KSF's for traveling

After over two years on strict budget diet, my husband went a bit crazy last night and bought us a last-minute trip in a faraway country. This means a long-haul flight with our Toddler. Which is why this morning I jumped into a careful consultation process with our entourage to capture the best practices. (nb! I have yet to consult my guru-traveller sister)


To focus my research and evaluation I have identified Key Success Factor (KSF) for our holiday:


1. Smooth travelling
2. Pleasant Stay
3. No earthquakes or other natural disasters


I am most concerned by points 1 and 2. 


A key element in Smooth Travelling seems to be Toddler Entertainment during the flight. My boss revealed his wife relies on Bribing ie. introducing a new toy for every rolling hour. Sounds promising, although eighteen toys alone will make up my hand luggage. Others rely on food: raisins, cookies and the queen of all: a Lollipop! Apparently a lollipop in mouth makes screaming a real challenge. Sounds reasonable. Some other more and less creative tips included: DVD's (special occasion), making baby sleep on the dinner table - to ensure the previous works the recommendation is to skip before-flight naps and let first your toddler run the plane around until exhaustion. To be tested. And she needs to learn to walk first. 


The pleasant Stay covers a lot: Happy toddler, unstressed Husband, both fed and kept amused 24/7, clean and calm hotel, no risk for cholera by consuming hotel food or beverage, no malaria, dengue or other known or unknown sickness, unfilthy beaches and my ultimate key criteria: SUN AND SEA! The last two are fortunately facts in the place we are heading. For the rest the recommendation was to bring the baby's food along (?), a full medication arsenal, water boiler, UV costumes, sun screens, mosquito nets..Gone are the days with travelling on visa and tooth brush only..


For the third one I pray. And consult actively http://www.iris.edu/dms/seismon.htm.


Fortunately I have still weeks to fuzz, worry and potentially change my mind about the whole trip :)