Last October 2019 we traveled overseas for the very first time since TD got sick with cancer. This was a huge milestone for us, because it was a long road to walking after he had a limb saving operation for the bone cancer in his femur. He still limps to this day, but we were so happy that we could finally travel overseas as a family.
Our very first trip was to Fukuoka, Japan. We chose a less busy place because being bipolar I did not want to be overwhelmed by a busy city. Also, the flight was on super promo sale on Cebu Pacific. We only travel on promo deals, so this was perfect!
NAIA TERMINAL 3
There weren’t many people traveling in the middle of the day.
DiploBaby love sitting in the counter seeing everything when we check in.
Halloween decor in some of the stores in Terminal 3
The DiploFamily – excited for our first ever trip to Japan!
Traveling with a stroller is so important when with a toddler. Even thought DiploBaby never uses a stroller in Metro Manila, we need it when traveling huge airports & other cities because we wanna avoid having an over tired toddler and we want to be mobile even with a sleeping baby. Especially since DiploBaby is super heavy. Whenever someone tries to carry him they are always so surprised by how heavy he is.
MARY GRACE CAFE NAIA TERMINAL 3
One of my secrets to to drama free travel is FOOD! Everyone should be well fed and nobody is hungry so nobody gets HANGRY or Hungry-ANGRY! We had a bit of time before our flight so we headed over to one of our favorite restos in Manila, Mary Grace Cafe. So thankful they have a branch in Terminal 3!
My favorite is their Mary Grace Chicken Caesar Salad & Fresh Tomato & Herb Pasta. We ordered them split between me & TD because the serving is a bit big so splitting it makes both just right!
Another favorite is the All Cheese Pizza which is what DiploBaby always has. You can see the lovely menu of Mary Grace Cafe.
HEADING TO THE GATE
Cebu Pacific terminals are usually at the very end of the airport, so it’s important to ask for a wheelchair if you have someone who has problems walking.
Though TD can walk already, he cannot walk too far or too fast. If he walked to the very end of the terminal, he would have pain in his leg and it would affect his ability to enjoy the rest of the trip.
MUST HAVES FOR TRAVELING WITH A TODDLER
1. A super light and compact stroller that can fit in the plane’s overhead compartment
It was really important for us to have so that we could push DiploBaby around the airport. We do not want to have an overtired toddler.
So though he is a big boy already at 4years old, we invested in a GB Pockit Stroller which is the lightest stroller and does not need to be checked in. It fits in the overhead cabin compartment like a handcarry luggage. We never check our stroller at the gate because our son usually falls asleep in the plane and he is super heavy. We do not want to be carrying a sleeping baby or toddler from the plane till the luggage collection area. He was about 35lbs already at this time.
IMPORTANT NOTE: After this first trip we sold the GB Pockit and bought a Looping Stroller just because when not in use it can be pulled around like a trolley/handcarry. Unlike the GB Pockit that has to be carried when not in use. Though it’s super light, it’s a hassle to have to carry while traveling. Between the BabyZen Yoyo, GB Pockit and the Looping, the Looping really checks everything!
2. A LIGHT & COMPACT DIAPER BAG THAT CAN BE ATTACHED TO THE HAND-CARRY TROLLEY
Though we have a nice roomy mint one for daily use, I got this from Amazon because:
- A knapsack diaper bag is important for travel because it keeps your hands free
- The color is very forgiving and perfect for travel. Black will show each spec of dust but this type of gray is forgiving.
- The bottom is waterproof
- It’s slim, very light yet carries a lot so perfect for travel
- It has a hidden anti-theft pocket for your wallet and mobile phone.
- Most importantly it has that strap that you can insert into the pull handles of your hand-carry so it doesn’t have to be on your back all the time
Unfortunately it is no longer available on Amazon and I can’t find the same feature for travel on any of the ones they are selling. If you can find a similar bag, please let me know! I would love to link it here!
3. BOOKS TO READ & SHOWS TO WATCH ON THE PLANE
We usually bring a book with lots of different stories when we travel. This helps lessen screentime. When flying Cebu Pacific it’s definitely super good deal during promos, but there is no in flight entertainment.
We try to limit screentime but make exceptions for when we travel. So TD makes sure to download a few shows on his phone that we stand on our nifty wooden keychain.
4. SPECIAL TREATS ON THE PLANE
We reserve some special treats for when we are flying with Cebu Pacific. Specifically: Pringles and C2 Apple Iced Tea. It’s DiploBaby’s favorite so he doesn’t really care how long a trip is or if it has anything fancy. He just gets excited that he gets to eat these forbidden things LOL!
5. Yaya B, of course!
We traveled with Yaya B so that we could have a relaxing trip. I think if it was just me and TD with DiploBaby, we would probably want to kill each other by the end of the trip LOL!
This is a special perk for her because she has been with our family for 13 years now! Imagine that! We feel so lucky to have her as a part of our family!.
THE JUAN EFFECT
I saw this in the magazine in-flight shop magazine and I think it’s amazing! Hope that they become even more sustainable for their in-flight food service!
Arrival For the First Time in Japan
We left in the afternoon and arrived in Fukuoka in the evening. Thank God for the stroller because DiploBaby always falls asleep in moving transport. When we deplaned, we just plopped him on the stroller!
When we arrived in Japan we were really excited about their clean and fancy toilets that do everything from cleaning you down their to drying you. And I love that they have seats for babies, for moms who are traveling without company. So thoughtful! There are even toilets that are bigger so you can go in with your luggage and stroller.
Another thing I love about Japan is how that most public toilets use foaming soap. If not they use really diluted soap which I think is brilliant and super saves on soap! That’s why we have foaming pump bottles also in our home.
We were so excited to ride their super clean taxis that are so well maintained that you don’t even see a finger print on the windows. They also have these nice washable knitted covers for the headrests which is always pristine white!
DiploBaby was just mesmerized by the screen behind the driver’s seat. He’ll take whatever screentime he can get LOL!
And of course he was super excited to see a 7eleven on the way to the hotel!
UP NEXT: A REVIEW OF OUR HOTEL ROOM & WHERE WE HAD DINNER ON OUR FIRST NIGHT!
If you liked this post and found it helpful in planning a future trip to Fukuoka, please don’t forget to share it on social media or pin it on Pinterest! Thank you so much!
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