“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.”
―Anita Desai
What do you enjoy most about traveling? The planning? The unpredictability? The sheer joy of surprise? To travel is to embrace the good and the bad, like most things in life. In addition, traveling offers a unique opportunity: it allows you to learn a little more about yourself and the people you’re travelling with. Of course, it is the sense of wonderment and joy of seeing new things that usually forms the spearhead of any travel.
A laid-back and casual travel destination, where one does not have to carry fancy bags, shoes and outfits is Bali – an Indonesian island with an influx of tourists, surfing enthusiasts, spiritualists and honeymooners. Visitors to Bali find that testimonials attesting to the beauty and charm of the island are not far from the truth. It is good to travel light; one should simply be armed with good shoes, a sunhat, a bottle of sunblock and a comfortable outfit. Ensure constant hydration with carry-ons for the younger children, and water bottles for the older ones. Excessive items will be a burden as they will either tear, be uncomfortable in the hot weather or cause a huge dry-cleaning bill thanks to all the sand!
Not just a trip…
Books on self-discovery seem to point to places like Bali as ideal to embark on such journeys. Bali holds a sense of wantonness: every corner that turns into a new street and every shop that holds wondrous knick-knacks and oddities welcomes you with an array of flowers, incense and haunting Balinese music. You will spot deities and figurines on every nook and cranny, and stumble upon religious ceremonies held to honor a deity, bury a loved one or just start off the day. You will see temples opening into entire neighborhoods, and landscaped gardens balancing the blackness of soil with the exuberance of colorful plants In fact, some of the best sights in Bali come without a price tag.
Ironing out the seams…
The best months to visit Bali are from June to October. It is advisable not to visit during the busy Eid holidays or the murk-inducing rainy seasons. Bali should be experienced in its clear, blue-water glory and sunny, azure skies. As is the case when travelling plans formulated in advance and a well-read companion are good ways to avoid frustration and wasted time. In addition, there are enough English-speakers in Bali for visitors to be able to get around. Bali is an hour-and-a-half flight from Jakarta, and has direct flights from many global cities. The airport hosts taxi services, from which it is useful to pick one that runs a meter, as tourists often find themselves swindled. One philosophy for both Bali shopping and Bali taxis is: bargain, bargain, bargain.
If the name doesn’t convince you.
Kuta Beach is a preferred spot for couples sans children. A tourist hotspot, Kuta Beach hosts an array of hotels and markets, with a multitude of restaurants and shopping areas. Lagian Road is ideal for adults and the adventurous-at-heart, being close to the beach and hosting an interesting night life of clubs and fancy restaurants.
Central Kuta is best for activities for couples traveling with kids. It has a wide choice of hotels and restaurants, such as Hard Rock Hotel and Cafe. As you move further up, you may find places like the Kuta Beach View Resort, a collection of huts and private villas to choose from. One of my personal favorites is the Vivo Risso restaurant – wholesome Italian cuisine that even the children will love. With a wide offering of tourism services including trips to temples and water sport packages, night safaris and trips to surrounding areas of Denpasar, Jimbaran, Ubud ,Uluwatu, Benua and Nusa Dua, Tanah loth and Sanur, Kuta is the place to be!
Come one, come all!
Kuta offers many activities for families with children and teenagers. As the older children take surfing lessons, engage in kite flying or just swim, the younger ones can swim in the water, and build sand-castles. There’s henna artists along the beach, to add to the fun. Most restaurants have a kids’ menu.
When it comes to accommodation, online researching (we recommend Agoda and My Trip Advsor) will show you that the options are many. Hard Rock Cafe and The Mercure are child-friendly hotels, and both house a pool. You can rent a sizeable villa at a reasonable price in Semniyak and Ubud. The villa choices are not great in Kuta. Areas around Kuta or closest to it are Uluwatu, Benua, Nusa Dua and Semniyak, all about 30 to 45 minutes’ drive from Kuta Beach. Budget deals can be found from under 100 dollars a night, with some accommodation going up to 500 dollars per night.
Let’s map out and hit the town

Renting a motorcycle allows visitors to avoid traffic. With children, it is always better to rent out a Blue Bird taxi or a car – rates are comparable across providers. Adults will enjoy a drop-in at an antique or auction house. Ladies should look out for the popular Uluwatu Lace shop in Kuta market.
Let’s gear up
The best thing to do the day you land in Bali is to hit the beach; you can either stay busy with the many activities at the beach, or rent a spot to just lie on the deck chairs and daydream your worries away. Get a massage, a manicure or a pedicure, learn to surf or just laze around- a life of pure self-indulgence. The next couple of days can be planned with water sports activities ranging from snorkeling, flying fish, paragliding, jet skiing and more. You can mix and match your options. Packages usually include pick-and-drop, as well as lunch and a drink. Do consult the instructors and/or package providers on the suitability of the activities for children.
Of terraces and evening times