Bali with a (just) 4 yr old...advice please

My brother is getting married in Bali in November.
My partner, myself and DS (and heaps of family) are all going, group booked flight, accommodation etc.
My mum and dad have said that they want to look after DS and my (7yo) nephew to give the "big kids" (us) a holiday.
we have had ds on planes before, but he was a lot younger, not so much worried about the plane ride as we are about his "running away"
we are looking into getting a child restraint/tether/ leash type thing... I've never been a fan of them, have managed up till now, but i'm worried about him running away where we dont know the area, or anyone, in a foreign country!!:o

I like the idea of the backpack type ones I have seen on ebay etc.. but it looks like the buckles all do up at the front, DS would have them undone and be off in seconds if that is the case. (this is the kid who worked out how to undo a gate lock at 18months)

The wrist straps look ok too, but again, its just velcro straps, he would have it off, quickly..

does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? DS is afraid of nothing! he will not happily hold hands, will not be restrained in a stroller (undoes the clips and jumps after a tantrum that you even dare put him in there)

Thank you :)

i don't know hon. Our boys have been to Bali three times. The first time was before DS2 was 2, and the last time the boys were probably about 4 and 5. We've never had a problem with them there. They are mostly pretty good at staying with us anyway but they totally got that in that less safe environment it was more important. When you see the quality (or lack thereof) of footpaths you walk on, I think even the kids realise that it's important to be careful. Plus the locals loved reaching out to touch their hair etc as they are little blondies and they hated that, so they wouldn't go too far from us to try and stop that. I'm not much help though because I've been lucky that neither have ever really been runners.

We didn't have any issues with our two (aged 4 and 2.5 at the time). They got a lot of attention from the locals which I think made them very wary. But they are not runners normally so not sure I'm much help either? Agree that the footpaths are not great in some areas and we saw quite a few people struggling with strollers and getting stuck in potholes.

My DD can undo baby gates, but isn't strong enough to undo the chest strap on her backpack. not sure if a 4 year old might be able to though. However, she fights having the strap done up and so we have never actually used it as a restraint.

How do you handle him running away currently?

Maybe there will be so many things for him to look at that he will be happy to walk beside you just looking in awe??

Thanks for your replies, I wish my boy wasn't a runner!

Hoti~ LOL, how do I handle it? I don't, very well! most times, for eg, in the supermarket he will only run so far as the in/out gates, then hold the gates open for people. Thinks its hilarious, but I can always see where he is (I now only go to the closest check outs) I will usually put him kicking and screaming into the trolley so he cant run away in the shop, I've tried explaining to him, bargaining with him...he just doesnt get it.

Most times leaving the shopping centre, I have shopping bags etc, try to make him hold my hand and he will either a) pitch a fit, kicking screaming etc or b) drop to the ground and "play dead" in both cases I put the shopping down, pick him up and throw him over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes and grab my shopping, then go to the car... while putting him in his seat I will explain for the umpteenth time why he needs to hold my hand, why that behaviour is not on .... does my head in...but anyways...

Like I said, my parents want to have him most of the time, but they also will be looking after my 7yo nephew (who is quite a handful by himself) so I'm just worried they wont be able to cope going anywhere and will be stuck at the hotel...but then again, he is more than likely much better behaved when with his beloved JOJO and Papa ...