Gunung Batur is an active volcano situated in the middle of a massive caldera about 1000m above sea level with a history of regular eruptions: at least 20 have occurred since the 1800s.

The caldera, located 60km from Denpasar and close to due north of Ubud, is approximately 10km across and is the remainder of a massive volcano that reputedly exploded some 30,000 years ago. Inside the caldera today is large Danau Batur, which measures 7.5km by 2.5km, and the impressive Gunung Batur, which rises 700m above the level of the lake.

From the caldera rim around Kintamani and Penelokan, the views of Gunung Batur and Danau Batur are fantastic, with towns inside the caldera visible as well as old lava flows which to this day are mined for use in the construction industry.

Inside the caldera are three towns that most visitors will either visit or seek accommodation in: Kedisan, the first town upon entry into the caldera from the rim at Penelokan, Toya Bungkah, the most popular town for those wishing to spend the night in the caldera, and Trunyan, a village famed for its unique method of dealing with the bodies of the dead.

The guesthouses and homestays around Gunung Batur are mostly on the budget end of things and the food scene in the caldera is likewise no-frills, with most guesthouses having an attached restaurant and a small variety of warungs serving local foods.

Upon descent into the caldera, it is common for local people to follow visitors to try and influence them to stay in certain hotels, buy artwork and arrange trekking. While this is an annoyance, the best approach is to politely decline the offer and proceed to your chosen destination. The same hard-sell mentality pervades at various points inside the caldera, such as when choosing to visit Trunyan or visiting the Guide Association office, and this is perhaps why the whole area has a rather negative reputation.

The highlights of the caldera are climbing Gunung Batur and viewing the cemetery at Trunyan. Both can be done in the same day, meaning only a short stay in the area is required.

The guides of Gunung Batur have formed an exclusive association, the HPPGB, which effectively runs a cartel on the provision of guiding services to tourists. The cartel ensures that everyone shares in the revenue generated by tourists and that operators from outside the local area don't exploit the mountain without remunerating the local people.

The problem for tourists is that the cartel keeps prices artificially high to the point where the trek is an expensive excursion for most backpackers, despite local wages being low. The guide association maintains a fixed price policy on the surface, but is in fact open to negotiation (though it will insist that you don't mention this to others).

The HPPGB has an exclusive license with the government to provide guides for the mountain and they are able to forbid anyone from climbing the mountain without a guide. On this basis, and more importantly, for you own safety, we suggest you use one of the cartel guides — the typical Western view that the natural environment is free to explore for everyone does not apply here.

Orientation
There are ATMs in the vicinity, and internet is not widely available, although you may have some luck accessing some of the guesthouses' private connections. Medical help in these parts is very rudimentary and it is best to make the journey to Singaraja if you are injured.

Nusa Lembongan is an island located southeast of Bali, Indonesia at 8°40.906′S 115°27.067′E.  This island group in turn is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands.

Administratively, the island is part of a subdistrict of Klungkung regency. Nusa Lembongan is one of three small offshore islands which make up a sub-regency of Klungkung, the others being: Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan. Nusa Lembongan is the only one of the three islands within the sub-regency to have any tourist infrastructure and is a popular side destination for visitors to Bali.

Nusa Lembongan is approximately 8 square kilometres in size with a permanent population estimated at 5,000. Twelve kilometres of the Badung Strait separates Nusa Lembongan from Bali Island. The island is surrounded by coral reefs with white sand beaches and low limestone cliffs. Nusa Lembongan is separated from Nusa Cenignan by a shallow estuarine channel which is difficult to navigate at low tide. There is a suspension bridge linking Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan and this takes foot and motorbike traffic only. There are no permanent waterways on Nusa Lembongan.

There are three main villages on the island. Jungut Batu and Mushroom Bay are the centres of the tourist-based industry and activities on the island whilst much of the permanent local population resides in Lembongan Village.

To the east, the Lombok Strait separates the three islands from Lombok, and marks the biogeographical division between the fauna of the Indomalayan ecozone and the distinctly different fauna of Australasia. The transition is known as the Wallace Line, named after Alfred Russel Wallace, who first proposed a transition zone between these two major biomes.

The north-eastern side of the island is flanked by a relatively large area of mangroves totalling some 212 hectares.

 

The economy is largely tourism-based and Nusa Lembongan is the only one of the three neighbouring islands to have any significant tourism-based infrastructure. There is also subsistence agriculture and fishing on the island and a seaweed farming micro-industry.

