BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS

The villa is  located at the north coast of Bali, about 10 minutes drive from Lovina center, the tourist town known for the dolphins you can see here every morning at sunrise.

The surroundings provide ample scope for exploring, discovery and activities. Beautiful beaches, terraced rice-fields, plantations, mountains, temples and some nice villages and towns are close by. You will find wonderful snorkeling and diving sites and also one of the finest golf courses in Asia that is just an hour’s drive away. More and more people are discovering this still pristine, unspoiled and authentic North Bali.

Below you will find some sightseeing’s and activities that are easy reachable from all of the villas.

Lovina

Lovina is a small but lively village with nice restaurants, bars, shops, Spa’s, a market, supermarkets and even a Swiss bakery. Also in the center you will find ATM’s to withdraw money. In and around Lovina you find a rich choice of good restaurants with delicious national and international cuisine. The prices are still 50% lower than in Europe. In the information folder in the villa you will find a list of recommended restaurants. Some restaurants offer free pick-up service when making a reservation in advance.

Lovina, which is popular with the Western population, also has some Western-oriented physicians and a dentist with a very good reputation.

Dolphins

However, Lovina is most renowned for its dolphins which you can see every morning at dawn during a boat trip. Early in the morning many fisherman with on board tourists are leaving Lovina to look for the dolphins. Due to the large population of shrimp at this particularly coastline you will find here year round many dolphins. The chance that you see these animals is 80%. The boat can be surrounded by dozens of dolphins jumping and playing. It is usually sufficient to make an arrangement with a fisherman 1 day in advance.

The help desk or the staff of your villa can make the arrangements for the trip and you can ask if they pick you up by boat in front of the villa. The tour is very worthwhile and takes over two hours. In the Melka Hotel, just outside Lovina, you have also the opportunity to actually swim with dolphins.

Snorkeling and diving

The Balinese sea near Lovina offers several places for great snorkeling and diving. Because of the shallow and calm sea, you will have a good view of the tropical fish. Again, you can ask a fisherman to take you to the most beautiful places to snorkel, which you are most likely to find east of Lovina.

Certainly worthwhile is a snorkeling trip to Menjangan Island (1 hour ride from the villa). Around the island you will find many colorful fish and coral and this snorkeling site is also very convenient for children as you can start snorkeling directly from the shore of the island.

For divers this is also the place to be! There are a number of PADI diving schools in Lovina, including a 5 star PADI school called Bali Spice Dive. Experienced dive masters know exactly where and when you have to be to enjoy the best dives, like on the reef of the Island of Menjangan or at Tulamben on the East coast of Bali to dive to the famous American war wreck U.S. Liberty. If you book a dive trip with Spice Dive they will pick you up at your villa. For more information please browse to : www.balispicedive.com

Singaraja

Singaraja was once the capital of Bali and is still the largest city in North Bali. Still, you can explore different districts where Dutch settlers used to live and work.

In Singaraja at the large supermarket Hardy’s you will find all you need for your daily shopping. The city is about 20 minutes drive from your villa. Singaraja is home to the Gedong Kirtya library. Here you will find the famous Lontar Manuscripts and lots of Balinese literature and books on the colonial period. In the port of Singaraja you can still find old warehouses from the days of Dutch colonization. There is also an authentic Chinese temple. In Singaraja you will also find a number of department stores, hospitals, pharmacies, banks and a large market.

Buddhist Monastery

In the hills of Banjar, about 15 minutes away from your villa, the Buddhist monastery, Brahma Vihara Arama, is located. This is the only Buddhist monastery in Bali. The monastery is spread over several layers and has special walls and rooms for prayer. It is also known as the small Borobodur. Some Balinese Buddhist monks inhabit the monastery. From the hill on which the monastery is located, you have a beautiful view of the area and the sea. A visit to the monastery is easy to combine with the hot springs of Air Panas.

Hot Springs

Near the monastery, you will find the famous hot springs of Air Panas. These “hot springs” are located in the hills of the village of Banjar and are surrounded by beautiful scenery. The 38° C hot sulphurous source ends at eight carved dragonheads. The sulphurous water has a healing effect on skin diseases.

