TO DO & TOURS IN LOVINA

Lovina is a small fisherman village in the North of Bali. In the village are several good restaurants, an internet café, a money machine, a 5 star Padi dive center and some café's and bars. The water is very clear and fisherman get up early to get some fish. The name Lovina comes from the abbreviation "Love Indonesia".

Mister Gede likes to talk with his guests about the religion on Bali and the meaning of the various hindu ceremonies. He also loves to talk about the culture and history of Bali and his life as a former fisherman in Lovina. He can tell very enthousiastic and is willing to answer all your questions.

Ceremonies
Mr Gede has taken guest to several ceremonies and explained the meaning of the rituals. We had the opportunity to go with him for a ceremony in his family temple and later we were invited to a baby ceremony. On these ceremonies you will find Mr Gede playing the Gamelan with his family. If there is a ceremony in the neigborhood off Lovina, that is open for public, Mr gede will know and can bring you there and explain the meaning of the Balinese rituals.

Dolphin Trips Lovina
If you come to Lovina for a boat trip to see the dolphins, than can Mr Gede take care of the boat tickets. The boat will pick you up at the beach in front of Gede Homestay. The boat leaves very early in the morning, but the coffee is ready. When you come back from the dolphin/snorkling trip, breakfast is served.

Banjar Hotsprings
The Banjar hotspings is a natural Balinese swiming pool. A lot of Balinese people are swimming here and eat something in the restaurant. The Hotsprings are about 15 minutes from Gede Homestay. You can drive there yourself, or Mr Gede can take care of transport to the banjar hotsprings. There are also taxis at the hotspring that can bring you back.

Balinese dancing
In the center of Lovina you can go to a traditional Balinese dance performance. The people from the village have an 1 hour show you can watch and enjoy. Mr Gede can take care of transportation and tickets. He also can explain the meaning of the dragons in the show and the meaning of the dance.

Fishing & Sailing Trips
The brother of Mr Gede is still a fisherman. If you want you can go fishing with him in a traditional Balinese fisherboat. The catch will be put on the BBQ. If you don't catch anything, you can always buy fresh fish on the market. It is also possible to sail with a balinese fisherboat and relax on the water.

Lake Bratan & Gitgit waterfall
Lake Bratan in Bedugul is a beautifull spot with a famous temple, just 40 minutes from Lovina. You can visit it on the way to Lovina, or Mr Gede can bring you there. There are ricefields, several hindu temples, and a Buddhist Monastery near Lovina. Nearby the Gitgit waterfall is Lake Buyan, where you can feed wild monkeys.

Relaxing Massage
On the beach you can get a massage from woman on the beach, or Mr. gede can also bring you to a professional Balinese massage salon in the neighbourhood. The professional massage salon has some nice packacges for +/- 110.000 Rupiah for 1,5 hour Balinese massage (9 euro).

Padi Dive Center
In Lovina is a 5 Star Padi dive center "Spice Dive". Here you can take a course or make a dive trip to Tulumben (US Liberty shipwreck) or to Menjangan Island. The dive in Tulumben is a great wreck-dive spot. You can ask Mr Gede to bring you to Spice Dive. Spice Dive will pick you up from Gede Homestay.

Singaraja
Singaraja is a city 15 minutes from Lovina. It has an population of 80.000 people. Singaraja means 'lion king' and was the capital city during the dutch colonial period. There are nice markets and several temples around Singaraja. In one temple there is a stone carving of a bike and the first car on Bali. This car and bike were imported by the dutch during the colonial period.

Trip to the rice terrace
Around Lovina are some rice terraces. You can walk trough the rice fields and look at the simple but efficient irrigation systems.

Gede, for all your Transport
Mr Gede takes care off all the transport on land or sea, that you need! There are shuttle buses that go from Lovina to all big cities on Bali or Mr Gede can also take care of a private chauffeur that can bring you anywhere and drop you at another hotel or homestay. On the way to your new location, like Ubud, you can do some sightseeing on the way.

Source:http://www.gede-homestay.com