HRN Lovina day 2 sponsored by inner health :)
I have really enjoyed reading other peoples reports and living vicariously through them before my trip, I hope I can help someone else, but be warned I'm no writer and can waffle esp after a few Bintang's
Awoke at some bizarre time not usually a time seen by me especially on holidays to be taken on our dolphin tour, our transport today on to town was by bike to the boat ( sorry hubby I know I promised no bikes it was not my fault)
About 100 boat people had the same idea, we shared a spectacular sunrise and as luck would have it we got 2 separate instances where dolphins were close to us (approx 5 metres ) and a few times they were in the distance. It was a little anxiety ridden as some of the boats really had no education on staying the distance and allowing them to swim around us...instead it was like we were running them down/away like a bizarre game of chase. However our driver seemed to understand when we told him to slow/ stop and we were rewarded with a few great moments before the others saw them. I would recommend it to anyone staying in Lovina for 60000 and we were out 3 hrs.
The water was clear and you can see coral and it's really warm, warmer than the pool. Many near our hotel snorkelled straight off the beach.
A bit about Lovina as it's hard to get information on the forum. There is a central place about the size of poppies lane which is where most if the stalls/ restaurants/ transport and excursion places are, there seems to be a price set for most trips and day transport back to other areas of Bali so there is no need to bargain heavily. The sand is not as black as you might imagine more of a sandy brown. The tourists here are mostly European- Danish and French, we are yet to meet another Aussie. The beach water is clear you can see the bottom not pristine beaches but certainly ok to swim in.
Back to the whole inner health theme
Today was about relaxing
1st taking in a beautiful sunrise always good for the soul, followed by a full belly of breakfast, it's an interesting way to serve in our hotel they have 3 set menus American, Indonesian and continental ( plenty of food) and it arrives to your table on one plate rather then ordering just what you want or a buffet for eg American,had eggs/ toast/ ham/ sausage / Danish/ croissant/ fruit / tea or coffee all served to me on one plate at once I felt bad I only eat small portions and just wanted eggs on toast
Followed by relaxing by a gorgeous infinity pool over looking the beach I had to fit in a cocktail it just wouldn't be right not to ;) Our hotel is a 20 minute walk to town/ central or a 5 minutes taxi cost 30000 return but free 4-9 pm
Off to central for lunch, satay chicken cost 25000 overlooking the beach. Then a most relaxing beach massage with no sand exfoliation 1 hr for 2 people 110000 ...priceless !
Then to follow up with the theme of today, a visit to the Banjar hot springs ( holy hot springs Batman you'll get the joke when you go ) where it said to have to have healing properties, admission price 5000, taxi there 130000. There are a few stalls for towels / swimmers/ sarongs etc along the path and it takes about 15 minutes to get there from Lovina. I got a sarong 20000 and am a little disappointed my love to shop
personality is not really inspired as yet ..... I'm sure it will perhaps I'm just too relaxed.
Well after so much detoxing it was time for happy hour and every bar and restaurant has nearly a 3 hr happy hour .... Why fight it ?
Dinner tonight was at warung apple a thriving business, we watched the kitchen work and was served by the families children. It was a culinary delight i had a prawn curry, T had chicken wrapped in banana leaves and we had Bergedel kentang a steamed potato with garlic and onion and then fried to have a crispy coating YUM with cokes cost 94000 WOW! I suggest you try it.
Tomorrow its Manjangan island for a day of snorkelling
HRN part 3 Menjangen Island Snorkelling
Manjangan is about 1 hr 20 drive from Lovina and then a 20 minute boat ride, it's a marine reserve. Which is said to have fabulous snorkelling and diving and we certainly were not left feeling disappointed. There was lots of variation in the coral and hundreds of fish, we saw Nemo. It felt like we were swimming in the Sydney aquarium minus the sharks I'm sure they are there but I'm very pleased to say I saw none today or I may be reporting I walked on water. T was a bit disappointed, not in the snorkelling but the fact we did not see a moose, in pictures when you google there is always one of a moose/ deer in the water ...... Can't please everyone ;) Lunch was like a Picnic we had Nasi goreng. We had 2 snorkelling spots of 1 hr each which is good for me as I'm usually cold after then anyway.
So with equipment, lunch drinks transport and guide it was 400000 each. A fantastic day and the divers in our group also loved it. I recommend it.
We have used the company opposite the dolphin statue in central for all our bookings here including our transport back to Legian which is 450000 for a private driver 9-8 pm he needs to have time to be back in Lovina at 8 that's his working day . We plan to explore Bedugul on our way back to legian.
I hope this is helping someone. Please offer some ideas as we head back to meet the rest of the girls, where should we go to celebrate my 40th?