Family Trip to Bali Turns Into a Holiday Nightmare

What was intended to be a memorable family reunion in Bali has turned into an experience fraught with disagreements and misadventures for one traveler and her extended family. Balancing the preferences of 18 family members from five different families proved to be a challenge, transforming what was meant to be an epic vacation into a series of frustrating encounters.

Planning the Trip to Bali

In 2022, excitement filled the air as the family decided to forgo their usual Christmas gathering on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, in favor of a trip to Bali, Indonesia. The hope was to create new memories in an exotic location. The author, who had previously visited Bali with her immediate family of five, was looking forward to sharing the experience with her extended family. However, the planning process quickly revealed how different the experience would be.

The first hints of trouble emerged during the six-month-long accommodation discussions. Family members expressed divergent preferences for their lodging — some favored luxurious resort-style accommodations complete with children’s clubs and swim-up bars, while others opted for budget-friendly options with an authentic Balinese atmosphere. After an extensive family debate via a WhatsApp group, the group reached a compromise to split their stay among three different hotels over the course of 12 nights. Although this decision aimed to accommodate everyone, the frequent moves added an extra layer of stress to the holiday.

Tensions Rise Over Meals

Upon arrival at Denpasar International Airport, the excitement was palpable. The group ranged from the eldest member, the author’s 78-year-old father, to the youngest, a mere four-month-old baby. However, the thrill soon began to dwindle at the first resort. The culinary disagreements escalated, causing frustration among family members. Some preferred the luxury of dining at the resort or high-end restaurants in the Seminyak area—known for its upscale offerings—while others sought out local warungs for a more affordable and culturally immersive meal.

The nightly debates about where to eat became a source of tension, leading the author to fantasize about retreating to her room for room service instead of facing yet another round of family disputes.

The Logistics of Christmas Gifting

Adding to the stress was the challenge of exchanging Christmas gifts among five families. The logistics of packing and transporting presents led to complications, with many gifts left behind in Australia and causing clutter in the family’s home. In an attempt to solve the issue, some presents were sent back with relatives from another state, but much remained untouched.

Health Issues Dampen Holiday Spirits

As if the logistical complications weren’t enough, nearly the entire family soon fell victim to "Bali belly." Starting with the author’s father on day three, the gastrointestinal issues quickly spread to 15 of the 18 family members, dramatically affecting their holiday plans.

An elaborate seafood buffet dinner was scheduled for Christmas Eve at the Holiday Inn in Nusa Dua, but as symptoms surfaced, the night did not go as planned. The following day, their four-month-old daughter suffered her own bout of illness at the pool, while the author herself succumbed to severe abdominal distress on Boxing Day.

Reflecting on the ordeal, she described a particularly low moment of realizing her condition had worsened unexpectedly while simply brushing her teeth—a moment far removed from the joy she had hoped for during the holidays.

Lessons Learned

As the trip came to an end, the author found herself yearning for a vacation filled with peace and tranquility, free from the chaos of family disagreements and health crises. Looking ahead, she concluded that future international travel would be best left for her immediate family of five, while family gatherings would return to the comforts of home in Queensland.

The Bali trip, while filled with hope for family bonding, serves as a cautionary tale of the challenges that come with large group travel and the inherent difficulties of merging diverse preferences in a shared experience.