We're trying to figure out which islands to focus on for a six-week trip in July and August with our three children, aged 8, 5 and 2. It's hard to figure out what is possible with kids and what is out because it requires a day-long hike or similar.
We won't be giving our kids any vaccines and I don't think we'll want to take anti-malarial drugs, so that will restrict us.
Some time in Bali seems like a no-brainer. I've read about cruises of about a week from there on small boats to go to Komodo and such and those seem like a good option for us, minimizing travel hassles and the need to carry a lot of stuff.
When I read about Java (which I haven't done in depth) I see fewer things jumping out at me as similarly suitable for our group. I'm imagining more long bus rides and destinations where more stuff is unavailable to us because of the physical demands of the activity. But I could be off-base. There's so much to read just to choose which areas to focus on, and then so much more to read to get things booked. We feel less comfortable just turning up and winging it than we did for similar destinations before we had kids.
Any suggestions will be gratefully received. I'm particularly looking for ideas that will allow us to incorporate our transport into our activity, like river boat cruises or train journeys or something where you hire a driver to take you somewhere that you couldn't otherwise go -- that sort of thing, allowing us to avoid interminable bus trips and lots of waiting and carrying backpacks in the heat.
Note that my kids are generally up for a challenge, so walking is fine, but walking with all our luggage isn't. I'll be carrying the youngest one. Our budget is reasonably generous.
Thank you!
Sarah
