Bali with Mum and Two Kids

Ridiculous Panda on 17/10/2023 - 15:58

Hi.. I am planning to go to Bali for two weeks and take my 70 year old mum with us and spoil her a bit.. she is relatively healthy but got a bad knee and can’t walk long distances at a time.

It’ll be my wife, two kids (10 and 5) and mum.

We will hire a car to have the freedom to go anywhere.

We want to spend most of the time at quiet chill places and also do some activities so the kids have fun.

Anything worth staying in town for or leave straight to Ubud and hot springs to relax and do quad bike tours for us (mum might have to chill by herself by the lake for something like that which she would also love)

Any suggestions of places worth visiting besides the usual spots that come up on tripadviser?

we will also go to Gili for 3 to 4 nights which leaves us with 9 days in Bali.

Travel Asia Bali Indonesia

Comments

  • 87percent on 17/10/2023 - 16:06
    +5

    Anyone see that video recently of monkeys in Bali (maybe somewhere else in Asia) that were shown stealing people’s phones, and then bartering them back for food??

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 17/10/2023 - 16:54
      +2

      Monkeys will grab hats, sun glasses, glasses, camera accessories, really anything that's not tightly held at Uluwatu Temple. They will drop it if thrown a small bag of peanuts or piece of fruit.

  • marcusv on 17/10/2023 - 16:12
    +1

    Take her to Karsa spa or Bali Botanica for a massage - they have full day packages which are amazing but you need to book ahead.

    • Ridiculous Panda on 17/10/2023 - 21:51

      Just looked up Karsa Spa.. Great reviews everywhere and reasonable prices for such a place.. Thank you very much..
      If you remember something else from your trip, please do share :)

  • AustriaBargain on 17/10/2023 - 16:15
    +7

    I'd check the hotel your at has a doctor or find out where a doctor is nearby, just for peace of mind. 70 isn't "that" old especially for a woman, but it's still pretty old.

  • cocomelon on 17/10/2023 - 16:17
    +5

    If you planning to drive please organise yourself the international driving license. Follow the rules dont follow the people way. Always remember you are in their land so dont get into trouble.

    • kerfuffle on 17/10/2023 - 16:36
      +4

      And get travel insurance

    • Ridiculous Panda on 17/10/2023 - 17:24

      Thank you.. yeah read somewhere about the requirement of IDP and will get that sorted.
      Just wondering what the point of IDP is though? Just extra money for another piece of paper that won’t provide anyone with any benefit.

      • Stewardo on 17/10/2023 - 18:18
        +1

        IDP translates your licence into local language and characters, it’s less of an issue in countries that use the same letters as English. Japanese text is very different for example, local police won’t necessarily read English.
        Some rental car companies won’t rent car to you if you don’t have IDP, really depends on the country and rental company.

      • wako on 18/10/2023 - 07:29
        +1

        If you want your travel insurance to cover you for accidents or health related to your car rental you will buy the IDP

        Believe me they will ask and try find any reason not to pay a claim

        If you have never driven in Asia it's a tonne different to driving here.

        Also there's been lots of police checkpoints around. Checking documents so keep it with you when driving. Need both international and plastic card they won't accept digital licence

  • geekcohen on 17/10/2023 - 16:23
    +7

    We want to spend most of the time at quiet chill places and also do some activities so the kids have fun.

    Organise day trips that have transport provided. I think driving could end badly.

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 17/10/2023 - 16:57
      +1

      A vehicle big enough for this group and a driver works out to be about $AU60 - $80/day.

  • boomramada on 17/10/2023 - 16:27
    +6

    Beware of Bali Bally, make sure get some anti nausea medication.

    Don't hire a car, its not fun driving. You can get a car with a driver (inc fuel) for around $50 per day.

    For short travel, use Grab.

    Its worth to organise airport pickup.

    • rossnroller on 18/10/2023 - 11:58

      Worth organising. Why are so many people embracing these Americanisms?

