Travel Itinerary: Japan, Indonesia, and Malaysia with Toddlers-Part Two

Indonesia

Day One:

Once our memorable stay in Japan concluded, we set off for Bali, Indonesia, embarking on an extended travel day that involved a seven-hour flight from Osaka to Singapore, followed by a two-hour flight to Bali. We chose Singapore Airlines to use United MileagePlus miles since Singapore Airlines is a Star Alliance partner. A special shoutout to the flight attendants on Singapore Airlines, who consistently checked in on us and even went the extra mile by providing coloring books, toys, and other treats for the kids. Despite being in economy class, the service surpassed what we’ve experienced in domestic first-class flights.

Upon landing in Bali, our driver, Wayan, warmly welcomed us and loaded our luggage into his spacious van. Our initial destination in Bali was Ubud, approximately an hour’s drive from the airport. Initially booked through Viator, we were so impressed with Wayan’s service that we decided to utilize his services for our travels around Bali, foregoing a separate tour. This arrangement proved mutually beneficial, eliminating third-party commissions and allowing us to tailor our itinerary according to our preferences. Wayan was consistently reliable, knowledgeable, and punctual. He proved to be an excellent choice throughout our trip. If you plan to visit Bali and need a trustworthy, punctual, and knowledgeable driver, I’d happily share his contact information.

Upon reaching Alila Hotel in Ubud, we were warmly welcomed with a refreshing drink and escorted to our spacious villa. Utilizing Ultimate Rewards Points from Chase, we booked our stay via Hyatt, finding the property immersed in nature and well worth the redemption. The hotel has a beautiful infinity pool overlooking the jungle, and you will regularly see long-tailed macaques on the premises. These monkeys are very opportunistic and will snatch your belongings if you give them a chance, so it’s a good idea not to leave your windows open or unattended outdoors. We did not find them a nuisance on the hotel premises, and the kids were excited to see them swinging on the tree branches right outside our room. Guests staying at Alila who visited the Sacred Monkey Forest informed us they were pretty aggressive during their tour. For this reason, since we were traveling with kids, we opted not to visit the Sacred Forest. One other note on the Alila Ubud, while it is an excellent hotel, it is not stroller or wheelchair friendly.

Day Two:

On our second day, our initial destination was the renowned rice terraces that Bali is celebrated for. A visit here typically requires no more than 90 minutes unless you plan to explore the entire pathway or engage in some available activities. Given its popularity among tourists, arriving before 9 am is advisable to avoid the crowds.

Being avid coffee enthusiasts, we made our second stop at the Bali Pulina Plantation. I highly recommend including this on your itinerary if you love coffee or chocolate. Indonesia is home to some of the finest coffee and cacao beans globally, and you can also taste luwak coffee at this plantation. This unique coffee is produced when the palm civet, or luwak, consumes coffee beans that undergo fermentation in its gut. The partially digested beans retrieved from its droppings are cleaned and roasted. While I didn’t dare to sample this type of coffee, samples are available for purchase at the plantation. For those who love chocolate or are traveling with kids, the plantation grows cacao beans and produces chocolate on-site. This proved to be very popular with our toddlers. It also served as an educational experience for our boys, offering insights into the journey of their favorite treat from farm to table.

After our time at the plantation, we made our way to the center of town, where boutique shops, gift shops, spas, restaurants, and other points of interest are located. It’s advisable to carry cash, as some shops may not accept credit cards. Following a few hours of exploring the town, the intense heat and humidity made it challenging for our little ones, prompting us to return to our hotel and cool off in the pool. As it was nearing 3 pm and sunset was around 6 pm, we opted to enjoy the hotel’s amenities for the remainder of the day.

Day Three:

On our third day, my wife and I struck a deal: Wayan would take me to Tukad Cepung, one of Bali’s most stunning waterfalls in the morning, and in return, I would take charge of the kids while she enjoyed a spa day with a massage upon my return. The trek to reach this waterfall is unsuitable for toddlers, and I wouldn’t recommend it for kids under seven. The path involves numerous stairs, and the main concern is the slippery rocks, posing potential risks. Due to these challenges, bringing a baby in a carrier, whether on the back or front, is also not advisable.

