Lovina Beach

Day 83 – Lovina Beach, Indonesia

Today was rich in adventures. It started with the shower.

I lay have mentioned that my building is new, and thus some work still needs to be done. Apparently, that implies cutting the water off from time to time. Of course, it happened today after I had started showering but before I had started rinsing the soap off. So, full of suds, I waited a bit. Waited a bit more. Thought about the effect of soap in the swimming pool if used to rinse off, with the added advantage of cleaning the swimming suit. Rinsed my hands, took my book, read in the shower (a new one for me), waited a bit more.

Finally, I thought to send a message via the booking app on my phone, asking if they knew when the water would be back. I was lucky that they really monitor these messages, because two minutes later the nice lady from the reception came to turn it back, apologizing. So, dried soap takes longer to rinse off.

After these emotions and breakfast, I took my scooter back out for a nice tour, buying some gas on the way. Two litres costs me 20,000 rupias, so a little more than a euro. I took some new roads, went back on roads I had already tried, went up on the main road -fortunately quiet at this time of day. I am the scooter hugging the left side (we drive on the left in Indonesia), slower than everyone and passed by everyone.

Temple by the beach

In the afternoon, I decided it was high time that I got acquainted with the beach. A short walk later and I could admire the grey sands. There isn’t many people on the beach, a few tourist in -shockingly- skimpy swimsuits. It’s a bit strange, like out of place.

Lovina Beach – grey sands and blue sea

The locals are here to try to sell items or services, I sent one running by telling him that I was tired of having tens of people trying to sell me things all day. I think that sitting in one place, I got offers of massage, to look at a jewel case, of snorkelling tour, and a last one I ignored.

There is a concrete walk separating the sand from the buildings lining the beach. There are hotels, cafes, restaurants, temples, empty lots, stores, and so on.

Dog in a rundown gate

Several drains, or ditches, or canals cut the beach, full of growth because there isn’t enough water to overflow and reach the sea. It is a safe bet that during the wet season, they are more than necessary.

Tree house and water run-off

I finally saw some dolphins. I even saw the king of dolphins, with its crown and everything, leaping out in the sun!

Dolphin King

Hey, I never said it was live dolphins.

I came home sweaty, ready to plunge into the pool, that was private until now. But some other guests had the temerity to have the same idea, and I had to share! The indignity! They were playing a trivia game, and it was funny to see how we don’t have the same culture -I’m guessing they are American-, they didn’t know who was Aristotle or Michelangelo -not a guitarist, that I know of-, but on movies, especially super heroes, they didn’t hesitate.

I refilled my bottle again, they have a program where they fill your empty bottle with drinking water for a very modest donation that goes to a local school. I’m all for it.

I put my pictures of the day in the gallery called “Bali”, with some commentary, don’t hesitate to take a look.