There are many things that you can do to pre-prepare yourself and your family for travel. By being as prepared as you can be, you are setting yourself up for a great getaway that will minimize any unpleasant circumstances that sometimes arise with travel.
In order to have the best vacation possible, I'm going to share with you the must know tricks and travel tips before you travel.
The very first thing you must do is RESEARCH. You want to learn as much as you possibly can about your destination prior to arrival. Yes, this is going to require some time and effort on your part but it is going to be more than worth it. This is the only way to truly understand what it is you want from your vacation and what you want to do on your vacation.
Here are some things that you should always know about your destination.
Weather - You need to know what you should be packing and planning for.
Paperwork and Documentation - Know what is needed to travel to your particular destination.
Know if there are any diseases common to the area you will be traveling to - this way you are able to take preventative measures.
Costs of local items - You want to be able to properly plan your budget; remember to include taxes and tipping.
Holidays and festivals - check to see when these occur for your destination as you may find limited services on those days.
The best holidays are the ones we are most prepared for. Do yourself a favour; make it a habit to always know as much as you can about your destination before you travel. It'll make all the difference in the world!
What are some other things that you can do to prepare yourself? Use these travel tips before you travel.
Make 2 photocopies of your passport. Take one and put it in a safe place or leave it with a friend. Take the other one with you and keep it in a separate place from your passport, this way should your passport become lost or stolen, you can use the copy to exit the country and it will also facilitate the replacement process.
Email yourself important information such as: airline numbers and flight information, credit card numbers, passport and driver's licence numbers and anything else that may be of importance to you. This way if anything is lost or stolen, you are just and internet connection away.
Know your banking information. For your credit card, make sure that the valid dates will remain valid while you're traveling, know your available spending amount and don't forget to leave some room on it for emergencies. Check your ATM and debit cards' daily and total limits.
Learn some local phrases. If you are traveling to a country with a foreign language, it's always nice to know some of the local phrases. Knowing the "polite words" and just a few local phrases will be a huge help. You will find that natives really appreciate this and will tend to be more receptive to your questions. Maybe you'll even make a new friend while you're at it!
Be aware of the voltage that's used for the country you're traveling to. If you are taking anything that requires an outlet; cell phone, computer, video camera, etc. make sure to purchase plug adapters. For things such as hairdryers, curling irons, electric razors, etc to purchase an actual voltage converter unless your appliance has multiple voltage currencies.
When traveling to a foreign country it's always best to be as prepared as you can be. Do as much research as you possibly can, remember these travel tips before you travel and your trip abroad is sure to be a success.
Here's your final checklist: Passport, tickets, car rental and hotel reservation receipts/agreements, credit cards, medications or prescriptions, if required, addresses, password and any other important information that you may need. Don't forget the most important thing: your adventurous travel mind, see and learn as much as you can and have the time of your life!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Maui Travel Tips: Advice to Make Your Trip as Memorable as Possible
Are you dreaming of the perfect tropical Maui vacation but need some travel tips to make your trip as magical as it can be?
It is difficult to find another tropical location that provides the blend of fantastic scenery and activity options that Maui can claim. A visit to this island will change your life (if you allow it to).
This Maui travel tips article will provide some foundational tips for people planning travel to Maui. The information can be especially handy for first time vacationers to the island.
Useful Maui Travel Tips:
Plan Your Budget and Create your Trip Using that Budget as a Guideline - Maui offers a large amount of activities that can be either extremely pricey or rather inexpensive. There are lodging options that range from luxury to modest. Depending when you travel, there are great airfares available. Car rentals on the island run on the inexpensive end compared to other resort locations. It is better to understand your ideal budget and stick to it when planning travel so you don’t experience stress the entire trip. For example, staying at a cheap Maui hotel because you plan to snorkel and hike is a great strategy if you don’t plan to be in your room a lot.
If your goal is to save on your trip, the best option is to investigate Maui vacation packages, which will combine flights, lodging (hotels and condos), and your rental car. Maui vacation package options include five star hotels to cheap hotels (and condos), first class or coach air, and a range of rental cars to economy size to luxury SUVs (like Lincoln Navigators).
Plan for a Good Time of the Year - If you going to Maui as a family, most likely you will travel when school is out. This is usually during summers, holidays, or spring breaks. The link below contains a page on planning for Maui family vacations.
