My girls' all time favorite things to do in Bali when we still live there. There are more new places now, but these, I'm sure are fail-proof :-)
- Paint-a-Pot @ Jenggala Keramik
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| paint-a-pot @ Jenggala Keramik |
My daughter's favorite past-time activity. This is basically painting on various ceramics made by Jenggala, be it a mug, cups, plates, jewellery box, etc. There's no age restriction for this activity. And ooh, the price ranges from USD 9 to USD 35.
First, you'll have too choose your ceramic and the paint. Then you can start painting your design on your chosen ceramic. After you're done, your work of art will be fired in their kilns and will be ready in about 3-5 days. If you only have a limited time in Bali, and would like to take your children to do this activity, I would suggest you come on your first day there so your children can take their finished ceramics home. If that's not possible, you could always ask the the staff to mail it home.
You can even come to make your own ceramics. But this takes about 2 weeks to finish the firing process, and the minimum age for this one is 12.
- Bali Safari & Marine Park
The "branch" of Safari Park in Cisarua, but much, much smaller. And we don't drive throught the park with our own car but ride on their guided tour busses.
Entry fee is Rp. 110k for domestic tourists but it covers only the minimum service (1 tour around the animal safari). For foreigners, the fee is a bit higher but with more perks (special que lane for the bus ride, sitting in the front row on the bus, free entry to the waterplay area, free picture with the tiger cub, etc etc).
The park also have a swimming & waterplay area, but you need to pay extra. Elephant ride safari cost an additional US$ 22, Feeding the elephant cost Rp. 10k (approx USD 1) for a bunch of bananas, and the 8-minute camel ride cost Rp. 22k.
- Bali Bird Park & Bali Reptile Park
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| An albino Phyton at Bali Reptile Park |
The bird park has nice collection of birds. The park is quite small, so it's very friendly for little feet. The Imax (or 3D theatre? I can't tell the difference) only shows 1 movie, which they never change (I went there 5 times and watched the same movie every time =D ).
Across the Bird Park is the Reptile Park where they show a collection of snakes, lizards, komodo dragons, etc. Not my favorite park. *lol*
Entry ticket is quite reasonable, for domestic tourist around Rp. 70k. For foreigners, it's slightly more expensive. Cash and major credit cards accepted.
The Bali Zoo is about 10 minutes farther from the bird Park. It's quite small too, and organized in the same manner as the Bird Park & Reptile Park. Entry is quite cheap, around Rp. 90k for locals. With an additional fee, you can ride on the elephants along the elephant safari track of the zoo for 20 minutes.
And oh, the flying fox is a must try!
Pulau Penyu (Turtle Island) is a small island off Tanjung Benoa used as turtle conservation area. Aside from turtles, you can also see snakes, lizard, and eagles.
To get to the island, you need to rent a glass-bottom boat from Tanjung Benoa. The fee ranges for Rp. 400-500k per 1 hour. The boat itself can fit up to 10 persons.
The trip to Pulau Penyu and back takes about 40 minutes in total. So once you reach the island, you only have about 20 minutes to spend (unless of course, you don't mind paying another 400k for additional hour, but since the island is so small, spending another 1 hour there would probably drive you nuts).
- Elephant Safari Park in Taro, Ubud
This is probably the most expensive place in Bali we have ever tried. Entrance fee is Rp. 700k/person for domestic tourist (Foreigners cost around US$ 150/person, I think). What do you get from such a WOW fee? An elephant ride for approximately 20-25 minutes and you can also relax in their nice garden (love, love, looove the garden). But then again, the park is very clean and very well kept. The elephants eat a lot, you know. So that's where most of the entry fee goes.
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| The bamboo tree house!! |
This place is quite new. Located in Nusa Dua area. A two-hour treasure hunt costs USD 19 and it includes flying fox, climbing, snorkeling, lunch, a drink, safety equipment, insurance and the children get to bring home the treasure. Parents can wait in the tree house or tents while having snacks and sipping coconut.
