I wanted to get to Ubud the next day but hubby wanted to go on to Lovina (as this was our original plan) but due to the 2 unplanned nights in Kuta we didnt have a lot of time left. We decided if it was still raining in the morning we would make our way to Ubud and if sun was shining we would go to Lovina.
So next morning we head off to Lovina. I was expecting this to be the longest ride so far but once again was pleasantly surpised by the good roads and the time we made. I was beginning to really enjoy the riding each day and was feeling at home on my little green bike. Once again a local approached us at Hardys Singaraja and gave hubby a card for his friends hotel. We followed him to Lovina and checked out his hotel but I didn't like the smell in the bathroom, he showed us two more - still not to my liking....then we asked him to show us one that had been recommended by our driver - Aditya Resort....very nice so we stayed here as we had had enough looking at hotels so we paid our friend of course for his troubles. It was rather good to have someone show us the way as we had no ideas...
Aditya was a lovely place and we had a huge room overlooking the ocean. We booked the beach ladies for a massage in the bale by the ocean. This was becoming a habit for us each day when we arrived at a new hotel and it was great after the long ride to relax and chat with the locals. I had a swim in the pool and read for a while...what a life. We once again ate at the hotel restaurant due to rain. Next morning we went out on a traditional boat to see the dolphins for the small cost of $6.00 each.....we saw heaps of dolphins and really enjoyed this. I was surprised at how stable the boat was and how safe I felt. Two hours was a bit long for us to be floating around out there though and were happy to go in.
Once back from the dolphin tour we headed off to Ubud. This was by far the worst part of our trip. It was hot, busy and we got a little lost. We stopped at Gitgit waterfall and walked a long way down and I had a heavy bag on my shoulder. Weleft our backpacks with the parking attendant but I didnt want to leave my other bag as it had all our passports and cash in it. I could not believe how many shops there were all the way down to the waterfall. I felt so sorry for the people and wonder how they manage to make a living when there are so many of them in competition and lots of tourists won't stop to buy. I bought a scarf and sarongs off a couple but I could not buy off everyone.....lovely waterfall!!
Off we went then and rode down through Bedugal. The road was all downhill now and very windy and I had to be very careful with all the sharp bends. It was here after Bedugal that we could no longer see many good signs for Ubud. We had to keep stopping and asking. We did go past the Lake Batur (I think) and I thought good we are on the right track but then after that we got lost again. I was so hot and my neck and back were sore. I was hungry but didnt see any places I wanted to stop at so I just kept going and going. It was pretty hard going that day. Finally we stopped at a little shop to get a drink and icecream. We sat on their step for some time. We asked them how far now to Ubud and they said one hour. Oh no!!! We set off and five minutes later I recognised the road and saw the sign to Lake Leke. I quickly stopped and told hubby we're here!! I was so happy to be back in Ubud. This is our favourite place in Bali.
We went straight to Cinta Bar as we have been friendly there with the staff now for about 5 years and decided to have a look at the new Cinta Inn that was built behind the Cinta Bar about 7 months ago. It was over our budget but we did not care at this stage and said we'll take it. Two nights here was beautiful. The rooms are so luxurious and we slept like babies. One of the days hubby did not even leave the restaurant but sat talking to one of the managers and I came and went.....Laughing Buddha bar one night and Jazz Cafe the next...ahhh Ubud is great.
Left Ubud sadly and headed back to Kuta. For the first and only time we got seperated from each other in the traffic heading past Sanur. I overtook hubby and he didnt see me and then he must have stopped for me and I had stopped up ahead for him. Fifteen minutes later and much back and forth we met up again. Two phones next time is a must! We picked up some gear from Kuta and Seminyak we had left behind. Then we handed in our bikes and got picked up by a driver to go onto our villa at Kerobokan. This villa is owned by our friend who happens to be my boss and she recently bought it.
Forgot to mention we visited "White sandy beach" just out of Candi Dasa. It was not easy to spot the small sign but I saw it at the last minute. The road wound around rice fields for a while then became a very rocky, bumpy small track that went down to the beach. I dont know how cars manage but we did see a few. The beach itself is lovely and has lots of loungers and umbrellas set up with small warungs and shops. I would have liked to have stayed there for a couple of hours swimming and relaxing but we were on our way to Amed and didnt know how close that really was....next time (I seem to be always saying that)