In Reply to: Lovina info please posted by rhon on Saturday, 6. November 2004 at 16:44 Bali Time:
Hi rhon,
We stayed for 4 nights at Lovina in mid-September (7 weeks ago). We were in the Aneka Lovina which is the property right next door to the Sol Lovina.
To answer your questions:
Changing money?
We suggest you change your money at the Airport first. The exchange rate will be quite OK. You're not going to achieve much better in Kuta anyway. If you do run out there is an ATM and bank right in town at Kalibukbuk (although the rate is crap). A better alternative to them is a money changer just past the ATM on the RHS near the Perama Office, Police and the Tourist Information. The girl there was very friendly and seemed to be quite honest. We asked for big bills and she counted the notes in front of us, then fanned them out on the desk and allowed us to check the amount in front of her. Smiles all round!
How far out of town?
Depends which "town" you're talking about. If it's what is considered the main village for Lovina, that would be Kalibukbuk. You can either stroll along the beach or the main road. From the Sol Lovina that would be only about a 15 minute leisurely stroll. If it is too hot, catch one of the many bemos going down the main road. They will cost you peanuts. About a 500R each each way.
If you mean the old Dutch capital, Kota Singaraja, it's about a 25-30 minute ride in a Bemo. You do have to change at the bus station at the western end of Singaraja (the "Banyusari Bemo Terminal"). Ask the Sol Lovina's front desk which one is the right "colour" to catch into the main centre of Singaraja. But, once again not much of a hastle, the bemos are cheap and the drivers all a lot of fun (some have learnt their skills watching too many Hollywood car chases).
Is there much to do in the area?
Depends what you're into of course. There are the notorious dolphin chasing trips. If you're into snorkelling, there are coral reefs off shore. This sounds strange, but for beachgoers, Lovina's not the place. The sand of course is black volcanic and the hawkers hanging around the beach side of the hotels will drive you nuts!
Apart from lazing around your hotel's pool, you could spend some time with a driver going around the highlights of the area. e.g. go up to Banjar and visit the Budhist Temple followed by a swim in the hot springs ("Air Panas"). There are also the water falls - Git Git (most of the year around and very commercial), the Multi-Tiered just up the road from Git-Git (very quiet & only a handful of hawkers) and Sing Sing (seasonal). All the areas in between have some great views of the countryside.
We spent one day wandering aroung Singaraja. It's quite a fascinating city and does not have the hawkers that the South has. Boy, was it hot the day we were there though!
Meanwhile, back at Lovina, don't have all your meals at the hotel. There are some great restaurants in Kalibukbuk. Only a 5 minute walk to the east of your hotel there is a street (Jalan Loviana) that meanders from the main road down to the beach. It has some great eats as well! (e.g. Spunk's)
Have fun.
regards,
L&M