Lovina Beach area

The Lovina area in the north of Bali is mainly characterized by its rural nature of fishing, farming, rice fields, plantations, mountains, forests, lakes and waterfalls. The beaches are with black vulcano sand, not the colours of the white sand beaches in the South. So it will attract less tourists who only come for the beaches. 

Villages on the coast, Lovina centre

Lovina is a relatively new name, coined in the 1950s by a local Buleleng Regency. Official with a good eye for future tourism-based development. It essentially consists of seven traditional villages which all merge into one on a ten kilometre stretch of the main road which hugs the north coast west of Singaraja: Temukus, Kalibukbuk, Anturan, Pemaron, Tukad Mungga, Banyualit and Kaliasem. Kalibukbuk is the main hub of this area and is often thought of “Lovina town centre”. More information about Lovina and possible activities: http://wikitravel.org/en/Lovina

Narrow beaches
The whole stretch of the coast here is fringed by quite narrow beaches which are accessed by a multitude of small lanes, running perpendicular to the east-west coast road. The beaches are mainly used by fisherman, who stall their boats on the beaches. The beaches are generally safe for swimming and the waters of Bali’s north coast, in direct contrast to the crashing surf of the south, are relatively calm. Diving, snorkeling and dolphin watching are the main activities. It can be a little crowded in july and august, but outside that highseason, this is a quiet part of the island.

Tigawasa

In the hills of Lovina, looking to the ocean, is situated the little AGA village Tigawasa at 500-700 m. above sea level. The road to the village from Lovina is not easy to drive, with a lot of windings, and you are going straight up. So better use an car (with a driver) in stead of brommers which you can hire in Lovina.

Kadek Sisyawan in Villa Tiga Wasa

In Tigawasa I have met Kadek Sisyawan and his family. Kadek is member of the staff in the Villa Tiga Wasa [www.villatigawasa.com] and he is also driver/guide. 

Handicraft weaving bamboo

In the village, in the gardens and around the small river, are growing about 54 different species of bamboo. People make a living with handicraft on bamboo. They use two colours on the branches, peel them and weave ingenious boxes and baskets of it. These baskets are made by the family of Kadek, but a lot of families around are busy with it. 

Ofcourse in the region are made other products too, as furniture or silling roof [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaOY09zc1-0], but the baskets are favourite. 

Day tour

We also spended some time with another family who makes palmsugar and palmoil. Following that, we joined some villagers for a community lunch; we had a traditional Balinese meal, seasoned with regional herbs and spices, and we could ask questions about their cultural practices, livelihoods, and other points of curiosity. 

In the afternoon we made a walk through the bamboo forest and enjoyed the beautiful views on the ocean. After an stop at a local warung for a drink we drove back to Lovina, were we made a walk along the beach and visited a kampung to talk with local fisherman. If you wish you can make an appointment for a Dolphin Trip early in the (next) morning.

Restaurants in Lovina

When we were in the Villa Tiga Wasa we had dinner, made by Sumi. She did her job very well.

But we had also lunch in Kaliasem Spice and Beach Club and Baturiti Resto Lovina (European style, some more stars and costs) and Warung Aria (simple, good and cheap). Once with Kadek I had lunch in Warung Makan Mina Segara, were you can choose the fish for the Ikan Bakar yourself and they cook authentic with soup to combine with the fish. Look for reviews on [www.tripadvisor.com].