In Reply to: just spent posted by dennisc on Friday, 19. June 2009 at 21:40 Bali Time:
Can't believe dennise's post. We stayed in Lovina 2 years ago and will be there in 3 weeks time. Our 2 teenage sons are very discerning diners, having been spoilt by numerous Asian holidays and like us, they found the restaurants to be excellent.
They tend to have fewer western dishes but the upside is that the prices are a lot lower and the Balinese food far more authentic and with a wider range of choices.
If you really want to splurge there is the Damai hotel but you don't need to be staying there to check out the amazing (though expensive) restaurant.
Lovina is where you need only go a few 100 meters past the main shopping strip to be surrounded by rice fields. The natural scenery is fabulous with black volcanic sand on one side and spectacular mountains on the other.
The local market is well worth a visit though not if you want to buy T-shirts or beer holders and there are many places to go and visit including Singharaja only 20 minutes away.
Check out the rambutan hotel's website - they have a guide with photos of the things to do in and around Lovina.
We also love Sanur - we'll be staying there too but Lovina provides a real balinese experience very different from the more touristy south.
cheers,
jenny