Family Adventure in Bali

Day 1
We arrived in Denpasar after a 12-hour journey from Tokyo and were greeted by our driver. Our first stop was a local batik craft centre, followed by a visit for local coffee and tea tasting, where the renowned Kopi Luwak (coffee made from beans digested by civets) was on offer. We were then transferred to our hotel in Ubud, where we spent a relaxing afternoon in our villa’s pool.

Day 2
The itinerary was adjusted slightly, and our guide took us to Alas Haram, near the iconic Tegallalang rice terraces. This area is popular with Instagrammers and offers various activities such as swings and zip lines, but it wasn’t really our thing. From there, we drove to Bali’s second largest lake, Lake Bratan, to visit the Ulun Danu Temple and explore its beautiful grounds. We then returned to Ubud, where the kids enjoyed more pool time.

Day 3
This morning, we headed just outside Ubud for an exciting 11-kilometre white-water rafting adventure on the Ayung River, surrounded by rainforest, gorges, and waterfalls (including one where we jumped out of the boat to stand under)! Afterwards, we travelled southeast to Candidasa, where we spent a relaxing afternoon in the villa (and of course, more pool fun for the kids)!

Day 4
Today was a highlight: a fantastic bike ride through the rural countryside, covering approximately 27 kilometres (mostly downhill). The route took us through small villages and farmland of rice fields, peanut plants, potatoes, fruit trees, and colourful flowers, with stunning views of Mount Agung (Bali’s highest and most sacred volcano). Our cycle finished at White Sand Beach, where we enjoyed lunch in a beachfront café and admired the ocean views. Back in Candidasa we watched local teenagers playing football at Mendira Beach, and at the hotel, were treated to traditional Indonesian dancing by a local children’s group.

Day 5

We went on another adventure, this time a two-hour trek through rice fields led by a local guide, who introduced us to the many plants and flowers used in Balinese traditional remedies. He was amazing with the kids, ensuring everyone had a great time. We also learned about the vital role of water in local agriculture and saw villagers bathing in the irrigation channels. The tour ended at the Tirtagangga Water Palace, famous for its maze of pools surrounded by lush gardens and stone carvings.

After lunch we set out for Amed, a relaxed coastal stretch of fishing villages in East Bali, much less developed than the main tourist areas. Our hillside hotel offered spectacular views over the area.

Day 6
After breakfast we visited Tulamben, a fishing village known for its black sand beaches, crystal-clear water and abundant marine life. We went to two locations on our snorkelling trip, one being Bali’s world-famous USAT Liberty shipwreck. Although the wreck sits approximately 30 metres deep, much of it is visible from the surface, making it an incredible stop on any snorkelling or diving trip.

Day 7–8
We departed Amed and travelled four hours to Seminyak, an upmarket beach town on Bali’s south coast. We spent our time enjoying the hotel and beach scene - a perfect way to end our Bali adventure before the long journey back to Tokyo.