Hi hon,
I think that you writing a novel or guide for parents taking kids to bali is a wonderful idea and I will share my experiences with you and hopefully it may help in some way. Any or all of what I write may be used or used as a guide, which ever helps.
Please forgive me for any spelling mistakes I may have written.
1) Im a tourist who has been to Bali as a child when I was 10 with my dad. Im so glad I had this experience and look back and thank my dad for taking me. I loved the culture, shopping, food, music and the whole experience different to what Im used to in Australia.
2) I have 2 children now aged 5 and 9. I have taken my kids to Bali once last year for a 2 week trip and we leave again next week on the 30th October for our 2nd family trip.
3) I have been to Bali 5 times since I was 10 and will continue to go back again and again, especially with my kids......
Accomodation experience so far 2009 - First trip with kids:
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We were looking on the internet for cheap places to stay that were child friendly and would keep the kids amused, not be to far away from shopping and resteraunts and have a pool and aircon, these were our must!!!!
We decided on the Paradise Plaza Hotel in Sanur for our 12 day stay.
We were given a adjoining room, one with 2 singles and one with a queen for us parents. We always kept the door open between rooms but t was great to have our own space so the kids can be in one room to have their own bathroom etc and we had ours. Would reccommend.
The rooms had a t.v but no dvd player which we ended up buying at a department store for $30 australian but we use each trip so its worth it having the bali plug and keeps us all happy so we can watch our Bali dvds when we are over there on a quite rest day lol.....
The hotel was lovely, the breakfast included daily was delicious and offered a great range of foods for the kids including eggs cooked your way, toast, cereals, fruit, bali dishes, crossants, pastries, even salads and hot dishes and so many juices......it was a great varity for us all as a family. We would also take a container to put some pastries and banana bread in for the kids later in the day when they got hungry or for snacks in the room.................very handy.
We had shop stalls close by and was amazed at just how close to the beach we were also. 2 minutes down the road and your there.
We had a Puffin doughnut shop across the road and restaurants so food wasn't a issue for the kids much at all.....
The distance from Kuta was about 10 minutes approx by taxi driver. Kids got a bit restless or hot on the trips into Kuta town for shopping etc and it dragged us down with the wait but all in all wasn't that bad.
The thing about staying at paradise plaza was the free entry to parasdise plaze suites which was the brother sister compant that had a kids zone which had its own water slides, activity area, life gaurd on standby, so much for the kids to do....I kind of wished after seeing the kid zone we stayed there instead of getting the free shuttle bus from the hotel but all in all we were happy to beable to go to both hotels and keep the kids happy.
Places we went with the kids:
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We were budget concious so we wanted our money to last us and still have fun so we planned carefully.
Yes we looked at maps, tour brouchre's etc but the prices seemed so expensive once you paid for entry or per person to do things and then on top pay the drivers fare so we had to limit our places to go.....
Waterbom park - Take a towel each, Camera, Suncream and Hat!!!
Amazing for the kids. Swimming and water rides galore and great for the parents too. They have a great kid water zone also that are perfect for smaller children so parents can sit back in a chair and kids can play in the very shallow waters of the water playground or play with them.
Security was good, lockers, toilets and food facilities were great. Food was a bit pricier in there but its usually the case in private businesses.................but definately worth the trip for a family with kids. Its unlike anywhere me ormy kids have been to. in Australia we have Adventure Wordl in perth where we are from, but the waterbom park beats it by far and its relevantly safe and I would definately go back.
Bali Safari park - Take a Hat, suncream, a towel and camera!
We paid for a driver of the street outside our hotel 250 000 Rp to drive us there and back from Sanur.
They will wait for you all day which amazed us as we were there for about 5 hours and I felt like it just wasnt enough but many said its what they do and not to give any more. I ended up pulling into Doughnut King on the way back and brought him lunch and a drnk which he was kindly saying no need but i felt a bit better and also a box of doughnuts for his kids when he finished work. he was very happy and appreciated it. It was the least I could do seeing as he waited around for us while we were of having fun......
The Bali Zoo park was my ultimate as a parent.....and the kids loved it just as much.
They each got to pick one animal being a baby tiger or baby orangutang which hey could hold or touch for a few minutes - needed more time i reakon lol!!!!
The trainers are with you and you can get photos done by them or take your own. Definately a place to take a camera!!!
