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Lovina - Bali
Dolphins * Snorkeling * Coral reefs * Sunsets * Hotsprings * Buddhist temple
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Places of Interest in Bali
Other Indonesian locations
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Lovina Beach is
located on the north coast of Bali. Lovina is an excellent location for
dolphin watching, snorkeling and just relaxing on the beach. Lovina has a
very relaxed atmosphere and has
spectacular sunsets. Leave your surfboard at home though as the sea at
Lovina Beach is flat. Lovina Beach has dark coloured sand produced from the original volcanic activity that created Bali.
Lovina Dolphin Monument Just outside the Lovina Beach area, on the way to the hot springs is a beautiful Buddhist Temple, Brahmavihara Arama Buddhist Temple which is well worth a visit. It has beautiful sculptured gardens with many classic Buddhist imagery.
The Brahmavihara Arama Buddhist Temple run meditation retreats run by visiting monks from Sth East Asia. The retreats run from 3, 10 and 14 days. There is basic accommodation within the temple. The retreats are based on donation only. The next meditation retreats are being run in September and October 2009 by instructor Sayadaw U Rajinda. Following are the dates:
1. 20 - 26 September 2009 4. 19 October - 1 November 2009 For more information contact Susan on 0852 3804 6181 or contact via their website - Brahamavihara Arama Buddhist Temple
Buddhist Temple close to Lovina There are hot springs (air panas) located close to the Buddhist Temple with a choice of pools of varying temperature. There is a small entre fee for entering and using the hot springs for bathing. There are change rooms and showers available. For other hot springs located in Sumatra Indonesia click here.
There are small coral reefs a few hundred meters off Lovina beach. Though the coral is not in the best of condition there is still plenty of different variety of fish to view. Day trips can be arranged from Lovina to go snorkeling or scuba diving on Menjangan Island which has some great coral reefs with abundant marine life including sea turtles, stingrays and reef sharks. Also close to Lovina is the traditional Balinese town of Singaraja which was the administrative capital of Bali until 1953. It has a population of around 100,000 with 20 - 25% being ethnic Chinese. There are daily day and night markets with good food stalls to try some interesting food.
Street market in Singaraja Singaraja has a spectacular Hindu temple in the centre, Pura Jagatnatha. It is generally closed though it has intricately carved gateway.
Pura Jagatnatha Hindu Temple - Singaraja Rooster or cock fighting Many villages around Lovina hold cock fighting on various days throughout the week. This is a blood thirsty sport not for the faint hearted. The roosters have metal spurs tied to their legs which can end a fight very quickly. Although gambling is illegal in Indonesia there is plenty of money changing hands at these tournaments. At least the losers of the fights end up as Ayam gorang (fried chicken)!
Last updated 28th July 2009 |
Lovina Beach
Dolphin Viewing and swimming The best time to see the dolphins is at sunrise. You can hire a boatman on Lovina beach for your chance to see hundreds of dolphins having their morning feed of prawns or tuna. Mostly the dolphins around Lovina belong to the spinner dolphin family. These dolphins are smaller than the bottlenose dolphin and are a dark grey colour.
If you want to get even closer to a dolphin then go to the Melka Excelsior Hotel which have 3 dolphins in a large swimming enclosure in the resort available to swim with and for Dolphin Therapy.
Sunset over Lovina Getting to Lovina It takes around 2.5 - 3 hours to drive from Kuta to Lovina or around 2 hours from Ubud. There are buses that go from Kuta though will take a lot longer than 3 hours as they stop along the way to drop off and pick people up. You will not have any troubles arranging a car and driver to take you to Lovina for around 200,000 - 250,000Rp depending on your bargaining skills. The bus is around 75,000Rp. The advantage with your private car is you can stop along the way wherever you like including at Pura Ulun Danau (lake) or Gitgit Waterfalls in the hills before you descend to the coastline into Lovina. There are many monkeys in these hills along the roadside waiting for passing cars to throw food to them. Also a good opportunity to stop to take photos.
Pura Uun Danau Temple on the way to Lovina
Accommodation - Hotels, Guesthouses There are many hotels and resorts to stay at within the Lovina area. Here are some links: Lovina Puri Bali is located a few hundred metres from Lovina Beach. A budget style hotel with a great swimming pool. Prices start at 130,000Rp (US$11) per night, breakfast and tax included. www.puribalilovina.com
The pool at Puri Bali Hotel Villa Agung Beach Inn a family run hotel with prices from 150,000Rp (US$12.50) per night. Located on the beach front it is set up with hotel style rooms as well as Villas and family bungalows. With swimming pool and Beauty Spa for massage therapy, facials, pedicures and manicures. www.agungvilla.com Lovina Beach Hotel is a budget style hotel with prices starting from US$15 (internet special). www.lovinabeachhotel.com Adirama Beach Hotel located directly on the ocean from with swimming pool, beauty salon. Rooms start from US$26. www.adiramabeachhotel.com Aditya Beach Resort Budget Balinese style resort with 17 air-conditioned cottages set within a tropical garden. Prices start from US$29 (internet rates). www.adityalovina.com Aneka Lovina Hotel prices from US$35 plus taxes. www.anekahotels.com/aneka-lovina Melka Excelsior Hotel just 5 minutes walk from the beach. With swimming pool and swimming with dolphins right in their resort. Room prices start from US$50. www.melkahotelbali.com
Bali Paradise Hotel Luxury resort and spa with large pool, 3 restaurants, 2 bars, wireless Internet hotspot. Prices start from US$50. www.baliparadisehotel.com
Sunari Villas and Spa Resort with 99 rooms varying from hotel style accommodation to private villas. Prices from US$50. www.sunari.com
Lovina Beach Resort previously known as Hotel Mas Lovina. Resort style accommodation from US$50 per night. maslovina.com Rambutan Boutique Hotel set within a large tropical garden. Prices start from US$60. www.rambutan.org Puri Bagus Hotel Deluxe resort style accommodation set on the beach on the outskirts of Lovina. Prices start from US$151. puri-bagus.com
Accommodation in the hills overlooking Lovina Puri Lumbung Cottages located in the hills at Munduk village. Prices from US$71 per night. www.purilumbung.com Damai Lovina Villas. Prices from US$150+ taxes per night. www.damai.com
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