Indonesia -- Day 12 Dolphin Run, Lovina, Bali

The Adventures Abroad itinerary for today was:

This morning we have an early boat trip to the reef where we hope to see the dolphins that frequent the area. Even if the dolphins don't show, the sunrise can be quite spectacular.

After breakfast back at the hotel, we head for the Gitgit Falls where a 15-minute walk takes us to a 60 m / 197 ft waterfall. We will also check out the spices and fruits at Lake Bratan market, making our way back toward Lovina with a visit at the Buddhist Monastery, Brahma Arama Vihara. It is a spectacular looking place, and a bit out of place in Hindu Bali. It is the most important Buddhist monastery in Bali and is complete with golden Buddha statues and a pristine natural setting. Strictly speaking the monastery is not a tourist site but accepts respectful visitors.

We return to Lovina late in the afternoon.

Overnight in Lovina. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.

Outrigger
Lovina Beach Dolphin run
Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

So when Adventures Abroad says early morning for this adventure, they mean 5 am !! It was absolutely gorgeous.  It was the first time I was able to be out in Bali without sweating through all my clothes in 5 minutes.

Outrigger

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

Each outrigger could take 4 people plus the driver/captain.  An outrigger is a wooden canoe-like boat with stabilizing arms on each side. There is an engine and also a sail and an mast.

Outrigger

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

Depending on your mood this photo evokes peacefulness or loneliness.  This was taken around 6am in the morning while put-putting our way out to the dolphin site.

Outrigger

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

The colorful chippy paint here was so gorgeous. The texture and the colors were great.  I just wanted to grab some furniture and recreate the effect right away.

Sunrise

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

Sunrise

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

The sunrise here was so just fantastic.  With the wind in your face, the sea air and riding in the outrigger, the experience was epic.

Sunrise

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

This raft like structure looked like something from the Tom Hank's movie "Castaway".
Apparently it is a "birdnest".

Bird Nest

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

This is a self-portrait. I seemed to have taken it at just the right angle that it seems that the sun is shining out of my mouth.  I only wish that when I do speak that my words had this kind of effect.

Sunrise

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

You can see from the picture below how effortlessly the outrigger glides over the water at even such a speed.  From the right hand side you can see the water and how fast we are moving.

Outrigger

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

Outrigger

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

After a while on the water, you could see that more and more outriggers started to join us.  I counted about 50 altogether.  It was quite a sight to see all these people just sitting waiting for the first sighting of the dolphins.  As soon as they did appear, word spread from captain to captain and the "chase" was on.

Outrigger

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

I am not sure how I feel about the whole dolphin thing.  I have seen them before, and even swam with them in Puerto Vallarta.  I loved being out on the water, and I loved the outrigger, but I felt a little uneasy with all these people in so many boats, with all the engines running trying to "catch" a photo op of the dolphins.

Sunrise

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

Outrigger

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

As you can see from my own photos, shot with a Canon 18-55mm lens, we were able to get quite close.

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

Outrigger Post

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

This is the mast/post from the outrigger with a shot toward the sky.  The chippy paint was so fantastic !!

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

This was another self-portrait.  Not a mean feat trying to capture any kind of clear photos while heading back to the beach.

Outrigger

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

Another view of how close all the outriggers were to each other and the dolphins.

Outrigger

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

Aneka Lovina Hotel Beach

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

Heading back into the beach at the Aneka Lovina Hotel.  The beach was beautiful and the water was quite clear and clean.  I went for a swim after breakfast.  There are no vendors on the hotel property, but when you walk the 20 feet to the ocean then all the outrigger captains and vendors will try and sell you something.

Aneka Lovina Hotel Beach

Lovina Beach Dolphin run

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia

If you would like to visit Bali or Lovina or the Aneka Lovina Hotel,

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Aneka Lovina Hotel 

Wi-Fi Patio

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia