Lovely Surprise at The Luvi! No wait to cross from Bali to Java for Idul Fitri

Last week my family and I took our annual sojourn to visit my wife, Azizah's family in Java and celebrate the end of Ramadan and Idul Fitri.

Normally this would include a punishing 7-hour ferry wait!

We had a late start because our son Darius had school that day.

We also decided to stop for dinner with our two boys' grandmother the famous designer Shankari in her Beautiful Riverfront Haven.

By this time we were pretty exhausted and we decided to drive another 2 hours and stop at a hotel where we had never spent the night but enjoyed meals there often on our way to and from Java.

The Luvi Hotel turned into a wonderful surprise.

Here's why we loved it:

Incredible Value: We scored beautiful poolside cottages for an unbelievable price – only $35 a night!

Modern & Comfortable: The cabins were way nicer than expected – spacious, modern, and even had cable TV (including CNN!).

Perfect Location: A short 45 minute drive from the ferry terminal that would take us to Java the next morning.

Bonus Eclipse Viewing: Thanks to the cable TV and the hotel's quiet location, I caught a live broadcast of the magnificent solar eclipse the next morning!

Early Check-Out: The Luvi Hotel staff even accommodated our early check-out request with 4:00 a.m. light breakfast complimentary and a smile – a lifesaver .

As a hotel manager with 22 years of experience, I don't give out praise lightly.

The Luvi Hotel exceeded our expectations in every way.

Huge thanks to the amazing staff for making our brief stay so enjoyable!

Surprise, Surprise, No Seven Hour Wait

The last time we went over to Java during the week before Idul Fitri we endured a seven-hour wait at the ferry terminal.

Even worse that is not just sitting in the car, but constantly merging with other cars. Tempers flared and I almost lost it with other drivers..

Smooth Sailing: A Surprisingly Seamless Ferry Crossing to Java

Our journey to Java started with a pleasant surprise. 

After a comfortable stay at the LuVi Hotel, we braced ourselves for the usual pre-ferry chaos – bumper-to-bumper traffic and long lines. 

But to our astonishment, the drive to the terminal was a breeze, taking only 45 minutes. Arriving at the ferry terminal, we expected a throng of impatient travelers. Instead? Empty parking lots!

The good vibes continued inside. We breezed through boarding, the fastest we'd ever experienced in eight years of ferry travel. It seemed like everything was clicking into place. We sailed right on, arriving in Java by a refreshing 9 am.

By 10:30 am, we were already in Genteng, the charming hometown of my lovely wife, Azizah. 

The rest of our week there unfolded smoothly, a welcome change from the anticipated ferry hurdle.

Surprisingly, we came back two days after Youth Fitry and had the same surprise with no weight at the ferry.

This experience serves as a reminder: the things we worry about most often don't materialize. 

Don't let fear hold you back from pursuing your adventures! 

Sometimes, the smoothest sailing comes when we least expect it.