Family Holiday to Indonesia
Our recent trip to Indonesia was amazing! It was our first holiday together as a family of four overseas that didn’t include visiting relatives. A long overdue trip that was postponed a few years…
If you followed along with our journey on Instagram you will know that this country is near and dear to our hearts! Ben and I have travelled there often and call it “our special place”. Indonesia (Bali) was where we used to meet over the years of having a long distant relationship whilst I was in the UK and Ben in Aus. It’s so special to us that Ben and I even got married there 7 years ago!
Our family trip was just over two weeks, this is a good amount of time for holidaying in Bali, although in all honesty, we would have loved to stay for a month! After a week or so, like any trip, you get into a routine, and with young kids in tow this makes everything run a little more smoothly.
We travelled to Bali in the low season, typically the best time to visit Bali is between April and October. You can expect a little more rain in the months March and November.
For the first week we stayed at Keramas, at Hotel Komune. And for the second week we stayed at Uluwatu Surf villas.
This holiday was extra special because Ben and I got married at hotel Komune seven years ago. This trip was our anniversary and gift to one another! Hotel Komune is a fantastic resort! It’s family orientated with private rooms and villas, which are located amongst tropical plants and magical walkways to two communal areas with pools. The Beach Club is a social family friendly area, which overlooks A popular surf break with black volcanic sand that attracts many surfers from around the world.
The Health hub attracts people looking for a tranquil health retreat. It is my favourite spot! It includes a yoga studio, large gym, a healthy shot bar with restaurant and a beautiful pool. ( It is for adults only, although if the kids are quiet and respectful you can totally take them to the restaurant for lunch, we did three times.) Ben and I enjoyed a romantic early yoga session, swim and juice every morning together. A great way to start the day!
The hotel provides in-house nannies (Ibu - meaning Mumma) and a basic, but fun, kids club which has trampolines, chickens and traditional Indonesian crafts. For the first week the kiddies enjoyed a 1.5 hour session first thing in the morning with ‘Ibu Wayan’ in the kids club. They loved it!!! Picture below.
There are two restaurants with great food to choose from!! This was the main reason we initially stayed at Komune, it was the one place that has never gave me an upset tummy… (more on that later)
For the second week we stayed at Uluwatu surf villas. A place Ben and I have always wanted to visit. Uluwatu surf villas is known for its magnificent view and cliff front villas that overlook the famous surf break. It has a communal pool with a laid back young family feel. Once again, food was important and they have a terrific restaurant called Mana that many come far and wide to eat at! Uluwatu surf villas is located at the end of the Bukit peninsular. It is busy and trendy. When we stayed at Uluwatu for the week, we went out for a daily explore with the kids.
Preparing before we went
I have rounded up my most FAQ’s about our trip.
Travel essentials for our kids-
Although the flight is only 6 hours from Sydney to Denpasar, I always go prepared for entertainment and snacks!
pencil case
activity book
backpack
colouring book
stickers
snap / learning cards for Florie
puzzle for teddy (he did not stop playing this game all holiday!)
water bottle
snack box each
spare set of clothes
headphones
When travelling we always pack extra snacks! Just in case of delays and exhaustion tantrums. In my eyes you can never have enough emergency snack supplies. As a family we have food intolerances and food preferences for health and lifestyle reasons, the options can sometimes be limited when travelling so being prepared is a priority for us!
I planned and packed entertainment for the two weeks allowing enough for a rotation of activities for the kids. We used them for when going out to dinner, having quiet time, at the pool, you name it. Whipping out a new activity every 4 days kept the excitement and interest going! If they weren’t swimming, exploring and making friends with fellow travellers, they would be doing puzzles, workbooks, cards and colouring.
Other important items I packed for the kids
Sun and star clock- We love routine and kept to it give or take 30 mins or so when on holiday. This clock is brilliant and encourages them to understand the cues for sleep time and when it’s time to rise.
Kids DIY Essential oil and pre made rollers for sleep support, calming, immune support, owies and more. I have a favourite on all my favourite the kids here, I call them my ‘Mumma tools’ I do not go anywhere without them!! And yes I take a diffuser wherever we go, (I packed four!) Some of my faves for the kids include purification, Thieves, orange and Lavender. (We took the classic starter bundle with us, and used every single in it!)
Ningxia Red- Our family antioxidant superfood drink (this is like their multi vitamin)It is an excellent whole-food source of nutrients that gives energy and strength to the body without harmful stimulates. We don’t go a day without Ningxia Red.