If Maui is a romantic getaway for you, honeymoons included, one tip is to avoid dates when family volume is increased on the island. I have determined that February through May is a good time and September through November is great as well. Travel is less expensive and you will miss many of the high tourism months.
Be Sure to Complete Your Research – It is a great idea to visit sites like this one in order to create a desired list of activities that have appeal to you while visiting the island. There are a range of activities that include going to a luau, trying a snorkeling or dive excursion, or hiking or viewing lava fields and a volcano. Make a “must do” determination before you book travel and then make a commitment to do each. There is something to do in every price range to do on the island.
Do Advanced Preparations if Doing Family Travel – When traveling with family, be it your kids or your extended family, be aware of the considerations you must take into account when traveling this way. Again, the link below will offer a link on the left called “Travel Tips” and will provide a link to a Maui family vacations information.
Also visit the same link for additional Maui travel tips that should be planned for when traveling to the island like weather, safety concerns, clothing to wear, and other information that can be extremely useful while there.
If you would like free advice on planning and booking your perfect Maui vacation, visit www.ideal-maui-vacation.com
It is difficult to find another tropical location that provides the blend of fantastic scenery and activity options that Maui can claim. A visit to this island will change your life (if you allow it to).
This Maui travel tips article will provide some foundational tips for people planning travel to Maui. The information can be especially handy for first time vacationers to the island.
Useful Maui Travel Tips:
Plan Your Budget and Create your Trip Using that Budget as a Guideline - Maui offers a large amount of activities that can be either extremely pricey or rather inexpensive. There are lodging options that range from luxury to modest. Depending when you travel, there are great airfares available. Car rentals on the island run on the inexpensive end compared to other resort locations. It is better to understand your ideal budget and stick to it when planning travel so you don’t experience stress the entire trip. For example, staying at a cheap Maui hotel because you plan to snorkel and hike is a great strategy if you don’t plan to be in your room a lot.
If your goal is to save on your trip, the best option is to investigate Maui vacation packages, which will combine flights, lodging (hotels and condos), and your rental car. Maui vacation package options include five star hotels to cheap hotels (and condos), first class or coach air, and a range of rental cars to economy size to luxury SUVs (like Lincoln Navigators).
Plan for a Good Time of the Year - If you going to Maui as a family, most likely you will travel when school is out. This is usually during summers, holidays, or spring breaks. The link below contains a page on planning for Maui family vacations.
If Maui is a romantic getaway for you, honeymoons included, one tip is to avoid dates when family volume is increased on the island. I have determined that February through May is a good time and September through November is great as well. Travel is less expensive and you will miss many of the high tourism months.
Be Sure to Complete Your Research – It is a great idea to visit sites like this one in order to create a desired list of activities that have appeal to you while visiting the island. There are a range of activities that include going to a luau, trying a snorkeling or dive excursion, or hiking or viewing lava fields and a volcano. Make a “must do” determination before you book travel and then make a commitment to do each. There is something to do in every price range to do on the island.
Do Advanced Preparations if Doing Family Travel – When traveling with family, be it your kids or your extended family, be aware of the considerations you must take into account when traveling this way. Again, the link below will offer a link on the left called “Travel Tips” and will provide a link to a Maui family vacations information.
Also visit the same link for additional Maui travel tips that should be planned for when traveling to the island like weather, safety concerns, clothing to wear, and other information that can be extremely useful while there.
If you would like free advice on planning and booking your perfect Maui vacation, visit www.ideal-maui-vacation.com
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Kitsap Frames Blog Archive FRAMES: Aurora Borealis via Airplane
I thought I would share this nifty time-lapse I saw today that was shot by a photographer Nate Bolt who “shot a photo roughly every two miles between take-off in San Francisco and landing in Paris CDG to make this airplane time lapse.
I thought I would share this nifty time-lapse I saw today thatwas shot by a photographer Nate Bolt who shot a photoroughly every two miles between take-off in San Francisco andlanding in Paris CDG to make this airplane time lapse. Made with a5d2, a time-lapse controller, and a 16mm 35mm, mixed with someiPhone shots.
Its about two minutes long and made with 2, 459 photos and hecaptured some amazing Aurora Borealis along the way.
Im wondering if the next time I fly back to Michigan to visitmy family if I could pull a mini version of this projectoff
Tags: aurora borealis
Jamie Olivers Food Revolution season premiere review: Crappy
Jamie Oliver tried to launch a new season of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, but he was met with some stiff resistance.