Waterfalls

Near the villa are several waterfalls, such as the Munduk waterfall, the Aling Aling waterfall and the SingSing waterfalls. Approximately 30 minutes south of Singaraja is the highest waterfall of Bali, the Git Git waterfall. A path of about 1 km with a variety of souvenir shops leads you past a coffee and a vanilla plantation to the 60-metre-high waterfall. Once you have arrived at the waterfall, you can enjoy the sounds of the water splashing downwards.

We have made a selection of the most attractive places for sightseeing in Bali, like the temples of Pura Ulun Danau Bratan and Pura Besakih (the mother temple) and the Bali Barat National Park in Ubud, the cultural capital of Bali. We also have provided a complete overview of all activities in the vicinity of the villa like snorkeling, diving, golfing and hiking. In the villa you will find an information guide with suggestions.

SURROUNDINGS OF THE VILLAS

• Lovina-Beach
• Sawas and vineyards
• Temples
• Dolphin spotting
• Snorkeling and Diving
• Lovina and Singaraja
• Brahma Vihara Arama Buddhist monastery
• Hot Springs Air Panas
• Git Git Waterfall

SIGHTSEEING

CULTURE

Bali offers a variety of temples, each having its own specific purpose. East of Lovina, you will find the Beji Temple at Sangsit, which is dedicated to the rice goddess. The Jagaraja temple commemorates the battles with the Dutch. To the west of Lovina is Pulaki temple, which is packed with monkeys who are considered to be descendants of the god Dewa. The Pura Ulun Danu Bratan temple is situated near Bedugul at Lake Bratan. You will pass this temple when you travel from the airport to your villa.

Pura Ulun Danau Bratan

This well-known and beautiful temple is situated at the edge of Lake Bratan, a beautiful lake situated between different mountains, which are partly hidden among clouds. The Bratan lake is important for the irrigation of the southern parts of Bali.

Pura Besakih – the ‘mother temple’

Pura Besakih, the largest and most sacred temple of the Balinese. The temple is located on the slope of the Gunung Agung and was built between the 14th and 18th century. The holy temple complex is located on a hill and can be reached via a long staircase. The temple consists of about 200 buildings that have been divided into 30 complexes on several terraces. It is obligatory to wear a sarong (these are for rent or sale at the gate) and to be decently dressed when you visit the temple.

The Water Palaces of Tirtagangga and Taman Ujung

During his reign, the last king of East Bali built two beautiful water palaces, Ujung and Tirtagangga. The water palace Tirtagangga is constructed around a natural resource of which the water is deemed to be holy. Five basins, fountains and statues from the Hindu culture provide the garden with the appearance of entering an open-air museum. And whether it is related to the water or not, the wealth of trees and flowering plants makes the garden radiate with serenity and peacefulness.

The eruption of Gunung Agung in 1963, accompanied by earthquakes, largely destroyed the water palaces. A few years ago, both water palaces were completely restored.

For a small fee you can take a bath in the ‘first’ royal water, a pool that was only intended for the rajah.  For even less, you can bathe in the glass clear ‘second’ water, the bath formerly used by the royal household.

A grandson of the last ruling monarch now operates the gardens, a restaurant and a villa for rent. Starting at the small and quiet Tirtagangga you can enjoy hikes and daytrips through the beautiful flooded rice-fields (sawas) and visit villages and temples in the area.

Ubud

If you have enough time we recommend you to go on a day trip to Ubud (Central Bali), the cultural capital of Bali. The surroundings of Ubud are very nice and the town has a rich history when it comes to the Balinese painting. In addition, other art forms such as wood carvings and silver smithery are well represented in the area, there are a number of villages around Ubud specialized in all kinds of crafts such as Celuk (silver) and Mas (wood carving).

Ubud is a real Balinese town, the center is touristic, but well worth to visit. It is a lively town with markets, shops, beautiful temples and there are many dance shows you can attend. Ubud is surrounded by many rice fields and you can make beautiful tours. Also, near Ubud you can rafting and canoeing on the Ayung River and there is an elephant camp (all also very nice for children). Ubud is a paradise if you are looking for wood carvings, paintings, batik, bamboo articles and Balinese artwork. Suggestion: to have a drink or lunch at the terrace of Café Lotus in the center of Ubud with superb views over the big pond with lotus flowers and the temple that stands behind it.