Seeing so many different animals was amazing and then to go on a camel ride which cost extra but was fairly cheap.
The kids had a ball.
I had never rode a camel before so we all had a turn and took pictures. The kids were laughing and scared at the same time being up so high and bobbeling around but its something im glad i can say ive done and for the kids to remember and look back on......
The elephant rides was fun too......bit boring but at least i can say ive done it lol...as with the kids too.....It was exiting for the first 5 minutes but a slow trip, couldn't wait until it was over towards the end......
I reccommend a hat and sun cream for the kiddies, you easily get sun burnt in the heat. There is fine spraying sprinklers but it dosnt hit you much and is warm and dosnt really help that much...........
wait until you finish - you come to a wonderful kids and adults pool area. The kid playzone is amazing and the adult pool setting is amazing..........definately glad it was there. We didnt know before we left so we didnt have towels but did have i to cover the pram and 2 sarongs so we used them as towels lol.....
then you come to the awsome kids ride area for adults and kids.......free.............
Its also down in that area that they had a animal on display you could have photos with with your one free token.
We fell in love with the roller coater - you spun around whilst coming down and the view of bali once you reached the top was amazing,. If only I had a camera with me to quickly get photos but taking a camera and holding on is way out of my " can do list" lol...
The boat ride is also good.
The rides are great and vary for ages from 3 - adult.
BEACH - Bathers, towel, camera ( optional), suncream.
We visited sanur beach and it was lovely. Kids and mummy got a massage on the beach. I paid 40 000Rp and my oldest got one as well for 20 000. It was so nice and relaxing and the lady who served us was wonderful and not to pushy.
It was good for the kids to run around while dad was off trying to do the jet ski thing and me and the kids relaxing and the kids playing in the shallows and waves of the beach.
We attempted Kuta beach opposite the Hard Rock Cafe but were quickly swarmed with hawkers and sellers trying to sell us and show us stuff..........Ifyour there to beach it...say no ..........if you say yes, they ALL come up to you one by one and it gets frustrating saying no and you arguing in the end because they still try.....
My son was asked if he wanted a temperory tattoo. I said no, but a man done it anyway while i was being shown everything infront of me, and i was so mad when he come up to show me his temporary tattoo and the man smiling at me all happy like he got what he wanted and then expected me to pay......... I said NO, because i told him no in the first place.
Ive heard many stories about the temporary tattoos that can be poisonous on skin and has burnt kids sensative skin etc so i was so angry. He said i must pay but he also knows he done wrong doing it anyway and hoping i would pay afterwards so I said " no pay, you tricked me, Im the parent, I say no". H could see i was upset so he left it and walked away......so be careful.
There are many stalls along the beach for buying and places you can get drinks and icecreams.....
remember to slip slop and slap and use sunscreen because with the humidity, breeze and lovely sun, you will be sure to get burnt.
SHOPPING - Prams are great to take to hold your shopping from and for child because the walking will make them restless sooner or later. They are even great even if you dont have a child small enough lol...
The kids loved the shopping but like mentioned, sooner or later it becomes boring and hot and they want to go back to the hotel to swim and you can loose track of time so easily.
I also found that when the shop keepers see you have children, which they love and are so nice to mind you.....they will also talk them into something they dont need or you don't want lol......It amazed me when my 8 year old son in 2009 was battering with the sellers asking for a cheaper price. I taught him well lol...
he knew that when they say 100 000 Rp, you say 40 000 Rp....always halve it and a bit more. Mind you its only cents to them and going to low can be a insult. Its usually when they say the work bankrupt that you know you wont get it lower. if you still feel its not worth it, just say thankyou anyways and walk away, they will usually chase you and bargain a bit higher and you keep walking until they say, yes, ok, you win.....then you stop and pay. Dont walk away still if they negotiate to your low price they have agreed on, its rude.
My sons loved going into the dvd stores so pick out cartoons. with the new release dvds i usually got 2 of each incase some didnt work.
They say not to take a few copies back on the airplane incase the airport staff think you will sell them when you are back into your own country but I have NEVER been stopped to check dvds, and even if i was i would swear they were extra copies in case some where faulty or as gifts for nieces and nephews. For $1.20 AUD each, its worth it!!!
Food / Drinks for kids -
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My 2 boys aged 8 and 4 at the time of their first trip was picky to a limit.
