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Miscellaneous
Bali Welcomes Your Family to
Paradise
There is perhaps no other place
in the world where you will find such a warm welcome for you
and your family. The Balinese are famous for the love they
show to children, and yours will no doubt bask happily in
the smiles, attention and gentle care they attract. In fact,
long before it became fashionable in the West, the Balinese
were pioneers of an “attachment parenting” philosophy.
According to traditional culture, Balinese children are not
even allowed to touch the earth until they are six months
old, at which time an otonon or “descent to the
earth” ceremony is held to welcome them to the world.
Carried everywhere in the warm, safe arms of family,
sleeping snugly between their parents, and insulated from
all the hassles and pressures of the modern world, Balinese
children are lucky indeed.
Travelling to Bali you will
find this special attitude extends to your own family.
Forget about the glares of the self-important businessman
across the aisle of the plane and the flight attendant who’s
more interested in her nails than your needs. Once you land
on “the island of the gods,” it’s time for a real
vacation! Your kids will be won over by the unbelievable
range of entertainments, attractions and educational
experiences Bali has to offer. From thrilling sports to
exciting cultural spectacles, from outdoor adventures to
enthralling performances, Bali’s young guests are sure
never to have a dull moment.
Water loving kids will go
crazy for the wet and wild thrills at Waterbom Park and Spa
in Kuta, where dozens of pools, waterslides and games offer
fun for children of all ages. There is even a special “Kiddy
Park” where toddlers can take a safe dip. Parents will
appreciate the luxurious tropical garden setting and the
spa, which offers traditional Balinese beauty treatments and
massages sure to leave even the most stressed-out moms and
dads floating on a cloud of well-earned peace. Bali is also
a great place for your kids to get their feet wet learning a
new sport. Snorkeling is both fun and educational, offering
youngsters a fascinating glimpse of Bali’s stunning coral
reefs and amazing diversity of colorful marine life. The
more adventurous can brave the waves on a surfboard or body
board, or take an ocean kayak, sailboat, windsurfer or jet
ski out for a spin. And for an unbelievable experience the
whole family can share, there’s white water rafting, a
spine-tingling yet safe ride through some of Bali’s most
beautiful jungle scenery.
Once your kids have dried
off, there’s lots more fun awaiting them on dry land. If
you want to escape from the bright lights and big city
atmosphere of Kuta, consider a cycling trip or a hiking trek
through the lush green countryside of the island’s
interior. If you’re feeling less athletic, a land cruise
over the hills, past isolated traditional villages, and
through the thick foliage of a tropical jungle lets you
explore Bali’s wild side from the comfort of a fully
equipped four wheel drive vehicle. Aspiring tennis stars can
practice their skills on the courts of Bali’s major
hotels, while not-yet-licensed drivers can safely work up
some speed on the go-kart tracks of Kuta and Legian. Animal
loving children can go horse or pony riding along the beach,
or even interact with some more exotic wildlife by elephant
riding or camel riding. And if your kids’ squabbling is
driving you crazy, you can send them to let off some steam
at Bali Splat Mas, the island’s paintball park, where
action adventure comes to life. Or for the ultimate thrill,
kids can bungee jump from a fifty meter tower on a huge
rubber band - don’t worry, parents, they have a perfect
safety record!
Kids and parents alike will
also be entranced by the exciting attractions to be found at
Bali's family oriented theme parks. At the Taman Burung Bali
Bird Park in Batubulan, located between Denpasar and Ubud,
over one thousand birds - ranging from the rare, endangered
Bali Starling to kaleidoscope colored Peacocks, blush pink
African Flamingos and jewel toned Birds of Paradise -
inhabit the two hectare grounds, whose walkways are lined
with lush foliage and spectacular water gardens. Kids can
climb over a swinging bridge inside a tropical rainforest
environment, and even have “breakfast with the birds” in
the park’s restaurant. Right next door to the Bali Bird
Park is the Bali Reptile Park, where children will go crazy
for the crowd of creepy crawling crocodiles, lizards,
iguanas, turtles, and even a Komodo Dragon. At the Taman
Kupu-Kupu Butterfly Park in Tabanan, the unforgettable sight
of hundreds of thousands of butterflies in all the colors of
the tropical rainbow is sure to capture a child’s
imagination and encourage their environmental awareness. The
Butterfly Park, the largest park of its kind in South East
Asia, provides a natural habitat for a number of endangered
species and tries to create young conservationists through
its educational programs. In Sanur, the Taman Festival Park
is another fun spot to spend a family afternoon. The park is
home to a variety of exotic animals, as well as offering
rides, games, a laser light show and a performance space for
traditional Balinese dancing.
