Although I enjoyed my stay at the Aditya Beach Resort, I wanted to be closer to the town’s center, to interact with the locals and try a restaurant or two. I found a room at the Nirwana Water Garden Hotel, located on the main strip, which was the perfect location for exploring this charming little village.
As soon as I walked onto the resort, I could see a restaurant on the right, the registration desk in front of me and the pool and bungalows to my left. The property is beautifully decorated and I was thrilled to spend a couple of nights here.
I checked into my room where I was greeted by the neighborhood rabbit that lives on the grounds. I stored my belongings and was ready to find a restaurant for dinner and a couple of beers. I passed the pool and was tempted to take a swim, but I was more excited to explore Lovina and walk the beach.
Slowly wandering the streets to take it all in, I admired the colorful artistry of the statues, wood carvings and offering pedestals. It is not uncommon to see monkey-like figures as well as images of elephants which represent the gods of the Hindu. Most of the artwork is connected to Bali’s strong religious beliefs, which has a large influence on its culture.
The craftsmanship of the Balinese woodwork is exquisite and detailed. The three-dimensional carpentry usually tells a story of human enlightenment or the conflict between good and evil. The displayed artwork invoked a sense of spirituality, regardless of one’s beliefs.
As dusk began to fall over the town, the music grew louder from the local bars. I met up with a couple of vendors, purchased a few necklaces and started looking for a place to enjoy dinner. I stopped halfway from my hotel when I noticed the Kakatua Bar & Restaurant, an open air eatery with patio seating.
I took a seat closest to the street and ordered a nice, cold Bintang beer. After looking through the menu, I selected the red snapper as my main course and watched tourists fill the empty seats surrounding me. At first glance, I thought that the name of the restaurant was named after the Indonesian city of Krakatoa, but my server explained that the Kakatua are the resident cockatoos.
It took awhile for my food to arrive, but it gave me some time to people watch, catch up on my journal and eavesdrop on the table beside me. The red snapper was worth the wait and I enjoyed listening to an Australian guitarist sing James Taylor tunes. It was finally sinking in that I was actually in Bali. The past few days have been so busy that I hadn’t appreciated the fact that I had finally arrived in paradise.
I savored every last bite of my meal and after a second beer, I began making the walk back to the hotel. I looked forward to a peaceful night’s sleep, drifting off with a smile on my face, thankful for the opportunity to explore such an amazing place.
Do you have a fun story about traveling to a place that seems so unbelievable you can hardly believe it? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my spectacular trip to Bali! Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Dolphin Watching at Lovina Beach
Tickets vary from $15 to $18 and the boats seat up to five or six. If you are staying in Lovina Beach, there is a kiosk on the main street, heading towards the beach on the right hand side. If you are staying in South Bali (Kuta, Jimbaran, etc.), contact the concierge for tickets.
Where to Stay:
Nirwana Water Garden
Lovina Beach Street
Lovina Beach Bali
Nirwana Water Garden is located in the heart of Lovina Beach. It is a 45-minute drive to the dive site of Menjangan Island. Ngurah Rai International Airport is a 2.5-hour drive away. The hotel can provide hotel transfers for a fee.
Nirwana Restaurant serves Indonesian specialties, with the option of in-room dining. Guests can enjoy a guided tour to visit the dolphins at Lovina Beach, which can be arranged by the Nirwana’s staff.
Where to Eat:
Kakatua Bar and Restaurant
Jalan Binarea
Lovina Beach Bali
Open 7 days a week and moderately priced; no website; Free WIFI service…just ask for the password.
What to Eat:
- Babi Guling: Suckling pig, which is similar to BBQ pork in the US.
- Bakso Soup: Indonesian soup made with meatballs, noodles, spices, vegetables and broth
- Gado-Gado: A cold salad of vegetables served with a peanut sauce
- Nasi Goreng: Fried noodles with lots of vegetables and a choice of meat, topped with peanuts and an egg.
- Pisang Goreng: Fried Bananas, served with palm sugar, honey, flaked coconut or ice cream
- Sate Ayam: Chicken on a stick usually served with a peanut sauce
- Spring Rolls: Crispy pastry filled with minced meat and mixed vegetables and then fried, usually served with a chili sauce
What to Read:
- Balilicious, by Becky Wicks
- Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert
- A House in Bali, by Colin McPhee
- Love and Death in Bali, by Vicky Baum
- Snowing in Bali, by Kathryn Bonella
- Under the Volcano: A story of Bali, by Cameron Forbes
Photo Guide for North Bali:
- Git Git Waterfall
- Mount Batur
- Sekumpal Waterfalls
- Tamblingan Lake
- Twin Lakes Viewpoint
Beautiful Pool at Nirwana Water Garden
Cute Little Images at Nirwana Water Garden
Zigiz, A Club in Lovina Beach
Bintang Indonesian Beer
Nasi goreng, literally meaning “fried rice” in both the Indonesian and Malay languages, is an Indonesian rice dish with pieces of meat and vegetables added.
Mie goreng is fried noodles.
Hi Cristina,
I absolutely love Nasi goreng as well as the Mie goreng. Do you have a preference?