Today was a special mother–daughter day for Ali and Georgia, and they did something really unique in Seminyak – a silver jewellery making class.

For around £50, you get to design and create your very own piece of jewellery from scratch. This wasn’t just sticking beads on a string – they did the full process:

Rolling the silver flat Heating and melting it Hammering and shaping it Adding texture and details Choosing gemstones and decorations Polishing the final piece

Georgia absolutely loved it. The staff were brilliant and let her get hands-on with everything – rolling the metal, turning the crank, hammering the design. She took it seriously… but with a massive smile the whole time.

Ali made a ring too, and the best part was that both pieces actually looked amazing – proper jewellery you’d buy in a shop, not a kids’ craft project.

There were trays of gemstones to choose from, different ring styles, and all the tools laid out on tree stumps and workbenches. It felt authentic, creative and a little bit old-school.

In just a couple of hours, Georgia walked out proudly wearing her own handmade silver ring – something she designed, shaped and created herself.

Such a cool experience, and a brilliant souvenir with a memory built in.

If you’re in Bali and want to do something a bit different (especially with older kids), this one is definitely worth it.

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Before jumping into the next big chapter of our adventure – New Zealand! – we had one of those not-so-exciting but totally essential travel days.

After 10 months on the road, our clothes, shoes and travel gear have been through beaches, jungles, cities, mud, volcanoes, and everything in between. We’ve replaced bits as we go, but this week it was time for a proper reset.

So… we dedicated a whole day to getting ourselves organised.

Beachwalk Mall Mission

We headed to Beachwalk Mall – big, busy, and full of everything we needed in one place.

In just a few hours we:

Bought new clothes and basics

Replaced worn-out travel gear

Binned anything too ruined to save

Restocked toiletries and essentials

Highlight for the girls?

Both Georgia and Dotty got brand new Skechers, and they were absolutely buzzing. Fresh shoes = fresh energy for the next country!

Bonus Win: New Glasses for Ali

While we were there, Ali squeezed in a quick eye test (super easy and fast in Bali) and walked out with a brand-new pair of glasses the same day.

One less thing to worry about on the road.

Not glamorous… but necessary

Travel days aren’t always waterfalls and volcanoes.

Sometimes they’re laundry, shopping, throwing out old socks and making sure everyone can walk without blisters.

These reset days keep long-term travel smooth, comfortable and sane.

Fresh gear packed.

Kids happy with their new shoes.

Glasses sorted.

Bags lighter and cleaner.

New Zealand – we’re officially ready for you!

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Sometimes travel gives you wild, adrenaline-filled adventures.

And sometimes… it gives you something quiet, gentle and unexpectedly powerful.

Our morning on Serangan Island was exactly that.

We took the girls to the Turtle Conservation & Education Centre, one of the few places in Bali that actually does turtle rescue properly not the touristy “take photos with turtles in a tiny pool” kind of place. This one focuses on real conservation: rescuing injured turtles, protecting eggs, raising hatchlings, and releasing them back into the ocean when they’re strong enough.

No flashy signs. No big commercial setup. Just people doing good work.

Which, honestly, made us trust it more.

Adopting a baby turtle

When we arrived, one of the staff explained how they collect eggs from unsafe beaches and incubate them. Some turtles are injured by boats or fishing nets and need to heal before going back to the sea. They showed us tanks full of squirmy little hatchlings, and the girls were instantly hooked.

You can sponsor a baby turtle to help support the work they do so we did.

In return, you get a certificate with your turtle’s ID number… and something even better:

You get to release it into the ocean.

Georgia was chosen as official Turtle Guardian.

They placed our tiny hatchling in a little coconut bowl with seawater, and she carried it like it was made of gold. The pride in her eyes was unreal.

Boat ride to freedom

We hopped on a small boat and headed to a quiet stretch of beach away from the crowds. The water was clear, the sky was ridiculous, and everything felt peaceful.

We lowered the bowl down in the sea and let the turtle out.

It paused for half a second… then absolutely legged it toward the waves.

Wave 1: we thought it would flip upside down.

Wave 2: it was a professional swimmer by now.

Wave 3: gone. Off into the big blue like it had somewhere to be.

Georgia cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled,

“GOOD LUCK LITTLE TILLY!”

Not going to lie, I felt that, For a moment, the world stopped.

No noise. No rush. Just this tiny life beginning its journey.

It was simple.

It was short.

And it was one of the most beautiful things we’ve done on this trip.

