A Wise Fortune Cookie

As silly as they are, I am always amused cracking open a fortune cookie to see what wisdom it may bring.  Over the weekend, we got this fortune and it could not be more true.

"Sometimes travel to new places leads to great transformation"

Indeed!

Just because they won't remember, doesn't mean you shouldn't do it

When talking to friends and family, and reading articles about travel with kids, I am constantly surprised when I hear and read comments like: "Why bother going, the kids won't remember anyway?"  Frankly, I can't remember what I ate for breakfast this morning, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't have bothered eating any.

We've had the opportunity to travel with B to many places around the world and I'm sure he has little memory of many of the places we've been to.  Does he remember building sandcastles with Mommy on the beach in Maui when he was 15 months old or visiting the Panama Canal a few months later? Well, no, but my husband and I do, and they are happy memories we will always have.

B often surprises me with what he does remember from our travels to date, and he has only recently turned 3.  Just last week he was asking when we could visit our other house again and drive the blue car.  It took me a few moments to catch on... we don't have another house, and what blue car?  But I soon realized he was referring to the apartment we rented in Reykjavik and the blue rental car we used to explore the sights.  That trip was a year ago!

Does it really matter if B remembers all the specific places he's visited?  I don't think so.  But what I hope DOES stick with him is that the world is more than just our own little neighbourhood - that it is a place full of different cultures, sights, experiences and foods.
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Where have you travelled with your kids and what do they remember?

Dolphin Encounter in Cancun

On our recent trip to Cancun, I contemplated taking B for a swim with a dolphin.  Would it be worth taking a 2 1/2 year old at $80 USD each?  Would B even enjoy it?  What if he is too scared to take part?  Would there be any danger?

Over the course of our holiday, we ended up at La Isla Shopping Center no fewer than four times.  Once, for a visit to the Interactive Aquarium.  Another time for lunch and to do some souvenir shopping and other times, simply to relax, enjoy a stroll, and get a refreshing iced coffee from Ah Cacao.

On our first aquarium visit, I kept a close eye on the dolphin program to see if there were any other little kids participating, and to get an idea just what to expect.  During lunch at Jugo de Limon, you can actually get a table perched over the dolphin pool which allowed us to watch more dolphin interactions, and kept B entertained through our meal.  We watched many small children (about 2 years old and up) participating and enjoying themselves.  I got into the custom of carrying our swimsuits with us wherever we went, and on our fourth visit to the mall, decided "Let's go for it!"  Mark isn't a big water fan, so he remained on the overhead viewing area to take photographs while B and I got ready for our dolphin encounter.

To start off, we headed over to the seal enclosure for a photo opportunity.  To my surprise, B wasn't the least bit phased by getting a big kiss on the cheek from the huge, friendly seal.  We were given a short safety and information briefing and then the group was divided into those taking part in the Educational experience (what we did), and those taking part in the more expensive Advanced program which involved actually swimming alongside the dolphins.   After a quick trip to the change room and a shower, we were fitted with life jackets (lots of toddler-sized jackets available) and into the pool we went.

For the next 45 minutes, we were able to pet, feed, splash around and interact with our new friend, Yakuun.  Again, to my surprise, B wasn't the slightest bit afraid of Yakuun and couldn't wait to pet him again and again.  When the opportunity came for a get a picture of Yakuun 'kissing' him on the cheek, B planted a kiss right on Yakuun's lips!

The aquarium's photographer snapped photos through the whole experience.  After the swim, you exit via the gift shop where you can purchase photos (prints or on DVD) if you choose, but be warned, they are pricey at $25 each.  Those entering the pool are not permitted to bring cameras for safety reasons, but those not taking part are permitted to take photos from the overhead viewing area, or even from the pool deck from behind a short wall.

The aquarium itself is not a huge place, but it is lovely, clean, well-maintained and fun. B especially enjoyed the shark tank, the sea horses and the wonderful turtle and ray tank where he could stand right next to the glass as the creatures sailed by.

Our dolphin experience definitely was a splurge, but the trainers were fantastic, the experience was fun, professional and worth every dollar.  It remains one of the most memorable experiences from our holiday.

Playing away in Norway

On our recent trip to Norway, B was invited to join in and play with a class of pre-schoolers.  Norwegians have a distinctly different (and refreshingly healthy) approach to children's play from what I am accustomed to - a real eye-opener.  The daycare was perched on top of a rocky outcrop.  While Mark and I hovered cautiously around B, the other kids scrambled over rocks, threw themselves head first down the slide and did other things that made me cringe.  But as the centre's caregiver explained, "we want the children to learn by doing, and falling down is part of that."

That afternoon turned out to be one of the highlights of our Norway adventure.  We were welcomed by the caregivers as if we were old friends and we learned to worry a bit less about falling down at park.  And, while one of the other boys held B's hand and led him around the playground, I couldn't help but think about how unlikely this scenario would be in litigation-crazy and oft-reserved, Toronto.

Tourists as ambassadors for tolerance

In an interview with Conde Nast Traveler Magazine, Queen Rania of Jordan responded to the question of whether or not she believes tourism promotes cultural understanding:  "Without a doubt, yes ... When people meet, share a coffee, and talk about their country or their experience, differences often melt away.  Tourists are the best ambassadors for tolerance.  Every holiday snap, every email home, turns them into digital diplomats.  There is no doubt in my mind that travel fosters tolerance, promotes knowledge, and encourages harmony between people of different cultures and religions."

How to Travel Like a Kid - Great Advice from Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet's latest e-newsletter features a great article called How to Travel Like a Kid offering helpful tips for traveling with children of all ages.