 

Marine conservation is considered extremely important to sustaining future levels of tourism on the island and in February 2009, a local NGO from Nusa Lembongan, facilitated by The Nature Conservancy Coral Triangle Center, opened a community centre on Nusa Lembongan. The waters around Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida have at least 247 species of coral and 562 species of reef fish.

 

Other conservation initiatives include a release programme of critically endangered Olive Ridley Turtles from Sunset Beach on the south western coast.

Pemuteran is a perfect place for relaxing out from the daily of busy activities and the area is free from the aggressive saler which you will fine in another tourist object in Bali.

This peaceful place is ideal for natural excursion activities such as trekking at the National Park, Swimming, Snorkeling, Diving or explore the sacred of the big Temples surrounding the area such as Melanting, Kerta Kawat, Pulaki, Pabean and Pemuteran Temple.

Pemuteran is also home to the largest artificial Biorock reef project in the world. Pemuteran community declared that the reefs are protected no-fishing zones, for eco-tourism use only. Local fishermen banned bomb and cyanide reef fishing in Pemuteran Bay to preserve the beauty of the reefs, there is a real spirit of marine conservation effort in this area.

Biorock

More then fifty-six Biorock coral nursery structures have been installed since June 2000 in Pemuteran Village. With a total length of 300 metres situated in an area of 2 hectares, this is the largest Biorock coral reef nursery and restoration project worldwide.

These structures are located in an area parallel to the shore, about 50-100 metres from the coastline, in waters ranging from about 3 to 7 metres deep. They are roughly lined up, forming a natural snorkelling and diving trail. The Biorock Centre is in charge of maintaining the structures, he is the guardian of the reef, go by and have a talk with him. He will inform you on the status of different projects. For more information please have a look at the Biorock tab.

Bali Barat National Park

The West Bali National Park, established in 1941, covers 77,000 hectares of wooded slopes, savannah, rainforest, monsoon forest, mangrove swamp and coastal flats, and is the only remaining natural habitat of the endangered jalak putih, the Bali Starling (Leucopsar rothschildi). It is also home to 200 species of plant, rusa deer, kancil, barking deer, long-tailed macaques, civets, monkeys, wild boars, and the last of the island’s wild banteng from which the deer-like Balinese cattle are descended. It was here that the last known Bali tiger shot and killed in 1937.

Within the boundaries of the reserve are 7,000 hectares of coral reefs and coastal waters, mainly around Cape Prapat Agung between Teluk Terima and Gilimanuk, together with several sanctuary islands for sea birds in the bay near Gilimanuk. Probably best known and most visited are the excellent coral reefs surrounding Pulau Menjangan, this area teems with a spectacular marine life including brightly coloured parrot fish, yellow back fusiliers, powder-blue surgeon fish, damsel fish, puffer fish, unicorn fish, barracuda and silvery jacks. Extensive reefs also surround the mainland, and both sea and shore birds are abundant, the most conspicuous being brown boobies and lesser frigate birds. Two species of tern nest in large numbers on the sandbanks at the entrance of Teluk Lumpur (Mud Bay) while the boobies and frigates roost on Pulau Burung further to the east. Hawksbill turtles and 10-meter-long toothless whale sharks have also been sighted along the reserve’s north coast, and whales and dolphins migrate via Selat Bali between Java and Bali.

The Park’s profuse and beautiful bird life boasts over 250 different species and is the only place where the Bali Starling (also known as Rothschild’s Mynah) can be found in the wild. Extremely rare, this is the only surviving bird endemic to Bali, and is one of the world’s most endangered species. It is a striking snow-white in colour and averages 23 centimetres in length, featuring black wingtips and tail, silky feathers, and brilliant blue rings around its eyes; not to be confused with the black-winged starling which has black wings and tail. If all was well, it would be living in groups of two or three in the acacia scrub and dry monsoon forests on the north coast of Cape Prapat Agung; however, few visitors to Bali will ever see this beautiful bird in its natural environment. The starling breeds readily in captivity, and is greatly valued as a caged bird, with an estimated 3000 in zoos and private collections overseas, but in Bali it is bordering on extinction with less than a dozen remaining in the wild.

