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International Travel-Dubai Diaries

 

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We traveled to 4 countries covering 15+ cities when our son was 22 months old for almost 35 days. Love for travel didn’t stop us from traveling with a toddler. Traveling with kids can be frustrating at times so be prepared for that.
We first visited Dubai en-route Turkey, for 3 days.


Day 1: On the day of arrival we visited: > Dubai Mall > Aquarium and underwater zoo > Dubai fountain

Dubai Mall is one of the largest mall in UAE. Â The Aquarium and underwater zoo is located on the Ground Level of The Dubai Mall, is the largest suspended aquariums in the world.
It houses thousands of aquatic animals, comprising over 140 species.

The Dubai fountain is a choreographed fountain show, next to the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa. We saw the evening show. The evening shows starts at 6.00 pm until 12.00 midnight ( shows in every 30 mins). These are kid friendly places and can be easily covered in 4-5 hours.

Day 2: Our friend took us to few important landmarks. Because the weather was hot and we just managed to get down from the car and click some pics. Little one was sleeping inside the car. Evening was spent spending time with friends and relatives.

The other places to visit are: Miracle Garden, Dubai Village, Butterfly Garden. We couldn’t visit those places as we didn’t have time and we wanted to come again when our son is little older, as now he will not remember anything, and it will be him who will enjoy the most.

  • It is very necessary to carry a stroller if you have a baby or toddler.
  • Our son suffered from loose motion for 2 days. So don’t forget to carry all the necessary medicines with prescription. Small children may fall sick due to change in weather and new place. Be prepared to face the unexpected and take necessary remedies/ precautions for the same.
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Sustainable Travel Tips With kids

Zero waste travel tips

                                      Sustainable Travel Tips with Kids.

 

We have been practising a sustainable lifestyle at home for some time now and this time I adopted the same while travelling to Pondicherry with my 3 years old son. We have been trying to lead a sustainable lifestyle by adopting green methods like  composting wet waste at home, buying plastic-free packaging materials, making our own cosmetics/toiletries, and floor cleaner, using reusable straws, cups, cutlery, etc. giving away all kinds of plastic items and food pouches for recycling.

One of the most important things, we can do to protect our environment is, to find ways to reduce waste. There is not a perfect zero-waste solution, but there are some little sustainable travel tip things we can each do. It just requires some advance planning.

Single-use items like- water bottles, cups, and straws, have an impact not only on the environment but also on us.

Here are the sustainable travel tips that I followed:

  • Packed our own food in reusable containers (or reusable food wrap) instead of buying that are wrapped in plastics
  • Carried our own water bottles and refilled them after security check-in. Refilled at regular intervals from drinking water station
  • Carried reusable, steel straw handkerchief, steel cup, cutlery, and containers
  • Cloth diapers(in case of emergency)
  • Cloth pad and menstrual cup (in case of emergencies) (cloth pad)
  • Loose green tea leaves
  • Electric kettle
  • Carried toiletries like- shampoo bar, detergent powder, soap,
  • Steel straws, spoons, and snacks in small containers for the little one
  • Requested the hotel staff to provide drinking water in a jar instead of water bottles
Sustainable travel tips with kids
Carried our own utensils

 

 

Cloth Diaper:Sustainable travel tips with kids
Cloth Diaper: Sustainable travel tips with kids

 

 

As a result, I could save 10 single-use straws from going to the trash. No unnecessary buying of water bottles.

 

Trash that we generated:

  • One water bottle was kept in the hotel room and my little one was feeling thirsty
  • 2 chocolate wraps someone gave it (which I got back with me)

I am most guilty about the carbon footprints that I contribute while taking a flight. I know flying is bad for the environment and all, but unfortunately, it was my only option. Otherwise, we mostly travel by public transport or on foot once we are at our destination.

Planning ahead for the trip will not only help you lessen your environmental impact, but it will also make your whole travelling experience more enjoyable. It was my first attempt at making a sustainable trip and I am glad I could attain it to some extent.

Read 3 Days in Puducherry: My 1st Trip with my son