Niloy’s Bali Break: A Picture-Perfect Family Getaway with Thrillophilia
It started over a plate of idlis and a lazy Sunday morning in Hyderabad. I was browsing destinations with one hand and holding a coffee mug in the other when my daughter peeked over my shoulder.
“Papa, that one!” she said while pointing to a sun-drenched photo of Bali. “I saw that beach on YouTube. Can we go there?”
I laughed. “You even know where Bali is?”
“Of course,” she said proudly. “It is the place with big swings, temples in the clouds, and... dragons?”
Close enough.
What followed was a lighthearted family adventure to Bali, where our daughter led the spirit of the journey.
Touchdown and the Coconut Welcome
We landed at Denpasar Airport in the afternoon, exhausted but filled with curiosity. Thrillophilia had already arranged our airport pickup, and within an hour, we were gliding through the vibrant streets toward our villa.
Our daughter immediately declared the villa “magical” after spotting a floating breakfast set up in the pool and the giant bathtub she said was “for royal bubble baths only.” My wife and I exchanged a look that said, “This is already worth it”.
That evening, we stayed in and eased into island time. Our daughter made us promise two things before bedtime: one, that we would let her carry the mini travel diary she brought from home, and two, that she could lead “at least one adventure.”
Fair deal.
Chasing Sunlight Through Bali’s Sacred East
We were up by 6 am the next morning and got ready for our big day. Our friendly and punctual driver greeted us with a smile and a bottle of chilled water for our daughter, earning himself the title of “Best Grown-Up Friend” from her.
Our first stop was the Lempuyang Temple, which was known worldwide as the ‘Gates of Heaven’. The line for photos was long, but worth it. Dressed in a bright yellow dress, our daughter stood between the iconic stone pillars with her arms stretched wide. “I am the Queen of the Sky!” she shouted.
Next, we visited the dreamy Tirta Gangga Water Palace, where we hopped along koi-filled ponds, followed by Black Sand Beach.
The last visit of the day was to the Goa Lawah Temple, which was home to hundreds of bats hanging above the sacred cave. Our daughter was both terrified and fascinated. “Are they watching us?” she whispered. Possibly. Either way, she remembered that temple better than any other.
The Nusa Penida Challenge
The third day was my daughter’s self-declared “adventure challenge.” We woke up early for the Nusa Penida West Tour and took a fast boat from the mainland.
Our first stop was Kelingking Beach, with its iconic cliff shaped like a T-Rex. “Look, it is a dinosaur island!” she exclaimed. The viewing point left us all speechless as we saw Bali’s wild beauty at its rawest.
At Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach, we soaked in the surreal geography and took way too many selfies. She turned into our group’s chief photographer with my phone, occasionally cutting off our heads in the frame, but always capturing the fun.
Bubu Beach was the perfect close to the day. She finally got to splash around in turquoise waters while my wife and I rested under palm trees and were grateful for unplanned and spontaneous moments like this.
Underwater Wonders and Candlelit Dinner
Day four of our Bali journey was more relaxed. After a short snorkelling session at the Nusa Penida harbour, we returned to Bali via fast boat and checked into a hotel near Jimbaran Beach.
That evening, Thrillophilia surprised us with a romantic candlelight dinner by the sea. With soft waves lapping near our feet, we got a rare moment of quiet connection while our daughter played nearby with seashells. My wife leaned over and whispered, “She is growing up fast, isn’t she?”
I nodded. It hit me how fast these moments pass and how rare it is to have uninterrupted time together.
The next day, we all geared up for some adrenaline: Scuba diving, jet skiing, and parasailing at Benoa Beach. Since our daughter was too young for diving, she still got a kick from watching us gear up. She cheered from the sidelines like we were on a game show. “Mama wins for the biggest splash!”
After the water adventure, we visited the tall Garuda Vishnu Temple, where she insisted we stand for a family photo beneath the statue’s shadow. “This is the protector of Bali,” she explained solemnly. “So now, we are protected too.”
Sunsets, Swings, and Silly Laughter
On Day 6, we visited Padang Padang Beach and Seminyak, before heading to Uluwatu for the breathtaking Kecak Fire Dance performance.
The next day was packed with Kintamani, Coffee Plantations, Tegalalang Rice Terraces, Tegenungan Waterfall, and of course, the famous Bali Jungle Swing. Our daughter had been waiting for this one.
As I strapped in for the swing, she cheered: “Fly, Papa, fly like a coconut in the wind!” Thanks, kid.
We ended the day with a local Balinese lunch that was served in a cosy setup by the jungle.
Spa Day and Sweet Goodbyes
On our final full day, we did absolutely nothing, except for a two-hour Balinese massage (thanks again, Thrillophilia) and a relaxing floating breakfast. We lounged around and let the week’s stories settle.
Our daughter spent her time sketching temples, beaches, and a very funny version of me falling off a swing. I asked her what she would name her drawing book.
“The Bali Book of Big Smiles,” she replied.
That night, we packed up for our flight home. As we rode to the airport, our daughter sat between us with her travel diary.
“Papa, next time, can we go to a mountain with snow?”
I smiled, “Only if you promise to be our adventure captain again.”
“Deal.”
Read More: Thrillophilia Bali Reviews