Lovina-Menjangan (17-18 August 2008)

On Indonesia’s 63th Independence, me and my friends went to an area on north of Bali called Lovina.

North of Bali is famous for it’s marine tourism.

17 August 2008

We departed from Tuban, Kuta area at 8am using 2 cars and 5 motorcycles. The route was heading straight north from Kuta via Bedugul. The whole trip to Lovina took about 3 hours in total. After checking in at the guest house (took 2 different guest houses to accommodate all of us), we went for lunch and some did their pray first before going to Labuhan Lalang (North-West of Bali). One comment on my guest house is, it wasn’t the dirtiest place I’ve seen but 50000rp/room for two is decent if you’re going to use the place strictly to rest and not fancying anything like room service, tv set, hot water (it’s beach and you surely do not need hot water).

Our destination for that day was Menjangan Island which is a great spot for diving and snorkeling. The trip to Labuhan Lalang took about 2 hours and then about 30 minutes by boat to the island.

My first time snorkeling experience, but not my first in the ocean. It wasn’t actually snorkeling for me because I didn’t use any snorkeling gear except a swimming goggle. It was beautiful seeing those fishes at first, but then I got to the “wall” or “drop-off” zone which was suddenly pitch black in the ocean. That really gave me quite a chill because I was scared being sucked in or dragged by something from deep inside…(I guess I watch to many movies about monsters staying in the depth of the ocean ). The waves were quite strong as well.

Then we moved from to the other side of the island which was more calmer and no “pitch black” area (as far as I know of). I managed to get a picture of me under water as well, which I think is great (not everyday you can get the chance to pose underwater right?).

As the day was getting darker, we went back and then had dinner on our way back to the guest house. Because it was pretty late and the cities we went through was not really a big city, most of the warungs or restaurant were already closed. But finally we ate fried chicken when we found one which was still open on our way home.

18 August 2008

Woke up quite early around 6am. Went to the beach to get a boat to see DOLPHINS. Cost us 50000rp/person (one boat fits 4 people), but the rate for foreign tourists a bit higher. I thought we were the only ones to see dolphins that morning but when we sailed a bit far from the coast then we saw lots of other boats already there. Lots of local and foreign tourists already on the spot. Seeing the dolphins swimming freely is preety great actually. The dolphins moved from the east to the west as the sun was getting higher.

After seeing the dolphins, we actually be brought to see marine park, which is another great spot for snorkeling. Since we didn’t know that there was a spot for snorkeling here no one prepared for it. It was much more calmer, shallower, almost no wave, and the guide said that there was sea turtle as well if we were lucky enough. Additional cost if you’re going to snorkel there, depends on your negotiation though.

Finally, we went back to the guest house, had breakfast, took a bath, packed up, then went back to Kuta via Bedugul again. Bedugul was really really cold and foggy at that time. I didn’t wear any jacket and it shivered the hell out of me when the rain started! Got back to Kuta around 3pm. Never thought I’d said this but I missed Kuta’s sun after stopping by at Bedugul that day.

One great of a journey and shouldn’t forget to try the snorkeling at Lovina, instead of in Menjangan Island, that’s if you aren’t planning to dive though, only snorkeling.

bali map

strawberry stop

lovina description

going to menjangan

Before going to menjangan

menjangan marine park 1

menjangan marine park 2

menjangan marine park 3

menjangan island 01

menjangan island 02

other side of menjangan

under water

boats to menjangan

on our way to see the dolphins

the dolphin

after dolphin sight seeing

lovina marine park

guest house 1 before going home

guest house 2 before going home

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