In Reply to: travelling to Lovina&Candidasa posted by andy deb on Wednesday, 24. June 2009 at 10:11 Bali Time:
i have been to Bali twice. On my first visit I spent one night in Amed and 2 nights in Lovina. I paid a driver 1.2 million IDR for the 4 days. He slept in his van or on a bale in the hotel grounds. He was quite uneasy about staying outside of the hotel for the sake of his security as he was out of his territory according to transport drivers in Lovina.
On the second visit,I organised a driver from amed to pick me up from the airport. He took us to the moneychanger and supermarket for Bintangs and an esky and his friend at a warung in Amed sorted us with phonecards. 3 days later, he organised to take us to Lovina via Kintamani and gitgit where we stayed at the Melka hotel. (they have the dolphin shows and mini zoo) Not only was this place fairly cheap, booked through asia rooms but they also provided a bed for the driver and a meal I think. The following day, he took us to Ubud via Air Panus hot springs, Munduk waterfall and the high road accross the crater rims through Lake Bratan.
This was by far the best option. If ya want the e-mail of a really good driver with good english and a good car for up to seven passengers with a good stereo to pump out the reggae tunes email me.
Another benefit was the local drivers 'local knowledge' of his area. I recomend staying at least a night in both areas.