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.
What are your thoughts on travel to Bali with a one year old?
I am concerned about health safety (getting tummy bugs - not so much me or husband but bub)
also travel - getting to and from places.....
Has anyone been there?
Thanks!xx
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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.
Bali
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