After a lazy day in Amed yesterday , we move to Bali’s north coast Lovina today. As I had decided not to dive (not good for big things, good muck diving or wreck with possibly lots of people), the day was filled with a relaxing swim, motorbike rides, a snorkel and a massage.
We had arranged for a private transfer from Amed to Lovina for IDR400K, which normally IDR450-500K instead of IDR400K seat-in-van basis for two pax. The proviso was that we couldn’t go at our preferred time of 1000 but had to fit in with the driver of 1100.
With such a late departure, we took the opportunity to take one last swim in Amed’s clear warm waters before relaxing and packing.
It seemed a bit of a con when the driver turned up at 1000 saying that he had other two other people, but he would further discount it to IDR350K for two pax. He guaranteed us the best seats. Kim was rather unhappy but I’ve had to deal with worse hiccups in my travel.
The ride was comfortable and the two companions were nice. We arrived less than 2h30 later to Lovina Beachhouse to find that we had booked Beachouse Lovina (single “h” and opposite wording). Fortunately our driver hadn’t left yet and we continued to the correct accommodation; it wasn’t really within walking distance in the heat.
The hotel had written to us yesterday that our booked seaview room was unavailable for the first night but it would be available for the second night. The standard room was nice except that the walls between rooms didn’t go all the way up in the ceiling cavity, meaning we could hear talking from as far as two rooms away.
Sick of westernised Indonesian meals, we braved the heat to walk to some restaurants we had seen. It wasn’t as near as we had thought but it was absolutely worth it. The ayam betutu was simply delicious even though it may not have been prepared in the most authentic fashion, being in a place that had a large menu (rather than specialising in this famous dish). Quite unexpectedly, the place had a western name of Mr Bean’s.
We rested in the air-con room and then the pool. Lovina’s beach isn’t good for swimming as it is very shallow and on needs to walk a long way out on possibly sharp sand/coral/rock.
In the evening, we returned to our lunch place for a great dinner. Back at the hotel we realised that our rooms were very unsound-proof. We could hear conversation from two rooms away. Lucky we’re in it only for one night.