Page 4 | To pack up and go abroad with DD for 3 months in September

Journeyintomelody · 2025-01-09T13:04:54+00:00

Before I had DD I acted on all of my whims and crazy ideas without hesitation but I'm really not sure about this one. I was thinking of NZ or Cyprus for 3 months before I go back to work. DD would be 18 months. I don't feel like I have anything holding us back. The only thing I can think of is that it might be unfair to take DD away from her grandad who she has grown up with. Have you or would you do this? Any recommendations of places to go? 🤞 Be honest in the comments. Should I keep this as a dream or could it be workable? YABU- better to give DD stability and keep her in the area she is familiar with YANBU- go on adventure, its your last chance to do this for a long time.

Dutch1e · 10/01/2025 17:49

Journeyintomelody · 10/01/2025 17:28

Thanks for all the responses and ideas! Glad to know I'm not being completely crazy!
I've decided not NZ (saving that one for when DDs older). My plan is to start with a couple of shorter trips (The Hague for a 4 or 5 days and then Croatia for 10 days in the spring). Then go in September/October for a long haul. I'm now looking at Thailand/Cambodia/Vietnam.

My biggest worries are transfers!! How to navigate car seats and public transport is the big one. For those who went to Thailand, did you take a pushchair or baby carrier? I'm not sure how I'm going to manage with a baby and luggage. It's just logistics. The other fear is of course water safety.

The more I think about it, the more I realise I need to do this.

I took a ring sling to SE Asia so LO could ride on my hip without the faff (and heat) of a proper carrier. And so he could quickly be picked up and put down for all the fun things to explore.

We also travelled carry-on only as most of the clothes available here in the Netherlands were simply too hot. Even a cotton t-shirt feels too thick, much better to pick up a few flowy lightweight bits of clothing, and toys, at the markets when you arrive. You'll end up only wearing 3 or 4 things anyway.

So my whole kit was one small wheely-case, a LO on my hip and a tiny backpack for phone, water, snacks and passport in immediate reach (usually wore that on the front of my body).

Dutch1e · 10/01/2025 17:51

Journeyintomelody · 10/01/2025 17:28

Thanks for all the responses and ideas! Glad to know I'm not being completely crazy!
I've decided not NZ (saving that one for when DDs older). My plan is to start with a couple of shorter trips (The Hague for a 4 or 5 days and then Croatia for 10 days in the spring). Then go in September/October for a long haul. I'm now looking at Thailand/Cambodia/Vietnam.

My biggest worries are transfers!! How to navigate car seats and public transport is the big one. For those who went to Thailand, did you take a pushchair or baby carrier? I'm not sure how I'm going to manage with a baby and luggage. It's just logistics. The other fear is of course water safety.

The more I think about it, the more I realise I need to do this.

Also, I didn't want to sway you earlier but I think it's quite sensible to skip NZ for now. That's one of my home countries and it's so beautiful but SO pricy now,. It's quite disheartening to get there and not be able to do anything but scrape by.

Original poster

Journeyintomelody · 10/01/2025 17:55

Dutch1e · 10/01/2025 17:49

I took a ring sling to SE Asia so LO could ride on my hip without the faff (and heat) of a proper carrier. And so he could quickly be picked up and put down for all the fun things to explore.

We also travelled carry-on only as most of the clothes available here in the Netherlands were simply too hot. Even a cotton t-shirt feels too thick, much better to pick up a few flowy lightweight bits of clothing, and toys, at the markets when you arrive. You'll end up only wearing 3 or 4 things anyway.

So my whole kit was one small wheely-case, a LO on my hip and a tiny backpack for phone, water, snacks and passport in immediate reach (usually wore that on the front of my body).

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You are bloody incredible ! Life goals!

OP posts:

Spondoolie · 10/01/2025 17:58

Brilliant idea. Do it. Cyprus would be fab. You MUST check out green bay. It is heavenly

Crazybaby123 · 10/01/2025 19:01

Journeyintomelody · 10/01/2025 17:28

Thanks for all the responses and ideas! Glad to know I'm not being completely crazy!
I've decided not NZ (saving that one for when DDs older). My plan is to start with a couple of shorter trips (The Hague for a 4 or 5 days and then Croatia for 10 days in the spring). Then go in September/October for a long haul. I'm now looking at Thailand/Cambodia/Vietnam.

My biggest worries are transfers!! How to navigate car seats and public transport is the big one. For those who went to Thailand, did you take a pushchair or baby carrier? I'm not sure how I'm going to manage with a baby and luggage. It's just logistics. The other fear is of course water safety.

The more I think about it, the more I realise I need to do this.

I bought a super lightweight pushchair and the car seat with me. Ine of those large hiking rucksacks is better than a case, luggage trolley with a car seat and pushchair is really hard, believe me. I took cases to both, was really hard. A large rucksack would be better. I would also travel light and buy what you need when there. You can pretty much buy anything you need anywhere now. They even have Boots in thailand.

Bushmillsbabe · 10/01/2025 19:15

I think this would be amazing, would just need to do lots of research and planning, great insurance, back up plans etc.

I think is amazing for children to travel off the beaten track, to experience different cultures. I want to take mine (5 and 9) to southeast Asia, india etc. But a bit limited by school holidays, wish I had done it pre school start for at least 1 of them!

NZ is amazing, but probably a bit far for an 18 month old. If you can do it just before starting school, that might work well.