So our family stayed in Bali a total of ten days. We tried to change it up each day so as not to get too exhausted or overwhelmed by doing an activity one day and then resting the next. Our resting days often included lunch at our hotel restaurant, swimming in the hotel pool and just wandering locally doing some shopping. With three kids it's too hard to do something every day and to hard to do nothing every day too!
Some of the things we did, we ended up spending a couple of hundred dollars in the day and some things were completely free and then there were things in between so something for every budget! Our favourite thing by far, and was agreed on by all five of us was the turtle release on Kuta beach!
The Bali sea turtle society is a group that runs from Kuta beach, rescuing turtle eggs from the sand, re-burying them in a sectioned off sand pit (shaped like a giant turtle) where the eggs then hatch and are released by the ocean in the hopes that more turtles will make it back to the beaches in 25 years to lay their own eggs. The bsts releases information daily on their Facebook to inform people of if they will be releasing turtles that day. The day we went they had 100 Babies to be set free. We lined up at 4pm and got a ticket for the two older girls and made a donation towards the conservation efforts. Then around 4.30 there was a speech about what their work is all about and how the turtle release will happen.
We got our turtle and took him to the beach, when instructed we gently tipped the turtle onto the sand and watched them all scuttle off to the waters edge, swimming away and bobbing up for air in the distance. It was the most amazing experience and was free! Although with the amazing work the BSTS do I'm sure you too will be compelled to give to this worthy cause. We all loved the experience!
Another animal attraction in Bali is the Bali safari and marine park. It's best to plan an entire day here as there is so much to see and do and you will definitely want to get the most out of your money. We went with one of the most basic packages upon entry as it still covered loads of activities inside and having been several times before, the reindl man and I know that upgrading a package by $30pp just to include lunch just isn't worth it in the long run.
The Bali safari and marine park is popular among tourists as there are so many things to see and do for a family that it is able to appeal to everyone's interest. From the safari journey that takes you within metres of elephants, lions, zebras, antelope, tigers and hippos to the safari park petting zoo where you can touch tortoises, iguanas, guinea pigs and parrots, thee is just such a vast array of animals to see. What a lot of people who go to the zoo don't know is that there is theme park rides and a waterpark (with splash zone and waterslides) within the park for families to enjoy. We can't help but take advantage of all the amenities within the park, it's simply amazing!
One of my top picks for attractions in Bali (and probably 90% of tourists will head there) is waterbom park. There's a lazy river for you to float along, an awesome kids pool with so much going on, plenty of waterslides for the big kids and nail, hair and massage stations within the place for the mummies to have some time out. Within the park there are many photographers who can take snaps for you and will load the pictures on a barcoded wristband. As you're getting ready to leave the park there is a kiosk when you can view the photos and order prints, magnets, mugs, keychains or the download link for your photos.
Another relatively cheap day out is to head to the beach. There are multiple vendors that will offer you drinks but before you argee make sure to negotiate that you may use their seating free of use. Otherwise when you go to pay for your drinks they can charge you for the use of their chairs. While we were there we took advantage of being able to support local families by negotiating prices to get 3x manicures, 3x pedicures, 2x hair braiding, 2x massages and a few pieces of jewellery which was more expensive than going to a salon but the kids were free to roam, the reindl man could stand by having a few drinks and all the money goes to the locals rather than a business.
While we were at the beach Lexi asked to learn to surf and so we asked the vendor how much for surf lessons. He charged $20 and took her out for well over an hour and included rashie and board hire. She had an absolute blast and was just instantly so good I tried to convince myself that I should get some surf lessons cos surely I'd be just as good!
There is just so much to do in Bali you could literally do something different everyday for a fortnight and there would still be more things for you to do next time you go! Or just sit back and relax by the hotel pool.
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