Day 13

Day 13
It is our last day in Lovina. Mogley will be picking us up at 2:00 so we can make our way back to Ubud.
One thing Lovina is known for are the dolphins. You can’t leave without seeing them. For 60,000 Rh per person we booked the dolphin tour. The wake up call is at 5:30 am and we are to be in the lobby at 6.
We were with one other couple in a small “traditional” boat. They are long narrow boats that have long bamboo poles on both sides for stability. The water was like glass and we had the most awesome sunrise. The ride out was about 15 minutes long. Before you know it there were dolphins everywhere. There were also dozens of other boats filled with people.
We went out for about 45 minutes. It was just the right amount of time. The boats used for dolphin watching are not built for comfort. The boats are only about 24 ‘wide and seat only 5 including the guide. There is no padding the seat is wood, my but was hurting (Whaaa) and I had seen all the dolphins I had wanted to.
After we got back to shore we grabbed breakfast and headed for the Gazebo. We only had a few hours left here at Aditya so I’m determined to stay horizontal and relax till the last minute. I know we have another long day of driving and I want to suck as much pleasure out as possible.
The employees at the front desk have been very helpful once again. We had no idea where we would be staying for the next three nights and they had some great suggestions. She even made the phone calls to help arrange the accommodations. She suggested Sri Bungalows off Monkey Forest Road. The location sounded perfect, we’ll take it!
Mogley is as usual very punctual, even early. We left Lovina and headed south toward Ubud. The area is just beautiful and our drive was nice.
Our first stop was Gitgit waterfall. It is the highest waterfall in Bali at 149 ft high. We park in a small random parking lot and I see a sign mentioning the waterfall. There is only the one sign, but there are no arrows or directions. Mogley leads us down a walkway into what looks like a village or a neighborhood with homes. We are going down, down, a concrete walkway and it just seemed odd. If we didn’t have him with us we would have never found it on our own. Of coarse we could ask any local and I’m sure they would have guided us but regardless the trail to the waterfall wasn’t at what I expected. This trip has been full of surprises so what is one more? We are lead down walkways and a lot of stairs, come up next to rice paddies and back down more stairs. This isn’t a sight for some one who may have problems with their knees or the elderly. I would definitely leave it off the list. We are also fair game for the vendors. There are no other tourists and we are being asked to “please just look” so many times it can just wear on you. We had 2 small girls with necklaces around their arms running after us half the way down to the waterfall. I’m thinking damn at what point do they stop and turn around? That’s a tough way to make a buck. Anyway…
The water fall is nice and the mist is pleasure to my face as we worked up a sweat on the way down. Now all I’m thinking is dang we got to walk back up!
While we were there, there was just a few others visiting the falls, but I imagine there are times where this place can be crowded.
The next stop planned is Lake Bratan Temple.
Lake Bratan Temple was established in 17th century and dedicated to the goddess of the lake. The day we were there was a cool mist in the air. This was the first time in Bali I actually felt cool and wished I had a jacket.
The lake was like glass and had an eerie quality to it. It was so still and there were no sounds to be heard. Right next to the temple on the adjacent property there is Eka Karya Botanical Gardens. It is 390 acres and host to many spectacular orchids and butterflies galore.
We stayed for a while but I felt chilled and left earlier than we would if the sun was out and warm.
We continued on the way to Ubud. We stopped at this funky little intersection where there was an outdoor produce market and swarms of people. The big Hindu holiday was beginning and there was such activity at this market place we had to stop. Once again we stood out and had pairs of eyes on us. There is never a bad vibe but when every one you look at is already looking at you it’s a uneasy feeling. I wonder what they are thinking.

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