Women Travel Bali for Single Moms

By Michele Cempaka

Women traveling with children often seek destinations which will be not only child-friendly, but also offer a glimpse into a fascinating culture. The island of Bali is all of these things and more.

The tropical climate and beautiful natural environment provide a safe haven for women traveling alone with their children.

One of the best things about Bali is that the Balinese truly love children and will often lend a hand when you go out to dinner or just need to run to the store. In the Balinese tradition, children usually sleep between their parents because they are adored so much.

There are plenty of things to see and do in Bali with your child. Here are some great suggestions that will make your time in Bali truly unforgettable:

1. Take a day trip to the zoo, which is just 20 minutes south of Ubud. The facility is small but well kept, with a variety of indigenous animals from Java, Bali, as well as other regions in the world.
2. Bali Safari Marine Park is also a great option, with an incredible restaurant with 360°views of the lions which meander around and occasionally roar for effect.
3. For more action, visit the elephant park which is lots of fun for kids who get to experience an exciting elephant ride. Facilities include a full Reception and Information Centre, a comprehensive museum with a large collection of elephant memorabilia and the only Mammoth skeleton in South East Asia. 
4. Bali Bird Park is another wonderful place to spend the afternoon with your child. There is a wide variety of exotic species of birds which kids can pet under supervision, and there are several bird shows throughout the day. The birds of prey show is excellent!
5. Kids age seven and older can try their hand at surfing in Kuta. There are several places that offer surfing lessons for beginners.
6. If your child isn't inclined to take up surfing, Waterbom is a great alternative. This fun and safe water park offers many exciting slide rides, a floating ride on the lazy river and a large kiddy park which has a great variety of fantastic water toys for little kids to play with.
7. Bali Treetop is not to be missed! Located in Bedugul, this exhilarating adventure park is set amidst the beautiful grounds of the Botanical Gardens. They offer six challenging rope circuits that are designed for young children up to advanced levels.
8. Bali Buggy and Bali quad tours will give you a thrilling experience as you drive your self with a specially designed off road car or 4-wheel motorcycle through traditional villages in Bali, passing rice fields and crossing jungle. Their tours start from Payangan area, which is approximately 30 minutes from Ubud.
9. Bali Canyon Tubing is another exhilarating activity that you will definitely enjoy with your child. You'll get to float down the exciting Siap Stream in Payangan area in your own Inflatable tube and discover many exotic species of plants and animals. There's a good chance you'll get a glimpse of a group of monkeys playing in the surrounding forests or see some rare species of birds.
10. For those seeking quieter activities, Sanur has some great beaches with calmer waters, so it's easy for young children to swim. There are also small beach kayaks for rental or jet skis and wind surfing equipment for the more daring.

Exploring the magic of Bali and its rich culture is also a great way to spend a day or more with your child. The safest and easiest way to do this is to hire a driver who can plan out a tour for you. Be sure to ask to see his license or some kind of permit which proves that he is an official driver. All certified drivers will have standard price sheets which clearly show prices for different trips around the island. You can sometimes bargain with them about the price, but please be sensitive to the fact that most drivers make very little money compared to what is earned in foreign countries. In addition fuel costs have dramatically increased in Asia over the last two years, so they do need to cover these costs.

On one of your trips around the island, be sure to visit Ubud which is considered to be the cultural center of Bali. There are many impressive cultural performances worth seeing, such as the Kecak dance, a dramatic and energetic dance performed by many men who chant and sway and the Barong dance which features an amazing masked beast prancing about. Many dances and ceremonies are also accompanied by gamelan music. The gamelan is similar to a xylophone but it is made out of bamboo and has a wonderful melodic sound.

There are also many Hindu ceremonies held in Ubud and the surrounding areas, so if you're lucky you might be able to catch one. 50 or more Balinese parade down the main and side streets dressed in beautiful kebayas (long sleeved lace blouses worn by women) and sarongs which are worn by both men and women. If you come in March 2008, one of the most sacred Balinese holidays will take place known as Nyepi. This is a day when the whole island becomes completely silent. No cars or lights are allowed from sundown that day until sunrise on the next. The night before is a festive celebration when all the Balinese parade their giant ogah ogahs (puppets fashioned into mythical Hindu gods and goddesses) around their villages to scare off the evils spirits before Nyepi.

Bali is truly a special island that single moms can greatly enjoy with their children. The superb restaurants, fun activities and nice beaches make this an ideal place to vacation. It is also a very safe island to explore, because the Balinese culture is based on the principle that everyone has a responsibility to the community and to the visitors who come to Bali. Many women who come to Bali feel that for the first time in their lives they can walk down a street at night with their child and know that they will not be harmed. This is what makes Bali such a wonderful destination for single moms.