 |
| View from the top |
Our Boracay adventure has come and gone and with it, comes my commitment to blog about the experience. From a blog follower's standpoint, I honestly think that every blog about Boracay has been written. Articles about places to go, people to see, activities to do and meals to savor have been done for the nth time. This is why I have decided to talk about it from a mother's standpoint. Dear readers, may I now present my Do's and Don'ts of traveling with a toddler to Boracay.
 |
| a 3 year old and 2 bags in one hand while holding on to a rail |
 |
| wearing a lifevest is a must, contrary to this picture |
DON'T OVERPACK: As every seasoned traveler knows, packing lightly is the way to go. Bringing practical, multi-purpose, lightweight items is a must. However, since we're Mediocre Wanderers, we managed to slightly overpack. Boracay is an island that thrives on it's tourism industry. Having a porter carry your bags to and from your island transfers would cost you about 20 php a bag. Our luggage would have been acceptable for city travel (the 1 check in, 1 hand carry rule), but since it was an island destination, we should have tweaked our packing methods. For the 3 of us, we had 1 roller bag each, Phee's Titleist backpack (where all our electronic gadgets were stored), my Lacoste summer sailing bag (were our travel essentials were stored), and MAX's mini thermal bag which contains his yogurt drinks, yogurt cups and veggie juice. Stuffing things in a backpack is the easiest way to travel in this case.
 |
| my resuable shopping bag had all of MAX's poo inducing needs (in a thermal bag) and a big bag of R Lapid's Chicharon |
 |
| Reusable ice helped his drinks and yogurt stay a ok for the whole journey |
DO bring FIBER: Your child's diet may have to be altered slightly and his usual food faves may not be readily available in your destination. This may cause constipation. On top of hydrating your child and trying to give them fish and veggies, yogurt products are quite helpful. Because of this, we have learned to bring certain food items for MAX's convenience (see contents of his mini thermal bag). We picked up the bag, which is roughly the size of a small Manila envelope at one of those japanese stores that sell eveything below 100 php. Phee bought online a product know as techni ice (reusuable ice packets that are as thin as corrugated cardboard sheets), and voila! an ultra light, non chunky mini cooler!
 |
| MAX enjoying the deep end of the pool |
Aside from a swim vest, DON'T leave home without SWIM DIAPERS: based on one previous life altering lesson, we have learned never to go swimming with a toddler without a swim diaper. This applies to kids who have not been potty trained. This also gives you and your child the freedom to enjoy the pool without fear, worry and possible shame (especially when a resort has to drain their pool because of a little "accident").
 |
| bought over ebay.ph, it's a poop and pool saver |
DO Bring the other FEEDING essentials: if your child is still using a bottle, traveling with one bottle is just insane right? Solution? Bring disposable bottles. These are special bottles that have disposable liners that can be put in them. Not exactly new in the market, I've been bringing 2 of these in all of our out of town trips, together with a certain amount of liners (based on your child's consumption) alongside with 2 extra nipples. Not only are they light, they clean easily. Worried about sterilizing these things? Try Chicco's disinfectant for bottles and teats. A capful of it, mixed in a litre of water will disinfect your child's washed bottle. No boiling needed. In the case of the disposable bottles, you only need to rinse them as the nipples are the only ones that need soaping. And since you don't really need an entire litre of solution for 2 bottles, packing just a small amount in a travel sized bottle can last you for a week.
On formula: If your child's milk is available in pouches, bring em (in cases where your kid's milk won't be available in your destination). If not, transfer them into zip lock bags (double sealed) to make em travel light. Canned formula may be kept in your checked in luggage, but then again, who needs all that extra weight?
Lastly, a spill proof sippy cup can do wonders in a long trip. MAX hasn't used a bib since he was a year old, and his insulated, unbreakable, spill proof sippy cup has made sure of it. It's just amazing!
 |
| bringing booties/ swim shoes at Shangri-la' Boracay's private beach is recommended |
KEEP COOL: aside from your complete line of toiletries and under the sun protection, one thing you must never forget (just in case you do forget to reapply the sunblock) is an after sun gel (the ones with aloe). It really cools the skin, keeps it moist and prevents it from peeling. Use it with or without a sunburn. A bottle of that, some zinc oxide, plus anti itch cream on top of my pack of bandages complete my travel first aid kit (not to mention the usual pills for a headache, diarrhea and allergies).
 |
| Seriously? An airport without AC?! Even the airport at Marinduque (that had a flight or 2 a day WAS airconditioned!) |
The airport at Boracay is not air conditioned. Waiting for two hours in the heat was enough to start a chain reaction of crying, whining and complaining kids (not to mention a mob of irate adults). Applying some cooling gel really helps on top of drinking cool water. Keeping a pack of travel sized baby wipes in a freezer the night before a trip also gives you another option in cooling yourself and your child.
 |
| a view of the airport's boarding area..how come no one talks about it?!! |
These are the top 5 tips that I've come up with, specially for those parents like me and Phee who often travel without the help of a nanny.
The only thing I was stressed about in the whole trip was my body ache from too much fun in the pool with MAX and Phee. We really had a great time at the Boracay Regency and also at the beautiful Shangri-la Boracay.
 |
| MAX in his Body Glove swim wear at the Boracay Regency beach front |
Traveling is always a tiring, yet rewarding experience especially when you get to share it with your kids. Take things in stride, learn to not sweat the small stuff, smile and enjoy without having to leave anyone behind!
 |
| At the lobby of Shangri-la (google the place up, it's FAB!) |
Hope this helps you and your family in your next vacation :)
From TMW, may all your wanderings be better than ours!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment