In Reply to: Lovina posted by Banyar on Thursday, 9. June 2005 at 18:33 Bali Time:
Do you mind if I ask how long where you in Lovina for,how many times & where you stayed ? I know some hotels are absolute dives there but you will find the same any where.I hope you don't take offence at any of my comments BUT we just love it there ,know it very well & it is our absolute favourite place in ALL of Bali!
I know that Lovina is a lot slower pace & not as many tourists but to be honest that is exactly why we love it so much,that & the wonderful people we have got to know & become friends with.When we have returned after being away for a short or even a long time they run up to us in the street to embrace us like old friends NOT for us to buy but because they are truly happy to see us again.other tourists will get hassled to but the same as anywhere but if I say No,not today they are happy just to sit down & talk.
I find the locals extremely friendly especially after you have been a few times & they have got to know you.I have been to Lovina at different times of the year & am really sorry to hear you feel the way you do.I mentioned some hotels being real dives - I have had friends off the forum change their prepaid rooms to come into our favourite place there.I expect every one here knows the Rambutan Cottages at Kalibukbuk,Lovina is our special place.It is just wonderful.
Did you go for a walk along the foreshore at Kalibukbuk & see all the redevelopment with the new paving & lighting ? The locals are just so proud of the work that has been done.Are you aware they have a committee & a large group of locals that regularly get together to tidy up the beach area.
What about all the new restaurants & bars that have opened? Did you go to Sea Breeze,Jasmine kitchen- I think THE best Thai I have ever eaten at,the wonderful little place just up from Rambutan that bakes it's own bread,Kakatua, Lumbung cafe & the new bar that Suddy has opened across the road,Octopus Garden,Bali Bintang,the fairly new Funky Monkey to have a chat to the Aussie owner Jim ? The place is over run with good restuarants & bars.I agree that Lovina may have some restaurants that aren't up to par BUT that's the same everywhere.One place we have been going to for a long time we will never go to again because the 2 of us & 2 friends all got severe BB after eating there on the same day but that could have easily happened anywhere not just Lovina.
I haven't even started on the great places to go & have massages & beauty treatments & the very entertaining local hairdressers .They even "kidnapped" me one day to give demonstrations of Aussie hair cutting techniques on my hubby & talk about the products we use.Anyone going to Lovina also has to go & eat at Fritz & Ceria's winery up in the hills at Kayuputih.The views,the sunset & the food are all glorious.NOT to mention the wine tasting afterwards <HIC> my husband would say just watch out for the stairs you have to walk up afterwards <LOL>- BTW - Thank you Richard - NO comments <VBG>
Our teenage son has actually cried when we have left Lovina because he loves it so much & has got to know so many of the kids.In case you haven't gathered Lovina is a place that we really love & is very close to our heart.
I feel I must ask did you stay a long way out of the main area? We did the 1st time we went to Lovina & never would again.It's too isolated unless you are right in town.We like to both get out & go for walks & explore & talk to people.Maybe that's why you thought it was so quite.Anyway think about giving Lovina another chance,stay at the Rambutan right in town & spend some time taking it easy & talking to people.Maybe next trip you may feel differently.