Bali for Families

Bali is a place of magic. It is a blend of sights, charm and tradition that is alive and vibrant. The rich green terraced rice fields and the stunning beauty of the volcanic peaks simply takes your breath away. White sandy beaches abound and the sight of beautiful Balinese girls, carrying perfectly balanced baskets of fruit and flowers on their heads through winding village streets, is a sight one never forgets.

Bali offers a gateway to rest, relaxation, rejuvenation and a perfect blended holiday for families.

Where to Stay:

There are many choices of areas to stay in Bali, all with very different characters, which can be quite surprising on such a small island. The main areas to stay are Sanur, Kuta, Legian and Seminyak, Jimbaran, Ubud and Nusa Dua. If you love shopping, restaurants, nightlife and the lively hustle and bustle of beachside island life, Kuta is the place to be. If you long for of a peaceful place where the only sounds are the lapping of waves against a white sandy beach and the faint sound of a Balinese Orchestra, then Jimbaran Bay is your best bet (the fact that the wives are driving distance from any shopping area is also quite a draw card for the men).

For families, it is hard to beat Jimbaran. Compared to the hustle and bustle of Kuta, Jimbaran Bay is tranquil and retains much of its fishing village charm. The beach claims to have Bali’s best white sand beach. The shallow water and coral free beach make it perfect for swimming. It is located on the “right side” of the island, so one can take full advantage of the famous sunsets. One of the nicest things about Jimbaran is the area remains hassle free from aggressive and pesky vendors.

Intercontinental Resort, Jimbaran Bay, Bali:

This beachfront resort hotel is set amidst 35 areas of lush, beautifully landscaped gardens. Massage beds face the ocean and allow you the opportunity to indulge in the ultimate ocean & beach view massage experience. The tropical feel of the resort makes you relax and unwind almost immediately. There seems to be water everywhere you venture, including a beautiful pond side breakfast spot where you can watch swans float past. There are 6 outdoor swimming pools and a children’s activity center that is top class in every way.

The General Manger has 5 children of his own, so he has a dedicated and genuine interest in understanding the needs of family travel. In the Kids Fun Factory, children can take Balinese Dance classes in full Balinese Dress, kite making, traditional doll painting or cooking classes with the chef. Their hand on approach allows children learn to do things while the have some fun. On the day we visited the children were learning how to make and construct tents. And the best part of the center has to be that Mom & Dad can just relax by the pool, have a massage, or even venture into town on a shopping spree, while being rest assured that the children are in good care.

If there is a public holiday in Indonesia you can be assured something special is organized at the Intercontinental. Last Easter they featured an Alice in Wonderland Children’s Tea Party, complete with the Australian Food and Beverage Manager running around as the Mad Hatter himself. Throughout the Easter festivities, horse riding was offered on the beach every afternoon – a big hit with the children. A petting zoo was brought in especially for the program, complete with piglets, rabbits and many more cute and cuddly animals happily available to be petted and adored.

In an exclusive area, away from the mainstream activity of the hotel, Executive Suites are available. Designed for those families and individuals who like a lot of privacy, this choice includes airport transfer by limousine, 24 hour butler service, a flower bath on arrival, complimentary access to the Kids Fun Factory and 50 % off all food, beverage and spa treatments. Ideal for families, these suites sleep up to four comfortably.

Intercontinental Resort Bali: Tel (0361) 701 888

www.bali.intercontinental.com

Things to do in Bali

Hard Rock Hotel – This is a favorite for kids. Although located in downtown Kuta, there is enough going on in the resort to keep the whole family entertained all day. Waiters on monocycles serve the delicious western and Asian style food to you circus style. You can swim over to watch the band while it bashes out some great tunes that the whole family will love from a small island beach area in the middle of the pool. You can play beach volleyball on real sand on the island and if it gets all too much, then you can hire a private cabana, which sits on stilts in the water and dive off your own balcony if you wish. The kids can choose to slide down the two waterslides into the pool or may want a break from Mom & Dad and retire to the Kids Club. Evenings are just as fun as yet another band will entertain you Unplugged Style at Center Stage located in the Front Lobby Lounge Area. Budding singers will appreciate cutting their very own CD at the hotels state of the art professional music studio for a very competitive fee. A personal CD is an amazing keepsake and is the best gift for all the Grandparents and family back home! Massage and spa treatments are also available – so there is definitely something for everyone. Plan to spend the entire day at the Hard Rock (you can pay a small fee at the entrance for a day pass) or stay on in the super cool rooms complete with a great in room boom box or listen to Hard Rock radio hosted live from its own DJ Booth located in the hotel on your TV – it is well worth it.

Waterbom – Another full day out. Waterbom is located in the heart of Kuta and has something for everyone. The park is set in a beautiful tropical Balinese garden paradise with 14 waterslides, relaxation pools and numerous leisure facilities. There are water features for all whether you prefer a leisurely river ride or a fast and furious tube ride. The harnessed bungee jumping swing was a huge hit for my kids and if you have a child who will not smile and pose for you in ordinary circumstances, then put them on this and click away. Massage and spa facilities are available as well. Open 9 am-6 pm.

