Bali Trip Advice/Opinions Wanted

A

Aussie_Tapir

New Member
Hi all, I'm seeking some advice/thoughts on a potential family trip to Bali I might be embarking on this April. It wouldn't be for long (~a week), and for the most part would be at a resort in the South of the island. Below are the few things swaying me either way, and I was wondering if anyone could do me a favour and read through it and help me make my decision :)

I am extremely emetophobic. Even just the thought of throwing up can trigger anxiety, which leads to me feeling sick, and then being more anxious, in a vicious cycle. Every time I throw up not only do I feel awful at the time, but I remember all the details from the time and am hesitant to repeat any of it again, for fear of the same thing happening (not eating the food I ate prior, not watching a certain TV program, feeling more anxious on the day of the last occurrence (e.g. every Wednesday feeling a tad more anxious in general)). As such, Bali is probably not the best travel destination for me, and even if I did go and wasn't sick, I'd likely be paranoid and anxious the whole time, which would be draining and not fun for those around me. For this reason, I'd much rather just stay home, and not risk such a thing happening.

On the other hand (here's the Zoo-related bit), I've done some research and have discovered the Bali Safari, as well as Bali Bird Park, both of which seem not too bad welfare-wise and home to loads of species I've never seen before, and might not get the opportunity to see anytime soon. I've never travelled to Asia, and don't plan on going (besides maybe Singapore), and this could be my only chance to see wild muntjac, crab-eating macaques, and various other wildlife native to the area. Part of me does still want to go, to both be with the family, but also hopefully see some amazing and unique species for the first time. Are those two zoos worth seeing? Would I be better off waiting until possibly going to Singapore to see most of those species? Are there any animals I won't be able to see anywhere else?

Finally, I've started doing some research into Travel Bug and similar medications to help protect against Bali Belly, and was wondering if anyone knew if they actually worked and were worth looking into.

Thanks for reading, and I welcome and appreciate all and any feedback or advice people might have.
 
As a reminder, I've never been to Bali so my advice are mostly from what I could gather from an outside perspective. So, please always find another tips and advices, though I'm still willing to help :)

Aussie_Tapir said:
Are those two zoos worth seeing? Would I be better off waiting until possibly going to Singapore to see most of those species? Are there any animals I won't be able to see anywhere else?
Click to expand...
When finding these questions about Indonesian zoos, I always ask what are your imperatives? Is it seeking new species? Wanting to see a good-quality zoo?

It seems like you're looking for a new species. In Bali Safari & Marine Park, the have Javan leopard, Sunda pangolin, proboscis monkey, North Sulawesi babirusa, lesser bird-of-paradise. If you'll only be visiting Bali in Indonesia, this is one of the places in Bali where you'll be able to see them. Additionaly, as their name suggest, Bali Safari has recently opened a new aquarium/marine park, so I hope you'll find that interesting.

With Bali Bird Park, my only tips is that they generally have a very robust collection of native birds that other fellow ZC users enjoyed. From the latest pictures available, you'll be lucky to see;
  • Oriental darter
  • Maleo
  • Javan hawk-eagle
  • Brown wood-owl
  • Sunda scops owl
  • Knobbed hornbill
  • Sulawesi hornbill
  • Pesquet's parrot
  • Javan kingfisher
  • Greater coucal
  • Collared kingfisher
  • Greater bird-of-paradise
  • Lesser bird-of-paradise (Again)
  • Red bird-of-paradise
  • King bird-of-paradise
  • Asian koel
  • Common green magpie
  • Hair-crested drongo
  • Chestnut-capped laughingthrush
They might or might not still have the Sumba hornbill, though from someone that visited the facility in August, its not present. So, I wouldn't expect seeing that species there.

Aussie_Tapir said:
I am extremely emetophobic. Even just the thought of throwing up can trigger anxiety, which leads to me feeling sick, and then being more anxious, in a vicious cycle. Every time I throw up not only do I feel awful at the time, but I remember all the details from the time and am hesitant to repeat any of it again, for fear of the same thing happening (not eating the food I ate prior, not watching a certain TV program, feeling more anxious on the day of the last occurrence (e.g. every Wednesday feeling a tad more anxious in general)). As such, Bali is probably not the best travel destination for me, and even if I did go and wasn't sick, I'd likely be paranoid and anxious the whole time, which would be draining and not fun for those around me. For this reason, I'd much rather just stay home, and not risk such a thing happening.
Click to expand...
My advice for this is to seek for professional/medical recommendation, advices, and such if you do planned to go. If you have foods or other experiences that you need to avoid, don't force yourself to go to those places there.
 