Shoved out of the L.A. school system early on in the hour (if he thought the bureaucracy in Huntington, W. Va., was tough, he had not reckoned with an L.A. school board), Oliver took to the streets.
He went to an L.A. burger joint to try and win a convert, a site on which to practice his good-nutrition ideas. As someone who admires and partakes of Los Angeles&8217; many fine independent fast-food establishments when I visit, I was ambivalent as he tried the patience of the owner of Patra&8217;s, a good-looking L.A. burger joint (I haven&8217;t eaten there). Oliver tried to convince the guy to re-do his menu with healthier items that would cost this small-businessman more money, which cost would be passed on to his customers. Can you blame the man for not wanting to be used as Jamie Oliver&8217;s guinea pig, and to lose business while Oliver passes off yogurt smoothies as milk shakes?
Oliver is great at the grand gestures. The climax to the first hour was to have an empty school bus (&8220;this icon of trust,&8221; as Oliver put it) filled with the amount of white sugar consumed by students in the L.A. school system in a week. The sugar &8212; 57 tons of it &8212; overflowed the bus. It made a great impression&8230; on the 20 people who showed up.
Tags: jamie oliver food revolution
Friday, April 15, 2011
The Devil Is Still In Josh Hamilton (Update)
Josh Hamilton claims he's been sober since October 2005. Since then he's rejuvenated his career, saved his marriage, devoted himself to Jesus, and become America's flawed, homer-derby hero. Last winter, while he was alone in Tempe,.
These photos are from the beginning of March. January. Hamilton was doing some pre-Spring Training workouts at the Athlete's Performance on ASU's campus. He supposedly rented a condo nearby, which also happened to be near the popular ASU hangout, Maloney's Tavern. One night, Hamilton went in. Here is a paraphrased account from people who were there the evening Josh Hamilton showed up. They wish to remain anonymous.
Because it was Spring Break and relatively early on a weeknight, the bar was kind of empty. According to one person who was there, a former employee, this big guy strolled into the bar and politely asked if they could change the television station to the MLB Network. You can see Al Leiter's head in the background of this photo. The MLB Network, you remember, first hit the airwaves in January of 2009. So these photos were taken well after he's been power-hitting for Jesus. And, also, this is what Josh Hamilton looked like in 2005.
One of the waitresses went to get the manager to change the station. The manager came out and saw Hamilton at the bar. Hamilton introduced himself, “Hi, I'm Josh.” They made smalltalk. “Baseball season didn't start yet, right?” the bar manager inquired. Hamilton revealed he was a player. The manager, a baseball fan, but not a huge one, finally recognized the man sitting in front of him. “Oh, you're the home run derby guy.” Josh said yes. “Well, just for that, lemme buy you a beer,” the manager said, not knowing the full extent of Hamilton's history. Josh said yes again.
Tags: josh hamilton
News Clicker Tidewater MG Classics Home Page
Mgb club, gt, v8, midget, Mga, Mgc, magnette all Mg owners forums, library, registry, repair, restoration, events calendar, cars for sale, free classifieds and more. How to thank tfd for its existence tell a friend about us,.
For decades the Mg was an iconic british sports car, popular at home and abroad especially in the united states. The first new Mg for 16 years rolls off the production line in longbridge. A new Mg sports car has rolled off the production line at longbridge six years after the birmingham plant closed with the loss of 6,500 jobs.the Mg6 fastback is the first all-new Mg to emerge from the The first Mg car has rolled off the production line in longbridge, marking a new era for large-scale production at the plant. A new Mg car is set to roll off the production line at longbridge &8211; six years to the week after the west midlands factory closed with the loss of 6,500 jobs. related stories hague to attend global libya talks lansley faces nurse confidence vote car insurance premiums soar by 40% kate &8216;to alter engagement ring&8217; warning on limiting obesity surgery A new Mg car is set to roll off the production line at longbridge &8211; six years to the week after the west midlands factory closed with the loss of 6,500 jobs. The first all-new Mg for 16 years is to roll off the production line today as part of an anglo-chinese collaboration. Chinese-owned carmaker Mg returns to the uk A new Mg car has rolled off the production line at longbridge six years to the week after the west midlands factory closed with the loss of 6,500 jobs. The first all-new Mg in 16 years rolled off the production line at longbridge in birmingham today with the factorys only female production line worker behind the wheel.
