If traveling with a baby was a novelty just a few decades ago, today more couples make sure that their little ones see the world from an early age. Some of these kids travel from practically their birth and add thousands of airline miles to their accounts by the time he or she turns 3. If it isn’t impressive on its own, then an average modern baby’s first travel experiences can surely surprise most of the adults.
Baby’s First Travel Experiences that Even Adults Will Envy
I was sitting on the floor, waiting for my 18-month baby to finish chewing his food before I could slide another spoon into his mouth. Wow, he is a big little boy now. He eagerly eats what he likes and turns his head away from the food that doesn’t look appealing to him. But there was time when I fed him with a spoon for the first time, and him opening his mouth for another spoon with pureed food made me almost jump up with excitement. In fact, there were a lot of first things for Dylan, but unlike many other babies he had a privilege to experience some of them in different parts of the world. A few of my baby’s first travel experiences are so unique that even the adults will envy him.
BABY’S FIRST TRAVEL EXPERIENCES TO TAKE A NOTE OF:
1. First time on glass bridge in Arizona
Standing 4,000 feet above the Grand Canyon is nerve-wracking not only for the children, but many adults. Walking on the bridge and seeing the deep chasm under your feet pushes all the boundaries. We traveled to Grand Canyon National Park with Dylan and our family members and couldn’t pass on experiencing its newest attraction, Skywalk. Dylan didn’t walk back then yet. My husband carried him to and on the bridge. In truth, Dylan was too little to understand that it was one of his first big travel experiences.
2. First time wobbling on suspension footbridge in Vancouver, Canada
By the time we visited Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver, Dylan was running non-stop most of the days. And yet again his farther had to cross the bridge holding him firmly in his arms. A wobbling suspension bridge is a fun travel endeavor, but not the one that a little boy can conquer by himself.
3. First time eating bread in Paris, France
You can’t think of a better place to introduce your baby to solid food such as bread than a country that defines the word “cuisine”.
4. First time playing with fall foliage in Vancouver, Canada
We went to Vancouver in October. Oh boy, that was the best time for a baby from Southern California to pick colorful leaves and playfully throw them around for the first time ever.
5. First time paddling down the Wailua River on Kauai, Hawaii
Apparently, it was one of my baby’s least favorite first travel experiences. He cried all the time. And it happened because his mummy accidentally left baby’s pacifier in the trunk of the car before boarding a little canoe.
6. First time dipping his feet in the ocean on Kauai, Hawaii
Even though we have ample beaches in Los Angeles, Dylan never felt comfortable to be around the ocean here. In fact, the boy was ready to run away as fast as his tiny legs allowed at the first sound of raging waves. On Kauai though whether due to its tropical weather or the Aloha Spirit, Dylan changed his attitude and made this travel experience possible.
7. First time taking Eurostar from London to Paris
The babies like trains because they don’t have to be tied to their airplane or car seat and have more freedom to move or walk around. Traveling on Eurostar was a win-win situation not only for Dylan, but also for us: less restrains for the baby, more time to relax for us. Moreover, it was the first time our boy traveled through the Channel Tunnel, the only fixed link between Great Britain and the European mainland.
8. Enjoying views from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in California
The view of the city and surrounding desert was incredible. Dylan, however, was more impressed with tramcar and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating aerial tramway.
9. Wildlife in Alaska
Many babies adore animals. Every time they see the representatives of the animal world, their little fingers strive to touch fluffy wool of the four-legged inhabitants of our planet. Dylan is not an exception. He was overflown with joy when he pointed at every single resident of the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and asked: “What is it?”
10. First time drinking coconut water through a straw on Kauai, Hawaii
This travel experience became a mini show not only for us, parents, but also other vacationers that happened to be near coconut stand on Kauai. As soon as we bought our refreshing “drinks”, Dylan couldn’t stop grabbing them and saying something in his baby language. It looked that the baby felt grown enough to drink through the straw, which made every adult laugh with approval.
11. Sleeping in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
People come to Paris to admire the Eiffel Tower. Dylan decided that sleeping in front of the famous attraction would do the same and justify all the trouble of exploring the capital of France in freezing weather.
12. First time seeing show in Sequoia National Park in California
Snow in Southern California is a rare phenomenon. You get more chances to see it and play snowball high up in the mountains. This is exactly what we did when went to Sequoia National Park to show Dylan this winter miracle.
13. First time visiting a desert in California
I have to admit, Joshua Tree National Park was my first proper desert travel experience as well. Dylan was about eight months then, but even at that age he showed a clear interest in the area especially its funny-looking trees.
14. First cruise in San Diego, California
The best way to see most of a coastal city such as San Diego is by experiencing it from a ship. Our little baby boy couldn’t agree more with it.
15. First international flight to London
Long flights can be exhausting for both the adults and babies. But Dylan nailed it, and we haven’t stopped ever since.
16. Seeing first camel in Marrakech, Morocco
Camels are unique and incredible creatures. They look so calm and exotic just like Marrakech, a city where Dylan saw his first camel.
17. Riding in London’s classic black taxi
A ride in a black taxi is an obligatory first-time travel experience in London, especially when it’s dark, cold, and snowy outside.
18. Climbing 387 steps of iconic Notre-Dame de Paris
In Dylan’s case, it was being carried all the way to the top to enjoy stunning views of the classic city with its Iron Lady in the distance.
19. Riding through the longest tunnel in North America
Despite dim light and creepy feeling, Dylan managed almost seven-minute drive through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel exceptionally well. On the bright side, the tunnel was a gateway to Whittier, a place where the baby could finally get out of his car seat and run around.
20. First time riding a double-decker bus in London
For this unique travel experience, we opted for Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus tour. It was an easy, convenient, and hustle-free way to explore London. What’s more, Dylan liked it a lot!
