A Bali Adventure for the Elders: A Quest for Paradise on Earth

(The following text and images are provided by group member Chuang Ling Chun, and we have reorganized them with their consent)

Photo: Provided by Chuang Ling Chun

Trip Overview

• Travel Dates: April 12 to April 17, 2023
• Travelers: 2 people (Mom + her boyfriend). I arranged everything for Mom, and they traveled on their own.

Pre-Trip Preparation

I gathered valuable Bali travel tips from a Facebook group. Now back in Taiwan, I hope to share Mom’s travel experiences to help others plan a wonderful trip.

Foreword:

Key Takeaways: Practical tips for planning a Bali trip for parents — ① Complete visa, customs, and tourism tax all online in advance; they cleared the airport in just about 30 minutes after arrival. ② Online tourism tax payment often fails on the first try; wait a moment and retry for success. ③ If parents are vegetarian, be sure to confirm vegetarian restaurants before including them in the itinerary.

Since my mom is busy with work, I planned this trip for her. She loves photography and isn’t picky about food, but she’s vegetarian, so I needed to find restaurants offering vegetarian options in advance (she’s easygoing—just needs to be full and meat-free).

Visa + Customs + Tourism Tax: I completed all their pre-travel procedures online, and they walked out of the airport in just about 30 minutes.

Also, when paying the tourism tax online, I noticed the first payment always fails; you need to wait a bit and try again for it to go through.

Private Car & Guide: I arranged a private car and guide for my mom and her companions—Ani and her husband. In online communities, someone recommended a guide-plus-driver service, which I thought was a great setup. Luckily, I booked Ani; she and her husband served as our guide and driver.

Leftmost is Ani, rightmost is her husband. Photo courtesy of Chuang Ling Chun

Further reading: Bali Private Car Hire Guide - Costs, Booking, and Benefits

My mom said Ani always has a smile on her face, is very easygoing, and was highly accommodating to their flexible itinerary. Both Ani and her husband worked in Taiwan for many years, so communication with her was smooth. Their rates are very reasonable—even with the guide-plus-driver format, the price is within the average range. If you’d like to contact Ani, her Line ID is agussolihin72.

Day 1: Exploring Uluwatu Temple

My mom and her group began their Bali adventure at Uluwatu Temple. Although the weather wasn’t ideal and they missed the sunset, which was a bit of a shame, they still felt the mystical charm of this sacred temple. They had planned to buy fire dance tickets on-site, but unfortunately, they were all sold out, so they didn’t get to see Bali’s most spectacular fire dance show.

Uluwatu Fire Dance Show Illustration

Read More: Kecak Fire Dance – A Must-See Spectacular Performance in Bali (with Ticket Info)

On the first day, I arranged for them to stay at PinkCoco Uluwatu. Though the hotel’s exterior is a bit kitschy, you can snap pink-tinted photos everywhere you turn.

PinkCoco Uluwatu

▶ Book PinkCoco Uluwatu

Day 2: A Fairytale Journey in Ubud

Photo courtesy of Chuang Ling Chun

Ani knew my mom loves taking photos, so she recommended a swing experience at 400k per person, plus a 200k fee for renting a dress—well worth it. The photographer’s skills were top-notch; for about USD$39 per person (600k), you can get stunning shots like these. A tip for anyone wanting that fairy-tale flying look: definitely rent the dress. Their specially designed skirts are extra long and wide, creating a flowing effect mid-air.

Ubud Swing Deals Here:

Ubud Swing: The 8 Best Swing Photo Spots in Bali | Ubud Swing & Dress Rental Guide

Photo credit: Chuang Ling Chun + online screenshots

In the evening, we checked into the Mason Elephant Lodge. The close-up elephant encounters here were unforgettable. I had stayed here ten years ago, and those wonderful memories are still deeply etched in my heart. This time, we were lucky enough to get up close with the elephants. My mom said one of the most memorable experiences was at dinner, when the elephants personally carried them from their room to the restaurant. Even more fortunate, they happened to be there during the owner’s birthday celebration and were invited to join the dinner banquet for free.

For travelers who love elephants, this is an amazing experience. The elephant park seems to treat the elephants well, not just as money-making tools. The park’s revenue is also used for Sumatran elephant conservation. Apart from elephant riding and bathing, there are no other animal shows, so concerned visitors can feel at ease. Additionally, guests can spend USD$3 to buy fruit and feed the elephants by hand. If you want to experience being carried by an elephant to dinner, you need to dine at the park (you can choose a package that includes meals when booking, or purchase it separately). For those who don’t want to spend extra, you can still get close to the elephants and feel their gentle and adorable nature. (PS. Elephant riding across all of Bali has been completely banned since 2026.)

Mason Elephant Park Official Website

Mason Elephant Park Discounted Tickets

Want to plan your budget before you go? Bali Ticket Price List includes real-time reference prices for popular attractions across the site, making it easy to compare deals on Klook/Trip.com.

Day 3: Climbing Mount Batur

Photo credit: Chuang Ling Chun + online screenshots

I arranged for them to take a jeep up Mount Batur. It was a unique experience—no Taiwan tour packages offer anything like this. I highly recommend it to friends.