Tags: mg
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Quebec press council reprimands Macleans for declaring province
QUEBEC – Maclean's magazine has been reprimanded by the Quebec Press Council for a controversial cov… – Latest News – Winnipeg Free Press.
Tags: quebec
Hayden Panettiere Says Fans Ask About Her Sex Life All the Time
It looks like Hayden Panettiere's fans are not shy about asking intimate questions when talking to her. Panettiere was on 'Ellen' when she revealed t.
Just because he's tall doesn't mean everything is big.
All that questions of that rather childish nature prove is how little imagination some possess and they serve as a backdrop as to why people are often shocked by even the most mundane of happenings.
Tags: hayden panettiere
Dolly Parton Loves Lady Gaga, Wants to Duet With Her
Lady Gaga recently released a countrified version of her infectious dance anthem 'Born This Way,' and not even country purists can deny that the twangy.
E! backstage at the GLAAD Media Awards. &8220;It&8217;s just wonderful. I love her.&8221;
Beyond heaping praise on Gaga, Parton suggested that the two blonde superstars should partner up down the road. &8220;Maybe we should do something together &8212; GooGoo and Gaga!&8221; Parton said. &8220;You know those GooGoo candy bars in Nashville? I could be Lady GooGoo.&8221; It would be a divine pairing, that&8217;s for sure.
Parton also recently teamed up with rap diva and actress Queen Latifah in the film &8216;Joyful Noise,&8217; which focuses on a national choir competition and is on tap for release next year. &8220;I wrote four of the numbers,&8221; Parton said. &8220;There are a couple we got to do together. There&8217;s a lot of great music in the movie.&8221;
Tags: dolly parton
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Fort Sumter and the Impending Crisis: Reason Writers on the Civil
In the early morning hours of April 12, 1861, Confederate batteries under the command of General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard opened fire on Fort.
In the early morning hours ofApril 12, 1861, Confederate batteries under the command of GeneralPierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard opened fire on Fort Sumter in theharbor outside of Charleston, South Carolina. Three days later,President Abraham Lincoln began mobilizing the North for war. Ifthe shot fired at Fort Sumter was heard round the world,observed Ulysses S. Grant in his 1885 Memoirs, the callof the President for 75,000 men was heard throughout the NorthernStates. In addition to requesting those 75,000 state militiavolunteers, Lincoln ordered an increase in the size of the regulararmy, instructed the Navy to erect a blockade of the Confederatecoast, and suspended habeas corpus in certain areasall withoutseeking the approval of Congress. Meanwhile in Montgomery, Alabama,the provisional capital of the Confederate States of America,Secretary of War LeRoy Pope Walker reportedly bragged, before thefirst of May the flag of the Southern Confederacy will wave fromthe dome of the old Capitol in Washington and within a short timeperhaps also from Faneuil Hall in Boston. And so the war came.
A century and a half later the Civil War continues to fascinateand divide Americans, libertarians included. To mark todays 150thanniversary of the firing on Fort Sumter and the start of thebloodiest war in American history, Reason presents aselection of our best writing on the Civil War and its legacy:
SouthernNationalism: Exploring the roots of the Civil War. By CharlesOliver.
Tags: fort sumter
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
These are the Top Honeymoon Destinations
What are the favorite honeymoon destinations worldwide? When one of the biggest bride magazines published the results of its travel agent poll, these were the places agents named as best for honeymoon couples. They appear in order of popularity.
Search any of the names belong and you'll be able to find information on tourism, hotels, and more about perfect places for a romantic getaway. And don't forget that the best way to start your honeymoon trip is to reserve a limo or luxury sedan for your ride to the airport and back.
Here's some quick web bites about the first five on the list:
Hawaii:
Lush greenery, sparkling ocean, and spectacular sunsets...say "Aloha" to the honeymoon of your dreams in Hawaii. Oahu is all of Hawaii on one island. It's a place to spark your passion with romantic activities and create your own special Hawaiian memories.
Italy:
Your honeymoon in Italy can be the trip of a lifetime. What better spot than Italy, with its romance, magnificent scenery, cities filled with history and charm to make memories last forever. The rolling Tuscan hills, a gondola in Venice, a Renaissance villa in Florence. Stunning historic properties, the finest foods and wines make it the best. Panoramic lake-side settings, stunning vistas on the Italian Riviera or the enchanting Tuscan countryside are just some of the possibilities.
