I'm Bringing the Whole Damn Family to Bali
Tanah Lot with a coastal view. All photos courtesy of Marryann Bryant-Rubio.
Google exec Maryann Bryant-Rubio had three generations to please in one far-away holiday. Everyone left happy after a week in Bali.
THE CHALLENGE
Find a holiday destination suitable for a baby and a toddler, their parents, and their grandparents, with sites, good vegetarian food, weather, and lots of beaches.
THE SOLUTION
Easy! A villa in Bali near Seminyak, rented through Bali Villa Worldwide. It will set you back a little more than the price of a five-star hotel room on the beach nearby, but give you much more.
"Villa" in this context means a five-bedroom, five-and-a-half bathroom house with an exquisite garden, a pool, a pool house with a bar, a driver, a concierge service, a cook, and two housekeepers who doubled as our daughter's playmates at her insistence.
Located in the village of Canggu, it's a ten-minute walk from the beach and a ten-minute drive from the nightlife in Seminyak, a town that's a mishmash of local stores and eateries, "Western-style" restaurants, boutique guesthouses and spas, and a few top-notch hotels.
If a villa isn't right or if you want a day spa and yoga al fresco, stay at Desa Sani, a charming ashram/boutique hotel.
The scenic Tanah Lot, which translates as "land in the sea."
EVERYONE SHOULD
Visit the unbelievably picturesque temple on a tiny rock island at Tanah Lot. You'll have to navigate the mini-market set up to ensnare you on the way.
Check out the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, known locally as Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana. A hit with adults (gorgeous hand-carved temples) and kids (monkeys!).
Go to Jari Menari Spa for a "dancing fingers" massage.
Monkeys and sculptures at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.
GRANDPARENTS WILL APPRECIATE
Shopping for knickknacks in Ubud, the spiritual center of Bali that is full of ashrams and Westerners finding themselves through yoga. (Thank you, Eat, Pray, Love.)
Breakfast with a view of Batur Lake.
ACTIVE HOLIDAY-MAKERS WILL LOVE
Join Halo Bike Tour for a ride around the countryside and nearby villages with homemade lunch. Breakfast on the side of Batur Mountain in Kintamani village was a bonus.
SHOPPERS WILL LOVE
Puspita
Jalan Seminyak #64, Seminyak; +62-361-847-5802
Local prints on flirty dresses with cute accessories.
Sukma
Jalan Raya Basangkasa #101 X, Seminyak; +62-361-735-427
Beautiful woven bags, baskets, trays, and other essentials for the perfectly accessorized home.
Lucy's Batik
Jalan Raya Basangkasa #88, Seminyak; +62-361-795-1275
Including adorable palm-sized animals that can be used as Christmas tree ornaments or toys for your favorite niece/nephew.
Ganesha Bookshop in Biku/ Biku Restaurant
Jalan Petitenget 888, Kerobokan; +62-361-970-320 / +62-361-857-0888
A second-hand bookshop that also serves a pretty great brunch.
A portrait of the author and her gorgeous family.
The picturesque garden at Embun.
WHEN YOU GIVE COOK THE NIGHT OFF
Embun
Jalan Subak Sari 77, Br. Tegal Gundul, Canggu; +62-361-210-5080
An organic restaurant set in a beautiful garden with a thatched roof to shelter you from the sky. Delicious.
Ku de Ta
Jalan Oberoi #9, Seminyak; +62-361-736-969
A great spot for daytime cocktails and beach snacks. While at night the decor and clientele suggest an upscale locale for the well-heeled (they serve a fantastic dark and stormy complete with a frozen orange), by day the staff will look on with amusement if your child should decide to take a dip in the fountain in the courtyard.
Potato Head Beach Club
Jalan Petitenget, Seminyak; +62-361-473-7979
Despite the name, it's not only an architectural wonder (the facade is a patchwork of hundreds of antique Indonesian shutters), but also a solid place to get a good cocktail, day or night. The pool is nice too.
WHEN YOU NEED TO EXERCISE
Sign up for concierge yoga with Wayan Marcus Wistika, a teacher from the famous Yoga Barn in Ubud. Email artmarcus06@yahoo.com or call +62-361-900-3513 .