Totally worth it.

Back to town… and back to reality

After the release, we headed back into town for lunch and a wander around the shops.

And this is where Bali reminded us it has two personalities.

Bali can be:

spiritual

stunning

chilled

Bali can also be:

“That sarong is 850,000 IDR”

“Special price, just for you my friend”

“Yes the same hat is cheaper in London but don’t worry about it”

Some shops were fair.

Others were straight-up bold.

We had a laugh, dodged a few “tourist tax” traps, and picked up a couple of bits anyway because… Bali.

Lunch was good, the heat was intense, the girls were happy, and we headed home with that perfect mix of heart full + wallet slightly offended.

Why this day mattered

This wasn’t a big adrenaline day.

No crazy hikes. No epic rides. No fireworks.

It was better. It was meaningful. It was hands-on.

It gave the us a real connection to nature. And it reminded us why slow travel days are just as important as the big ones.

Sometimes adventure is climbing a volcano.

Sometimes it’s helping a baby turtle find the sea.

Both change you in different ways.

And that’s the magic of it!

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And both were epic in their own way! A long while ago now before we set off to travel the world, Ali and I made a promise.

“Let’s each make time to do a few things on our own.”

Little solo missions. Personal challenges. Adventures just for us.

In reality?

We’ve been terrible at it. Full-time travel with kids is amazing… but nonstop. There’s always something to plan, somewhere to go, someone needing a snack.

But this week? Ali got a solo break!

Ali disappeared into the darkness of a volcano in Java… and the girls and I dove headfirst into the colourful chaos of Mookie Land in Bali.

Two completely different adventures.

Same 48 hours.

Same family.

Both unforgettable.

ALI’S MISSION: CHASING BLUE FIRE IN JAVA

Ali had her eye on one thing: Mount Ijen.

The only place on Earth where sulphur gas burns BRIGHT BLUE FLAMES in the middle of the night.

Not a casual stroll. This was commitment.

1pm – Seminyak: goodbye

8 hours of minibus + ferry across to Java

2 hours of sleep in a homestay

1am – The darkness: headlamps on, climb begins

The hike wasn’t long an hour and a half, but it was steep. Hundreds of hikers zig-zagging uphill in the dark.

Some people gave up and hired porters to push them in carts.

(Yes, actual human carts. Ali admitted she was jealous.)

At the top? No rest.

They scrambled down into the crater.

Respirators on.

Sulphur clouds burning lungs and throats.

Guides yelling, “Close your eyes!” whenever the wind changed.

Miners walking past carrying 70kg of rock on bamboo poles like it was nothing.

And then…

The blue flames.

Not a photo.

Not a postcard.

The real thing.

Sulphur igniting at 600°C, glowing electric blue in the darkness.

Otherworldly. Dangerous. Mesmerising.

And in the middle of the crater?

A massive sulphuric acid lake glowing under the almost-full moon.

Beautiful.

Lethal.

They warned everyone not to get too close… shoes have been known to melt.

This wasn’t sightseeing.

This was raw Earth.

Alive and breathing.

After sunrise, they climbed back up, legs shaking, and started the long journey home.

29 hours after leaving with only two hours’ sleep, she walked back into our villa in Seminyak…

Exhausted.

Filthy.

Buzzing.

“Worth every step.”

OUR MISSION: SURVIVING (AND LOVING) MOOKIE LAND

While Ali was battling sulphur demons at 1am, we were in bed.

While she was hiking up crater walls… we were by the pool we just kept things chill the day she left. Pool. Snacks. Early night.

Because the next day… it was kid adventure time.

Mookie. Land.

If Bali built a theme park out of bouncy castles, giant foam Lego, fans, and chaos… this is it.

Open-air but shaded.

Massive industrial fans blasting cool air.

Inflatables everywhere.

Climbing nets.

Giant slides.

Soft play.

Connect 4.

Building blocks the size of car batteries.

Cheap food. Cold drinks.

Kid heaven.

Dotty at first: “Nope.” Didn’t want the inflatables. Didn’t want noise anywhere else will do.

Dotty an hour later:

Climbing nets. Sliding down like a rocket.

Building a HOUSE out of blocks with a beanbag for the roof.

Total transformation.

Georgia?

Instantly made new friends.

Led a small army of kids up the climbing wall.

Only stopped to sip a bright red Mookie drink like she owned the place.

We stayed for HOURS.

Didn’t even realise the time.

