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Original poster

3 weeks till our grand adventure begins...

46 replies

dejags · 09/04/2006 18:57

I can't believe it but our big trip starts in three weeks time.

We are all so very excited. DS1 is preparing what he wants to take with him (he will have his own bag). DS2 doesn't understand but when I ask him where do aeroplanes go - he points to the sky and very excitedly says "byebye".

So 3 weeks left of Mumsnet - and then I'll be having a 6 months break. I have been around for nearly five years, it'll be strange not relying on this forum for advice on a lot the issues in my life.

I have lots of catting to do, for those of you who posted on my other thread.

OP posts:
alexsmum · 09/04/2006 19:08

i'm so Envy.
what you are doing is my ultimate dream.i would love it.
so have you much prep left? what's happening about your house?

Original poster
dejags · 09/04/2006 20:16

Hi Alexsmum,

We are leaving our house with a housesitter (DH's cousin).

In terms of prep, I have:

Booked accomodation in New York
Booked our campervan for the USA Roadtrip
Booked accomodation in LA
Booked accomodation/transfers in Fiji
Booked accomodation/transfers in Beijing

I have completed assigned seating on all BA flights, requested child meals on all our flights (for the kids, that is Smile). Also confirmed that DS2's carseat can go onto the aircraft on all legs of our journey.

Trip budget and forecast is complete.

Started a comprehensive packing list.

Cancelled all non-essential utilities.

Resigned from my job (last working day is on 21st April) (the GREAT new is, that they will have me back in November if I fancy going back to work).

Sold my car Sad. It was very nice.

Have got all of the homeschooling material together for DS1.

What I haven't done:

  1. Any visa applications (Australia, China, Cambodia), we'll do these while we are away.
  2. Bought a six month supply of petfood for the cats
  3. Bought a new daypack (handluggage)
  4. Booked any campsite accomodation in the USA
  5. Booked any arrival accomodation in NZ, Aus, Malaysia
  6. Booked onwards flights from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur

Having looked at that list, I best get busy.

OP posts:
moondog · 09/04/2006 20:18

How old are the boys again?
Can'tyou give us occasional updates en route??

Bon Voyage,it'll be a ball.
Smile

Original poster
dejags · 09/04/2006 20:22

Hi Moondog.

DS1 = 5
DS2 = 20months

I have a blog which we'll update on route \link{http://blogs.bootsnall.com/dejags\Our Trip}. So if you are interested, have a look occasionally.

OP posts:
moondog · 09/04/2006 20:25

Will do!
We have travelled and worked abroad a lot both before and after our children came along and doing it with them is infinitely better.
Ours are the same age as yours.
We are leaving for Eastern Turkey for a month next week (dh works there.)

Original poster
dejags · 09/04/2006 20:30

I am hoping we will find the same thing MD.

People's first reaction is often one of amazement that we would want to do this. They think it will be a nightmare with the kids.

I accept that the flights will probably be a bit horrible, but I think the kids are fairly flexible and bar a day or two either side of a long-haul am not anticipating any huge issues on that front.

DS2 is a very light sleeper, so we may have some problems there (we have them at home, so that wont come as any surprise).

More than anything I hope that they will enrich the experience. I have a feeling we'll meet and interact much more than we normally would with people than when we travelled without littlies.

Hope your trip to Turkey is good.

Dejags
x

OP posts:
nappybaglady · 09/04/2006 21:03

Have been thinking about you alot recently, and about what we were up to a year ago.

The flights weren't as bad as we expected. Just be prepared to do some walking around,particularly with the little one. Both of ours slept well on most of the long flights. DD was glued to the tv screen when awake and it even occupied ds for some of the time. Take lots of rubbish little toys that you can lose. Top hit for us was a packet of planes, the sort of thing you'd put in party bags. Just kept dishing them out to ds. Also seek help of hostesses instantly. Once they see you've got 2 little ones they're keen to help to ensure that everyone enjoys the flight.

We stayed at a fabulous place in Aucklnad - city life hotel, booked on expedia. I think it cost about £70/night (which was quite alot for our budget). We had a small suite with kitchenette including WASHER AND DRIER. I truly almost cried when I saw it because we it was such luxury. WE did 6 loads of washing in 3 nights stay. The bliss of clean clothes when you're on the road...
It was great to stay in such a nice place when we were dealing with such a big time difference. Luxury definitely helps cure jetlag!

Will be travelling every step with you Smile

Original poster
dejags · 09/04/2006 21:05

Thanks NBL. Off to check that out now.

I should really be studying (PMP waits for no half-asleep Project Managers), but am tired and cant be bothered. We haven't booked anywhere in Auckland so I'll check it out now (DH is currently in the bath with the LP for Aus/NZ).

I looked at that hotel you emailed me about in NY - looks good but there are only smoking rooms available, so have emailed to find out if this is correct.