The internationally supported Bali Starling Project is attempting to rebuild the population by re-introducing captive birds to the wild. At the Bali Starling Pre-Release Centre, formerly caged birds are acquainted with the food sources of the natural environment and encouraged to nest in native trees before being released around the National Park. But sadly this is proving difficult and many attempts have been unsuccessful. The starlings are constantly disadvantaged by a reduced habitat caused by development and are often killed by predatory falcons; although the main problem is that poachers are re-capturing them as fast as they can be released and selling them for profit. This is an economic issue and, with precious few resources, the government has not been able to enforce the laws to protect the bird. The park is also faced with other difficulties; much of the vegetation has been cut and some of the coral reef has also been destroyed.

Despite the problems, however, the reserve is still a wonderful place to visit and offers exceptional walking and magnificent panoramas. The region is watered by clear streams and traversed by trails, it is more like a forest than a jungle, and a typical walk takes about five hours. The routes are often steep but relatively easy, although some areas are cross-country with no footpaths and, at times, it is necessary to crawl through undergrowth and use paths frequented by wild ox and deer. The birdlife is spectacular and the sound of their song is magical. The best time to see the wildlife is early or late in the day. Because this area is protected, no tree-felling, firewood collecting, fishing, or coral collecting is allowed. Whilst it is possible to visit the Bali Starling Pre-Release Centre for much of the year, the areas of the park where the birds are most likely to be seen are not open to the public.

Visitors to the West Bali National Park must have a permit, and must be accompanied by a guide. Arrangements for one-day permits and guides can be made at the park headquarters in Cekik and the ranger station at Labuhan Lalang, as well as the Department of Forestry (PHPA) office in Denpasar.

Menjangan Island is located in the National Bali Barat (National Park), 40 minutes by boat from Labuan Lalang depending on sea conditions, Menjangan is one of the best known dive locations in Bali.

A large island, roughly 2km in length by just over half a kilometer in width. Menjangan Island holds more than a dozen recognized sites, ranging from sheer drop offs to 60+mtrs, small caves, sandy slopes and a beautiful blue green lagoon with some very nice resident ghost pipefish. With being located so close to the straits between Bali & Java, deep water pelagic are a regular occurrence.

During the rainy season is the best time to have a chance to see manta and the baby (±7mtr) whaleshark, but these like everything, cannot be guaranteed. However bigger fish are the norm at Menjangan, turtle, napoleon, grouper, big barracuda and shark are all regular sightings. But don’t be surprised if you’re shown the little things as well.

Menjangan Island also has its own little wreck known as Anchor Wreck named because of the anchor located in 5mtrs of water at the top of the reef.

Usual Marine Life: Snapper, Batfish, Sweetlips, Angelfish and Fusiliers.

Unusual Marine Life: Frog fish, Pipefish, many interesting Nudibranch, Scorpion fish, Lion fish, leaf scorpions, crocodile fish and Cuttlefish.

Occasional Marine Life: dolphin, whale shark, mantarays, giant barracuda, Napoleon, potato cod

Post III left Side, Coral Garden
Slight to Moderate current
Long jetty to the renovated temples of Menjangan Island. White sands with some many coral formations and loads of fish small fish life
Description: Similar to Sandy slope and Peti Reef only at this point things start to get steeper and deeper. Post III also offers a long jetty and a path leading in land to the renovated temples at the back of Menjangan. A good place for a break but doesn’t offer any beach to speak of. If going to the temple always observe the cover up rules, wrapping a towel around you is enough. But always check if it’s ok to enter, if your not sure take photos from outside.

Snorkelling here is also excellent and it makes an excellent alternative to post II when the wind picks up in the summer, as the island offers a lot of shelter.

Post III right side
Slight to Moderate current
Long jetty to the renovated temples of Menjangan Island. White sands with some many coral formations and loads of fish small fish life Menjangan.

Description: Heading off in the opposite direction to Coral Garden this site offers shear drop offs going all the way round to Post II (Belok Kiri). This vertical wall offers many cubby holes for things to hide in. The wall is a little way out from the island like most of the diving around Menjangan and tops off at the 5mtr mark, where it slopes gently in to the island. These shallow around to the Bat Caves are also home to Triggerfish in the breeding season, which usually starts at the beginning of the rainy season. They lay their eggs here and get very territorial. During the rest of the year they don’t bother you around here, Triggerfish Alley towards the west end of the island is a different story.