Tahiti:
The center of the universe for romance. There is no better place to celebrate your new life together or to celebrate a milestone of your relationship. Each of the many islands of Tahiti is a tiny paradise. Some isles are crowned with jagged peaks soaring magically out of the ocean in an explosion of green velvet while others appear as if gracefully tossed upon the ocean - barely floating above the breaking waves. Intimate resorts, small peaceful villages, and miles of quiet pristine beaches explain why Tahiti is ranked #1 in the world for "alone time."
Anguilla:
Come to Anguilla and experience "tranquility wrapped in blue." Anguilla's honeymooners and couples seeking a special, romantic getaway find a small island, gifted with 33 of the best beaches in the Caribbean -- some say the world. Stunningly white, powder soft sands meet gentle seas of pristine water colored in vibrant and varied hues of turquoise. Captivating sunsets, gentle breezes, friendly smiles, gracious hospitality, casual elegance and relaxed informality are just some of the reasons visitors named Anguilla one of the best honeymoon destinations in the world.
Fiji:
Pristine white sand between your toes; warm ocean breezes rustling palm tree fronds overhead; sweet aromas of tropical flowers wafting through the air; distant sounds of drums and harmonious singing; stunning sunsets reflecting off turquoise water. Yes, Fiji is romance. With hundreds of Fiji Islands to visit, there is plenty to see and do on your Fiji honeymoon. Snorkel and Scuba dive in some of the world's most beautiful tropical reefs, kayak along the coast line, or hike through one of the many tropical rain forests, the Fiji Islands have it all!
The top 50 destinations are as follows: Hawaii,Italy, Tahiti, Anguilla, Fiji, St Lucia, Mexico, St Bart's, Jamaica, France, Bali, Bermuda, South Africa, Costa Rica, Greece, US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Turks & Caicos, Nevis, Australia, Aruba,New Zealand, Antigua, Barbados, Cook Islands, England, Thailand, Florida, California,Ireland,Kenya, Las Vegas, St Maarten/St Martin, Dominican Republic, Switzerland, Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Cayman Islands, Monaco,Turkey, New York,Spain, Alaska, Chile, India, New England, Portugal, Scotland, Austria.
Search any of the names belong and you'll be able to find information on tourism, hotels, and more about perfect places for a romantic getaway. And don't forget that the best way to start your honeymoon trip is to reserve a limo or luxury sedan for your ride to the airport and back.
Here's some quick web bites about the first five on the list:
Hawaii:
Lush greenery, sparkling ocean, and spectacular sunsets...say "Aloha" to the honeymoon of your dreams in Hawaii. Oahu is all of Hawaii on one island. It's a place to spark your passion with romantic activities and create your own special Hawaiian memories.
Italy:
Your honeymoon in Italy can be the trip of a lifetime. What better spot than Italy, with its romance, magnificent scenery, cities filled with history and charm to make memories last forever. The rolling Tuscan hills, a gondola in Venice, a Renaissance villa in Florence. Stunning historic properties, the finest foods and wines make it the best. Panoramic lake-side settings, stunning vistas on the Italian Riviera or the enchanting Tuscan countryside are just some of the possibilities.
Tahiti:
The center of the universe for romance. There is no better place to celebrate your new life together or to celebrate a milestone of your relationship. Each of the many islands of Tahiti is a tiny paradise. Some isles are crowned with jagged peaks soaring magically out of the ocean in an explosion of green velvet while others appear as if gracefully tossed upon the ocean - barely floating above the breaking waves. Intimate resorts, small peaceful villages, and miles of quiet pristine beaches explain why Tahiti is ranked #1 in the world for "alone time."
Anguilla:
Come to Anguilla and experience "tranquility wrapped in blue." Anguilla's honeymooners and couples seeking a special, romantic getaway find a small island, gifted with 33 of the best beaches in the Caribbean -- some say the world. Stunningly white, powder soft sands meet gentle seas of pristine water colored in vibrant and varied hues of turquoise. Captivating sunsets, gentle breezes, friendly smiles, gracious hospitality, casual elegance and relaxed informality are just some of the reasons visitors named Anguilla one of the best honeymoon destinations in the world.