OP posts:
suedonim · 09/04/2006 23:47

Only three weeks until you go, Dejags?? Wow, you must be so excited!Smile It's amazing how you can cope without the internet; we don't have it in Nigeria and I haven't really suffered any withdrawal symptoms - the thought is worse than the deed. Hope you have a wonderful time. Smile

Chandra · 09/04/2006 23:59

Dejags, I have not read the full thread but reading at your fist posts I thought of mentioning that food is not served to toddlers at some airlines, you need to pack your own even if the kid has a seat and you have seleceted the child food option from the airline internet website. (it is like that for American Airlines or at least that's what they told us) HTH

Original poster
dejags · 10/04/2006 07:40

Thanks Chandra - you are correct. All internal flights in the USA in particular do not serve any child friendly food. Adults are lucky to pick up a sandwich in a bag as you board the aircraft.

All of our long-haul's definitely do food, but I always travel with emergency supplies in any event.

OP posts:
winnie · 10/04/2006 08:09

oh good luck to you dejags ... what an adventure. Lucky you... enjoy, enjoy, enjoy :)

lucy5 · 10/04/2006 08:13

Good luck, you lucky thing! Looking forward to reading your blog Smile

Chandra · 11/04/2006 00:42

Dejags... it happened to us in a trasatlantic flight, they just told us that DS was not going to be served the kids meal we had requested because of the reasons mentioned below... HAd to rush around the aiport to get something for him before boarding.

tilbatilba · 11/04/2006 00:57

Have a great time dejags...what an adventure! We leave tomorrow for our 9 month road trip around Australia so I know exactly what you are going through!! We have started home schooling and it is fantastic and both girls are doing really well 6&7.....thriving with the freedom. I am really going to miss mumsnet too! Safe travels Tilba x

Original poster
dejags · 12/04/2006 08:39

Good Luck TilbaTilba.

Have a fantastic time!!!

OP posts:
Whizzz · 12/04/2006 08:47

Wow ! Good luck to you Dejags & other MN travellers ! WHat an experience Smile

ggglimpopo · 12/04/2006 08:49

Am deeply jealous.

Have a seriously wonderful time!

Issyfit · 12/04/2006 09:31

Just a very quick thought Dejags. My best friend is getting towards the end of a year-long trans-America trip (Alaska to Argentina). They took a large camper van and their three girls (8 through to 11). They are having an absolutely fabulous time, but the biggest issue for her has been maintaining her relationship with her husband. I'm sure they'll be fine, but in between the constant presence of the children and the daily morass of decision-making (where to eat lunch, what to do this afternoon etc etc), they realise that they should have carved out more time to be alone together. Just a thought - maybe you could factor in some time at a hotel/resort complex that provides childcare. Prohibitively expensive generally, but probably not so in SE Asia.

I'd love to know how you get on in Cambodia - I spent four or five weeks there when we adopted DD2.

I'm sooooo jealous and would do this in a heart-beat if we could!

Original poster
dejags · 13/04/2006 12:24

Thanks Issyfit.

Would love to email your friend - her trip sounds fabulous.

We are trying to ensure that we get some time together. We are staying in a resort in Fiji that has babysitting services. I also hope to have babysitting services in China and will definitely stay in a few hotels in Aus/New Zealand which offer babysitting.

We have also chosen our accomodation quite carefully - i.e. where possible the boys will have their own bedroom so that they can go to bed and we can have time on our own in the evenings.

Thanks for the thought though, it's one of my biggest worries.

OP posts:
Issyfit · 13/04/2006 20:54

Hi Dejags

Please do CAT me and I'll pass an email on to my friend. I'm sure she has amassed alot of useful experience in the last several months and she'd be happy to share it with you.

nappybaglady · 19/04/2006 21:06

Are you buried under piles of stuff to pack yet?

Hope you're keeping calm as well as excited

Original poster
dejags · 22/04/2006 21:41

hi issyfit, I am having trouble catting as I have a south african credit card and making payment to mn has been difficult.

i am contactable on thedejagers at yahoo to co dot uk. would love to hear from your friend.

Can't believe it's only one week to go, I finished work on Friday - yes we are buried under packing NBL! Our room downstairs is a mass of bags, we have been trying different ones for size.

We have finally settled on:

1 Backpack (85 litre) (for DH)
1 Soft wheely bag (110 litre) for me
1 Kiddy carrier (for me to carry DS2 in)
1 Child backpack (for DS1 to carry his stuff in)
1 Camera/Laptop Bag for DH to carry on his front
1 Lightweight Stroller
1 Carseat

Our clothes weigh in total about 20kgs and will go in my wheely bag, then there's the chargers, first aid kit, toiletries, books for us, schoolbooks for DS1 all of this will go in DH's backpack. I think the most unwieldy item we are taking is the camera/laptop bag.

We are devising a system whereby we can strap the carseat to the back of the wheelybag, so this will also be my responsibility.

I'll post a pic on our website soon.

Will try to update a few more times before we leave on the 1st May.

OP posts:
cazzybabs · 22/04/2006 22:01

Hope you have a fantastic time - and are not too busy to update your blog (i have booked marked it!). I am very jealous - our kids are simialar ages and this is something I would love to do but dh loves his job too much!

Good luck!

Janh · 22/04/2006 22:04

Oooh, dejags, this is so exciting - have just added your blog link to my favourites. You must be so nervous as well as excited, hope it all goes really well Grin