A visit to Ubud is definitely worth it, however it takes about 2,5 hours driving from the villa. You can also visit Ubud on the way from or to the airport as the distance between the airport and Ubud is only 1 hour driving.

Goa Gajah

The giant elephant cave Goa Gajah is located east of Peliatan near Ubud. The entrance is decorated with fantastic figures, demons, animals and plants. The monstrous head that decorates the entrance appears to lift the rock with its hands. The Goa Gajah dates from the 11th century.

 

Local markets

In all villages you will find local markets to buy fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. The local markets start early in the morning. The staff of the villa likes to go to the local market to buy fresh things for you. The local market is only 10 minutes away and open until approximately 10.30 in the morning.

Ceremonies

Everywhere on Bali you will see people preparing themselves for a ceremony by making decorations and offerings. These colorful ceremonies will take place on religious Hindu days or on religious family days such as a ceremony for a newborn baby, a ceremony for the youth or a ceremony for the deceased. It is certainly worthwhile attending a ceremony. The staff of the villa or your contact person at the help desk can tell you which ceremony will take place in the neighborhood of the villa during your stay.

NATURE

The Bali Barat National Park

The Bali Barat National Park is located on the west side of Bali. The National Park is immense in size and includes 7,000 hectares of protected coral reef off the coast. It is a mountainous area and consists primarily of rain forests, mangrove forest, savannahs and coral reefs. In the park you can find more than 200 types of plants. Some of these plants have a religious and spiritual significance like the banyan tree. The National Park also provides a safe heaven for leopards, wild boars, snakes, iguanas, lizards, turtles, monkeys and huge spiders. You will also be able to find large herbivores like deer, wild buffalo and banteng (ox).

If you want to tour the park this can only be done by hiring a guide. If you prefer to stay for several days in the park, there are several accommodation options in the vicinity of the park for overnight stays. The Bali Barat National Park is an important example of the Friends of the Reef campaign of WWF.

Batakaru National Reserve

The Batakaru Nationanal Reserve can be found in the Tabanandistrict in Central Bali. The reserve consists of three separate areas surrounding the second-highest mountain of Bali, mount Gunung Batakaru (2,275m). The reserve is one of the last untouched rainforests you can find on Bali. In this dense area, you will find high tropical trees surrounded by climbing plants, ferns and orchids. You can also find all kinds of exotic birds and animals.

Gunung Agung

The Gunung Agung is the highest and most sacred mountain in Bali. The mountain is 3,142 meters high and you can see Gunung Agung from almost every point on Bali or from the surrounding islands. At the foot of the mountain you will find the main temple of Bali, Pura Besakih, or the ‘Mother Temple’.

Goa Lawah (Bat Cave)

Between Padangbai and Kusamba you can find Goa Lawah, also called the Bat Cave. There are thousands of bats hanging on the walls of the cave. They sleep there by day and fly outside just shortly before nightfall.

Monkey Forest

The Monkey Forest Reserve in Ubud is a protected area for 3 groups of long-tail monkeys. The Monkey Forest also provides a large temple and cemetery. The temple is called Pura Dalem Padangtegal Agung.

CULTURE

• Pura Ulun Danau temple Bratan Lake
• Pura Besakih (the mother temple)
• Water Palaces
• Ubud
• Goa Gajah Elephant Cave
• Local markets and ceremonies

NATURE

• Bali Barat National Park
• Batakaru National Reserve
• Gunung Agung
• Bats Cave Goa Lawah
• Monkey Forest

ACTIVITIES

In addition to visiting the many natural and cultural resources of Bali, you can do many other activities.

Fishing

Many traditional fishermen sail out every day on the Bali Sea to catch fish. Do you like fishing and do you want to explore this yourself? Simply ask a fisherman at the end of the afternoon if you can join him on his trip. You can even ask your cook to prepare the fish you caught for dinner.

