We had our first overseas trip together as a family, and there were some differences from previous trips, as could be expected…
1. Plane journey.
Before Baby, I would use the plane journey as a chance to watch a movie or two, read some magazines and books, snooze. I always bought a new magazine or book at the airport, ready for the flight.
After Baby, I didn’t pack the magazines that I had at home because we needed the room for Master Z’s books. The plane journey involved reading books with Master Z, again and again; walking up and down stairs, again and again; trying to convince Master Z to sleep in the bassinette, again and again and finally giving up my seat to the greater good of Master Z getting a couple of hours sleep. I didn’t even know that air planes came with stairs before this trip!
2. Currency.
Before Baby, the first night in a new country I would spend time checking out and familiarising myself with the coins and notes in local currency, so that I had a good idea of what I was pulling out whenever I paid for things.
After Baby, I didn’t sit down with all the notes and currency until after we’d returned home! Singaporean coins are really quite pretty.
3. Local Knowledge.
Before Baby, I would lap up local tips on hidden away bars or restaurants to visit.
After Baby, I was most grateful for a local tip that the indoor (air-conditioned) play centres had recently experienced outbreaks of foot and mouth disease.
4. Shopping.
Before Baby, I was keen to poke around markets, finding knick knacks, fabrics and clothes that spoke to me of the country.
After Baby, my shopping consisted of splurging in a children’s book store which I’d heard about from The Little Bookroom. Markets didn’t even get a look-in.
5. People.
Before Baby, I was always keen to meet people, travelers and locals alike, but didn’t always know what to say or how to start a conversation.
After Baby, there was an instant point of contact and connection with people everywhere as Master Z smiled and charmed them, and as I was suddenly interested in the children and babies around.
6. Sightseeing.
Before Baby, I would devour The Lonely Planet guide, making mental lists of places and things I wanted to see. I would map out full days and spend all day, every day, out and about. I would visit places that people recommended, and explore random streets along the way.
After Baby, the only preparation I did for the trip was to check for anything special for toddlers and request that we go to a particular park which was recommended for children. Our days generally had one day activity and one night activity planned, with plenty of time at the apartment just chilling (literally, in the air conditioned room!) and in the pool. When a full day in the heat proved too much for Master Z, plans for the zoo were scuttled in favour of taking him to a fountain which was shaded and reassuringly close to an air-conditioned mall.
7. Food.
Before Baby, I have always loved trying out new food.
After Baby, trying out new food was even more fun with Master Z also trying out the food. In the evenings when we went out minus Master Z, I always felt a small pang that he wasn’t there to share that particular dish, or place with.
8. Access.
Before Baby, I never considered how many stairs were around, or how easy it was to get around in terms of avoiding stairs and steps.
After Baby, I take note of where all lifts are and look at stairs as either a challenge, or a timely Zac-erciser! Nothing wears out a littlie like climbing up, down, up, down, up, down stairs.
I’m not sure that I have more than a shallow impression of Singapore as a country, but I can tell you that it is very clean and easy to get around with a stroller, there are playgrounds but they are all in full sun, the humidity is tiring and grumpifying for a littlie, it has a glorious bookshop filled with a beautiful range of children’s books, the restaurants are more child-friendly than I expected and that I look forward to going back when Master Z is a bit older and able to enjoy it even more.
