By Carol Goddard

I love adventure holidays, usually in places which are exotic but quite challenging.

I've recently returned from my first visit to Bali, and can tell you honestly that this time I chose to unashamedly wallow in luxury.

For eight days, my greatest challenge was to decide which cocktail to choose, or whether I'd go snorkelling, or kayaking, a spot of archery perhaps, or trying out the circus trapeze.

Hubby and I joined our kids and grandkids on a spectacular short holiday to Club Med in Bali's Nusa Dua, and what made this trip so special was spending quality family time in a beautifully appointed resort, doing all the things we love.

Resort holidays are usually not "my thing", however, I hoped this was going to be a magical first-time experience for my little grandchildren. To see their faces light up with each new activity, to join in with their sheer fun was so delightful.

Being a kid again, for even a short while, is a great thing.

And so, in addition to lounging around on pool chairs sipping Margaritas, I joined in water aerobics, pool golf, archery, golf putting comps, and a formidable thing called a foam party.

This entailed all participants, mostly under 10 years of age except for three crazy grannies, being blasted with sudsy foam from a mini cannon, accompanied by onlooking staff hooting and making moves to the beat of some very loud oontz music - it was hilarious, exhausting, exhilarating and so much fun.

And all before lunch.Which leads me to describing the buffet.

At Club Med there is a choice of food venues, from an a la carte restaurant, to a food truck for in-between meal snacks, to an acre of buffet. I have never before seen such an enormous offering of food under one roof!

Every style, every nationality, every choice of delicious food was on offer and presented beautifully. How is it even possible to not gain weight on this holiday?

It's not, unless you stick to a plan of Everything in Moderation, and also, lots and lots of activity. And this is what we did.

Inside the resort, you can simply walk or jog through all the lush tropical gardens, itself a joy. You can play golf, tennis, racquetball, squash, swim in three pools - one of them child free, use the gym, immerse yourself in the spa, or take a massage.

You can do circus lessons and swing on a trapeze. Or loll on the beach, kayak, paddleboard, or sip drinks at the Beach Bar.

Outside the resort grounds, you can walk to markets, bars, little local eateries and sample all manner of street food. Or you can hire a motorbike, or a car, or take a bus to go on another adventure. Which is exactly what we did, all 12 of us.

Jimbaran, the place famous for amazing sunsets while eating seafood fresh from the ocean; serene temples, waterfalls with a zillion steps going down and then up, testing your calves and quads.

Kuta, Ubud, the rice terraces with touristy zip lines and giant swings, Kintamani, cool and volcanic, the cliffs and ocean of Ulawatu where the surf film Morning Of the Earth was made back in 1972 - they're all waiting for you.

All that is needed is patience with the traffic. Profound patience.

And then you're back at the resort for drinks at the bar, dinner, and, if you have any energy to spare, an evening show, or a late-night dance complete with strobe light accompaniment.

Oh, did I mention the themed garden parties?

Imagine magnificent tropical gardens edging the beach, dotted with palm trees. And scattered among the trees, white cloth-covered tables and chairs, set for a lavish meal. On one side a stage, on the other chefs manning serveries groaning with prawns, fish, shellfish, meats, cheeses, breads, salads, vegetables and desserts - all there under the night sky and twinkling fairy lights.

Waiters bring the drinks while you choose your food, and believe me, it's tough to make a choice.

Over an eight-day period there were three garden parties, with live music, trapeze and gymnastic acts, and on one special night a fabulous fireworks display. And we enjoyed every one of them.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and the last day of a holiday is always difficult. Like the rest of my family, I have a real fear of missing out and want to do everything all over again, never mind that we have a long, long day ahead, and a very late flight.

Some of us race back out onto the streets to haggle for more Bintang-labelled products; some of us stay at the beach or pool; some have a last go at archery or squash.

And then, miserable at the prospect of leaving, we all have our last swim and drinks before the mad scramble of packing and heading to the airport.

Back to work, back to school, and for me, most definitely back to planning our next family adventure.