previously characteristic of the city." Horses and carriages were once common for transporting goods and people throughout Bali before cars and motorcycles became the norm.

Nowadays, however, times are different, and many tourists are concerned about the condition of the horses, perhaps recalling the emaciated, exhausted animals on the Gili Islands. This aspect has also been taken care of, Riastiti reported: "With these free rides, we will be able to maintain the health of the horses through regular checks conducted by the city services and also help the cart drivers earn income."

It is assumed that although the ride is free, tourists will still periodically give tips. Moreover, for their services, the carriage drivers will receive income from the Denpasar authorities of up to 350,000 rupees per day.

The attraction can be found in the historic center of Denpasar every Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm. At the moment, there are eight horses with carts operating on the route, waiting for you at two points in the city.

The first point is located at the Tegal terminal on Jalan Imam Bonjol, and the second one is on Jalan Sulawesi Utara. There are two routes in total, and each of them will take about 30 minutes. Each carriage can accommodate two adult passengers and one child.

To take advantage of this offer, you must arrive at one of the points, fill out a form, wait for the carriage, and then set off.

QR codes will be placed in the carts, leading to information about local attractions. In March, special courses will be held for the cart drivers, where they can learn the intricacies of working with tourists and familiarize themselves with the rules of the road.

Sources: detik, antara