Airplanes and Airports

To be honest, traveling is only as fun as you come prepared by everything you come across. Especially when you tag along your kid, I tell you there's a lot in your hands that you might want to consider letting go.

We went to Vietnam just a week ago without any experience on backpack travelling whatsoever. I, for one was a beginner at flying and my partner although had flown before but had not done it with a 1 year old kid. It was tough, physically draining and mentally challenging.

Along the whole ride, although it was a fun filled trip, there are things not to be forgotten and should be on your checklist when travelling abroad and with a kid.

arriving in Ho Chi Minh 

1. ALWAYS wear comfortable clothes when travelling. Flats, jeans, shirt and a jacket or wrap around are great advice when you are in the airport or plane. Because of so many checkpoints that you have to undo your shoes, it's a hassle to have all unnecessary things. The more minimal the better.

2. ALWAYS bring his or her milk. A lot of airports don't allow liquids to be brought so you need to put water on his/her feeding bottle beforehand. For the entire ride, depending on how long you are on the plane, you can bring three bottles for his/her milk. And you need to bring extra bottle full of water in case your kid is like mine who drinks water very frequently.

3. ALWAYS bring food. Whether it's just biscuits or bread on hand. It is quite helpful to have a snack while waiting in departure. You really could not predict your child's need for one and your own consumption as well.

4. If you plan to travel light. Please do. In our case, we did have two bags worth seven kilos of baggage and an additional kid. Not unless you are used to the scenario, it won't be as tough. But in our case, we had to make use of all our energy left. Hand carries with a kid can be really exhausting.

5. ALWAYS know your limitations. If you feel like you are bringing more Pasalubong than you should, please know that the International add on for extra kilo is $15. Unless you have more money, then you may proceed. But, if you don't then your pasalubong will just be wasted since you can't bring them. Worse, you have to give it to other people or leave in the terminal. Either way, it's waste of money and effort.

Ho Chi Minh Airport. Waiting for our departure.

6. ALWAYS have extra cash. When you leave your country, have some cash. In the Philippines, there is a fee of Php1,620 for International Tax and for kids 2 and below, Php 200 is required and International Terminal fee costs Php750 each. So, do the math. Coming back to the Philippines, you'll never know if you have excess baggage. Even if we did not have extra baggage in Vietnam, the Cebu Pacific personnel in NAIA asked to check in our two little black plastics that was loaded with two pairs of shoes. For three kilos, we paid Php450. I was frustrated.

7. And bring a pen please. Going out and coming back to the Philippines is more paperwork than you'd expect. There are forms to be filled up. I find it really waste of paper and money for the paper. Let's save trees please. Immigration people may just ask instead of having to write everything that's already in the passport. They will need to ask anyway. I don't see any use.

greetings from family in Ho Chi Minh Airport.

8. If you are not afraid of flying, then do book for a window seat. The scene from above is mesmerizing especially when you are on top of your destination.

9. Sleeping is uncomfortable in the plane. More so when your flight is 1:00 in the morning, you feel like your eyes are weary. Better bring a pillow that you can wrap around your neck if you like. Or you may bring one for your child.

Smile in front of the camera. Good one pa!

10. And don't forget to keep your cool. Even when you feel like you can't do it anymore, just go on and know that this too shall pass. Most importantly, enjoy the ride! Feel every moment and keep good memories. Breathe and have a positive outlook. After all, life is not supposed to easy all the time. Challenges are there to help you be better next time.