Travelling with multi-generational families anywhere in the world poses its challenges, add in a teenager, combined with their first visit to the destination and the pressure is on to ensure everyone has a trip to remember.

Returning with my parents to Bali, this time taking along my 19-year-old niece Mia on her first trip to the Island of the Gods – this was a trip we’d all been looking forward to. Staying in the fun, touristy Seminyak there was plenty of beach & pool time, shopping and dining to keep us all happy. My challenge was how to showcase some of the beautiful and uniquely Balinese culture in a way that would speak to a young adult and help her see there’s more to this place that calls me back time after time.

Discova’s Instagram tour seemed like the perfect option – until I realised the pick-up time is 3 am! As neither of us are remotely morning people, I negotiated this back to 4 am and after prepping our outfits, setting multiple alarms and going to bed early we hoped for the best.

Under the cover of darkness we departed our resort, travelling through the almost unrecognisable, deserted streets of Seminyak and deep into the countryside heading to the north of the island for our first destination Lempuyang Temple.

Arriving two hours later as the sun was coming up, our tickets were purchased by our fabulous guide Rani, and we selected sarongs to ensure we were suitably dressed to enter the temple. Jumping on one of the many buses that ferry visitors up the hill we took the opportunity to have some photos taken on the rooftop of an enterprising restaurant overlooking the valley across to Mount Agung, the active volcano that was just peeking through the early morning mist.

Feeling somewhat self-conscious, we were lucky to have Rani and our photographer Dimesh to put us at ease, demonstrating poses and making us laugh, which resulted in some natural and candid photos with the spectacular backdrop doing all the heavy lifting.

After a short walk further up the hill and a purifying blessing, we entered the temple itself and saw the famed ‘Heaven’s Gate’. Our ticket number was 67 and we quickly realised why the early start is necessary as number 6 was only just being called forward for their photo shoot. Unfazed, Rani and Dimesh found a couple of spots where we could practice our newly found posing skills and kept us plied with yummy local snacks.

Finally, it was our turn and the local team coordinating the queuing system took my phone and proceeded to engage in some very clever camera trickery – I won’t spoil it for anyone, but the end results were magical!

Satisfied with our poses and photos, it was time to head to the Tirtaa Ganga Water Palace for a hard-earned breakfast, and you guessed it some more posing. The spacious, lush gardens of this former royal palace are laced with waterways filled with golden carp and armed with some fish food we soon proved very popular.

Our last stop was stunning Virgin Beach for a long, refreshing swim in the clearest of water. This protected bay offers sunbeds in the shade for the weary and a chance to experience an almost deserted beach to yourself – and of course more photos.

Whilst the early start and travel times make for a long day, it’s 100% worth it. Not only do we have some great Facebook, Insta, Tik Tok and Snapchat photos, best of all Mia experienced the true beauty of Bali and its totally unique culture.

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