@Aussie_Tapir I have been to Bali about 15 times. Where about are you staying in the south of the island, what hotel, or which ones are you looking at. I can give you some great restaurants that I always eat at. I also get anxious when eating, however these places always are of the upmost sanitary.
On the top of zoos, I have been to the Bali safari and marine park about 5 times and I am going back in June for the marine and rainforest trail. It is one of the best zoos I have been to and would highly reccomed. Although I would speek to a medical professional for advice. If you are worried about getting sick I would recommend taking pre biotics 2 weeks before you go, then before every meek take travelean which can prevent Bali belly very well. If you have any more questions please send me a private message
 
Rizz Carlton said:
As a reminder, I've never been to Bali so my advice are mostly from what I could gather from an outside perspective. So, please always find another tips and advices, though I'm still willing to help :)


When finding these questions about Indonesian zoos, I always ask what are your imperatives? Is it seeking new species? Wanting to see a good-quality zoo?

It seems like you're looking for a new species. In Bali Safari & Marine Park, the have Javan leopard, Sunda pangolin, proboscis monkey, North Sulawesi babirusa, lesser bird-of-paradise. If you'll only be visiting Bali in Indonesia, this is one of the places in Bali where you'll be able to see them. Additionaly, as their name suggest, Bali Safari has recently opened a new aquarium/marine park, so I hope you'll find that interesting.

With Bali Bird Park, my only tips is that they generally have a very robust collection of native birds that other fellow ZC users enjoyed. From the latest pictures available, you'll be lucky to see;
  • Oriental darter
  • Maleo
  • Javan hawk-eagle
  • Brown wood-owl
  • Sunda scops owl
  • Knobbed hornbill
  • Sulawesi hornbill
  • Pesquet's parrot
  • Javan kingfisher
  • Greater coucal
  • Collared kingfisher
  • Greater bird-of-paradise
  • Lesser bird-of-paradise (Again)
  • Red bird-of-paradise
  • King bird-of-paradise
  • Asian koel
  • Common green magpie
  • Hair-crested drongo
  • Chestnut-capped laughingthrush
They might or might not still have the Sumba hornbill, though from someone that visited the facility in August, its not present. So, I wouldn't expect seeing that species there.


My advice for this is to seek for professional/medical recommendation, advices, and such if you do planned to go. If you have foods or other experiences that you need to avoid, don't force yourself to go to those places there.
Click to expand...

austrlain zoo gower said:
@Aussie_Tapir I have been to Bali about 15 times. Where about are you staying in the south of the island, what hotel, or which ones are you looking at. I can give you some great restaurants that I always eat at. I also get anxious when eating, however these places always are of the upmost sanitary.
On the top of zoos, I have been to the Bali safari and marine park about 5 times and I am going back in June for the marine and rainforest trail. It is one of the best zoos I have been to and would highly reccomed. Although I would speek to a medical professional for advice. If you are worried about getting sick I would recommend taking pre biotics 2 weeks before you go, then before every meek take travelean which can prevent Bali belly very well. If you have any more questions please send me a private message
Click to expand...

Thank you both for your responses :)

@austrlain zoo gower I can't seem to figure out how to pm, so would you be able to please pm me? I'll let you know where we'll likely be staying, and I've got another question or two about the safari and island.
 
I was in Bali 6 years ago and I went to 3 parks:

- Bali Bird Park
- Bali Reptile Park
- Bali Zoo

I liked all 3. Bali Reptile Park is opposite Bali Bird Park, it is small and has a good collection, it is worth it because it is also seen very quickly.

The Bali Bird Park has a large collection, with species that do not exist in European or American Parks. It isn't enormous and you can see it relatively quickly, although I recommend going slowly so as not to miss anything.

The Bali Zoo is not very big either and like the previous parks it has rare species. I also recommend visiting it.

I did not visit the safari or any Aquarium because I did'nt have time and I was going with friends, to visit the zoos I had to separate myself and go alone, so I only dedicated one day to these visits. I was able to see these three parks in a single day, using the entire day. I got a local to take me in his car, agreeing on a fair price and he spent the whole day with me taking me from one place to another.
 
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