The kind of day where the kids are sweating, smiling, and covered in tiny bruises from “fun injuries”.

We left late.

Quick dinner.

Straight to bed.

All three of us wiped out… in the best way.

TWO VERY DIFFERENT DAYS. SAME RESULT.

Ali: Faced darkness, fire, and the edge of the Earth. Pushed herself physically and mentally. Travelled 29 hours to see something most people never will.

Us: Laughed, played, made friends. Watched confidence grow. Built pillow-roof architecture worthy of Grand Designs.

Both days were adventure.

Just… different flavours.

WHAT THIS TAUGHT US

Adventure isn’t always mountains.

Sometimes it’s inflatables.

Courage isn’t just climbing craters.

Sometimes it’s letting yourself play again.

Travel isn’t just ticking off landmarks.

Sometimes it’s giving each person what they need.

Ali needed wild We needed joy. We made space for both.

And when we sat together the next morning swapping stories fire vs foam blocks.

One walked into a volcano.

One bounced through a play park.

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Moving days usually chew through energy. This one gave it back. We wrapped up a calm morning in Ubud, took a last dip at our place, grabbed lunch, and then rolled down to Seminyak. The ride was quick, the fare came in at IDR 350,000, and there were zero dramas in the back seat. That alone is a win.

Our outgoing hosts were brilliant. They offered a late check-out, which meant no clock-watching and no killing hours with bags in a café. We swam, we ate, we packed once everyone was chill. On the other side, our new place said yes to an early check-in, so we walked straight in, dropped the bags, and exhaled. That simple flexibility turned a day that could have been stressy into a smooth glide.

Swapping rice fields for sea breeze

Seminyak is a shift in pace from Ubud’s temples and terraces. Think coastal air, sunset glow, easy cafés, and a beach that comes alive in the late afternoon. It felt like a soft landing rather than a relocation.

Ali has a big day tomorrow climbing in a volcano which boasts the largest sulfuric acid lake in the world (inside a volcano) I think, no more spoilers till tomorrow!

My tip.

Message both hosts the day before. Ask nicely for timing help. Give a simple arrival window so they can plan. Pack swim gear last. Easy to reach for a final dip before you go or a first splash when you arrive.

Say thank you properly. A kind review for flexible hosts pays it forward, For a family move day, this was close to perfect.

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We wanted a big one from Ubud and got it. Epic and full on, yet easy. We booked a car for the day (700,000 rupiah about £30) earlier in the week we swapped WhatsApp with the driver and booked him private, we let him handle the waiting and the route. No tour herd. Just our crew, a cool esky of water, and Bali doing its thing.

First stop was a jungle waterfall near Kedisan. Short shaded path, a little boardwalk, and a jade pool under a wall of green. The kids hopped the rocks, we grabbed the family shot and cooled our ankles while the spray did the air-con.

Next up, Tirta Empul at Manukaya. Penjors arched into the sky, yellow and white parasols, bells and incense rolling through the courtyards. Sarongs on at the gate, slow wander past the holy springs, a quiet reset between swims. Busy but calm, and the water flowing from pool to pool kept everyone curious.

Coffee called, and they have the famous Asian palmcivet who eat coffee and poo it out then it’s brewed up!!

So we went into a small plantation nearby. Georgia took a turn stirring beans over the wood fire while we watched the roast and compared tasting cups like judges. Honey coffee, spiced teas, chocolate notes. Adults talked flavour profiles. Georgia rated “how sweet” washcloth tea was.

Back in the car for Apuan and waterfall round two. First a wide frothy cascade with a broad, swimmable pool. The girls floated, laughed and warmed up on the rocks. A few minutes along the track we found the bamboo “nest” lookout and nailed the quick shot with the falls framed perfectly.

The showstopper was the tall curtain fall that drops into a calm bowl, classic Tibumana vibes. Easy walk in, shallow edges for paddling and space to swim further if you fancy it. Dotty splashed from the shallows in the carrier, Georgia waded out grinning. You could sit there for ages with the roar of the water and cool air tucked under the cliff.

We wrapped the loop with the rice terraces near Tegallalang at golden hour. Quick “I Bali” snap, then a gentle stroll along the ridge as the light went soft and the paddies caught the sun. Palms, birdsong, and those tidy green steps that say “yep, you’re in Bali”.

• Grippy shoes or water shoes. Paths and rocks get slick.

• Small towels, a dry bag, spare clothes for the kids.

• Cash in small notes for entries and parking.

