The Damai

We said our goodbyes to the Aussies on Tues and headed with Made up through the mountains to the north coast of Bali to Lovina, a short distance from Singaraja, which used to be the old colonial capital of Bali.  Our hotel,the Damai, is up in the hills a fair distance from the water, but has beautiful views down to the ocean and around the hills.  We were a little disappointed at first, as the room was quite small compared to what we've had so far in Bali, and it was a fair distance away from the restaurant area and pool - too far for the baby monitor to reach. The room has nowhere really to sit or escape to while Connor naps, which makes it a bit difficult.   I had a conversation with the manager about what our options cwere around having staff check in on him while he was sleeping so we could go to the restaurant and eat in the evenings.  They offered to watch him the first night and then move us to a closer room for the remainder of our stay, which has worked out nicely.  Baby monitor reaches now to the pool area (which is also where they serve dinner), so we don't need to stay at the room while he naps/sleeps.  This place has definitely started to grow on us.  After being here for a day, enjoying the views, the tranquility, the pool, the wonderful staff who constantly whisk Connor away to give us a bit of a break (still in mommy's sight though), and the fabulous, I mean fabulous food, we are really enjoying ourselves here.  We have discovered there is not much to do up in this area of Bali, touristy-wise.  We've had Made come up here a couple of days and tour us around a bit. Tuesday we just took the hotel shuttle down to the centre of Lovina and walked along the beach area a bit, looked in a few shops, and ate lunch. Wednesday we had Made take us into Singaraja and we visited and museum and library, and drove along the water a bit, but really, there hasn't been that much of interest to see.  It's turned out to be a nice relaxing time, as we are enjoying just staying at the Damai (we love it here now).  Today we did do a long day's tour up through the mountains (a different way than we came from Ubud, so nice to see new scenery) to Mt Batur, the volcano.  We went there last trip, but only saw the mountain and lake from afar.  Today Made drove us right down to the lake, and an adventure for all of us, on a windy road (kinda scary at times) all the way around the mountain - took about an hour.  Was great to drive in around behind the mountain, because this was the area where it last erupted, so we had great views of the crater and lava flows, driving in among the lava rock at times.  Was definitely a crazy back road mostly only used by all the trucks that are hauling volcanic dirt out (used for building with - making cement, etc) but was a fun adventure.  

We are heading out to dinner tonight with a couple, Dawn and Dennis, who we have met here at the hotel (from Toronto).  I found a authentic Balinese/Indonesian restaurant on Trip Advisor that sounds good and was rated well, so we will see....  Spending the rest of the week here I think just lounging poolside and eating the fabulous food here at the Damai.  The end of our trip is nearing.  We head out Monday morning for the airport.