Mount Batur Jeep Off-Road + Hiking Tour

In the evening, we checked into the Oculus Bali hotel, where we enjoyed a stunning view of the volcanic lake from the window—truly refreshing.

Oculus Bali

▶ Oculus Bali Booking Link Trip Booking

Day 4: Exploring the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces (online image)

We headed out to visit the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces. While the drive was quite long, the scenery along the way was absolutely stunning. If you’re short on time or not a fan of long car rides, you might consider saving this for another trip.

Top-rated activity in the terrace area:

Central Bali Day Tour: Tegallalang Rice Terraces & Sacred Monkey Forest & Elephant Cave

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces Electric Bike Tour

Further reading:

2026 Ubud Complete Guide: 100 Ways to Discover Ubud’s Charm

In the evening, I checked them into Grün Canggu Garden. When I first spotted this place while booking, I was immediately drawn to its unique design. It feels like a treehouse: the first floor is the staircase, halfway up you’ll find the bathroom and toilet, the second floor is a small terrace, and the third floor is the bedroom. The room design is very open—aside from the enclosed bathroom and toilet, the rest of the space is open-air. Surrounded by trees and filled with the sounds of insects and birds, it truly makes you feel immersed in nature, letting you soak up the leisurely vibe of the vacation.

Grün Canggu Garden

This hotel offers a variety of room types. If you prefer this three-story layout, be sure to select it when booking.

▶Book Grün Canggu Garden

Day 5: A Luxurious Final Night

Since we arranged a villa for their last night, we wanted to check in early. That day, we had the guide Ani take them on a simple visit to Tanah Lot Temple and pick up some local souvenirs.

Tanah Lot Temple. Photo by Chuang Ling Chun

I chose New Pondok Sara Villas in Seminyak mainly for its affordable price and the stylish furniture design in the rooms, which also looks great in photos. Despite the low cost, the environment didn’t compromise on quality. Plus, my mom discovered a small massage shop nearby with very reasonable rates—just 100k IDR for a one-hour full-body massage.

New Pondok Sara Villas

▶Book New Pondok Sara Villas Trip Booking

Day 6: Farewell to Bali

Since they had an afternoon flight back, my mom and her group went back to the same massage place from the day before at 10 AM for another session. Afterward, they returned to the villa and stayed until noon checkout.

They booked an airport transfer online in advance. The driver arrived early, and the price was reasonable.

▶Highly rated on Klook: Bali International Airport Transfer

The advantage of booking online is that you know the exact fare when you pay by card, so you don’t need to set aside cash—just spend all your Indonesian rupiah on the last day! Next time I come to Bali, I’ll definitely use this service again.

Afterword

1. If you like mangosteens, be sure to buy some. At the supermarket, 12 mangosteens cost only USD$3—cheap and delicious. My mom also asked the guide to take them to a street stall for durian; one durian was just USD$10. (Related article: Bali Mangosteen Season)
2. When traveling in Bali, you’ll often encounter traffic jams, and the roads aren’t great, so the estimated times on Google Maps are just for reference. (Related article: Don’t Trust Google Maps in Bali!)
3. My mom and her group were very satisfied with Ani’s service, so on the last day, they gave her and her husband a little extra tip. They also tipped the luggage handlers and massage staff as a thank-you. (Related article: Should You Tip in Bali? How Much? Tipping Guide for Various Occasions)
4. When getting into the car, they asked the driver-guide to take them to exchange money, and he brought them to a trustworthy place. (Related article: Currency Exchange Guide for Independent Travelers)
5. Locally, a SIM card costs USD$19 for 18GB of data, while a 5GB roaming plan costs USD$16. I recommend using roaming, since my mom didn’t need to look up much during the trip, and most hotels offer free Wi-Fi—5GB was more than enough. (Related article: Essential Bali Travel Guide: How to Get Internet/SIM Card in Bali?)

My mom’s verdict on this trip was that she had a blast—she really loved the joy of taking photos. She especially praised the hotels I picked, saying each one was unique and gave her plenty of chances to snap beautiful pictures. For her, as long as she can take lots of photos, it’s a wonderful journey.

She felt that missing the sunset at Uluwatu Temple was a big regret! But after trying the swing in Ubud, her friends all complimented her photos.

The private car tour in Bali made her feel free and convenient, and the price was very reasonable. The only downside was the food—she didn’t care for Bali’s heavy flavors and wished there were more options with less oil and salt.

This Bali trip was full of surprises and wonderful memories, whether visiting temples, climbing volcanoes, or getting up close with elephants—every moment was unforgettable. I hope my mom’s travelogue can offer some tips and inspiration for those planning a trip to Bali, and I look forward to stepping foot on this paradise island again.

A Guide to Traveling to Bali with Elderly Parents:

• Episode 1: Bali Travel Guide for Seniors – Safety, Comfort, and Tips
• Episode 2: The Ultimate Guide to Senior-Friendly Destinations in Bali
• Episode 3: The Quirky Behaviors of Elderly Parents!? Traveling Abroad with Them Can Be a Double-Edged Sword

Did you find Ling Chun’s itinerary for her mom impressive? Start planning your own Bali trip now! Feel free to share your itinerary in the community group as well.

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