Dinos' 1st Overseas trip

I contemplated in bringing The Dinos for a short overseas trip for the longest time as they are not use sleeping without the cradle. But I did promise myself that once the transition to bed is successful, I would plan 1 trip.

Noticing that they can sleep successfully without the cradle in Mid Oct and I immediately got to work. Initially wanted to travel to TPE aka our favourite city but the tixs were overpriced with 1 month left to departure and I'm not sure whether we can handle a 4hr 30min flight witht the first time flyers.

End up I decided on BKK. Short flight time and with discounted ticket prices on TG. Mummy was not convinced that we could handle on our own and decided to come along. My Piggy Bro who had never been to BKK also tagged along. So we had quite a huge group of 4 adults and 2 infants.

Dun like to sit on stroller

Following Popo to walk around

Decent hotel in BKK will set us back by quite a bit so I went in search for an apartment in Airbnb. In the end I found a gem. Close to shopping district, BTS, airport link and half the price of what 2 hotel rooms would have cost.

What's up there?

Touch down in BKK

BD With mummy

SD with Papa

It was an unconventional choice to take airbnb in BKK as friends and colleagues around me all took hotel stay. But hey, I love the home away from home feel. And with all of us staying in an apartment instead of 2 hotel rooms meant that the Dinos can be separated efficiently during sleeping time since they are still at the stage of wanting to play with each other during bedtime.

2nd bedroom

 We booked a 2 bedroom apartment. It also had 2 more single beds in the living room, 1 of which is separated by a panel. Piggy bro decided not to share the room which has 2 single bed with mummy and instead opt to sleep in the living room.

Welcome snacks for the Dinos

Dining area

 We got lucky with a super good host who welcome us at the Airport link station near his apartment to help with the luggage which is a god sent since we did not have to navigate our way to his apartment in the unforgiving weather with the luggage and children.

Along the way, he gave simple orientation of the surrounding neigbourhood and also tips to get around.

Our host explaining how to use the TV

 We were pleasantly surprise to find 1 big box of snack for the Dinos which they got it after I enquired about where to buy near their house. The apartment is also well stocked with snacks, drinks, fruits and cooking whats not.

Master bedroom with cot

 I like it how meticulous they are to make sure the Dinos have a comfortable stay here. From cot to high chair to stroller to sterilizer to welcome snack and not forgetting a big basket of bath supplies, we wouldn't have to bring much of their things here if not for me used to using certain brands for them. Still we appreciate their kindness where they could have just not go out of their way to do these.

Bathroom

The Dinos immediately felt at home and went around exploring and playing in the apartment. Had to move the dangerous stuff out of their way since they pretty much have no concept of danger yet. 

I had brought along a thermal cooker, rice, dried scallops, sweet potato and potato to cook porridge for Dinos. My plan was that the porridge will serve as the staple food and will and whatever meat we are having that day to the porridge during meal times. 

The plan backfired on 3rd day when Dinos got bored with the porridge and I got lazy lugging the heavy stuff around. In the end they ate whatever we had though I still try to order the mildest taste on the menu for them since Thai food seems to be a little heavy on the tastes. 

Bath supplies for the Dinos

They were good eaters. In fact so good that I'm kinda impressed. Whatever we had or gave, they took it without hesitation and enjoyed the eating sessions. But we did make it a point to try have Chinese or Jap food for the benefit of them and my mummy.

But I still like it most when they fell asleep during my meal times which meant I could enjoy my food in peace though need to eat in an awkward postion with them sleeping on us in carrier. 

Piggy bro's corner

I'm also secretly please that they are good flyers. Unlike me, they don't suffer from in ear pain during take off or landing ( touch wood) and can entertained themselves with the in flight entertainment and take steal our in flight meals to eat.

Did not even used any of the entertainment I prepared beforehand in case they got bored or cranky. During departure, we managed to make them sleep before boarding and they woke up half way from into the flight. 

When coming back, SD knocked out for most of the flight while BD played awhile and then subsequently slept thru the flight before flight meal is served. 

The only down side from this trip is during their bed time when they wouldn't sleep on unfamiliar bed and I had a hard time coaxing them during the first night when they cried murder from tiredness but not able to fall sleep.

Man I felt like flying home the very night. 

Luckily my mummy came with us and she took SD to her room and coax him while I deal with the more problematic BD. 

They were also pretty cooperative when it comes to pooping time where would take a dump after morning milk and then once again at night before sleep. In this way, we need not have to change them lying down when outside. 

I managed to let them changed while standing since we brought diaper pants along. There isnt much changing stations in BKK toilets to start with. So it was kinda a relief to us that they did not poo outside.

They are able to nap on us while baby wearing them as we move around. Only downside is when it gets too hot, they will wake up screaming. 

We resort to staying indoors in shopping centers and at the same time kept the hand held fan on. BKK was really warm and stuffy when we were there. 

Even missed out the night markets cause even at night it's still stuffy.

All in all it was a fruitful trip since the Dinos enjoyed themselves and I noticed that their language skills improved tremendously during and after the trip.

SD was so happy to be walking along the Bangkok busy streets everyday during our stay there that he waved and kiss goodbye to random motorcyclists waiting for the green light to come on or those taking the old school public buses.