In Reply to: how posted by dilby on Thursday, 9. September 2010 at 16:31 Bali Time:
BUT after decades of driving in Bali he recently hired a driver with a friend to go to Ubud & says he would never drive in Bali for any distance again. Instead next trip we'll get a driver to take us long distances & either rent a car or bike to get around there. It IS good to have your own transport when you want to explore an area.
We stayed at Puri Alam Bungalow in Munduk - loved it (discount for 2 nights or more). Have motorcycles for hire at a good price. Food was good to very good & cheap. Magnificent views from the restaurant - a lot of stairs but they were building a new restaurant at street level. Room had spectacular views from bed, with a large terrace in front with even better views. Plenty of walks with or without guides (it was very wet when we were there last May so no walkies). Interestingly, guided walks vary in price - the better English the guide speaks, the more expensive. Rates on the website. Basic - no TV or aircon but both unnecessary.
On the way to Munduk be sure to have brekky at Pacung Indah, then past the Ghost Palace (which you might like to see) to Candi Kuning - Cracker's Loos, a very good pashmina, fruit & spice market, then to Ngiring Ngewedang - lovely restaurant with pretty good food & superb views.
From Munduk you can easily get transport to Lovina - just a matter of bargaining.