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Traveling while learning new things in Bali
Feeding time: A tourist feeds a lemur at the Bali Safari and Marine Park in Gianyar
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eeding time: A tourist feeds a lemur at the Bali Safari and Marine Park in Gianyar. The park, which houses more than 100 animal species, allows visitors to interact with nature while learning about animal conservation. (JP/Zul Trio Anggono)
The mid-year school holidays — or summer school holidays, as people in four-season countries refer to it — are coming soon, giving students the chance for a break from their academic activities.
Look no further than Bali for exciting destinations this school holiday season. The island has long retained its global reputation as a premier vacation place, allowing people to rejuvenate their mind, soul and body by immersing themselves in the island’s beauty and tranquility.
Bali has various nature-focused and cultural spots that can allow children and their parents alike to have fun while learning new things to provide food for thought.
Through the available activities, these spots offer new learning experiences about the world around us. Take a look:
The Green Camp
If you long to leave your house or office to venture out into the open with your children, consider going to the Green Camp. It is located inside the Green School, an unconventional international school covering primary to high school education in Badung, Bali, with a special emphasis on connecting students with nature, taking advantage of the lush gardens of the Badung area. The Green School opened in Bali in 2008 and will open in New Zealand in 2020.
The camp, available in three-day and five-day options, offers a family package that will bring joy to children and parents alike, also offering them a chance to bond with each other more intensely. It also offers children and parents a chance to make new friends by interacting with other families throughout the program. Activities include outbound games to enhance social and survival skills, gardening lessons as well as classes to raise environmental awareness, held in these open air workshops.
If you do not have time to join the extended camps, join the school’s day tour, which typically takes 60 to 90 minutes, where your family can enjoy the Badung area’s beautiful landscape.
The Bali Safari and Marine Park
Why not explore the great animal kingdoms in Bali at the same time?
Go to the Bali Safari and Marine Park, often referred to simply as Bali Safari. It is a zoo in Bali’s Gianyar area that houses more than 100 animal species, including some rare and endangered ones, such as the rhinoceros. The zoo organizes several safari programs to help guests learn more about the animals that reside there.
Your family can also learn about animal conservation through the zoo’s programs. You can also obtain a special package allowing you to conclude your safari experience by watching the Bali Agung Show, a cultural showcase featuring 15 Balinese dancers and puppet masters, who are accompanied by several musicians to perform some dances and shadow puppet shows, telling the tragic legend of the local king, Sri Jaya Pangus, and his beloved Chinese wife, Kang Ching Wie.
Setia Darma House of Masks and Wayang
Families interested in exploring Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage — along with how the heritage intersects with global culture — will be delighted to visit Rumah Topeng dan Wayang Setia Darma (Setia Darma House of Masks and Wayang) in Gianyar.
Standing on a 1.25-hectare plot of land, the place comprises nine houses holding a collection of 1,300 masks and 5,700 wayang (traditional shadow puppets) from Indonesia, but also from other countries that also produce artistic masks and/or have their versions of shadow puppetry, like China, Japan, Mexico, Italy, Sri Lanka, Laos, Vietnam and several African countries. The architecture of the houses reflects an acculturation between Javanese and Balinese culture, with their blends of the joglo and limasan styles from each respective tradition.
The Setia Darma House of Masks and Wayang also features an outdoor theater, designed in a beautiful circular shape with audience seats shaped like a terrace with a capacity of 500 people. It regularly showcases art performances of dance, music or theater.
The Garuda Wisnu Kencana cultural park
Get yourself and your children in touch with your artistic sensibilities. Visit the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) cultural park on Jl. Raya Uluwatu, South Kuta.
Hailed by international media outlets as “Bali’s most iconic landmark”, with the gigantic 121-meter tall statue featuring the head of the mythical Indonesian bird garuda as its centerpiece, the park is also a testament to the artistic prowess of Bali-born Indonesian artist I Nyoman Nuarta, who worked hard for 28 years to finish the statue.
The cultural park has an auditorium that regularly showcases mind-blowing and fantastic performances by international artists.
As a top international tourist destination, Bali is not only well connected by air and sea but also offers world-class accommodation at exciting locations. People can come with their families to Bali and stay at top hotels and resorts like the Conrad Bali, the Anvaya Beach Resort Bali, W Bali– Seminyak, Karma Resorts, Karma Kandara, Bali Dynasty Resort or Bali Nusa Dua Hotel.
Recently, global digital travel company Agoda described Bali as a perfect family destination. According to Agoda’s report, Bali is “a perfect spot to bring the whole family”, offering everything from mountains and beaches to shops, spas and first-class cuisine.
The natural and cultural tourism destinations in Bali always has something new to offer, giving you and your whole family lasting precious memories and learning experiences to take home with you.
— Supplement Team
