In Reply to: Kids in Bali posted by Jab on Thursday, 17. February 2005 at 18:02 Bali Time:
Just got back with my 8 and 10 year olds - also first trip for them o/s and they had a ball. Would thoroughly recommend:
1. Cycling Tour with Bali Budaya Eco Cycling. Full day out (pick up at 7am). They have kids bikes in all sizes and helmets too. You get taken to the volcano, and driven up the mountain so that you can cycle 2.5 hours down hill through villages and back roads. Then onto lunch, monkey forest, visit to a family and back to your hotel. Best thing we did (will be posting a JBR on this soon for more info). The kids coped well - only the last bit was up-hill and they chose to ride in the van that follows you the whole way, while we met them at the end of the cycle (all of about 10 minutes).
2. If you haven't been to Wet and Wild on the Gold Coast, then Waterbom Park is supposed to be good.
3. My kids were desperate to go on an elephant ride. Went to the Elephant Park in Taro. Cost was US$135 for the family (ride included). The kids enjoyed it. The ride went for about 40 minutes through the jungle and some frolicking in the pool. They also do shows at the park (included) and have a restaurant there for lunch. You won't need more than half a day here.
4. Go and see any of the dancing. Costumes and music are fascinating.
5. Visit an orphanage. It's amazing how children will communicate across cultural and socio-economic barriers.
A word of warning. Do not buy fruit for the monkeys in Monkey Forest. The monkeys were quite agressive and jumped on us as we held the fruit. Really freaked out the 10 year old.
Hope this helps.