We flew to Egypt on holiday when Charlie was 15 months old and I'm not going to say it was easy, but I don't regret it. The difficulties mainly lay in the fact that he was sick on the flight over, so cried for a lot of it, and vomited many times over the 2nd leg, and we had a 12 hour transit in Singapore, which was hell, but once we got to Egypt it was really good. There was a language barrier there too but we managed just fine, and Egypt is a lot less progressive than Japan as far as mod cons, so I reckon you'd find it easier than I had as far as getting around and getting what you need for bub. We look back on the holiday with incredible fondness and am so glad we went.
The flight back was easy peasy too with Charlie sleeping for almost all of the 11 hour flight from Cairo to Singapore, and most of the flight from Singapore to Perth, so it wasn't all bad news for the long haul flights. I was stubborn and didn't take something to help bub sleep, and if I had to do it again, I would definitely get something to bring along, but all in all, the flights there was the worst thing about the trip, and not as significant in the scheme of things now in hindsight.
I have been to a lot of places, and Japan remains one of my favourite. I lived there for a year and think it is a truly amazing place. There is so much beauty and culture - and don't get me started on the food - YUM!!
We took DD to Hawaii when she was 18 months old and had a blast. She took 12 flights in 10 days including all the small interisland flights. Longhaul was from Perth-Sydney-Hawaii. If you can have minimum stopovers we found that works best - usually once the kids are up in the air they are fine.
Last year we took both kids (DD was just under 4 and DS was 14 months) to parts of Eastern Europe for 2 months. Language barrier was not an issue - people tried talking to our kids in their language and they just nodded or in Alexs case - chattered back. We would spend the whole day out doing touristy things and as long as every now and then we stopped for DS to have a good walk out of the pram he was fine. Another essential was to make sure that each day we stopped for a "good hearty" lunch. It was a good chance to have a break and a stretch and refuel as well. The kids altho not always interested in the sights we were looking at always had more then enough to keep them occupied - sometimes I think they must have had sensory overload from all the new sights, sounds and smells.
If you can get a midnight flight back I really recommend it - DS slept for 7 hours straight from Dubai to Perth cause we flew out at 2 am. Also if you can afford to splurge and pay for a seat for your son I would recommend that too. Nothing worse then having a squirming toddler on your lap for a long time and you cannot count on seats being empty on an international flight - almost always full. We have always paid for seats for both our children even if they are under 2 - it just makes it more comfortable for everyone.
Re unsettling, as long as the child has a few familiar items - teddy, toys etc they will be fine. I always take an unwashed blanket from their cot at home - that way it has their familiar smell on it.
Just wrt Japan - pretty much everyone speaks english ( they learn it as a compulsory subject from primary school through uni)...certainly all the staff in hotels and major tourist attractions apeak it. and train system is excellent, although very crowded so a carrier would be best over a pusher.
Japan is an awesome experience, just be careful what ou eat if you are pregnant
Plus it is a non-stop flight to Nagoya and Tokya too from melbourne (about 10 hours or so) and only a 1 hour (behind) time Difference, so it probably wont be too unsettling for Zaccie's routine. AND he will love it - all the people and lights and smells and colours - very colourful!! - he will think it is just wonderful
so I reckon you should go for it!
I have been living overseas for the last few years (switzerland) and have traveled home every year. My daughter is now two and has already been to australia 3 times. I have to addmit it wasnt easy the time I traveled alone with her, but the other times when my husband came too, it wasnt so bad, we took turns. The thought of only having to travel 7 hours for me is bliss, I find My baby only starts to get restless after 6 hours, oh and a good tip is if you can take a night flight
Have fun on your travels
We are going to Thailand for 2 weeks in June with DD who will be 26months by then. We did a test flight to Perth last month and I agree that if you can get a seat for your child it will be a lot easier!! On the way over to Perth DD was awake and was good for about 2 hours, before we had to bring out the laptop with the Dora dvd! On the way home we had a midnight flight and she slept the whole way (stretched across the seat so Mummy & Daddy had no sleep at all) but it was so much better having a seat for her.
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We have always paid for seats for both our children even if they are under 2 - it just makes it more comfortable for everyone.
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