I agree wholeheartedly with this article, as some of our my most memorable moments traveling with B have been the unplanned, non-touristy ones; playing soccer against the wind in Maui, meeting other kids at playgrounds in Norway, enjoying a walk along the ocean in Panama City...  I try to make sure I've always got our O-Ball (which I wrote about in an earlier post) in my back pack because it makes for a fun way to blow off steam pretty much anywhere you are.


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How to travel like a kid

by Andy Murdock

Lonely Planet Author

When thinking about travelling with children, as adults we tend to focus on one angle: how do we have fun (and stay sane) while travelling with our kids?


There’s a flip-side to the coin: kids have to survive a trip with us and the inscrutable decisions we make when travelling, and we don’t always have their best interests in mind. Even when we do try to take the kids’ travel wishes into account, we can often get it wrong. You can spend a lot of time and money on a trip to Disney World, thinking it will be the best vacation your kids could imagine, only to find that their favorite part of the trip was the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet at the hotel. So what’s a travelling parent to do?


When you see a kid having a fantastic time, or quite the opposite, pay attention – there may be something you can learn about travel for yourself. Here are seven important lessons that kids can teach adults about travel:

1. Are we there yet?

Too much time in transit makes anyone grumpy. Don’t fill your precious trip time with long drives and boring layovers. If you have the option, choose fun modes of transit: steam trains, double-decker buses, seaplanes or speed boats often do the trick. If you’ve got no choice but to brave the long straight road ahead get the kids involved in navigating, keeping track of the distance and planning rest stops. You’re often close to some great things just a short drive from the direct route you’re on, so allow time to detour.

2. A taste of home can help sometimes

Kids tend to have little patience for bad food, and neither should you. And weird food? Sometimes it’s interesting, sometimes it’s just weird. It’s all about a balance. Local specialties are a great way to experience a place and street food markets in particular are exciting places to explore, but a dish from home can be exactly what you need to feel happy and comfortable somewhere new. So don’t miss Marrakesh’s Djemaa el-Fna, but the family might be happier dining in more familiar surroundings.

3. Release control

We drag kids all over the place, and sometimes we drag them somewhere and suddenly they’re having fun. They’re doing something new, something unexpected and spontaneous, and no matter how much they cried and whined on the way, it’s fantastic. The same can be true for you if you let someone else – maybe even your kids – take the reins and steer you toward something you never thought you would try. Surrender control of the guidebook and see where you get taken.

4. Make the world your playground

Okay, perhaps playing peek-a-boo with the person behind you on an airplane isn’t your style, but kids have the right idea: if it’s boring, turn it into a game. Treasure hunts in museums aren’t just for kids: they can be a great way to explore a popular attraction and leave the crowds behind. Can you spot the medieval galleon scribbled on the wall of Hagia Sofia in Istanbul?

5. Nap time

It doesn’t matter how old you are, how much energy you have, or that you trip is coming to an end and you want to squeeze in as much as you can – everyone needs a break when travelling. Spent the day trekking from sight to sight around Rome? Sit down for a coffee and watch the world stream by, it might even energize you for more exploration later.

6. More parks and walks, fewer museums

Strolling city neighborhoods and local parks can provide some of the most fun and rewarding experiences on a trip, and they’re always free. Sailing a model boat in the Jardin du Luxembourg or a fierce match of ping-pong in Bryant Park are fun (and thoroughly local) experiences for kids of any age. Carrying a hacky sack or fold-up Frisbee can give you all a chance to let off some steam and won’t weigh down your bag.

7. Again! Again!

Is your child the type that wants to read their favorite book over and over? If you do something that makes them laugh, do they want you to repeat it again and again? The same may be true with travel. Never underestimate the joys of a return visit to a treasured destination or repeating a great experience.

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"They won't remember anyway"

I often hear people ask “Why travel with a baby/toddler?  They won’t remember anyway.”

There are several reasons:

WE will remember

Sure, we need to make sure our son is entertained and enjoying himself, but we are there too, and we are paying the bill.  So we pick places we would choose to go anyway, and find ways to incorporate play time, meals and nap times into the local destination.  In Maui, it was a treat to visit the local playgrounds - B had a great time playing, while we enjoyed the beautiful view.  And while he napped in the back seat of the car, we explored the island and ate lots of shave ice!

Practice for us

Mark and I are experts at getting us, toddler and all the gear through security checks at the airport.  The more you do it, the easier it gets.  I am no longer filled with angst when I think about lugging a B through the airport along with carry-on bags, luggage, a travel crib, and a car seat!  And with all the things we need to pack for our son, we've learned how to pack lean and mean - which is extra important now that most of the airlines are charging for each checked bag.

Learning opportunities

I think of my own pre-baby travels and my time spent cycling in Europe and Asia.  My first cycling trip was to Denmark – a clean, safe, cycling paradise where cyclists have their own lanes, traffic lights and secure parking lots.  With each subsequent trip, I tried someplace a little less cyclist-friendly, culminating in 2005 and 2006 with 3,000 kms of cycling over 7 weeks through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.  I would never have even contemplated a voyage like that had I not gained confidence in my previous trips.

Will B remember playing with other kids at a pre-school in Norway, making sand castles in Hawaii or gawking at an endangered frog in Panama?  Probably not.  But with each trip, he has become more comfortable putting his blankie through the x-ray machine at the airport, with long flights and changing accommodations.

Travel, like anything else, is a learning experience


Few of us will remember what we learned in grade one.  But those lessons laid the foundation for what we learned in subsequent grades and hopefully led us all to be reasonably intelligent adults.  My hope is by the time B becomes old enough to travel by himself, he feels no destination is beyond his limits.