On our recent Bali car journey, my 6-year-old son, Leonardo, and I made a memorable stop at the Banjar Hot Springs, located in the lush northern hills of Bali. Banjar Hot Springs, set amidst a beautiful tropical garden, offered us the perfect place to relax and have fun in its warm, sulphur-rich waters. Despite the warm weather, a cool breeze from the surrounding hills made the experience even more refreshing, and we truly enjoyed our day there. Kid-Friendly Sulphur Springs Banjar Hot Springs is perfect for kids, offering two shallow water pools where children can swim and splash safely. Leonardo was thrilled, spending hours swimming in the warm sulphur water, which has a pleasant temperature of 38°C. The two main pools are decorated with stone-carved Naga sculptures that spout water into the pools. In Hindu mythology, Nagas are often associated with water and are considered protectors of hidden treasures. These mystical touches added a magical element to the experience that both kids and adults can enjoy. The sulphur water, while having a slight eggy smell, is said to have healing properties, making it ideal for soothing skin ailments and muscle tension. Leonardo enjoyed the cascades of warm water from the Naga fountains, which created a natural, playful environment. Additionally, there is a third pool with three spouts that provide a natural massage, and while Leonardo played in the main pools, I took the opportunity to relax under one of these spouts. The Natural Setting and Amenities The hot springs are surrounded by tropical gardens, which provide a serene atmosphere for families to unwind. We found the blend of nature and Balinese culture captivating, especially with the beautifully carved Nagas surrounding the pools. After a swim, there’s also a restaurant on-site, perfect for grabbing a snack while soaking in the peaceful surroundings. Facilities like changing rooms and showers were available, making it easy to transition from the pools back to our Bali adventure. A Family-Friendly Experience in Northern Bali Whether you’re embarking on a road trip like we were or looking for a unique spot to unwind with your children, Banjar Hot Springs is a fantastic family-friendly destination. The pools are ideal for both swimming and relaxation, while the natural setting offers an escape from the busier parts of Bali. Leonardo and I had an unforgettable time here, and I highly recommend it for parents traveling with kids. Affordable and Family-Friendly With an entrance fee of just 45,000 IDR for adults (kids under 5 enter for free), Banjar Hot Springs is not only a fun experience but also an affordable one. We found the complex well-maintained and family-friendly, with ample parking space and convenient opening hours from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM every day. This made it easy to plan a stop during our Bali road trip, ensuring we had plenty of time to enjoy the springs. For more information or inquiries, you can reach out to info@banjarhotspring.co.id. Banjar Hot Springs was a welcome break from Bali’s tourist-heavy spots and has become one of our favorite discoveries on the island! Echo Bali Car Rental AsianItinerary drove around the island of Bali with a reliable car provided by Echo Bali Car Rental in Jalan Pantai Sentosa No 4,Canggu, Seminyak, Bali – You can contact Mr. Wayan Suyadnya – Tel: +62 87860131999  /  +62 85100151909 – FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/echobalicarrental – MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/m5fEDoZx8BSGfF3q7 – EMAIL: info@echobalicarrental.com Araminth Guest House and Spa Leonardo enjoys Araminth pool In Lovina, Asian Itinerary stayed at Araminth Guest House and Spa. Nestled along Damai Road, Araminth Guest House and Spa is a true haven of relaxation, and the perfect place to experience the true essence of Lovina‘s natural beauty and hospitality. LOCATION HERE For bookings and information, contact bali.araminth@gmail.com

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The drive downhill was a steep and nice affair of winding roads through local farming villages, until housing got denser and denser and I finally reached the town of Singaraja, the ancient capital of Bali in Dutch colonial times. The weather was hot and sticky, what a change from the freshness of the Bali mountains. From there, it was only a 15 minutes drive towards the tourist area of Lovina, where I checked in at the Lata Lama – a magnificent boutique resort located in the middle of the rice fields, a collection of 3 Java joglo houses with pool with 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms respectively, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of Lovina tourist scene and the traffic of the main road. I must say I really enjoyed my time there, I felt like a colonial attache’ relaxing and contemplating life in the tropics. For this reason I decided to just take it easy, put some order to my notes, do some writing and enjoy a couple of days at leisure. In the evening, after a great meal at Lovina’s vegetarian restaurant Akar Cafe’ vegetarian & vegan food – Jalan Pantai Binaria, 081936644190 – I booked one of the most popular activities in Lovina: a boat trip to watch dolphins. The morning alarm clock rung at 4am, and it was quite hard to get out of my comfortable bed, but dolphins awaited so I made my way to the beach, where our pick up boat was scheduled to arrive at 5. What a magnificent trip that was, read all about it HERE ! In the afternoon I took a drive along several of the small roads that take to the Singaraja hills and mountains, I visited Banjar Hot Springs and took a detour to a Buddhist Temple not far from the springs. On the way back, I had a great meal at one of the colourful and picturesque road stalls that dot Seririt town main street each evening. Needless to say, the menu is meat meat meat, with goat being one of the favourite food served. The morning after, I struggled through a big and earthy breakfast of muesli granola and natural yogurt, croissants butter and jam, boiled eggs and fruit, after which I said goodbye to my host Seger and his lovely staff at Lata Lama and drove west towards Bali Barat National Park. I passed the tourist coastal village of Pemuteran, with its restaurants and diving shops, and reached Labuan Lalang Pier, the starting points for the boat trips to Menjangan Island – about 30-40 US$ for a boat for 10-12 people, or about 8-10 US$ if you come alone and wait for a boat to fill up, guide is included. There I parked the car, refilled with a Bali coffee at one of the local joints, and joined one of the few boats that take the cruise to and around Menjangan, the island of deers. Back from the boat trip, I drove back east and made a quick stop at the Pura Pabean temple, in time to enjoy the sunset and also deal with insolent monkeys that came out to meet and greet me. I then continued to a fantastic peninsular area called Ume Anyar, where I spent the night at a Mayo Resort, a great resort with good character, and right on the beach. The pizza at their signature Bora Bora Restaurant was nice and crispy, the way Italians like it! TO BE CONTINUED… STAY TUNED ! A drive around Bali – Part 1 – the south A drive around Bali – Part 2 – Ubud, hills and mountains A drive around Bali – Part 3 – Bedugul lake and valley A drive around Bali – Part 4 – scenic Munduk A drive around Bali – Part 6 – the West coast The Toyota Agya was kindly supplied by Echo Bali Car Rental

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