The drive down the mountain to Lovina on the northern coast of Bali continued with a brief leg stretching at Bedugul market before continuing on. Lovina is known for stunning black sand beaches…View image… made of the black lava which rolled down the volcanoes over the centuries. There is a string of three to four fishing villages which have turned into beach resorts and the entire stretch is known collectively as “Lovina.”The very beautiful Aditya Beach Resort is located directly on a black sand beach, a 20-minute walk from town. Lovina has internet, restaurants, small shops, etc., with nothing major to do but relax.

Bali’s north coast is known for great diving and snorkeling, Menjangan Island and Tulamben are the most popular sites. There are several certified diving schools but one day wouldn’t give you enough time for this. Fishing is also a popular activity and you could even try spear fishing in Indonesia.

Aditya Resort Hotel decoration in Lovina, Bali
The lovely Aditya Resort grounds…View image… were filled with the luscious aroma of Frangipani trees…View image, petals scattered on beds and in the bathroom while sellers roamed up and down the beach trying to interest the tourists in anything. Very pleasant people who don’t take “no” as an insult. One man called me “Mama Sheila” and wished me a pleasant day every time he passed me. Even the staff had smiles on their faces at all times and “good mornings” when they saw you.

There are several choices on how to spend one day in Lovina..View image.. The most touted excursion is the pre-dawn dolphin cruise. Boats gather beyond the reef before dawn to witness sunrise over Bali’s majestic volcanoes. Usually, dolphins leap from the waves to follow your boat before disappearing. I’ve read conflicting reports about this and if you do see dolphins, they are usually too far away to get really great photos. However, most of the group did this, more for the experience and fun, then to really see dolphins. If you decide to try this excursion, the boats (uncovered) leave at 6:00 a.m., spend 1-1/2 hours out in the Indian Ocean and then return for breakfast. A few others hired a boat to snorkel among coral reefs.

ex-Marine and I staked out a cabana bed facing the outriggers on the sea, black sand beach, read, relax and watch the magnificent sunset.

a romantic and spectacular sunset on Lovina Beach, Bali
As an added plus, the Aditya Resort Hotel had a Legong show (dance) and buffet at 7:30 p.m. tonight. Frangipani flowers tucked behind the ears, ex-Marine and I settled down in the dining room….View image… to watch the show. (Help me out here. Which ear are gays and non-gays supposed to use to tuck flowers? Not that it makes a difference. Just enlighten me.)

Sheila and her frangipani at dinner in Lovina, Bali 

Legong dancer at the Aditya Beach Resort, Lovina, Bali
Food, the dance began and once again, we are both probably Philistines and would rather watch paint dry then sit through more than five minutes of a Legong dance. Tortoises move faster than the dancers. Photos, videos and we were out of there… Even the dancer… View image…looked less than happy and her smile reminded me of my smile, sitting through boring business meetings. Legong dancing has to be an acquired taste.

How bazaar! – Discover the real Middle East on an Intrepid adventure