24 Days. 3 Countries. 2 Adults. 2 Kids. Here are the results.
1. The major reason we travelled to the Netherlands and UK was to see what life is like in those countries as these are global hubs of Unilever (Mae’s work) . Meanwhile Belgium was purely for vacation purposes.
Overall if given a choice, my most preferred would be: Rotterdam (1st), London (2nd) and Amsterdam (3rd).
1b. Every country or city rather was beautiful in its own way. Not to mention there was a lot more history and culture as seen in its architecture.
However each felt a bit less clean, safe and convenient compared to Singapore. So if ever we move, I told Mae that our “baseline” point of comparison should be Manila, because we have been really spoiled here in Singapore.
It is surprising that even in Europe, my appreciation for Singapore has only grown.
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2. Belgium wins the “place you wouldn’t want to bring a baby stroller”.
This award would not have been possible without the collaboration of:
– Cobblestone paths everywhere.
– Hilly landscape that went up and down.
– Ultra slow elevators (if they were existent, which was rare in itself).
– Lack of ramps.
But the MVP was when we found a ramp that had a 45-degree incline.
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3. Best Imaginary Toy: Charms.
Throughout the trip we told Mika that she could collect ‘charms’ in every attraction we were visiting. Sometimes there would be made-up challenges before she could activate the power of the charms.
At the Stonehenge there was a good 20 minute walk that Mika was happy to do because the challenge was she needed to show she was strong so the “Stone Master” will give her the Stone charm.
At one place we got her to wait for 30 minutes doing nothing but touch every colored post we passed by so she could collect the Rainbow charm.
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3b. Mika gave Mae a heart charm because she’s full of love. Mika gave me a Bangus charm.
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3c. One time, when we scolded Mika for being impatient, she got angry at us. As our punishment she took away our charms.
We pretended to be sad.
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4. Best Restaurant
In this restaurant, their burgers and milkshakes were definitely good. The fries were overflowing inside the bag.
But the reason why this resto won this award was because in their bathrooms the water was neither ice cold, nor scalding hot.
It was perfectly lukewarm.
Even our hotels, airports and all other attractions didn’t have this.
The only other place was the royal residence of the King and Queen, Windsor Castle.
This is why Five Guys Burgers and Fries win the best restaurant.
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5. Best Transportation
For context, riding a car or regular taxi while travelling with a stroller is not convenient. Sure, folding up the stroller and putting it in the back is straightforward. However it is the steps before and after this that create the chaos.
For instance if there is a sleeping baby inside, it will likely mean they’d have to wake up and crying would ensue.
Additionally, any belongings inside the stroller would have to be properly secured. Normally these are 2 backpacks weighing 2kg and 5kg each.
This was the situation we found ourselves in when we first hailed the London Black Cab. Mae was with a tired and cranky Mika. Julian just fell asleep in the stroller.
When the cab doors opened, I realized there was enough space to put the entire stroller in without having to fold it, and yet still have enough room for seating at the back.
I pushed the entire stroller in. The cab driver didn’t say anything except ask for where we were going.
We arrived to our hotel with the kids soundly asleep.
This is why the London Black Cabs win the best transport vehicle.
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6. Gains and Losses:
Chocolates & Assorted Sweets: +4.2 kg
Cheese: +1.6 kg
Christmas Ornaments: +7pcs (Mae’s newly discovered touristy thing to take home and collect).
J3: +1.3kg.
Mae: +0.2kg
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6b. Mae bought 2 small sanitizers and 4 lip balms because I am notorious in losing them even at home. I am happy to report 0 sanitizers and zero lip balms were lost during the trip.
When I mentioned this to Mae, she said, “pero nawala natin* yung strap sa stroller”.
*And by ‘natin’, she meant ‘me’.
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7. Favorite conversation:
After a full-day tour that run from 7am to 830pm (our most exhausting day so far)…
Mae: “Baka humilik ako ngayong gabi sa pagod ah”…
I held back a laugh.
She asked why.
“Kasi isang linggo ka na humihilik”.
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8. Unanswered Questions
a. J3: Gumamit ako ng 72-hr intensive revitalizing moisturizer ng 15 days straight… Ibig sabihin ba hindi ko kailangan mag lotion for the next 30 days?
b. Mae: So yung best before at expiry dates ng mga binili natin na food… pwede ba sa Europe timezone rin? Para may 8 extra hours tayo kainin?
c. J3: Dahil the past month 3-4 layers lagi suot ko… Okay lang ba pag uwi brip lang ako everyday?
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9. Most Excited About At Home
J3: White Rice + Adobo + Crunchy Garlic Topping prepared by our helper, Ate Lyn.
Mae: Ate Lyn to take care of the kids.