Snorkeling and diving

The Balinese sea near Lovina offers several places for great snorkeling and diving. Because of the shallow and calm sea, you will have a good view of the tropical fish. Again, you can ask a fisherman to take you to the most beautiful places to snorkel, which are east of Lovina.

Certainly worthwhile is a snorkeling or diving trip to Menjangan Island (1 hour ride from the villa). Around the island you will find many colorful fish and coral and this snorkeling site is also very convenient for children as you can start snorkeling directly from the shore of the island.

There are a number of dive schools in Lovina, we can recommend to use Bali Spice Dive, a 5 star diving center. The dive masters know exactly when and where the most beautiful dive sites (such as Menjangan Island, Tulamben, Amed). Bali Spice Dive offers complete organized snorkeling and diving trips including transportation, equipment, lunch and instructors. The trips can also be combined for both snorkeling and diving groups. You can get all the information of this diving center can be found at: www.balispicedive.com

About 1 hour drive west of the villa you find the beautiful dive site of Pemuteran. At this place you are assured of a beautiful day on the water. You can simply start your snorkeling or diving trip here from the shore. Along the beach are several restaurants. You can find a local diving school in Pemuteran that is run by an Australian. He also has a small park, complete with sea turtles which, once recovered and in good health, are returned to the sea. For more information you can visit his website: www.reefseen.com

A little bit further is Menjangan Island, a paradise for snorkeling and a must for all divers! The island is part of the National Park Bali Barat and to protect the area diving is regulated. You will find here a lot of colourful fish and sightings of whales, whale sharks and manta rays, even other large pelagics are sometimes seen at Menjangan.

Also on the east side of Bali, at Tulamben, you’ll find a beautiful and famous place to dive. Although it is a two-hour drive from the villa, it is worth a visit if you love diving. There are several great diving places. One of them is the famous dive to the US Liberty ship wreck, a dive you can start from the shore. In Amed, a town also on the east coast, you find a good and pleasant diving school that is run by a Dutch father and son. Their site can be viewed at:  www.jukungdivebali.com

Golfing

In Bedugul, at about 1 hour drive from the villa, you find a beautiful 18-hole golf course called “Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club”. This golf course is among the top-5 courses in Asia and is designed by the renowned architect Peter Thompson. The golf course is beautifully located on a mountainside at a height of more than 1,100 meters. You can find more information at:. www.balihandarakosaido.com

Volcanoes

A climb to the Batur volcano starts very early in the morning at 3 am when you leave the villa for a drive to the volcano. Once at the foot of the mountain you can climb the volcano with a guide.. Your efforts will be rewarded with a beautiful sunrise and a great view of the 3,100 meters high Gunung Agung in front of you. Agung is a holy mountain for the Balinese people. They regard this mountain as the navel of the world and the Balinese people sleep with their head in the direction of Gunung Agung. You descend the volcano to Lake Batur. Magnificent temples surround this volcanic lake. Of course, you can always make a day trip to Batur, whether you climb or not, the view is impressive and you can visit many temples in the area.

Beach stroll

Do you like walking along the beach? At low tide you can even walk 10 kilometers at the beach starting in Lovina going westwards. The beach consists of grey lava sand. On your way you pass small kampongs where fishermen live.

Rice field tours / Hiking

Munduk is located south of Lovina in the mountains, only 30 minutes away from your villa. Because of the higher altitude in the mountains, you will find a cooler climate here. The area is breathtakingly beautiful as Munduk is surrounded by many rice fields build on terraces. You will also find coffee and clove plantations here.

Nearby, in the hills behind Seririt you can also explore beautiful walks through the paddy fields. This is area is called Mayong and it is ony 15 minutes away from your villa. There are guided tours which are very nice to do.

Not far from Munduk you’ll find the magical temple Pura Ulun Danu at the Bratan lake. In this area you also will find the most beautiful botanical gardens of Bali with many wild orchids, including very rare species.

You can take also beautiful hikes to the lakes of Buyan and Tamblinha.

ACTIVITIES

• Dolphin spotting
• Swimming with dolphins
• Fishing
• Snorkeling and diving
• Golfing
• Volcano climbing
• Beach walks
• Walking tours (rice fields, plantations, forests, lakes)