Eel Garden
Slight to Strong current
Steep Wall, one of the better dive sites around Menjangan Island. Beside many small marine life also Pygmy Seahorse’s. Big fish like Sharks, Trevally, Napoleons, grouper like to hang out in the channel.

On the outer north of the Menjangan Blue Lagoon is the start of the Eel Garden Dive. Running along a steep wall dropping into open Ocean this can be one of the nicest dives around Menjangan. As you head along the wall towards the channel, the top of the reef gently slopes down to meet you while you drift along and into the channel. Strong currents are prevalent here making it a good hangout for big fish, Grouper, Napoleon, large shoals of Trevally and Shark all like to hang around this area when the current is running. As the reef comes down to meet you at 20+mtrs you have two choices. You can either turn in and left, which will bring you into Blue Lagoon or continue on into the Eel Garden itself. Left is where we usually find the Pygmy Seahorse’s, following a coral slope on your left side, the right side disappears into a long sandy plateau as you move on into the Lagoon you will have to run the gauntlet of triggerfish alley. A sandy valley populated by titan and yellow margin triggerfish. You have been warned.

Continuing along the wall as the sand comes to meet you, brings you to a small coral mound that swings round to a sand ridge. This ridge is the garden itself, home to hundreds of garden eels that all rise up to greet the current. This is the entrance to the channel between Menjangan and Bali; this is where you’ll find the bigger fish when the current is running. Swimming up the ridge brings you to 16mtrs and midway up a small hill populated by many corals, fish and shrimp. Take the right side your going through the channel itself, left will take you around the outer edge of the lagoon. If you come to the top of this small hill you’ll find a beautiful coral garden, which if the currents are running too strong is where you may end up hiding till its time for safety stops.

On good days you drift around the hill and on into the Aquarium, which is the only way to describe this place. White sandy channels running through clumps of corals, soft, hard, fans, tables, sponges and fish galore. All in the 12mtr range.

Menjangan Blue Lagoon
Current: Nothing to Slight within Lagoon area
Brief: Sandy area with some single coral patches. Perfect place for macro photography.
Description: This horse shoe lagoon offers a safe haven when the currents are running too strong. Shallow sandy bottom, maxing out at about 16mtrs, this often underestimated site is a great little dive especially for critters. The whole inside curve offers mixed coral hiding places for Pipefish, Ghost pipefish, Robust ghost pipefish and Stonefish. Inside the lagoon are some pretty coral heads with large shoaling groups of fusiliers, damsels and glass fish, which bring in the hunters. There is a beautiful variety of Lionfish in this local, feathered, winged and half winged.

Post I
Slight to Moderate current
Brief: Sandy bottom, sloping from 16-18 m
Description: Here is the main warden station with jetty, one of only three points where you can actually get ashore. Not the best location on the island for diving having a sandy bottom sloping from 16-18mtrs down into the deep. Generally this location is good for breaks and snorkelling having coral running east towards the mangrove with lots of small fish. West heads towards the channel between Menjangan Island and Bali, strong currents can run through there (see Eel Garden & Lagoon). Though this area is mainly sand with small areas of coral until it reaches the channel. Drifting out of the Eel Garden into this area has occasionally offered the chance of Manta during the Rainy season (Dec – Mar)

Anchor Wreck
Slight to Moderate current
Brief: Drift dive, the top reef starts in 5 m depth, the wreck itself is situated in 30 to 40 m depth, Beautiful slopes and walls, Excellent coral cover, many fish, turtle, shark and critters Perfect for Marco Photography

Description: The back of Menjangan Island from here till Post III is all very similar. Looking out towards Java and the tip of Bali it offers a beautiful variety of steep slope and wall. All dropping into the blue and backed by open Bali Sea. Excellent coral cover, many fish, turtle, shark and critters. Everything you’d expect of a coral reef in a tropical paradise. Currents generally run along the back here in one direction or the over, the dive always takes the easy route getting picked up at the end. Currents can run strong here and like most drift dives you should stay close to the reef and watch your depths. In the summer the back of the island is also the best place to get out of the winds that come up from the south and make for choppy/rough conditions in the afternoons. This is common July through August till mid September.