Every place we went to eat there was sure enough food they would eat or like.
The common hot chips is called fried potato!!!! remember that one!!!!
The mei goreng was a favorite and he staff will accomodate to the kids if you tell them its for kids and dont want spicy or no chilli etc....every kid loves noodles and veg with little pieces of meat....
The kids often drank red fanta which is great for them and seems to also help keep nasties away. I read it on a forum once and it works for both kids and adults it seems as well as the morning nip of raspberry cottees cordial we have every day to keep our tummies right and helps void bali belly for some reason.
We have never got sick doing this!
There is a Mc Donalds and KFC in bali the kids will also love, just like home lol.....with a twist of difference with the side servings.....they even deliver lol...Great for nights in with the kids!!!
We went to the Hardies or supermarket stores to stock up on bottled water and biscuits and bits and pieces to snack and drink whilst in bali buts keeping them in our hotel room and use the fridge we had.
If you have a decked out fridge of chockies and drinks, get them out and put to one side and fill up with your own stuff. We occasionally used some and it was neally 3 times as much to use the stuff from the mini bar and it adds up when your paying your final bill. The chockies and chips always tempt the kids so be sure to clear them and buy your own.............
All in all, they have sandiches, chips, good variety of foods for kids and desserts and drinks so dont worry about if there will be stuff they can eat! but take your own vegemite if they like it on toast as you can sometimes find it their but imported foods cost a fortune when you buy them.............
Reccomended things to take for kids -
Towel out some hotels supply them or you can buy them there really cheap of the street fr approx 30 000 Rh
Camera for memories!!!
Comfy shoes or sandles or can buy there !!!
Bathers or can buy there at Matahari Department stores etc
Sunscreen - expensive in Bali - take in your suitcase!
Pram if your child is under 6....great for the incase or shopping! - some raods are shocking to use prams. strollers are perfect!
texta's and colouring books for the plane and hotel when its quite time
portable dvd player if you have one for dvds or for the plane trip.
shampoo and conditioner - the chlorine in the pools can be strong and dries out the hair a bit so it will get used a bit more often!
lollies for the plane whilst taking for when the gravity changes
pool floaties or arm bands can be brought from bali very cheap at the hotel shop or department stores
Hats can br brought from bali cheap from 20 000 Rp
Mosquito repellent in your suitcase. They get bad sometimes and with Dengue fever increasing at the moment its not worth the risk. Its hard to cover up whilst its so humid so lather up and take sprays with you to dinner etc to spray at your feet etc to protect the kids and yourself.
Baby Sitters In bali -
I myself have never had to get a baby sitter but on the Bali Forum there a quite a few reccommendations from regular tourists.
My worries were, what if they take of with them when im gone, what if they go through my stuff, all sorts of questions but if you get a babysitter through the hotel or get one reccommended by past users, your pretty safe and the laws there are strict. I dont think that its worth them doing anything wrong whilst the kids are in there care for the hours your our either night clubbing or need some time out because their laws are pretty tough for the balinese.....
All in all, Im of to Bali again in 6 days - 30th October 2010 for my last trip for a few years because I am 23 weeks pregannat and due in february 2011 so this is our last trip as a family until the new baby is a few years old an i think I will be able to cope and have fun with 3 kids without to many demands........
This trip, I plan on taking the kids to the temples, see the ricefirlds, maybe the Kintamani tour to see a volcano but I know this is a all day trip so we will see how that goes..........
Im unsure about the Monkey forrest because of the rabies scares that still linger and my youngest aged 6 now has a white blood cell deficiancy so I dont want to risk any infections or bites or scratches....
We will be staying in Kuta this time in Poppie 2 with friends we are meeting up with and the shopping is right outside our door as with everything else. I was always sceptical after the bombings to stay in Kuta with the kids but time has past and I figure if anything does happen, it can happen anytime, any place so for the sake of a 10 day trip in paradise with my kids, we are taking the risk and pray we will be ok. Much security has increased since the bombings as I have seen so I feel pretty safe in Kuta with my kids.
I hope this may have helped you and your planning trips to Bali with kids for the near future and remember to have fun and take it all in, Bali is my slice of paradise and the kids love it just as much as me because they get to learn about a new culture, meet new people, get spoilt, have time of school lol.....but mainly have a fun experience as a family they will never forget
Kelly