Thailand and the Indonesian island of Bali are wonderful destinations for family travel. Well structured or a little off the beaten track the options for a rewarding and shared journey are enhanced by these three cultures that revere and welcome children.
The Island of the Gods
The sweeping beaches of Kuta and the emerald rice terraces surrounding Ubud are two of the islands most popular images, and whether you are a sea and sand family or a countryside one there are choices to suit all.
Children and adults will enjoy the Elephant Safari Park in Taro, near Ubud, has just opened new villas so that guests can spend their days and nights enjoying the antics of the pachyderm. The Bali Bird Park, Ubud, has over 250 species of birds, some from as far away as South America, and a Komodo Dragon. Both these organizations have programs of conservation; education and care, the animals and birds are treated with respect. A little north of Ubud, Bedugul is a great ‘playground’ with lake sports, a Botannical garden and a Tree Top adventure climbing park that has a suspended web of bridges and ropes in which to fly through the cooling canopy.
On the North Coast at Pemuteran, Atlas Pearl Farms invites visitors to observe the cultivation of exquisite pearl oysters. Nearby the Taman Sari runs a turtle releasing activity and the snorkelling around the coral reef just off shore is both beautiful and safe for children.
Over to the East the majestic sleeping volcano, Mount Agung can be climbed by anyone with reasonable health. Start at midnight to greet the sunrise, or at dawn for a daylight climb. Staying at Candi Dasa on the East Coast puts Mount Agung and the beaches of Ahmed within easy reach. Ahmed offers snorkelers and divers an underwater adventure that includes the wreck of the SS Liberty.
The south Bali enclave of Nusa Dua includes many fine resort hotels that hold daily activities in Kids Clubs and are well experienced in providing lively and energetic entertainment for youngsters while their parents learn about the art of relaxation and massage from the in-house spa therapists. Particular recommendations are The Nikko and The Melia Bali.
On Seminyak’s lovely beach a Family Day Sunday Brunch at KuDeTa sees the adults relaxing while children enjoy the free barbeque and crafty activities just for them, and for pure thrills the whole family can check into Waterbom at Kuta for the day and enjoy the super slides and roller-coasters. The new “Boomerang” is a great ride for adults and kids, and the park provides excellent services including lifeguards.
STAY. Nikko Bali: www.nikkobali.com Melia Bali: www.solmelia.com
WHEN TO GO: Between March and October for the best of the dry season. August is high season.
GETTING THERE Major airlines pass through Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur to Bali
CONTACT: All major travel agents for discounts and deals and www.baliadventuretours.com
Thailand, the Land of Smiles regards children as recent gifts from God. The touching of their heads is forbidden as it interrupts their connections to the heavens, and any voice raised to a child is sweetly but decidedly frowned upon.
Bangkok, can be a wonderland of action and fun with ice-skating, wake boarding, mega screen cinemas and open-air parks. The Pasteur Institute located alongside the beautiful Lumpini Park has a huge collection of poisonous snakes that are cared for by the Science division of the Red Cross and the centre puts on an educational show for visitors. If snakes are not your thing; maybe you’d like to visit the Thai Cat Palace on Boromarajajonani Road, here you can see the pure Maeo Khao Mani, a diamond eyed cat with two different coloured eyes amongst other fine breeds of Siamese. A must do in Bangkok is a cruise along the Chao Praya river, whether you do this through one of the cruise companies near the Grand Palace or make your own way up and down on the public boats it is fascinating to see the river life, pass the Royal Barge Museum and float by palaces and temples that recall the days when Bangkok was the “Venice of the East’.
Thai Railways are fantastic, and heading south to beaches or north to the hills can be made much more adventurous by train. Heading south Surat Thani and Krabi lead to the islands of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Crystal blue waters, fantastic limestone outcrops, fresh food and water sports above and below sea level, whereas a trip to Chiang Mai will introduce the ethnic cultures of hill tribes, jungle adventures, the Shangri-La atmosphere of Mae Hong Song and the evocative atmosphere of the Golden Triangle.
STAY. North: Imperial Tara Mae Hong Son Hotel -children under 12 for free South: Diamond Cave Resort & Spa stunning location in Railey Bay. Bangkok: Centre Point Wireless Road Hotel-close to Lumpini Park
WHEN TO GO: October to May
GETTING THERE All major airlines pass through, Bangkok
CONTACT: www.thailandguidebook.com a great website by teenagers