After our false start on
Friday, Sunday morning Tamika picked Jarvis and I up, and drove us to the
airport.
I have made the flippant
comment "my children are amazing travellers", but it has taken a lot
of trial, and error, to figure out what works and what doesn't. But, I can
honestly say Jarvis was an incredible travel buddy.
He is responsible for his bag,
for what goes in it and what doesn't. For the flight to Hong
Kong he packed, two books, one bunny, a few cars, a mobile phone
(it is an old phone, that was gifted to Jarvis), his camera, a change of
clothes, a jumper, and food. Lots of food. Even though planes serves kids
meals, they never come when needed, and are often not familiar. Which is import
if trying to settle a toddler/child. I always buy one or two small gifts for
him to open on the plane. Great in moments of need. He got a matchbox car, and
a book of stickers.
I always give plenty of
warning about how there are four really, really boring bits before we get on
the plane. 1. the line up at the ticket counter. 2. Going through security and
baggage checks. 3. Customs. 4. Waiting and boarding the plane. I find Jarvis is
okay with these boring steps as we count them through. If he gets over it,
then, yes, I am the Mum who uses the phone. Jarvis has a couple of games
downloaded, and I will sit him on top of my carry on bag and wheel him through
the steps while he plays.
Interestingly though, travelling
alone with Jarvis, I got super speeded through every step. Line up at ticket
counter, directed over to first class. Security and Baggage, through a side gate.
Waiting and boarding, told to get on first with first class. Umm, okay. That
was so easy.
Once on the plane, Jarvis is
always fine. Chewy lolly as a treat for take off and landing, which helps pops
the ears also helps.
A couple other things I
always do are, 1. Ask for the window seat. I feel it give Jarvis and I, our
small space that we do not have to share with people if we are in the middle
seats. 2. After boarding, change Jarvis and I into super comfy clothes. It
gives us more comfort, makes it easy to sleep and saves the 'other' outfit
getting dirty, so when you get off the plane you are wearing relatively clean
clothes.
So after a very long day on
the plane, Jarvis and I landed in Hong Kong
and got through customs at super speed. I am not sure who was more excited to
see who, but it was a very happy reunion of the three Js at the airport.
Then onto the bus, to travel
the hour ride into Hong Kong . Jarvis talked
Justin's ear off non-stop the whole time. Dropped the bags off at the hotel and
grabbed my firs of many wanton noodles. Then Jarvis and I were asleep before we
could even blink.