      • boomramada on 18/10/2023 - 13:21
        +1

        Americanisms

        Please explain?

  • RockyRaccoon on 17/10/2023 - 16:40
    +1

    we will also go to Gili for 3 to 4 nights which leaves us with 9 days in Bali.

    Unless you like to torture your mum, leave her out of this part.

    If you get a great day, the trip is long and rocky on the boat, if its a bad day, She'll never forget it if she survives.

    And Gili doesnt have much to do, unless its swimming, diving, drinking and partying. Even the Bicycling is limited you can travel the whole island in about 1 hour. She better be a real hip 70 year old

    as for

    We will hire a car to have the freedom to go anywhere

    User name checks out - Ridiculous!

    Driving is a nightmare and thats even when you are a passenger. My Bro who lives there has a car, and when we visit, he hires a driver most times unless its a short trip.

    There's official rules, which most ignore and unofficial ones which you have to be a local to know what those are. Driving like we do in Australia would mean that no one would be able to get around. Leaving a gap would mean you would never move, as they know how to fill any 1mm gap in traffic. Admirable to watch, terrifying to compete with.

    • Ridiculous Panda on 17/10/2023 - 17:16
      +2

      Traffic is bad in town but we are not staying there.. we want to spend most the time at places like Ubud.
      I am originally from a country with similar driving conditions so I will manage. Also, being 5 people, it means we need a 7 seater if we hire a driver.

      I have been to Bali before with a group of friends and hired a driver. It was a bad experience and ended badly because he kept recommending places and restaurants for obvious reasons and we ignored his recommendations. At the end, he got mad and said that is how he made enough money to survive and whatever we agreed to pay him was not good enough..

      I’d rather have the freedom and privacy to be honest and know the risks that come with it.

      • megadeth on 17/10/2023 - 23:36
        +2

        I’ve driven rented vehicles in Bali twice before, travelled across the periphery of the island. No big dramas but streets feel very narrow sometimes. I think we paid around $30 per day for a small hatchback but it was a few years ago.

    • happylime on 18/10/2023 - 08:36

      It was also my pleasure to drive a car in Bali. A minivan! You definitely can do it if you have the right expectations and know the "rules".

  • sonicentropy on 17/10/2023 - 16:46

    worst idea ever….

  • onetwothreefour on 17/10/2023 - 16:54
    +2

    yeah don't drive, hire a driver, was about $35 a day when I went 10 years ago but probably more expensive now. The driver will also be able to recommend some places but sometimes the places they recommend are their friends shops that you don't really want to see so if they suggest somewhere try to research it first and see what you think.

    • Ridiculous Panda on 17/10/2023 - 17:22

      We won’t be drinking (if we planned to, I’d definitely go with a driver) and as I mentioned above, I had a bad experience with a driver and would rather have the freedom and privacy to do our things without persistent sale tactics.
      I know it is risky but I am a bit familiar with that kind of driving style.

  • altomic on 17/10/2023 - 18:02
    +1

    As others have said - get a driver. There are fixed rate services.

    even gojek (indonesian uber) offers larger vehicles. Gojek cars are super cheap.

    Ive been to bali twice (and have lived and owned cars in London and Tokyo) and i wouldnt want to drive there. Especially with car rental prices vs the identical cost of uber.

    • Ridiculous Panda on 17/10/2023 - 18:11

      Hmmm thanks for your reply. Do you recommend a specific place to book a car with a driver? Everyone’s response is making me have second thoughts now. I’ll probably do that and hope the driver is more professional and sticks to driving and not try to be a tour guide.

      • altomic on 17/10/2023 - 18:14
        +1

        I always just used gojek. It's simple, there is always plenty of drivers nearby (longest wait was 10 minutes - no issue), and inexpensive.

        So, i cant recommend any particular service. But there are plenty of independent services available. Your hotel willl have recommendations.

