- What was destined to be an epic trip to Bali with 18 of my family members became a disaster.
- We should have known that it would not work when it took six months to agree on the accommodations.
- I will keep the international holidays for my immediate family from five from now on.
The idea of an epic holiday abroad with my family was pleasant in theory, but a nightmare actually, and if I had my time again, I would probably not register for it.
The nightmare began in 2022 when my extended family decided to vacation in Bali, Indonesia, For Christmas.
In general, we met in Gold Coast every two years in Queensland, Australia, where I grew up, but this time, we wanted to try elsewhere.
My immediate family and I had been in Bali before and we knew what to expect, but we had no idea how different the experience with 18 people from five families would be.
The problem began before we got on a plane
Reading accommodation was a complete fiasco and should have been a red flag.
Some people wanted resort -style accommodation with all bells and whistles: clubs for children, bathing bars and other western comforts. Others liked the idea of a more authentic and economical accommodation with a Balinese sensation.
He took six months and many disputes in our family WhatsApp group to settle for a commitment: we would stay in three different hotels during our 12 nights in Bali. Moving from one place to another was not ideal, but it meant that everyone felt that their needs were being met.
Going on where to eat made me want to hide in my room and ask for room service
I have been around the world with my family. Courtesy of Melissa Noble
Everyone was excited when the big day arrived, and we all landed at Denpasar International Airport. The youngest family member, our daughter, was 4 months old. The oldest member, my dad, was 78 years old.
However, the emotion quickly dissipated in the first resource. Some family members wanted an affordable vacation, while others were ready to waste food, drinks and entertainment without concern for cost.
The meal time was particularly exhausting. Family members with more effective to splash preferred to eat in our resort or restaurants in more expensive areas such as Seminyak, known for their luxury hotels and high -end stores and restaurants.
While those with a tight budget suggested dinner in a local Warung, a small traditional Balinés restaurant, usually decorated with simple chairs and plastic tables, offering cheap and tasty food.
The night debates about where to eat created an unnecessary tension, and wanted to hide in my room and order the room service.
I did not anticipate the discomfort of all Christmas gifts.
Directing gifts at home was a fight. Courtesy of Melissa Noble
The holidays during the festive season also created a logistics nightmare.
With five families that celebrate Christmas, we exchange many gifts.
Entering the gifts there and bringing them home proved to be a challenge, and we sent things back to Australia with my friends (who live in another state) because we could not fit everything in our two suitcases.
Gifts are still accumulating dust in my parents’ house.
The worst of that was about
All those discomfort paled compared to digestive problems, also known as Bali Belly, which affected almost the entire group.
He started with my dad, who fell on day three with vomiting and diarrhea, and then took 15 of the 18 of us. Every night, we made bets on who would go next.
For Christmas eve, we previously paid for a luxurious seafood buffet dinner at Hotel No. 2, The Holiday Inn in Nusa Dua. That night, my husband began to experience gastrographic symptoms and it is not necessary to say that the eve of Christmas was not what we expected.
For Christmas Day, our 4 -month -old daughter had begun to vomit projectile next to the pool; Then I woke up feeling horrible on boxing day.
I remember that I brushed my teeth when I thought I had overcome the worst, letting a little gas out and then looking at my husband with horror because I had left more than just gas. That was a real low point.
When it was time to go home, I was ready for a real vacation with real peace and tranquility.
I think that next time, we will keep the great family gatherings in my parents’ house in Queensland and leave international holidays to our five family.
