I’m one of those parents who travel with kids. Not that I don’t wish for a romantic getaway, or a trip with ADULTS only, but I simply do not have the luxury. There is no one to help me with our kids, so we tag them along since they were babies.

My kids had their first plane trip when they were 21 and 4 months old. It’s not a long flight though, but only 2 hours. I should blog about how to prepare kids on their first plane ride next time.

As for today, let’s talk about packing.

I hate packing, and unpacking after a trip. But then, with kids coming along, doing the right packing is very important.

If you are traveling with a baby, make sure that you pack the formula, bottle, diapers, lots of baby clothes and at least one comfort object. Some babies are very sensitive with a change of environment, so just try to make sure that your baby is comfortable throughout the journey. Pack some medication too, just in case you might need it.

My kids were breastfed, so it’s quite convenient traveling with them as I don’t pack formula nor bottle, not until they were toddlers. By then, they can survive on solid food!

For toddler and young kids, try to pack the most comfortable clothes for the destination. If you are heading for the beach, make sure you have their swimsuits, sunblock, and sun hats. Floats and sand toys should be widely available at most family friendly beaches, but if you are heading to beaches meant for couples, then you might need to bring your own toys.

For winter countries, try to pack at least a thick jacket and long john. Try to get more on the destination if need as most locally sold jackets have the right thickness, as comparing to what you may get in tropical country. Kids get annoyed or sick if the jackets are too thick or thin. So, you just want to fit them just well.

Try to pack their medication or doctor prescription, and allergy relief if your kids need special attention. The last thing you want on a vacation is looking for a doctor at an emergency, and you can’t speak the local language! Try to get the hotel to help on this. Trust me, it can be very worrying at times like this, so it’s best to be more prepared than under.

Try to avoid the hot spots for at least 3 days, start from tomorrow. Some routes are closed too, so plan your itinerary well.

Here’s the spots to avoid:
POSSIBLE DANGEROUS SPOTS

“33 dangerous spots” that was posted by a member in the 2bangkok.com forum who frequently seems to have political insight.

1 Supreme Court
2 Criminal Court in Ratchadaphisek ring
3 Bangkok Bank HQ at Silom
4 Bangkok Bank – Nana Branch
5 Kasikorn Thai Bank – Nana Branch
6 Siam Commercial Bank – Ratchayothin HQ and Phetburi HQ
7 Grand Place – Now UDD men are going to burn down Grand Palace to pacve the way to turn Thailand to Republcian regime!
8 Siriraj Hospital to Commit Regicide against His majesty.
9 Major Ratchayothin
10 Big C rat Boorana – Southern terminal of Chao Phraya express
11 Central World – Main target for looting
12 Central Lad Phrao – Main target for looting
13 Phrannok Market
14 Minburi Market
15 Dao Khanong Market
16 Patthmawikorn Intersection
17 Arun Amarin Intersection
18 Rom Klao intrersection – clowed to Motorway and SUvannabhum
19 Kaset – Nawamin
20 Kaset – Nawamin – Crossing Lad Pla Khao
21 Kaset – Nawamin – Crossing Pradit Manootham road.
22 Nawamin Intesection
23 Sathon Intersection (Narathiwat crossing Siom) – Chong Nonsee
24 Saladaeng Intersection to storm Chulalongkorn Hospital
25 Saphan Kwai Intersection
26 Klogn Toei Intersection
27 Ram Khamhaeng road – form Lam Salee to Suwinthawongse
28 Minburi Intersection (Ram Indra road crossign Suwinthawongse)
29 BMA Office at Giant Swing and Dindaeng
30 Lumphini Park
31 Pathumwan Princess Hotel – MBK
32 Pathumwan Vocation School – MBK
33 Uthenthawai Vocation school – certainly cstormgin Chulalongkorn U. and holdign lots of hostages

Best still, don’t come to Bangkok these few days, until the situation is confirmed over wise. Being an expat here for almost 2 years, I’ve got “numb” with the riots, but will stay away from the hot spots and try not to wear any red or yellow during this period of time. Oh well, Orlando vacation packages will seem to be a better choice than a holiday in Bangkok!

I wonder if they have top acne treatment at the spa centers too? Maybe hubby needs one. LOL!

1. My skincare products is a must to me! I can’t leave without makeup, but I must have the complete skincare including a SPF 50 / PA+++ sunblock.
2. Hair treatment mask. I don’t mind using the shampoo provided by the hotel, but I must have my hair mask. I hate frizzy hair on holiday.
3. My dSLR and digital cameras for my kids and hubby. By giving my kids a camera, they will be able to snap anything they like and it makes them feel like tourists. LOL!
4. A nice pair of wedge and Crocs. I don’t wear sports shoes, just my Crocs will do.
5. Disposable undies. I hate to bring dirty underwear back after a trip.

I don’t mind not bringing enough clothes as you can normally buy those at the destinations, unless you are traveling to the jungle or else.

But for only 15kg, carton boxes are the best option, if I wrap them well. Mmm… I should start looking for 2 boxes now!

So, if hubby is really serious about this, he should start preparing for the trip. We have a tent but I don’t think it can fit all 4 of us. Furthermore, we don’t have Sleeping bags, so we really need to buy some in order not to shiver in the cold at night!

I found this Dreamtime XL from Thermarest  at Webtogs just now and I think this is perfect for us! We might only need to buy 2 sets as our kids can tug in with each of us throughout the nights. It offers warmth and comfort with a pillow top, so I don’t have to worry about our kids getting cold in the woods at night.

There is an end of summer sale right now and we can get 10% discount on this sleeping bag, if we purchase one. Too bad the shipping is quite expensive for us who stay in Asia! Nonetheless, free shipping is available across Europe. It’s a great bargain, so do check it out!

Gee…I wonder if I can find this at our local stores?

Another way of going back is using the bus, from Bangkok to Hat Yai and then use a taxi to Malaysia border and get a bus back to Ipoh. Again. It’s a long journey.

I will prefer to do some research and read up some reviews first before planning my agenda. Even if it’s totally flexible, you need to have in mind what to expect and where to go on your trip. Unless of course, you just want to relax and spend all the time on the beach or roaming in your hotel room. I did that before, it’s a great vacation too.

If you plan to do some shopping, check out the shopping destinations where you can find the goods you want. Even if they are Harley parts, I’m sure that you will be able to find the shops if you do your research thoroughly enough. Be an active tourist is better than a passive one, if you don’t want to waste your flight ticket to another country.

By all means, if you want to have a fun filled vacation trip, do your homework first.

So far, my ballerina Crocs is my favorite. It never fails me for comfortableness and looking great in shorts or skirts. Besides that, I have a pair of nice wedge too but it’s rather bulky for packing. I guess these are my favorite pairs of shoes for traveling…

So, my wardrobe is almost full now, but I won’t stop shopping!