Tukad Cepung is approximately an hour and fifteen minutes ‘ drive from Alila in Ubud. Wayan suggested an early departure to beat the traffic and the growing crowd, which tends to gather after 9:30 am. We set out around 7:30 am and arrived when only a few people were on the trail. This early start provided fantastic photo opportunities with an unobstructed view of the waterfalls without waiting for others to clear out. Remember, there is a small entrance fee, so having cash on hand is advisable. Bringing plenty of water is a good idea, and I strongly recommend applying insect repellent. The water can be knee-deep at specific points, so wearing shorts or pants that can easily be folded up to knee level is advisable.

As predicted by Wayan, the trail began to fill up with visitors on our hike back. The return drive took a bit longer due to typical traffic conditions in Bali. True to our agreement, the rest of the day was spent watching over the boys and enjoying pool time with them while my wife indulged in a well-deserved spa day. Massages in Indonesia are affordable, typically costing the U.S. equivalent of $15-$20 for a 60-90 minute session at various locations throughout the island. While hotels offer massages, they often charge a premium, so exploring options outside the hotel or resort is recommended for the best deals.

Days 4-7:

It was time to bid farewell to Alila and make our way to the coastal town of Jimbaran, Indonesia. Our choice of accommodation in Jimbaran was the Intercontinental Bali Resort, a magnificent hotel boasting expansive grounds and a spacious beach offering stunning sunset views. To maximize our stay, my wife and I redeemed our annual free night certificates for two nights, a perk that comes with our IHG Chase credit card.

The staff at Intercontinental Bali Resort were exceptionally friendly and went out of their way to accommodate our needs. One of the key factors influencing our decision to stay at this hotel was the array of toddler-friendly activities available on the premises. The hotel features indoor and outdoor kids’ play areas and multiple shallow pools tailored for toddlers. The hotel staff also organizes fishing, turtle watching, and collecting seashells. During our time in Jimbaran, we mostly remained within the hotel grounds, venturing only for breakfast and dinner. This phase of our trip was dedicated to taking a break from constant movement and simply relishing the beach, sand, and mesmerizing sunsets. It was a well-needed pause to prevent the kids from burning out.

While the Intercontinental does have restaurants on the premises, I strongly recommend venturing outside the hotel and experiencing one of the many restaurants they have in town. Some are just a 5 to 10-minute walk outside the hotel. You can also download and utilize the Grab rideshare app to hail an inexpensive ride a bit further out. We used it several times without any issues. If you’re looking for a massage, skip the overpriced spa services offered at the hotel and look for places around town. Be sure to use Yelp or Google reviews since some sketchy places will try to lure you in. The well-regarded spas will even offer a complimentary ride to pick you up, bring you to their spa, and then drop you off. This requires making an appointment a few days in advance. I chose Calma Spa and had an excellent experience there. The staff was professional, provided hibiscus tea, and had comfortable rooms to shower and change. 

After 4 days of enjoying the beach, majestic sunsets, and the laid-back vibes of Bali, it was time to get ready for our final stop, Malaysia. Bali felt like a dream in many ways. Our time there felt short, and we all wished we had been there longer. The people are warm and friendly and always made us feel welcome. We still keep in touch with Wayan, and if you happen to read this and would like a pleasant, punctual, and reliable driver, I’ll be glad to forward his information.

Tips

• Laundromats outside the hotel are very cheap. The staff will wash, dry, press, and fold your laundry. The price is based on weight.
• Uber no longer operates in Bali. Reliable ride shares in Bali include Grab, GoJek, and MAXIM.
• We flew a discount carrier, Bhatik Air, on our flight from Bali to Kuala Lumpur. It wasn’t our first choice, but it was the only carrier with flights during the window we were looking to depart. We didn’t have a great experience as our flight was delayed and the gate was changed without properly notifying passengers. If you can pay slightly more and fly Malaysia or Singapore Airlines, your experience will likely be better. Award redemption was unnecessary since these flights were cheap ($29 a ticket).
• If you plan on visiting the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, be mindful of aggressive monkeys. If you get bitten, you should seek post-exposure rabies vaccine as soon as possible, even if the locals or tour guides tell you the monkeys don’t have rabies. Rabies will kill you if left untreated, and once the symptoms start to appear, it’s often too late.
• As mentioned above, I’ll gladly share Wayan’s contact information if you need a reliable and friendly driver.