OLIVIA ANDERSON
Mum of four, partner to Shane Crawford, creator of Flat Out Mum blog, FlatOutMum Retreats and Twincredible products!
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FEATURED DESTINATION
BALI, INDONESIA
Olivia says…
Bali has everything we look for in a holiday with our kids ages (and attention spans!). Our family has always loved Bali (since I was a child) and over the decades it has evolved so much.
Some of the accommodation, dining and pampering experiences are truly world-class and nothing like the bad reputation that parts of Kuta have!
WHY WE LOVE BALI FOR OUR YOUNG, ACTIVE KIDS!
- It’s a relatively short and direct flight.
- Great warm weather!
- Lots of accommodation options for large families saying together (and not in hotel rooms).
- Activities, activities, activities!
- Mums can relax too (nannies, pampering and great food cooked by someone else is always a bonus!).
WHERE WE STAY
My sister and her family lived in Bali for almost 7 years and now run Bali Family Villas so we are always extremely well looked after. Getting to hang out with the cousins at the same time is a win-win. My sister’s business allows us to have a much more luxurious ‘home away from home’, but no-one has to cook or clean! That way everyone gets to relax, especially Mum!
OUR USUAL GO-TO’S IN BALI
- Hanging out together in the pool.
- Stepping out for meals.
- Pampering! (The boys even join me for a pedicure occasionally!)
- Visiting the Water Park (we prefer the one at the Canguu Club).
- Surfing lessons.
- Day trips or even a few nights in Ubud to escape the hustle and bustle.
- Ubud Market (the kids catch some culture at the Royal Palace too!).
- Also in Ubud is the Monkey Forest (if that’s something you like) but be careful!
- A late afternoon visit to the fish markets at Jimbaran Bay before a stroll down the beach where we choose somewhere to eat on the sand and watch the sunset.
OLIVIA’S TOP BALI TIPS!
Book a nanny
Depending on the age of your children, we have had great experience with nannies helping out. This makes the holiday relaxing for mum too. Most of the time I am also there with them, but an extra pair of hands or someone else to jump in the pool with the kids while you relax is amazing.
Visit the Canggu Club
We discovered the Canggu Club a long time ago and it has an amazing gym, large grass oval (very hard to find in Bali!) and a big lap pool if you want exercise. It now also houses another Water Park, which is smaller than the one at Kuta. An indoor trampoline centre and ten pin bowling centre are right across the road for those rainy days you can get in Bali.
Go to Lollipops Play Land
Another place like this is Lollipops play land, which is similar to our Play Centres but with water play. Also great to tire the kids out!
Mornings at KuDeTa
Sundays at KuDeTa are perfect for a relaxing breakfast and the kids are well looked after with special activities just for them.
High Tea at Biku
To escape the afternoon heat, a cute place for afternoon tea is Biku and they are well set up fro kids with toy baskets and colouring in. For more family-friendly places and a huge selection of Accommodation options, check out the Bali Family Villa’s website
Images by Olivia Anderson @flatoutmum
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