Gaurav Krishna Kamath, working in the food and hospitality industry, took a trip to Bali with his family this November. He said it turned out to be everything he wanted! Traveling abroad for the first time with his wife, in-laws, mother and children, the entire package for 5 adults and 2 kids (including sightseeing for all travelers) cost him Rs. 1,59,460!
I have traveled to various places across the country. The main criteria while looking for a foreign destination was a good deal and a location that could appease every age group (ranging from 5 to the 50s) of my family. Luckily, Bali turned out to be everything I wanted and more!
The trip happened to be more than just a holiday for us. An adventure for my wife and me, the perfect change for the older generation and a learning experience for the children. The eight days were a combination of relaxation and excitement with the help of the personally customized package provided by TravelTriangle and Niket Tripathi, my travel agent.
Day 1 – Hello Bali!
Post reaching Bali, we checked into Rama Candidasa Resort & Spa. We spent the day relaxing and taking off the exhaustion from our journey. We enjoyed the resort by taking an enjoyable dip in the pool and having an excellent dinner. We ended the day early since we had an early start the next day.
Suggested Read: 19 Hotels In Bali Handpicked For Every Budget & Amazing Experience
Day 2 – Bali Bird Park and Uluwatu Temple
We started our journey to the Bali Bird Park quite early in the morning. It was a wonderful experience as we got to experience a wide variety of birds in their natural habitat. It was all the more enjoyable and educational for the children as they learned about how the birds are kept and trained.
After the Bird Park, we visited the Garuda Wisnu Cultural Park and the Uluwatu Temple. In the former we saw the gigantic statues of Garuda and Vishnu alongside a small cultural dance performance and a music show. The Uluwatu Temple is located on top of a hill which requires an exhausting climb to reach the temple. However, it was worth the effort. On reaching there, the view was completely breathtaking and serene, with the clear waves crashing against the shore. The Kecak dance performance with the sunset in the background was another experience altogether. They depicted the entire Ramayana with just their expressions and movements, which made incredibly special.
Bali Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle
Stay at luxurious private pool villas and resorts, Experience thrilling water sports – parasailing, scuba diving, and snorkeling – or take a sunset dinner cruise. Get best holiday deals for Bali offered only by TravelTriangle.
The day ended at about 8 PM as we went back from the temple for a relaxing dinner at Jimbaran Bay.
Day 3 – From Kintamani Tourists to Coffee Makers!
Early morning, we made our way for the Kintamani tour. It began with a stop at the Batur temple, which was a beautiful historical and religious site. As we made our journey to Kintamani, the weather improved as we went up the hill. It became incredibly pleasant and a little bit of rain enhanced the experience. On reaching, we had a great buffet lunch which added to the enjoyment of the mesmerizing view.
On our way back, we stopped to enjoy some local fruits and then ended our day with a visit to the Coffee Plantation. It was another enriching visit as we got to learn and make the local type of coffee ourselves. We even got the opportunity to try 8 to 12 different types of coffee.
Day 4 – The adventures of Lembongan Island
We took a full day Lembongan Island Cruise. It was enjoyable both for the family and adults. The island itself was a beauty. During the cruise, we undertook many activities. I went underwater as a sea walker for the first time. The experience was amazing, as I’d never seen such clear water and such a wide variety of fishes before. My mother, being a non-swimmer, was excited to do the same. My father-in-law had fun scuba diving while we took the unlimited banana boat rides.
The cruise in itself provided with some excellent facilities as we spent the day listening to live music and enjoying the snacks provided to us. The staff was cooperative and very helpful throughout.
The day came to an end with a two-hour massage for all of us at the Bali Orchid Spa, which was something we have not done before.
Suggested Read: 20 Mind Blowing Water Sports In Bali For The Thrill Seeker In You
Day 5 – Lunch with the Lions
We spent the entire day at the Bali Safari and Marine Park, watching and learning about the wildlife present there. There were various educational shows with regard to animal conservation, which was educational for both the children and adults. Lunch was at the Tsavo Lion Restaurant where we enjoyed our meal with a view of the tigers walking around.
We went to the Theme Park where we took a boat ride through the forest. This gave us the opportunity to observe the wildlife in their natural habitat. We also saw the Bali Agung Show, which was an insight into the history and culture of the country, in a Hollywood movie like manner.
The day ended with a visit to the Marine Park where the adults relaxed in the pool while the children went on the various rides.
Day 6 – Bratan Lake and Tanah Lot Temple’s Beauty
We started our day with a visit to the Bratan Lake Temple. Although, we got off to a rough start in the morning with the driver losing his way, the view of the lake made up for it. It was great to take a leisurely walk around the same. Post this, we enjoyed a delicious lunch buffet and made our way to the Tanah Lot Temple.
Tanah Lot Temple was a truly special experience because I had promised my mother that I would take her to that place a long time ago, and to be finally be able to act upon it was a moment of pride for me.
After that, we enjoyed a little session of street shopping around the place and made our way back to the temple to watch the sunset. Thousands of people had arrived just to see the picture perfect view. It was gorgeous and watching the environment change was a once in a lifetime experience.
Suggested Read: 60 Tourist Attractions in Bali You Can’t Miss For That Perfect Balinese Bonanza
Day 7 – Water Sports and Shopping
We started with doing certain water sport activities like doughnut ride, banana boat ride, parasailing, etc. We also visited the Turtle Island in a glass boat. We got to spend time learning about turtles and were able to hold a few of them along with bats and snakes in our hands.
The evening was spent shopping at the famous Krishna Market and visiting a few malls.
Suggested Read: Bali Shopping Guide: Your On-Hand Adviser To Best Shopping Experience In Bali
Day 8 – Home Bound
The last morning in Bali, we checked out of our hotel in the morning to check out. We left early to make it to our afternoon flight
The country was well maintained and it was great to experience the simplicity of the people of the country.
Overall, our guide was helpful and present throughout the trip to make sure we were comfortable. We were able to enjoy the local cuisine including a lot of seafood. The trip was real value for money, as the food wasn’t very expensive and the sightseeing was done at an economical price. All our arrangements were made efficiently, with a very professional driver and staff.
Wow Moment: The beaches and the water. Bali was incredibly well kept in comparison to our country. I didn’t expect the religious areas of worship to be as strong.
Low Moment: Didn’t face any major drawbacks as such. We missed out on the motorboat ride at the Bratan Temple as we arrived a little late.
Tips for the future travelers: Sunset occurs a lot earlier than expected, so one should start their day early to make the most of beautiful Bali!
Dreaming of Bali already? Book your family trip package to Bali NOW!
Looking To Book An International Holiday?
Book memorable holidays on TravelTriangle with 650+ verified travel agents for 65+ domestic and international destinations.