• Shoulders covered and a sarong for the temple.

• Transport: agree 700k, swap WhatsApp. Driver waits at each stop and tweaks the order around traffic. Easy.

a handful of small entry and parking fees at waterfalls and the temple.

An epic, full-on day without the stress. Jungle swims to beat the heat, a calm hour of culture, a fun coffee stop, and rice terrace views to finish.

Easy, fun and simple. We’d run the same loop again, leave a touch earlier, and aim to hit the terraces right on sunset. We did it wasMagic!

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We started the day at a play café in Ubud. It is an indoor space with open sides, fresh air, and a soft floor that looks and feels like volcanic ash. Compact, not massive, yet the layout is spot on for younger kids. Think slides, nets, little walkways, and enough corners to explore without losing sight of anyone.

The café bit is handy. Food was good, service was easy, and the whole place felt relaxed rather than chaotic. There is a pool with flumes as well, although they were out of action today, which was a shame. The kids still had a blast. We kept it simple, played, ate, then headed back to the villa for a rest and a dip.

Kecak Fire Dance in Ubud

After a recharge at the villa, Georgia and I went out for a Kecak fire dance. The setting is beautiful at night with the temple lit up and the flame centre stage. The rhythm is powerful. A chorus of voices builds the story and it is mesmerising at first.

Honest note. After about 40 minutes of steady chanting Georgia was over it. The performance runs close to an hour, so younger kids may find the repetition a bit much. The visuals are brilliant, the costumes are great, and the fire section gets a big reaction, yet the sound can be intense and repetitive for little ears.

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We went to Bali Bird Park yesterday expecting a quick look round. You know the type of place a couple of parrots, an ice cream, home by lunch. It turned into a proper family day that we all loved.

Full price felt steep, so I shopped around and bought through eticket site. It knocked about £10 off the ticket which softened the blow a bit.

We arrived early, walked straight into lush gardens, and were greeted by a few photogenic birds on perches. Georgia was buzzing having the opportunity to hold one as we arrived. I was instantly nominated bag carrier.

The main aviary is large bridges, streams, and birds everywhere. Inside the keeper handed Georgia some feed and suddenly we were ultra popular. Parakeets and friends landed on arms and shoulders, all very gentle George has spent about 50 minutes here, Ali took dotty off to a little play area and a coffee stand just outside, so when Georgia finished, we caught them up and we grabbed a mid-morning coffee while the kids played with toys.

Next was the falconry show. Back home you usually get one bird at a time with a lot of chat. Here it was fast, crisp and constant: multiple birds flying, tight passes over the lawn, clean swaps between handlers, then a new team of birds sweeping in before the others left! It was slick, exciting, and over before attention wandered exactly how to keep families engaged, and honestly I loved it!

Are you thinking “Why don’t the birds just fly off?”

Great question, I wondered the same at the start. Short answer, training, trust and clever design.

Positive reinforcement, birds are trained to return to a glove or perch for high value food rewards. Coming back is the easiest way to get a snack. Routine and bonds: they fly these routes daily and know the keepers. Familiar = safe. Comfortable habitat: plenty of shade, water and perches. Why leave the good life? Zoned spaces: some areas are netted where needed; free-flight birds work under close supervision. If one feels adventurous: trained birds usually circle and return. Staff keep eyes on the sky.

Seeing them choose to fly out and then back was the bit that won me over.

We refuelled in the canteen (it was simple, shaded, does the job). Georgia painted a wooden bird egg with great seriousness. We popped into the owl house and admired a beautifully carved timber building nearby, then looped past the pelicans for one last look. After that it was home for a pool dip and a collective flop.

Family verdict

We arrived with low expectations and left impressed. Gorgeous grounds, loads of hands-on moments, and shows that move at family speed.

Quick tips

Go early for cooler temps and calmer crowds. Book online to save ~£10 to a family. Hats and water, the sun does not muck about. Plan 3 or 4 hours; you’ll use it.

Worth it? Yes. Even with the price, the scale of the aviaries, the quality of the flying displays, and how well they keep you engaged made it a standout Bali day for us.

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We slipped off the main street and into the paddy fields near the palace, and the noise dropped away like someone turned the volume down. The path ran thin and green between the paddies, water whispering along the edges. The best bit was the paved strips you can pay to personalise. Little messages set in concrete. We had fun reading them out as we walked. “Get off your phone while on a scooter.” “The Johnson family was ’ere 2021, Australia.” Some were sweet, some cheeky, all of them a reminder that other families had passed the same way with the same slow morning.