Of course, no family vacation
to Bali is complete without taking the kids to witness some
of the island’s legendary traditional performances. The
stunning grace of Balinese dancers and their elaborate,
colorful costumes are sure to win over even the most diehard
MTV fans. Young children will be wowed by the spectacle of
the Legong Dance, where tiny pre-teen girls dressed in
exquisite traditional finery perform complex moves to the
sound of a gamelan gong orchestra. They will be thrilled by
the spine-tingling sights and sounds of the Kecak Dance,
where a hundred men arranged in concentric circles mimic the
sound of a forest full of monkeys, their eerie chants rising
up into the clear evening air. And even the most
sophisticated teen will be impressed by the unforgettable
drama of the Barong Dance, where the fun loving lion like
Barong and his army of dagger wielding followers resists the
dark powers of the evil witch Rangda. Traditional Balinese
religious ceremonies will delight and amaze children with
their exotic festival atmosphere, at the same time giving
kids a valuable chance to witness cultural diversity
firsthand.
Parents as well are sure to
find that well-deserved break in Bali. The island’s
restaurants showcase some of the finest cuisine anywhere in
the world, from authentic Balinese delights to an eclectic
mix of international tastes. Shopping in Bali also offers an
incredible variety of temptations, including gorgeous
jewelry, beautiful clothes from high fashion to funky
ethnic, tasteful antiques and home accessories and, of
course, Bali’s world renowned traditional crafts. And for
the ultimate experience in relaxation and rejuvenation,
tired moms and dads can indulge their senses in one of Bali’s
spas. These wonderful oases of tranquility combine modern
science with ancient secrets to provide the ultimate mix of
hedonism and health consciousness. Using ingredients such as
flowers, herbal oils, coconut, milk, honey, sandalwood and
spices, Bali’s spas provide an exquisite escape from the
pressures of the world.
Essential Travel Tips for
Parents
Concerned about your
children’s safety and health in Bali? You don’t need to
worry. International standard medical services are available
in major tourist areas. Many large hotels even have their
own clinics or can help you find a decent doctor. In Kuta,
the Bali International Medical Center has a full staff of
well-trained medical personnel, including Western nurse
practitioners, and an excellent laboratory. Contact them at
Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai 100X, Telephone 761263. In Denpasar,
Dr. Rubiana is a wonderful young pediatrician who speaks
very good English, makes house calls, and has an amazing way
of relating to her young patients. Contact her at Jalan Raya
Puputan No. 202, Renon, Denpasar, Telephone 237745. In Sanur,
Dr. A.A.M. Djelantik has, for decades, been the family
doctor of choice for the resident expatriate community. His
office hours are 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through
Saturday, on Jalan Hayam Wuruk, right next door to the
United States Consulate. Bali’s major hospitals are also
located in Denpasar. Recommended are Rumah Sakit Kasih Ibu,
at Jalan Teuku Umar 120, Telephone 223036, and Rumah Sakit
Sanglah at Jalan P. Diponegoro, Telephone 227911.
To avoid health problems,
follow the same sensible precautions that Balinese parents
do. Drink only bottled water - and lots of it. It is
available in hotels, restaurants and convenience stores
across the island. Protect children’s delicate skin from
the tropical sun with hats and sunscreen, which you can
easily find in stores near the beach. Watch children for
signs of dehydration, and carry bottled water and juice
boxes with you. And don’t worry too much! Bali is safe,
clean and modern and serious health problems are rare.
There’s no need to bring a
heavy suitcase of children’s equipment to Bali. For
babies, a light baby carrier that you can wear while walking
is a must to pack, as is a small, collapsible stroller for
older children. Mosquito repellant that is marked safe for
children is also a useful item to have on hand. Virtually
everything else you need - as well as a delightful
assortment of handcrafted toys and clothes you and your
children are sure to covet -- is available here at
reasonable prices. For imported brands of baby foods,
diapers, long-life milk packaged in cardboard boxes, and
children’s toiletries, check out the selection at Hero
Supermarket, Jalan Teuku Umar 38 in Denpasar, Alas Arum,
Jalan Raya Seminyak in Kuta, and Gelael Supermarket, Jalan
Raya Kuta in Kuta. For a huge selection of children’s
goods - everything from baby bottles to toys to colorful,
tropical print clothes - head to Matahari Department Store
on Jalan Dewi Sartika in Denpasar.
Wondering what to do with
your children on the long flight to Bali? Take some tips
from seasoned travellers on how to make the trip with your
tots more pleasurable. First, if you can, book a seat on an
Asian carrier. Thai International Airlines, Japan Airlines,
Singapore Air and Cathay Pacific all fly to Bali, and all
are reliable, first-class airlines renowned for gracious,
dependable service. Their Asian personnel and passengers are
far more likely to smile instead of cringe if your child
becomes fussy and bored. No matter who you fly, travel
prepared, with diapers, wipes for washing hands and faces, a
towel, extra water, and a bottle or some lollipops to make
the pressure changes on takeoff and landing easier on young
ears. Encourage your kids to drink lots of water or juice,
as airplane air is notoriously dehydrating. It’s also a
good idea to bring an assortment of small toys and games -
preferably new ones that will attract your child’s
interest. Call the airline ahead of time and request a
bulkhead seat - those in the first row - which offer extra
legroom and a space for children to play. You can also
request special meals, and some airlines even have baby
foods, child seats or bassinets available. All airlines
should allow you to bring a stroller right up to the door of
the plane, where the aircraft personnel will check it and
return it to you upon landing - very helpful for weary
parents if the lines at Immigration are long.
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