Fiji:
Pristine white sand between your toes; warm ocean breezes rustling palm tree fronds overhead; sweet aromas of tropical flowers wafting through the air; distant sounds of drums and harmonious singing; stunning sunsets reflecting off turquoise water. Yes, Fiji is romance. With hundreds of Fiji Islands to visit, there is plenty to see and do on your Fiji honeymoon. Snorkel and Scuba dive in some of the world's most beautiful tropical reefs, kayak along the coast line, or hike through one of the many tropical rain forests, the Fiji Islands have it all!
The top 50 destinations are as follows: Hawaii,Italy, Tahiti, Anguilla, Fiji, St Lucia, Mexico, St Bart's, Jamaica, France, Bali, Bermuda, South Africa, Costa Rica, Greece, US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Turks & Caicos, Nevis, Australia, Aruba,New Zealand, Antigua, Barbados, Cook Islands, England, Thailand, Florida, California,Ireland,Kenya, Las Vegas, St Maarten/St Martin, Dominican Republic, Switzerland, Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Cayman Islands, Monaco,Turkey, New York,Spain, Alaska, Chile, India, New England, Portugal, Scotland, Austria.
If Life is a Journey!
If life is a journey!
If life is a journey, how do you plan to start and end your journey, daily?
Most of us before we start any journey we prepare ourselves and make sure we have all the necessary things we need, to have a safe and enjoyable journey. Surprisingly most of us do not take our life journey; seriously, we go through the routines of life with out paying too much attention to what happens around or even inside us.
This approach to life often makes us not to notice many blessings and changes that are happening in our lives and therefore not be as thankful as we should be.
Just as we are never sure what to expect when we travel for example, accidents, loss languages etc so is our life journey we never know what to expect but never the less we ought to plan it.
The benefits of planning our life journey daily are;
We are able to know if we have achieved what we wanted to achieve and learn lessons from obstacles we encounter daily; To know our limitations as human beings and therefore learn to appreciate the Super Natural Power that enables us to do what we are not able to do. Pay attention on how we deal with our fellow beings that travel same journey we do and therefore live life that is meaningful not only to us but also to those around us.
I wish you a safe and enjoyable journey.
By Susan
If life is a journey, how do you plan to start and end your journey, daily?
Most of us before we start any journey we prepare ourselves and make sure we have all the necessary things we need, to have a safe and enjoyable journey. Surprisingly most of us do not take our life journey; seriously, we go through the routines of life with out paying too much attention to what happens around or even inside us.
This approach to life often makes us not to notice many blessings and changes that are happening in our lives and therefore not be as thankful as we should be.
Just as we are never sure what to expect when we travel for example, accidents, loss languages etc so is our life journey we never know what to expect but never the less we ought to plan it.
The benefits of planning our life journey daily are;
We are able to know if we have achieved what we wanted to achieve and learn lessons from obstacles we encounter daily; To know our limitations as human beings and therefore learn to appreciate the Super Natural Power that enables us to do what we are not able to do. Pay attention on how we deal with our fellow beings that travel same journey we do and therefore live life that is meaningful not only to us but also to those around us.
I wish you a safe and enjoyable journey.
By Susan
Monday, April 4, 2011
Travel Tips for Parents of Toddlers
The person who first coined the phrase "flying the friendly skies" was obviously not traveling with young children. If at some point in the future you will be finding yourself on a cramped airplane with a rambunctious toddler (or two), first of all let me offer my condolences. As the mother of two boys and a veteran of the so-called friendly skies, I have been in your shoes more than once.
Yes, I know - you don't need my sympathy, or my empathy, or my condolences. You need help! So, for what it is worth, here are my words of experience (errr, I mean wisdom) on how to survive your next trip:
Toddler Air Travel Tips #1: Do not use the white paper bag in the seat pocket in front of you as a paper airplane!
It does not matter that you spent a small fortune loading your carry-on luggage with goodies aimed at keeping your two-year old entertained for hours. There is an unwritten rule that dictates that your toddler will get bored within the first fifteen minutes of departure.
That white paper bag in the seat pocket in front of you will begin to beckon to you, with the promise that if you transform it into a paper airplane or an origami sculpture, that the tiny passenger sitting beside you will be well-behaved for the next two hours of your trip.
Stop - don't do it! Trust me, as soon as you dismantle the bag, your toddler will upchuck everything he ate for breakfast. And guess where that spew of regurgitated food bits will be directed. Yes, that's right - you will be the unwilling recipient! Your pants, your shoes, yes, even your brand new luggage, will be covered in the once-digested remains of his breakfast.
