In Reply to: any thoughts on a northern trip. posted by DeeCat on Monday, 6. November 2006 at 00:21 Bali Time:
A must see is Lovina, so pretty, so peaceful, so friendly.
Last trip (June 06) we hired a car and with the kids (23, 20 & 13)we circumnavigated the island. Started from our base at Hotel Sanur Beach travelled up the west coast very scenic but not much there. Stayed at Aditya Hotel in Lovina.
(http://www.adityalovina.com)
Aditya is right on the beach literally at your front door, we stayed in 2 seaside bungalows with 180 degree views over the sea....and the sunsets there are truly to behold. Seaview restaurant serves nice food not expensive the pool is great and staff excellent and friendly. Wake up early and take the dolphin cruise at 6am - 8am (a highlight). We drove back down the east coast, road very narrow in places but a picture postcard at every turn with fishing villages everywhere, small beachfront hotels along the way for another overnight stay if it suits. We did the trip in 2 days wish we had of taken it slower and had a few more nights, maybe next trip. My suggestion is to drive straight up the middle of the island staying at Lovina overnight but drive back down the east coast road and staying a night at say Candi dasa at Candi Beach Cottage.
(http://www.candibeachbali.com)
Hope this helps
Cheers
Don