Surfing – Kuta and Legian are world famous for their “Learn to Surf Schools”, and if you or your children have ever had an interest in this sport, then this is the place to try it out. The nice thing about Indonesia of course, is the warm ocean water. Perfect for learning. The 6 km beach break stretching from Kuta to Petitenget has a range of waves and ideal conditions for learning. The School of Surf (Tel: 735 858) provides surf lessons for the uninitiated. Australian and Japanese instructors are available.

Shopping – Too much choice to mention, but if you have ever wanted a leather jacket custom made, leather is big business in Bali. Bags, belts and footwear can all be found along Jl Legian. Surf wear shops abound in Kuta – you name it, its here: Mambo, Billabong, and Quicksilver and so on. If you have teenage kids they are bound to want to do the Jl Legian walk and discover them all. Bali Design, Gang Poppies II and Jl Legian have surf wear at more reasonable prices.

The best area for shopping is Jl Legian, Jl Bakungsari, Jl Melasti and nearby back lanes such as Poppies I and II. Shopping stretches all the way to Seminyak, where some of the funkiest shops exist and don’t forget the night markets. Jl Seminyak is where you will find some of the best buys in home wares and women’s fashions. This area is were the Bali resident expats always shop for the trendiest designs.

Adventure – If you’re into adventure then it’s all available in Bali. ATV rides, mountain biking, white water rafting, trekking, 4WD Touring and Paddy Trekking it is all easily arranged. Padi Adventure is a pretty good one – Tel 289 748

Exploring by Car – I would really recommend taking a driver and car rental and go off exploring for a day or two. The nice thing about taking a driver is their local knowledge and the places you can be taken that are totally off the tourist-beat. With your own wheels you have the flexibility to go at your own pace and spend time in places of your own choosing. You can simply stop the car for that awesome photo of a procession of Balinese women taking offerings to a temple or a special event. We stopped one afternoon, on the way back from Ubud - the kids were getting ratty in the back and we went scrambling up the rice terraces as the sun was setting. It was such a magical experience; we raced each other to the top and caught the most incredible views from last terrace. It is still one of the most memorable things I have done with my kids and it was totally impromptu. We could never have done that without a private car. Rp 250,000 per day including driver. There are many car operators, so ask your concierge for a recommendation but always remember that cars rented from the hotel will always cost much more than going direct to a car operator.

Cruises & Water Sports– I think it is always nice to get out on a boat, and generally kids and boats go together. From Benoa Harbor you can catch a beach club cruise, luxury sailing catamaran, go out for fun on a banana boat, parasail, jet ski or get into some sea kayaking. Most kids love to fish and many of the boats are equipped with fishing gear. Fishing is a fun activity to do while the boat is moored for lunch or people are off snorkeling. Your driver can take you to any of the numerous locations on the harbor. Just remember to bargain! Again a good child/adult combination day out.

Restaurants and Dining One of the most memorable things about Bali is the dining experience. It is simply out of this world and some of the most notable restaurants are either beachfront or near enough to the ocean to catch the breeze. The following restaurants are all located within walking distance from each other in the Seminyak area. Always bear in mind that bookings are considered essential at these very well known restaurants. In high season you may have to book days in advance.

Living Room – Located on Jl Petitenget/Jl Seminyak this very romantic restaurant, is set in the open air with a magical tent-like atmosphere. Candlelit tables dot the large garden and cool music plays all night, with their own “Living Room Compilation CD” available on every table.

Ke de Ta – Just along from the Oberoi Hotel, this is a total beachfront dining experience. Really nice Australian-style and international food with the coolest of décor and architectural design. You can spend many hours sitting on the deck over a meal and watch the world go by on the beach. Nice for breakfast, lunch or for dinner.

Gado-Gado – Just along from Ke de Ta this a dining experience all to its own. Catch the ocean breezes at this legendary restaurant and dine out on the Balinese ambience at this very superb restaurant.

La Lucciola on Kayu Ayu Beach (Petitenget) is a perfect spot for a long breakfast/lunch or dinner. A beautiful open-air restaurant that is totally beachfront and the service is excellent. Nice Italian selection as well as western dishes. Good wine list. Sun loungers available and with a large grassy area opening out onto the beach, this is a good choice to share with kids and adults alike. A perfect spot for cocktails at sunset.

Ex-pat Specialty Foods

Gourmet Garage – This place has a wide selection of local and imported food, deli items and specialty foods. It’s a great place to take note of if you rent your own villa. You can freight a box or two back home to Jakarta for a reasonable price. Tel – 701650 on Jl By-pass, Gd Tukad Melangi

Dijon – A fantastic selection of imported cold cuts, pickles, cheeses and much more. Great stop to load up a picnic basket and head off somewhere for the day. Kuta Poleng Art & Antique Mall, Jl Setiabudi, Kuta Tel: 759 636

Last but certainly not least, the special thing about Bali is the people. The smiles of the Balinese people and their gracious manner remain Bali’s greatest asset. It is what brings people back time and time again. Whether you visit for relaxation, family time, for adventure or for a road trip beyond the attractions of Kuta, the island known as the “island of the Gods” is bound to captivate you.

Photos by David Metcalf