The site itself is named after the anchor sitting in 5mtrs of water at the top of the reef, this is the starting point for three dives depending on which way the current is running or if you want to look at the wreck itself. Anchor wreck seems to be an unknown 19th century trading vessel, possibly a slaver that ran into trouble and anchored at Menjangan Island for protection and promptly sank. Following the anchor chain down brings you to a mast at about the 30mtr mark and continues bows to stern out to sea. The far end lies in 46mtrs of water, not for the faint hearted or ill experienced. It is never the less an interesting one off, sharks inhabit the lower reaches and are often seen. The contents of the wreck are copper sheeting and bottles of Arak by the look of it. Most of the bottles are gone now, taken by guides or guests. This is unfortunately the problem at many wreck sites throughout the world. Better to take only pictures and leave only bubbles, as the saying goes. So the rest of us can enjoy diving here in the future.

Bat Caves
Slight to strong current
Brief: Wall / drop off
Description: A shear drop off, this great wall offers some hairy drift diving when the current is running. Though possible to start here, most divers start at Post II, doing Belok Kanan and drifting round the island. A good place for shark and other big fish. Bat Caves get there name from the above water caves running along the east side of the island, which are home to hundreds of Bats. These caves are shallow and accessible via snorkelling. Make sure the boat is at hand as the caves are out of site of both Post II & III.

Post II Belok Kiri
Slight to strong current
Brief: Scenic Wall with steep sided gullies and small caves. Beside usual marine life, barracudas, grouper and snapper, Sometimes manta rays and whale sharks can be seen here.
Description: Turn Left (Belok Kiri:) and you start the Caves. This is a very scenic wall, going in and out, with steep sided gullies plus small caves. The wall runs deep on this side of the island, Manta and Whale Shark have been seen here in the rainy season. But the later isn’t a common sighting in these waters. Big Barracuda hang out here, surgeons, snapper, grouper all hiding in the many crevasses an over hangs. With the sun behind, the wall takes on a surreal property with cathedral like caves.

It also offers some of the good snorkelling, as guests can follow the edge of the drop off catching bubbles, enjoying the abundant marine life and vibrant corals.

Sometimes during the dry season (July-Sept) this area can become inaccessible due to strong wind coming from the south.

Caves
Slight to moderate current
Brief: Wall with dramatic scenery and a deep blue back drop off, lots of marine life.
Description: Further along from Post II is a mooring buoy which is half way along the drop off. If the current is in the opposite direction both dives and snorkelers can start here and head back to Post II with the current. You can also continue on from here towards the mangrove area, before the wall peters out to become a steep sandy slope. Though it continues to be a wall for quiet some distance beyond the buoy.
As before the wall offers dramatic scenery and a deep blue back drop with lots of marine life.

Lovina Beach (or often simply Lovina) is a coastal area on the northwestern side of the island of Bali, Indonesia. The coastal strip stretches from 5 km west of the city of Singaraja to 15 km west. Singaraja is the seat of Buleleng Regency. The Lovina area contains the small villages (from east to west) of Pemaron, Tukad Mungga, Anturan, Banyualit, Kalibukbuk, Kaliasem and Temukus. It is becoming more popular with tourists but remains far quieter than the tourist hotspots of the island's south side.

The area takes its name from a home owned by Pandji Tisna (1908-1978), a Regent of Buleleng and pioneer of tourism to Bali in the early 1950s. Popular activities for visitors include early-morning boat trips off the coast to see dolphins.

Around the 1950s, Anak Agung Pandji Tisna, had traveled to several countries in Europe and Asia. He stayed several weeks in Bombay (now Mumbai). What attracted him most was the life of the people in India. By observing the people's way of life in the area, he got the thought and the outlook for Bali, especially the development of social welfare in the Buleleng region. While he was in Bombay, Panji Tisna saw a place that was beautifully laid out as a spot for leisure on the beach. The land had much similarity with what he owned on Kampung Baru Beach – Buleleng – North Bali, which also was between two rivers. Pandji Tisna was inspired to create a resort like that. The land he already had in hand.

Returning from abroad in 1953, Anak Agung Pandji Tisna immediately began to build on his land, a cottage called Guesthouse "LOVINA". The place was designed for the "travellers" or tourists for a vacation. The guesthouse was furnished with three bedrooms and a small restaurant near the sea. Some business observers claimed that the plan of Panji Tisna would not work as expected. They thought it was too early to make business of such a kind on a secluded beach like Tukad Cebol. Local cultural observers stated that "Lovina" was a foreign word, not Balinese. Furthermore, there is no letter "v" in Balinese alphabet. In 1959 Anak Agung Panji Tisna sold the Lovina Guesthouse to his relative, Anak Agung Ngurah Sentanu, 22 years, who became the owner and manager of Lovina. Business was going pretty well. However, there were no travellers or tourists. Only a few of Pandji Tisna’s friends came from America and Europe, as well as the regional government officials and businessmen from Singaraja for a vacation. On special days such as Sundays and holidays, like Galungan and Kuningan, many people, including students, however did come to enjoy the natural atmosphere on the beach of Tukad Cebol.

