We went on a multigenerational holiday to Bali

Three generations create life-long holiday memories on the Island of the Gods with fun activities and special one-on-one time, writes Sue Wallace.

We’re enjoying an eight-day multigenerational holiday to Bali with 13 in tow, flying in from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Think two doting grandparents, six parents, five grandchildren – aged from five months to six years – 13 suitcases, 20 carry-on bags and one pusher.

Quality time on a multigenerational holiday

This holiday has been in the pipeline for a year, and it’s been great fun planning it with weekly FaceTime calls to our grandchildren. What I love most is spending time with everyone over meals, in the pool and on the beach, plus opportunities for special quiet moments with each grandchild that I will always treasure.

For young Theo, aged three and a half, it’s a walk around the tropical garden, explaining about the palmleaf baskets filled with flowers and incense which are offerings to the gods, spirits and ancestors. For Artie, the same age, it is a fascination with the black and white checkered fabric, poleng, a symbol of balance and harmony, draped around stone figures. For tiny Florence, a pusher walk along the beach boardwalk brings broad smiles and giggles.

While for the two six year olds, it’s a girls’ visit to the air-conditioned spa where we enjoy a manicure that spoils them for life. Marley and Sibella choose the brightest purple nail polish, while a few plaited braids give them both a ‘Bali’ look. “Can we do this every week?” asks Sibella. As for their parents, Paul and Sarah, Tessa and Sam, and Nick and Emily, the open-air beach massages see them happily contributing to the local economy and enjoying the child-free moments.

Kids cooking classes

Ablue apron is tied in a bow while a crisp white chef’s hat is fitted, as Marley, aged six, beams and takes her place in a junior cooking class at Nusa Dua, Bali. “I’m so excited,” says the aspiring chef as she carefully slices tomato, grates cheese, greases a pizza pan and flattens the dough for the satay chicken pizza.

A gentle breeze keeps these young cooks cool in balmy weather in the late afternoon, accompanied by traditional gamelan music and the sweet smell of frangipani. There’s much laughter and words of encouragement from the smiling chef, Danang, and his assistant who encourage these future ‘master chefs’ to create their unique pizza. Marley adds a forest of parsley and a mountain of grated cheese and delivers the pizza to the kitchen where it is carefully slid into a wood-fired oven. Ten minutes later, a proud Marley returns with her impressive pizza that tastes even better than it looks.

High value pocket money

“We have thousands”, gasps Marley incredulously, when converted to rupiahs, is spent at the local market where the kids have fun with the friendly locals. Sarongs, jewellery and hats fill up any spare space in the luggage home and take centre stage at their school show and tell.

Waterbom Park

A day at the popular Waterbom Park in the heart of Kuta is a trip highlight, with both thrill and chill activities. We enjoy a VIP cabana that accommodates up to 16 and comes with a personalised concierge, Connie, who looks after us for the day. Twenty years ago, we visited the attraction with our three children, enjoying floats on the lazy river and tackling a few slides. These days there are more than 24 slides of all shapes and sizes, catering for all age groups.

I return to the lazy river with the youngest grandchildren in tow and then head to the aqua playground with six winding slides and water jets. For the parents, it’s the extreme slides, including the Drop, that get the adrenalin pumping and leave their children in awe.

We refuel with tasty burgers and satays and then, one by one, disappear for a relaxing foot or back massage in the shady spa.

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Hotel day pass

For a day of indulgence, we head to elegant The Ritz-Carlton Nusa Dua with stunning cliff-top views. We swim in the Indian Ocean’s azure waters, take a plunge in the aquamarine pool and road test the swim up bar – cocktails for us and juice for the grandchildren. The fabulous Ritz Kids offers entertaining activities including cupcake decorating, Zumba dance class, craft sessions, and slide and swim fun time. The burgers are a big hit from the kids’ menu and they are all reluctant to leave declaring – “it’s the best day ever”.

As for the adults, we all enjoy a delicious seafood lunch at the poolside M issoni Resort Club, followed by a visit to the serene The Ritz-Carlton spa for down time. Another evening we chose to dine at the St Regis Boneka Restaurant, inspired by Indonesia’s puppet theatre, with an extensive buffet of Indonesian and Western treats for everyone.

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So, was the holiday worth it? Definitely. It’s all about those special, treasured moments.

Weeks later, our grandchildren continue to say terima kasih – thank you in Indonesian and talk about the Bali gods, traditional ceremonial dancing, gamelan music and satays – but for Theo, it’s that swim-up bar that’s most memorable.

Hot tips

• Limit day trips as Bali traffic can be horrendous.
• Consider an inclusive package so it’s all paid for before you leave.
• Arrange reliable transport and check the seatbelts are operational.
• Fill out all forms before you depart home for a smooth entry
• Stay at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua for kite-making, movie nights, water play and a 12-metre slide at the kids’ club.

This article originally appeared in Holidays with Kids magazine. Subscribe to the latest issue here.

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