        • Ridiculous Panda on 17/10/2023 - 18:37

          Yeah I heard about people trying to get back from isolated places being ripped off by being asked to pay huge money to be able to get home. And we are mainly planning to staying and visiting places away from the crowd.
          Will find a driver to stick around with us all day 👍🏼

      • FreeAFBoi on 18/10/2023 - 12:39

        If you want I can give you the facebook contact of a driver that we've used many times. His name is Wayan, very genuine, we've met his family and everything. He charges around $70 for a full day so we usually get him to get us from the airport and then he just suggests activities and stuff that is popular with the tourists and justs works out what you want to do. He is not pushy at all and he doesn't get kickbacks from the places. Very good natured bloke. His wife works in a restaraunt and he has two kids, one doing uni and one just finishing up high school.

  • coxjon on 17/10/2023 - 18:23
    +1

    We just got back - 3 adults and 3 kids. Their people movers that the drivers have were fine day-to-day and even fit us going back to the airport.

    +1 for hire a car for the day. So simple to be asked to be dropped off, driver goes to find a park, then comes back to pick you up when you’re ready.

    • Ridiculous Panda on 17/10/2023 - 18:40
      +1

      Do you have the contact of the driver? Especially if he was pleasant and you recommend him.
      I’d love to just arrange it directly with the driver so i know whom I am getting.

      • coxjon on 17/10/2023 - 19:48
        +1

        He was amazing, my MIL uses him all the time. I’ll grab his details and send you a PM

  • Hydralyte on 17/10/2023 - 18:26

    So are you going or not?

    3 adults + 2 kids makes things difficult. Just stay home and tell your wife to go.

    • Ridiculous Panda on 17/10/2023 - 18:38
      +1

      Or one of the kids? Because we both really want to go.

      • Hydralyte on 17/10/2023 - 19:00
        -1

        Bali is actually disgusting in November and December. Have fun, though.
        Too many young punks who are off their faces

      • djsweet on 17/10/2023 - 19:11

        Sounds like a great holiday opportunity for you to stay home and put your feet up.

  • 87percent on 17/10/2023 - 19:03

    As much as I like to laze around and no nothing, that’s a long time imo

    • Ridiculous Panda on 17/10/2023 - 19:11

      Two weeks (12 full days) is a long time if you are going to hang around Kuta..! However, Indonesia is bigger than you think.

  • afah0447 on 18/10/2023 - 10:05

    Agree. Don't hire a car at all. Traffic is bad and drivers over there don't follow the road rules and if you get in an accident you'll be screwed as outcomes will always favour the locals.

    Get a driver 'by the day', less stress and they are reasonably cheap.

  • MaxTravels on 18/10/2023 - 10:05

    We travelled to Bali with my parents and a child, and opted for a three bedroom private villa. It worked our economical for us and we liked the area and have a stayed there before - but i the location of our specific accommodation might not suit your mum as it was not too close to the action - but a short walk. We did have our own carpark if we wished to use it. Check out, AirBNB or even booking.com for villas with three bedrooms. ours had an open plan living area with a lounge, full-size kitchen and dining area on one side. A good sized swimming pool in the center of the area and then on the other side with three completely separate king bedrooms rooms each for their own en-suite bathroom. I will try and find a link to the place we stayed at but again just check out the booking sites. Four ours I think it was listed on both Airbnb and booking.com and booking.com was a lot cheaper for the same unit. While we were there, my parents didn’t get a nasty case of Balibelly and our accommodation manager was amazing at helping us to get sone medication before the nearby pharmacy opened (they new the 24hr pharmacy and sent a bike to get it). We also d found that doctors will travel to you and are easy to reach so I wouldn’t worry too much about doctors.

  • MaxTravels on 18/10/2023 - 10:11

    Lastly, I would also agree with the previous suggestions regarding a driver in Bali. They are inexpensive and convenient- and you will find drivers with minivans making it much easier for your mum to get into. They are comfortable and spacious. I also recommend the use of Grab (where permitted) to organize and point to point transfers. You can specify the number of people traveling so your ride is a suitable size. The prices are fixed in the app (like Uber) and you don’t need to translate the destination ;)

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