The dream of an epic Bali getaway with 18 Family Members quickly devolved into a chaotic mess. Looking back, the six-month accommodation debate should have been a major red flag. From now on, international trips are strictly limited to my immediate family of five. The grand idea of a memorable overseas holiday with all my family members sounded wonderful in theory, but the reality was a far cry from paradise. If I could turn back time, I would definitely rethink signing up for this extended family adventure.
The seeds of disaster were sown back in 2022 when our extended family decided to spend Christmas in Bali, Indonesia. Usually, we gather every couple of years on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, my childhood home. However, this time, we aimed for something more exotic.
My immediate family had experienced Bali before and had realistic expectations. However, we were completely unprepared for how drastically different things would be with a group of 18 individuals from five distinct families.
Accommodation Chaos: The First Sign of Family Friction
Booking accommodations turned into an absolute fiasco, a clear indication of the troubles to come. The diverse preferences within our family members immediately surfaced.
Some envisioned a luxurious resort experience, complete with kid’s clubs, swim-up bars, and all the familiar comforts of Western hotels. Others in our family group leaned towards a more authentic and budget-conscious experience, seeking accommodation with a genuine Balinese ambiance.
It took a grueling six months of constant back-and-forth and considerable bickering within our family WhatsApp group just to reach a compromise. We eventually settled on a plan to stay in three different hotels throughout our 12-night Bali trip. While hopping between locations wasn’t ideal, it seemed like the only way to somewhat satisfy everyone’s varied desires within the large group of family members.
Mealtime Mayhem: When Family Dining Becomes a Battleground
The long-awaited day finally arrived, and all 18 of us touched down at Denpasar International Airport. Our youngest family member, our daughter, was just four months old, while the eldest, my dad, was 78. Excitement filled the air, but it was short-lived.
The initial cracks appeared at our first resort. Disparities in vacation styles among family members became immediately apparent. Some were focused on keeping costs down, while others were ready to indulge in lavish meals, drinks, and entertainment, unconcerned about the expense.
Meal times quickly devolved into a source of tension. The family members with more disposable income favored dining at our resort or exploring restaurants in upscale areas like Seminyak, renowned for its luxury hotels, high-end boutiques, and gourmet dining options.
Conversely, those watching their wallets advocated for meals at local warungs, small, traditional Balinese eateries. These warungs, typically furnished with simple plastic chairs and tables, offer delicious and budget-friendly local cuisine.
The nightly debates about where to eat became a constant source of stress, making me yearn to retreat to my room and order room service, far away from the family dining drama.
Christmas Gifts: An Unexpected Logistical Family Nightmare
Vacationing over the Christmas season introduced another layer of unexpected complications for our large family members group.
With five families celebrating Christmas together, the volume of gifts exchanged was substantial. Transporting these presents to Bali and then back home proved to be a significant challenge. We ended up sending a portion of our gifts back to Australia with my parents (who live in a different state) simply because we couldn’t fit everything into our two suitcases.
To this day, many of those Christmas gifts remain unopened and are still gathering dust at my parents’ house, a lasting reminder of the logistical gift-giving blunder.
Bali Belly: The Unwanted Family Souvenir
However, all these preceding issues paled in comparison to the widespread digestive problems, infamously known as Bali belly, that plagued almost our entire family members group.
It began with my dad, who fell ill on day three with severe vomiting and diarrhea. Subsequently, a staggering 15 out of the 18 of us succumbed to the dreaded Bali belly. Each evening, we started a morbid betting pool, guessing who would be the next family member to be struck down.
For Christmas Eve, we had pre-booked a lavish seafood buffet dinner at hotel number two, the Holiday Inn in Nusa Dua. That very night, my husband began displaying gastrointestinal symptoms. Needless to say, our Christmas Eve celebration was far from the festive occasion we had envisioned for our family members.
By Christmas Day, our four-month-old daughter started projectile vomiting by the pool. Then, on Boxing Day, I woke up feeling utterly dreadful myself.
I vividly recall brushing my teeth, thinking I was finally recovering, when I mistakenly let out a small bit of gas. To my horror, I realized it was far more than just gas. That was undoubtedly my lowest point of the entire family trip.
When departure day finally arrived, I was overwhelmingly ready for a genuine vacation, one filled with actual peace and tranquility, far from the chaos of traveling with so many family members.
In retrospect, it’s clear that large family get-togethers are best kept at my parents’ house in Queensland. As for international holidays, they are now exclusively reserved for my immediate family of five.