From there we wandered to the water palace. Lotus pads crowded the ponds and the statues watched on like old friends who had seen everything and said nothing. We walked across the pond and watched the koi nudge the surface. Peaceful and easy.

The palace itself was cool and calm, a run of courtyards and carved gates that nudged you to slow down. We followed the shade, touched old wood and stone, and wondered who gets to close those heavy doors at night. No plan Just drift and look and it’s free to enter!

By late morning we were ready for food, so we ducked into a wellness place for lunch. No soft drinks on the menu, which earned a pair of raised eyebrows, but the hot chocolate fixed that fast. My latte hit the spot. Plates came out bright and fresh. Good choices without trying.

Back at the villa the day folded in two. Curtains drawn, fans on, a mid afternoon nap that reset everyone. Then the pool Georgia and Ali did exercise classes while dotty just wanted to jump in the pool. We got out before that end-of-day light, No big headline moment. Just a string of small ones.

Planning a slow day in Bali with kids? Save this post, share it with your travel buddy, or drop a comment with your children’s ages and I will send an easy route and lunch ideas to match your pace.

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We started the day with one goal: monkeys. The road into Ubud was already warm and busy, and by the time we reached the entrance the trees felt like they were swallowing the noise. Everything inside is green on green. Vines hanging low, moss on old stone, roots curling over steps like they have been there forever. We barely made it fifty metres before the first family of macaques appeared, perched along a ledge like regulars at a bar.

The morning set its tone with a tiny baby tucked under mum’s arm. They were working through a mound of corn scattered by the park team. The baby kept looking up with that wide-eyed “is this all for me” face, then back to the corn like a serious little inspector. Georgia whispered that it was the best thing she had seen. Dotty held tight , very still but in time got braver..

From there the forest became a series of small episodes. A teenager monkey legged it across the path carrying a stolen leaf as if it had nabbed a diamond. Two older monkeys sat facing each other on a low wall, picking through fur with the focus of people doing a tricky jigsaw. Every now and then a shout went up somewhere deeper in the trees, a burst of monkey drama that died away as quickly as it started. The place has a rhythm: quiet observation, sudden chaos, back to quiet again.

Then it was my turn to be part of the show. One chancer hopped up the back of my rucksack as if I had been hired for the purpose. Light feet, quick hands, and before I could say anything it had the suncream. It settled on my shoulder like a small, confident commuter eating a snack on the way to work. The stuff must taste awful but the monkey was committed, licking the tube like a lollipop while I tried to look relaxed and not smell of SPF 50 for the rest of the trip. Georgia howled and was in shock Dotty had no idea what the commotion was. I tried to regain custody of the suncream but it was off as quick as it came so we carried on a little lighter and somewhat wiser and now part of the day’s entertainment.

We looped deeper into the forest under the long bridges and past stone guardians, then back out towards the edge where the path widens. The light shifts there. It is less jungle, more town, with scooters humming somewhere beyond the wall and a strip of cafés and stalls just outside.

We left the forest and grabbed a grab(taxi) to art street for a while. Market stalls and small shops sat shoulder to shoulder: painted shutters, woven baskets, carved wood, and rows of batik shirts in every shade of blue. we eyed up a few souvenirs and mostly kept our hands in our pockets.

We ducked in and out of a couple of places, paused to watch someone finishing a mural. After a last look along the stalls, we found lunch.

Lunch was noisy but the chatter of travellers talking and people enjoying the food distracted from the hustle going on outside. We laughed about the monkey stories Georgia laughed as she repeated telling the tale of the suncream heist, which apparently grows funnier every time it’s told. We stepped back into the heat and decided it was a supplies afternoon rather than a big outing. A quick taxi later and we were standing in Indomaret, doing the familiar traveller’s dance of “what will we actually eat” in front of a wall of not much choice. Noodles, fruit, water, biscuits for morale, a cold something for now. Baskets full the kids gave me a shopping headache!

Back at the villa the day clicked into its final shape. The gate slid open, the pool flashed blue, and everything softened. Shoes off, bags down, phones forgotten on a table. dotty was asleep before I could go for a wee. I wanted Georgia to have a nap too but she like always pushed against that in the end she was in the pool practised underwater handstands like a tiny gymnast.

My pro tip… visit monkey forest early to beat the crowds and see the monkeys before they are fed up with people!

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