Flight Review: Bangkok to Koh Samui (40 mins to 1 hour)

I couldn't book us on to the direct flight from HKG to Koh Samui so we went indirect via Bangkok.  The only benefit to this was that we cleared immigration in Bangkok and avoided the often lengthy queues at Koh Samui.

Despite the long walk between gates, I do love Bangkok Airways.  Anyone flying with them gets access to their lounge which has loads of free food, newspapers and computer terminals.  I think they might be the only airline to provide this and it's great for kids.

Outbound we were on one of their little propellor planes (1 hour) and inbound on a jet (40 mins).  They serve a meal on both legs and the staff are very friendly.  On the jet there are tvs that hang down from the ceiling but on the propellor there's nothing so make sure you bring an activity for your kids.

We were able to bring our buggy direct to the gate and I kept my baby in the Baby Bjorn for the duration of the flight.

I have also just signed us up for their Frequent Flyer programme which I wish I'd done years ago!

Immigration, HK Airport & a new baby

For HK Residents, I believe (although not 100% sure) kids have to be around 11 to get an ID card.  Therefore if you are traveling with your little ones, gone are the days when you can jetset through the electronic immigration aisle.
You will now have to queue in the HK Resident channel (although there never seems to be a massive queue here) and if you look really harassed and have a screaming baby they may usher you through the Diplomat Channel if there's nobody there.
My 3 month old baby does not have her visa yet in her passport.  I have her visa on a loose bit of paper (note to self, must not lose this!) and I always travel with a copy of her birth certificate.  I have had a bit of bother the last few times I've been in and out of HK as they take their time looking at the visa paper and questioning the passport.  So it's better to be prepared with the birth certificate and never forget your own HK ID card!

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport - aka the marathon airport

If you are transiting through Bangkok's International airport then make sure you leave plenty of time to catch your connecting flight.  I swear it took about 45 minutes to depart our plane, pick up new tickets from the Bangkok Airways transit desk and then walk the ten thousand miles to the domestic flight gates!  Be sure to keep your stroller and not check it all the way through to your final destination as you will need it.  And you can stick toddlers on the luggage trolley for a nice ride!

The never ending walkways....

Flight Review: Cathay HK to Bangkok

We've just come back from a fantastic villa trip with a group of families to Koh Samui.  More on that later as I thoroughly recommend the villa company we used.

Unfortunately as it was Chinese New Year, I couldn't get us on to the direct Bangkok Airways flights so we flew via Bangkok.

As the flight was 9am, we decided to use the In Town check in the day before so that we could leave a little later the next morning.  Thank goodness we did this as a few hours later my other half developed gastro and was pretty much useless for the next 24 hours.

The plane was one of Cathay's ageing 777s so although it was a bit ropey looking, the seats by the bulkhead were generous.  It was also nice to be sat in a 3 by the window.  Even better was the fact that by total coincidence friends of ours with their children were sat directly behind us.

The skycot was pretty big so the baby was happy and Daisy and her friend played happily for 2 hours underneath the skycot.  As always, the Cathay staff were friendly and helpful.  Cathay will always provide a nappy pack including nappy, nappy sack, Mustela cream and a kids pack.  We were able to take the buggy straight to the plane and then it was waiting for us as we got off at Bangkok.

Book your child's meal on plane

Just a quick post this one - always remember to check you've booked your kids meal for the plane.  I've forgotten a few times and of course my darling greedy toddler will happily chow down on anything but it's safe to say the typical kids meal of nuggets, chips and chocolate milk is better than an adult one!

Packing for toddler and baby for 3 hour flight

I recently flew from Hong Kong to Phuket on Dragon Air.  I hadn't flown Dragon Air for ages and made the assumption the plane would be a bit worn around the edges (correct!) and no seat back tvs (correct!).  I packed the following for my toddler and 10 week old baby

BABY (10 weeks old)
2 sterilised bottles with boiled water (security were fine with this)
1 empty sterilised bottle
3 powder feeds in formula container
3 cartons of Aptamil (again security were fine with this)
2 bibs
1 change of clothes
Nappy kit containing 6 nappies, wipes and nappy sacks
Blanket
Lamaze toy (we were given a bassinet and I attached it to the side so she could stare at it happily)

TODDLER (2.8 years old)
2 nappies (she's potty trained but I find it easier to stick her in nappy on plane)
1 pair knickers
Teddy that goes everywhere
Sticker book (see previous post)
DVD player and DVDs
Snack
Calpol

Villa vs. hotel

If you are lucky enough to be contemplating this debate (I wish I was right now!) then I would say they both have pros and cons depending on size of group and type of holiday you're going for.
I've stayed in private villas in Thailand and Bali and because I was part of a bigger group, it actually worked out a lot cheaper than staying in a hotel.

If I was going away with my family, I think I would prefer to stay in a hotel, take advantage of all the facilities and have the buzz of other families around us.

If I was going in a bigger group, a villa is definitely the way forward.  You can let kids have their midday naps whilst you hang out by the pool, have use of a kitchen, leave all your kid stuff lying around the villa for when they need it, stick them in front of the tv when they're bored.....

We have been to numerous villas in Koh Samui, Thailand over the last few years and always use:

www.samuivillasandhomes.com

You can select either Signature villas which come fully staffed or their (still fantastic) Boutique villas but add on chef etc.

For Bali I have used

www.balivillas.com

You can get some incredible villa deals including chef, driver, maid, babysitter especially in Bali.  Hmmm, it's making me want to get booking my next trip away!