(‘GO’ stands for ‘Gentil Organisateur’. They are the ambassadors of Club Med. Led by the Resort Village Chief (‘Chief de Village’), they are the international staff who would personally attend to the needs of the Guests, run activities while still being able to jive, act, play sports and do amazing acrobatic skills each and every day. They are the essence and pillars of Club Med.

Dear GOs,

My apologies. This letter is long overdue. 2 years to be exact since our very first Club Med experience in Bintan. It’s due to my propensity to procrastinate during holidays and being overwhelmed by the unpacking upon return. But this time, I’m making sure it won’t happen again.

We’ve just returned from our 2nd Club Med holidays and this time we were at Bali. Before we departed Bali this morning, we had made sure that our daughter Dana spend some time personally thanking each of the GOs who cared for her during our 4-night stay. In fact, the farewells started since last night during the Kid’s Club’s BBQ by the Beach. We knew, from experience, that it would not be easy as my daughter would have grown quite attached to you all. We were right.

Group shot with the GOs and kids from the Club Med Bali.

How could she not been so attached to her ‘teachers’ like Win, Emma, Godlief, Gita and Geril among others who, though have just spent 4 days with her, engaged and enriched her through giving her all these wonderfully unique experiences. From sandcastles to the acrobatic lessons, snorkeling, kayaking, beach movie nights, rehearsals for performances and who can forget, the flying trapeze! You guys were tireless and able to joke, smile, dance and have fun with her and her other Mini Club friends. When night falls, you take on a different roles – performing circus acts, hilarious comedies and leading the entire resort in crazy sign dance routines which we have come to love. You guys are simply amazing! How do you all do it? I guess the answer can only be ‘Passion’.

Night entertainment by the Kids Club, costumes and all!

Working as a GO is not child’s play, literally. As we walk around observing how things are run, we could see from afar how each of you paid very close attention to the children under your care. Making sure they walk in line, stay close together, take their shower, dress-up properly, eat the right food (love those colour-coded food trays !) and of course participate in activities safely while having the ball of a time.

Meal times can be fun times too!

Teaching the children how to eat a balanced meal with the colour-coded trays…

Rest, Recharge and Reboot…

Like most guests, I’ve taken tons of photos but if there’s one that stood out for me, it would be one where little colourful pails with colourful play tools stacked neatly inside and lined up neatly on the beach ready for the kids’ sand castle building session. That to me epitomizes the Club Med’s GO spirit – that you do even the simplest tasks with perfection so that even the youngest guests can have the best time of our lives. It would be easier to put all the toys in a large basket and let the kids help themselves but no, your standards are much higher. When the kids arrived, I stood and watched as you patiently taught them how to design, build and decorate! Sandcastles – an activity which you could have just leave the kids alone to play but no, your standards are higher. It is this very standard that has allowed the many guests to entrust their children, from toddlers to teens, to the Club Med Kids Club‘s care each day so that we can explore the resort on our own, spend some quality couple time together, pursue other interests knowing full well that our kids are safe and enjoying themselves, learning something and making new friends.

A beautiful day on the beach!

Building sandcastles the Balinese-way…

Parent-child relay on the coconut grove…

Daddies join in the fun!

Is Club Med fun? Oh, yeah!

In the day, the kids enjoyed picnic on the coconut grove…

At night, they had Movie and BBQ by the beach!

Despite the fact that all of you come from different nationalities, you work amazingly well as a team, each supporting one another. At this point, I would also like to mention the other GOs that were outstanding. Nicholas from the Deck restaurant – making sure things go right from the sauce to the salmon, from the sofas to the soups. Great attention to details and we miss our conversations already! The Circus team led by Ben and includes Misaki and Jeff. Our daughter loved the trapeze and you guys always made sure she was safe while swinging around. Thanks also for giving me a chance to perform some simple acts with her. Amazing! Jaya, the GO at the Water sports club, thanks for patiently teaching my wife how to snorkel in the waters of the Indian Ocean and Jeff, for coaching us the fine art of archery. The resort may be inviting, food alluring and activities aplenty but it is the GOs who had us dreaming of the next Club Med vacation even before we leave this one!

The single most popular activity of all – The Flying Trapeze!

She first did it when she was 4. Now she’s 6 and still raring to go again…

Ready, Set…

FLY!

Intrepid…

Spot the girl…

With Jeff, the Circus team instructor from Mauritius (where we had our Honeymoon)!

After the Trapeze, she had so much fun on the Mega Bounce!

With Ben, the Circus team instructor from USA.

I would also like to make a note of appreciation to the GOs at Club Med Bintan who gave us our first awesome Club Med experience back in 2012. You have a special place in our hearts.

We were told the GOs are rotated yearly and you may not know which Club Med you would be heading next. But we would like you to know that in the short few days when our paths crossed, you have left your positive footprints. Especially in the life of a young girl – you have given her the experience and confidence which she will remember for a long time. For that, I say to all of you, from the bottom of our hearts “Merci Beaucoup”. Till we meet again at the next Club Med.

Parent-Child Tug-of-War and the kids won (with the GOs on their side)!

With Win, one of our Favourite GOs from Club Med Bali. He came to send us off even though it was his ‘off’ day…So sweet of him.

With Gita, the Kids’ Fav GO. We first met him in Bintan and happy to reunite with him in Bali.

With Godlief, a very dedicated Kids’ Club GO from Taiwan.

Club Med Kids’ Club – Fun, Discovery and Creativity.  We’ll be back!

Disclaimer: Our experience was partially sponsored by Club Med Bali for the purpose of this review. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions and photos are, as usual, ours.  All photos taken using the Nikon D750 with the 24-120 F4 Lens.