Favourite Swimmers
Goggles
Sunscreen (Mineral Sunscreen)
1/ Girls headphonesBoys Headphones 2/backpack3/Ribbed Swimsuit4/ Ribbed no sleeves swimsuit 5//Plus plus puzzle 6/Oils7/Workbook 8/Girls colouring book 9/ Boys 3-4years workbook 10/Stickers 11/ Kids Maze book 12/Flashcards13/Day and Night clock14/Goggles15/drawing pad
Rounded up your most FAQ’s
Q. Where did you eat in Uluwatu?
A. Todays options on where to eat are endless!! We were blown away by the selection of cafes, restaurants and beach clubs. It had been seven years since our last visit after all.
These were a few of our favourites: (also recommended by a great friend who lives half the year in Bali.)
Uluwatu Mana- Laid back setting with a huge selection of nourishing cusinine.
Suka Restaurant (good food and coffee)
La Baracca-Italian
Ours- This is a good Lunch or Dinner spot
Tabu- Very popular, trendy and good food, like Japanese and Mexican
Drifter (Breaky)
Shaka Riki- (Japanese)
Lands End café (Best Vegan)
Alchemy- Loved the menu and options, Vegan, Gluten free, dairy free and had amazing sweet treats! The kids loved the pizzas!
Q. How did we avoid Bali Belly?
Disclosure: I am not taking the place of your licensed medical professional, I do not diagnose and do not take responsibility for your health. I encourage you to do your research and seek out conversations with medical professionals that you go to, love & trust regarding gut health and sickness when travelling. I am sharing my story and what has helped me and my family. 🤎
Although over the years Indonesia has drastically improved with hygiene, people often associate Indonesia with Bali belly. Having had a few very bad parasites from eating in Bali and or water, (not going to sugar coat it for you, I was sick) I always get prepared before I go! Since I got my first parasite on the first trip with Ben 11 years ago, I have taken a probiotic daily ever since. “Probiotics stand out in their ability to benefit many health conditions, and can be helpful for supporting immune health, balancing hormones, and regulating our digestive tracts.” Dr Ruscio
The probiotic I take is Life 9, it is a high-potency probiotic that combines 17 billion live cultures from 9 beneficial bacteria strains that promotes healthy digestion, supports gut health, and helps maintain normal intestinal function for overall support of a healthy immune system. I get it from Young Living. You can see my personal YL faves on this post.
The kids also have a probiotic powder daily in their smoothies, the brand I use for them is BioCeuticals BabyBiotic.
A. To answer your question ‘how did we avoid Bali Belly?’ Common sense and cleanliness friends! Don’t eat from a dodgy looking food carts on the street.But truthfully, when you go there no matter where you eat, take it with a pinch of salt, it’s a different destination with different food and water! Personally my tummy is never 100% the same when I go to Indonesia even if I don’t get Bali Belly. You can only do what you can do and each to their own!
Our Tips
While I speak for myself and experiences, eat at places that have a busy traffic of tourists, clean and good food and recommended by others. This is why I want to share it with you, so you don’t make those mistakes I did years ago! Avoid the commercial chains, and beach front wurrungs, and stick to the restaurants rated well. I’ll share a few places later in this post…
Don’t at any point drink the tap water, including shower, and bath. (Yes we prepared the kids a few weeks in advance when it was bath time, “when we go to Indonesia we won’t be able to open our mouths in the shower like you do at home or you will get a sore tummy.” Enough said.) Most places have filtered water or bottled water next to the taps for brushing teeth these days but have a bottle of filtered water on hand regardless. Wash hands and keep hygiene up, like normal.
Things I keep on hand- Thieves hand sanitiser, we used this every time we were out, little ones, public toilets and those exploring hands… you never know. This is out favourite, it doesn’t dry out the hands and includes no nasties or fragrance.
Q.Where did you go in Uluwatu?
A. Padang Padang beach, which is a small sandy Bay that once got popular because it was featured in ‘Eat, Pray, love.’ The beach has unbrealls, and you can even hire a surf board to enjoy the small fun waves.
The walk down to the beach is memorable and scenic as you climb down hundreds of steps through the cliff.
Florence having her first surf session on a long board with Ben at Padang Padang, followed by Teddy which made my heart jump!
Suluban Beach is a must- The beach is only accessible via a small hole between the rocks. The surf break named Uluwatu, is very popular with surfers. It is tidal, which we made the hilarious error of not looking at before we visited. (The day we went there was no surf, it was purely for an explore and reminisce. It is not super friendly to walk down with kids, but easy to carry.
Sunset at Single fin-
This spot has an energising vibe and view with Sunday DJ live sessions. Popular spot for parties, Ben had his bucks party there 7 years ago! Unfortunately when we visited this time, half of it was under construction.
Bingin Beach-
A quiet hidden beach that is only accessible via a small alley followed by 5 minute walk down via the stair. (it was challenging with the kids, most amazing places are a bit tricky to get to) The beach is great for sunsets. The beach is also located a few minutes away from a great restaurant called the Cashew Tree.