My advice - as soon as you board the plane, locate the paper bag and place it where you can grab it within a moment's notice. And do not touch it again, unless you need it for its intended use.
Toodler Air Travel Tips #2: Do not let your toddler out of his seat when the fasten seat belt lights turns off.
I don't have to tell you that toddlers have a difficult time sitting still for two minutes, let alone two hours. Their little legs were built for running, kicking and jumping.
With that in mind, prepare yourself for the fact that your toddler is going to whine, and squirm, and complain, and squirm some more. However, no matter how much he squirms and complains, do not unfasten his seat belt. If you do, be prepared to regret your decision. Why? Well, freed from the constraints of the seat belt, he will wrestle past you into the aisle, and then his inner instinct to run will take over. You can only imagine the rest of the fiasco that will take place.
My advice - do not unbuckle your child's seat belt for any reason. Better yet, bring his car seat with you on the plane, and strap him in good!
Toddler Air Travel Tips #3: Never make eye contact with the other adult passengers.
Unfortunately, the majority of your co-passengers will not be sympathetic to your situation. There is something about flying, perhaps it's the cramped conditions, the high altitude, or the recycled air, that makes them forget that they were once children, or had children, or that the world would end if it were not for children. To them, you are the enemy.
My advice - you should avoid making eye contact with the other adult passengers on the plane. Spare yourself the stares and glares, because what you do not know will not hurt you. You have enough on your plate, without adding a big side helping of guilt.
Finally, keep your expectations realistic. You will survive this journey. Perhaps, you will even have your own travel tips and words of wisdom to impart when it's over!
Yes, I know - you don't need my sympathy, or my empathy, or my condolences. You need help! So, for what it is worth, here are my words of experience (errr, I mean wisdom) on how to survive your next trip:
Toddler Air Travel Tips #1: Do not use the white paper bag in the seat pocket in front of you as a paper airplane!
It does not matter that you spent a small fortune loading your carry-on luggage with goodies aimed at keeping your two-year old entertained for hours. There is an unwritten rule that dictates that your toddler will get bored within the first fifteen minutes of departure.
That white paper bag in the seat pocket in front of you will begin to beckon to you, with the promise that if you transform it into a paper airplane or an origami sculpture, that the tiny passenger sitting beside you will be well-behaved for the next two hours of your trip.
Stop - don't do it! Trust me, as soon as you dismantle the bag, your toddler will upchuck everything he ate for breakfast. And guess where that spew of regurgitated food bits will be directed. Yes, that's right - you will be the unwilling recipient! Your pants, your shoes, yes, even your brand new luggage, will be covered in the once-digested remains of his breakfast.
My advice - as soon as you board the plane, locate the paper bag and place it where you can grab it within a moment's notice. And do not touch it again, unless you need it for its intended use.
Toodler Air Travel Tips #2: Do not let your toddler out of his seat when the fasten seat belt lights turns off.
I don't have to tell you that toddlers have a difficult time sitting still for two minutes, let alone two hours. Their little legs were built for running, kicking and jumping.
With that in mind, prepare yourself for the fact that your toddler is going to whine, and squirm, and complain, and squirm some more. However, no matter how much he squirms and complains, do not unfasten his seat belt. If you do, be prepared to regret your decision. Why? Well, freed from the constraints of the seat belt, he will wrestle past you into the aisle, and then his inner instinct to run will take over. You can only imagine the rest of the fiasco that will take place.
My advice - do not unbuckle your child's seat belt for any reason. Better yet, bring his car seat with you on the plane, and strap him in good!
Toddler Air Travel Tips #3: Never make eye contact with the other adult passengers.
Unfortunately, the majority of your co-passengers will not be sympathetic to your situation. There is something about flying, perhaps it's the cramped conditions, the high altitude, or the recycled air, that makes them forget that they were once children, or had children, or that the world would end if it were not for children. To them, you are the enemy.
My advice - you should avoid making eye contact with the other adult passengers on the plane. Spare yourself the stares and glares, because what you do not know will not hurt you. You have enough on your plate, without adding a big side helping of guilt.
Finally, keep your expectations realistic. You will survive this journey. Perhaps, you will even have your own travel tips and words of wisdom to impart when it's over!
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