Singaraja was the capital city for Bali - Lombok, and Nusa Kecil, maintaining a steady state as a center of government and commerce activities for a very long time. However the conditions suddenly changed. In early 1960, the capital moved to Denpasar. Singaraja was left as a deserted city. Construction activities and trade plummeted in Singaraja. It needed years to get back to normal conditions in North Bali. The young manager, Ngurah Sentanu, had the worst experience in running the "Lovina Guesthouse". But he accepted the task and mandate from Panji Tisna. What the business analysts had foreseen proved to be correct. However, was there really something wrong with Lovina?

Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur was built by Sukarno in 1963, and boosted tourism in Bali. Prior to it only three hotels existed on the island. Construction of hotels and restaurants began to spread throughout Bali. Tourism further increased on Bali after the Ngurah Rai International Airport opened in 1970. Buleleng programmed so that the government encouraged the tourism sector as one of the mainstays for economic progress and social welfare. In the meantime, the spotlight focused on the role of Lovina in the field of tourism, emerging pros and cons.

In the Eastern part of Buleleng regency, the natural fresh water pool of Yeh Sanih, in the village of Bukti was extensively renovated and rose as a rival to Lovina. The development of Yeh Sanih got more support than Lovina both by the government officials. That was because Yeh Sanih was indigenous. Meanwhile, the travel agents choose Lovina, as it was demanded by most of the tourists.

Development of tourism in Bali increased rapidly in the 1980s. The government wanted to form tourist areas like Kuta and Sanur. In the Buleleng district, Kalibukbuk and Air Sanih were formed as tourist areas. The Governor of Bali wanted to show the roots of the Balines culture by using the name of the original villages on the tourist facilities. He also said that the use of "Lovina" should be discontinued. The tourist businesses, therefore, began using the local names like Angsoka, Nirvana, Lila Cita, Banyualit, Kalibukbuk, Aditya, Ayodia, and other local names. Meanwhile, Anak Agung Panji Tisna built a hotel called "Tasik Madu", which means "Sea of Honey", 100 meters west of Lovina. It formed an alternative destination, without the presence of the name Lovina. Once renovated, the "Lovina Guesthouse" opened again, using an alias name, "Permata Cottage". Eversince, "Lovina" locked safely by the owner, Anak Agung Ngurah Sentanu.

Lovina was already known as a tourist destination in North Bali. Tourist companies demanded the presence of Lovina. The historical Lovina that had been called Permata Cottages took back its original name Lovina Beach Hotel. In 1990 Lovina covered not less than six native beaches in two different District areas. In Buleleng District, there was the Binaria Beach in Kalibukbuk village, the Banyualit Beach in Banyualit village, the Kubu Gembong Beach of Anturan / Tukadmungga village, the Hepi Beach of Tukadmungga village, and the Pemaron Beach in Pemaron village. In the Banjar District, there was the Kampung Baru /Tukad Cebol Beach in Kaliasem village, which is the birthplace of Lovina, and the Temukus coastal village. All six beaches/villages combined and called themselves Lovina Beach. Meanwhile, the official name was still Kalibukbuk Tourism Area.

In the beginning, Lovina was rejected. However, Lovina became a blessing to many people. The dream of Anak Agung Pandji Tisna had materialized at last. The Lovina Beach Hotel, still exists.

One might think that "Love" and "Ina" should be read as short for "Love Indonesia". This was not, however, the intention of Panji Tisna. The term "INA" stands for the Indonesian contingent or group of athletes for the Asian Games 1963. Lovina, however, was founded in 1953. According to Panji Tisna, “Lovina” has a philosophical meaning, it is a mixture of the two-syllable words "Love" and "Ina". The word "Love" from English and "Ina", which is a Balinese word meaning "Mother". The meaning of "Lovina", according to Anak Agung Panji Tisna, therefore is literally "Love Mom" or more symbolically; "Love Mother Earth".