Q. How did we get around in Uluwatu?
A. Uluwatu is located 45 minutes from the airport, and 1.5 hours from popular areas like Kuta, Seminyak and Canggu.The best way to get places in get a taxi. We got a driver (Made) from Hotel Komune to Uluwatu Surf Villas, and from there we hired a van.
Q.How did you get around in Uluwatu?
A.Ben and I have always hired a van, the suzuki APV, good for loading up the surf boards and getting around in comfort. The first week of our holiday at Komune we didn’t leave the hotel resort, (only for a day trip) so we didn’t require a car until we got to Uluwatu. Many get around with a motorbike which is easy to hire!
Q. Shops in Uluwatu?
There are a few grocery stores, we particularly liked Island foods. We were able to stock up on the kids snacks and healthy on the go options. Also, I don’t know about you, but I LOVE foreign supermarkets and boutique food stores.
Clothing and homewares- There are MANY shopping outlets in Uluwatu, one right after the other, with swimwear, workout wear, Indonesian homewares, and trendy clothing. You simply can not miss them driving in (HERE!)
Two I liked a lot- Elce swimwear (swimwear and apparel) and The Find (homewares and apparel)
Q.Tell us about Ubud?
A.One of my favourite places to go! It is artistic, musical and bohemian. I have spent many times there on my own before Ben and I got married. It is a very popular art village in the centre of Bali. The area has become very popular because of its surrounding rice terraces like Tegalalang, yoga retreats, hiking tracks and waterfalls. It really is utterly beautiful in Ubud. I ventured there for the day by myself for a little market shopping in the first week.I had a driver for the day which was $50, he dropped me in a few locations for shopping and then drove on the outskirts of Ubud to visit the rice terraces and more shops where you could buy homewares in bulk.
Yoga in Ubud- I had scheduled to go to Yoga at the yoga barn, unfortunately I miss timed it with traffic and morning routine with the kids. (next time!)
The yoga barn is located in the heart of bustling downtown Ubud, The Yoga Barn is a welcoming tropical oasis that has been an anchor for the global yoga community since 2007, when it humbly opened its gates, with only one simple studio on the edge of a raging river. It is a MUST if you enjoy yoga or want to learn. The yoga barn was the first time I tried a ‘nourish bowl and wheatgrass shot.’ See more here.
Rice Terraces- Visiting Tegalalang rice terraces is one of the best things to do in Ubud. Due to its popularity, its best to visit before 10am. It is absolutely magical!! A must visit with the kids, there is also a giant swing and zip line for tourists to experience.
Rice Fields- I didn’t get to walk through the rice fields this time, but add it to your list of things to do when you visit. Ben and I used to walk through the beautiful fields and farms on a pathway and eat at a hidden gem called Sari organic. The food is delicious and the location is incredible!!
Tegalalang rice terraces
Q. Where to shop in Ubud?
A.Shopping in Ubud is the BEST and there are so many options. I typically love going to markets. Every day in the centre of town is the Ubud Market. It is one of my favourite things to do, stroll around the market in the morning after 9 am. They sell everything from handbags, kitchenware, decorations, paintings, souvenirs, you name it! The town itself is great to walk around, small art boutiques, clothing shops, TONS of amazing jewellery shops, temples to visit and delicious restaurants.
On the way into the centre of Ubud there are ‘villages’ with areas of expertise in craftsmanship from rattan baskets, pendants, furniture, Teak, stoneware and more. If you love going straight to the source like I do, you will enjoy these places. The best way to visit these villages is with a personal driver. These places are not really shopping stores, more workshops and bulk purchases! Go with an empty suitcase my friend. And don’t forget to declare!
Q. Tips for shopping in Ubud?
A. Most market stalls are the same, so have a look around first and peg your spots for quality and prices. You can barter, and the stall owners encourage you to. 9/10 owners will ask you ‘what is your best price?’ I am always respectful and don’t start too low. Smile and have fun negotiating. Know your limit, know you audience and ask for the sale you and the shop owner are comfortable with. Some will follow you down the street going lower and lower in the price! (So tame compared to Marrakech and Istanbul) So go for it if you really want it! Though from my experience in Ubud, more often than not, that’s a red flag and the product looses its value. I found two good spots and choose to purchase more with two ladies with a bigger discount than lots of little stores. I loved supporting their business’s and they proceeded to thank the gods for their luck.
Well that’s a wrap, I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did reminiscing and writing it. Taking the kids to Indonesia was truly special!! It is definitely going to be a family ritual. And we will likely be going back to stay at the same hotels!!
If you are looking for the absolute insiders on Bali, we recommend checking out this Bali blog for extra tips.
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