SCHOOL holidays have arrived, and two brothers, Kiki (7 years old) and Dio (5 years old), jumped with excitement when their parents announced their vacation destination: Bali! In Kiki’s mind, Bali was all white sandy beaches, waves to chase, and maybe a large swimming pool at the hotel. Dio, with all his imagination, was already picturing playing in the sand and building giant castles.
Upon arriving at the hotel in the Sanur area, the sun was warm. Kiki was immediately drawn to the bustling Kids’ Club area. “Mom, Dad, can we play there?” he asked hopefully. Mom smiled. “Sure, but let’s just check it out first.”
The next morning, after they had had their fill of swimming and building sandcastles that repeatedly collapsed, Mom took them to the Kids’ Club. There, a guide named Sis Wayan greeted them warmly. “Hello, little ones! Ready for an adventure today?” Sis Wayan greeted them with a big smile.
Kiki and Dio nodded enthusiastically. They initially expected a plethora of modern toys, but their eyes were drawn to several local children engrossed in something they had never seen before. One of them was a gangsing, a large wooden spinning top that spun for a very long time on the ground. Other children were trying to fly a small bebean kite, a traditional Balinese fish-shaped kite.
“What’s that, Sis?” Dio asked curiously, pointing to the spinning top.
Wayan explained, “That’s called a gangsing, Dio. It’s a traditional Balinese game. Come on, I’ll teach you!”
Wayan took out two small gangsing that had been modified to make them easier for children to play. Patiently, she showed them how to wind the string and throw them to make them spin. Kiki and Dio tried several times, but at first theirs just wobbled and then fell. But they didn’t give up. After several tries, Kiki’s gangsing finally spun steadily, followed by Dio’s shortly after. Laughter erupted among them. It was so much more fun than playing video games!
That afternoon, Wayan introduced another game: Making Sand Castle. “Hey, aspiring little architects! Who’s ready to build a masterpiece by the beach today? Kiki and Dio, through our Kids Club, we’ll have fun building the sandcastles of your dreams! From majestic towers to secret moats, you can make it all happen. Come join us and let your imagination run wild!” invited Wayan to them.
During their few days in Bali, Kiki and Dio didn’t just enjoy the beach and pool. They spent most of their time at the Kids’ Club, learning more traditional Balinese games. They learned how to weave simple palm leaf weaves, played Gelahang Jukut (a guessing game with songs), and even tried dancing the graceful basic movements of the Pendet Dance with the other children. Sis Wayan was always patient and told a little story behind each game, making Kiki and Dio fall even more in love with Balinese culture.
Mom and Dad often smiled as they watched Kiki and Dio play outside more often, laughing happily without gadgets. These traditional games proved to improve their motor skills, teach patience, practice strategy, and most importantly, strengthen bonds of friendship with new friends from various countries who also participated in the Kids’ Club. They also learned the values of sharing and sportsmanship.
When it was time to go home, Kiki and Dio felt a little sad to leave Bali. But they brought home more than just souvenirs. They brought with them valuable experiences, new insights into Balinese culture, and unforgettable memories of laughter as their tops spun, and the thrill of carving strategies on the Mepacakan Balingbing board. Their fun vacation on the Island of the Gods was truly an exciting adventure that opened their eyes to a world of play far richer than they had imagined. (*)