North Bali and especially Munduk Village are famous for beautiful scenery and a variety of fascinating walks and treks. Munduk is surrounded by tropical rainforest, rice terraces and farms producing traditional commodities. Visitors are welcome to explore this delightful microcosm of traditional Bali. The Munduk area with its unique nature and very agreeable temperatures (20-25 Celsius) is extremely suitable for all kinds of outdoor activities. Some of these Munduk hiking trails are easily done without a local guide but if you like to have background information about the area I recommend you to hire one, which is easily arranged through your accommodation in Munduk. We can organize different kind of trek range from 2 hours to half day trip.

1. Red Coral “Tanah Barak” Waterfall Trek
Start on a soothing walk to observe the coffee, clove, vanilla, avocado, and other plantation gardens. Then, refresh yourself at Red Coral Waterfall. Go back to start point via a different track where you will have the opportunity to see spices gardens and farming in action. Duration 2 hours, trek level: easy.

2. Loop Trek Containing a Number of Waterfalls
Start your trek to walk along the riverbank, finally arriving at Red Coral Waterfall. Continue this energizing trek to arrive at stunning and soothing Laangan waterfall, the highest waterfall in Bali. Afterwards, return to Puri Lumbung Cottages via a different path with home and spice gardens on the way. Duration 2 till 3 hours, trek level: medium.

3. Environmental Trek combining waterfall and rice field
Start heading to Red Coral Waterfall walking along the riverbank. We are still in Munduk area, next continue to Dayang area, home to a breathtaking concentration of terraced paddy fields. On the way return you will have the option to visit an Ancient Dutch Colonial style house. Duration 3/4 hours, trek level: easy.

4. Inter Village Trek
Walk from Munduk village to Gesing village where you will encounter one of nature’s many splendors:  the giant Banyan tree. Centuries old, this sacred tree is the largest Banyan in Bali. After, head to Bolangan, Gesing’s neighboring village, to witness the spectacular landscape carved by layers of rice terraces. Duration 4/5 hours, trek level: medium.

5. Stone Water Spring Trek
Start walk to historic Batumejajah settlement. Legend tells that Munduk’s settlers came from the royal family in southern Bali via Tamblingan. An ant invasion forced settlers to flee to Munduk.  Refresh yourself with the natural spring water flowing fm Batumejajah’s cliff stones. Return to Puri Lumbung Cottages via a different route. Pass through coffee, clove, vanilla plantations and rice terraces, as well as settlements along the way. Duration 3/4 hours, trek level: easy to medium

6. Dutch colonial trek
Start from Munduk Village to Pessanggrahan – the first guest house in Bali built around 1906 by Dutch colonials. Then proceed to a number of villages and settlements, rice terraces, coffee and clove plantations. This trek ends at Tamblingan Lake where you will be transferred by car to Puri Lumbung Cottages. Alternatively, take a different way back by hiking to Munduk village. Duration 4/6 hours, trek level: challenging.

7. World heritage Subak trek (Traditional Balinese water distribution system)
Traditional water distribution systems are known in Bali as subak. Start from Munduk Village to visit Subak SURADADI and then walk through a number of local spice gardens to finally reach Dayang. From there, you can walk and explore other subak, which include a traditional tunnel and public bath. This is an easy trek through rice field terraces and along small riverbanks. Duration 2/3 hours, trek level: easy.

8. Mendaum Riverside trek
From start we drive to the location of Mundukan Tingkih settlement’s water source. This is a sacred area where local villagers can perform religious blessing and cleansing rituals, or melukat. Following the river’s course, end at Laangan waterfall for a cooling break, then head back to Duration 3/4 hours, trek level: medium.

9. Tropical Fruit trek
Start by car from Munduk Village to Bestala village, visit nearby villages, and traditional Genggong music (on request). At Village Kayu Putih there are ancient sarcophagus/pre-historic sandstone coffins and several fruits in season (best time November to January). Duration 3/4 hours, trek level: medium.

10. Inter Lake Trek
Start from Munduk Village by car to Lake Buyan, a vegetable and strawberry plantation center, temples, Telaga Aye, which is the canal connecting Lake Buyan with Lake Tamblingan. Duration 2/4 hours, trek level: medium (transport and canoe not included).

11. Balinese soldier long march
The route through mountain posts of the Balinese patriots who resisted the Dutch in 1945-1950, Balinese villages and plantations, view oldest and biggest banyan tree. Duration 3/4 hours, trek level: medium.