Originally Posted by
Ericka
This is great, Musken. I love your comparison between the two resorts and the specific examples of how Kila is more cultural and less touristy than Nusa.
It sounds like your son has a lot of fun on these trips. It's wonderful you are able to travel as a family.

Thanks, Erica.
Yes, our son had lots of fun this time as well. No other kids at Kila or Nusa, and very low occupancy, meaning he had the whole beach or pool for himself. Especially he loved swimming when it rained cats and dogs. There were balls and water/beach toys available at both beaches. At Nusa he got a traditional kite to play with (gift upon arrival) which was great as well. The beach boys where there to show him how to do it, if needed. They had kids snorkel equipment available at the boat trip at Kila and kids size tennis rackets at Nusa. Also kid sized bathrobe at both resorts.
During excursions where we were the only tourists, he felt a bit strange in the beginning since lots of local kids would stare or point at him, but as soon as he realised that they found a foreign boy (with a long hair cut - not short as the Bali boys - they have to cut their hair short when they start school) exciting and not strange, he had fun with them.
Other kids points:
- Kids menus available with standard kids food and local specialities, reasonably priced
- Half price for him at excursions/activitites
- Free Wifi even in Aman cars and at the beach (plus everywhere else) meaning he could play on his iPad whenever he wanted
- Kids DVDs available
- Special decoration of his bed one evening in Kila with towel animal which he loved even if he is getting a big boy; They should do that more often! Actually that is one thing I think they should consider in general: turn down gifts for kids. Every night there would be something on the parent's bed, never something on his bed. He got a T-shirt once, but it was on our bed. It would not have to be big things, and they could give to him instead of to us - or give him "our" things when appropriate - for example sticks to eat with or local cakes (sometimes I managed to sneak in and put our gift on his bed so that he would believe it was for him). We should of course just have asked for this, but always forgot the next morning, but they should change this in general. If the kid is happy, the parents are!