No expert on travelling overseas with kids!

We leave for Phuket in 2 weeks. I have been spending some time researching - things to do, cultural expectations, currency, health considerations etc etc. It's all very new and exciting for us as a family who has never even been to Bali! (Of course we spend all our holidays travelling around Australia or going to New Zealand!) but it's the thought of flying with an 18 month old for 7 hours that has me freaked out! Once we get there I'm feeling pretty confident as the Thais apparently love children and make them welcome wherever you go. There is of course heaps of family friendly stuff to do in Phuket.
The crazy part of me wishes we could get in a car and drive there! We are experts at car trips with kids after all. Being in a car means kids are strapped in, they're not squirming to get out of your arms and run up and down the aisles. You also don't need to worry about disturbing other travellers - everyone hates a screaming toddler on the plane!
Anyway, I must value this opportunity to expand my travelling with children expertise. People do it all the time it can't be that bad...
Having said all that if you have any tips for me they would be appreciated.
Cheers

Baby & Child Equipment Hire

My lovely friend Luana posted a comment that I thought should be a post so that other's can benefit from the info. See below...
 Do you have kids equipment hire companies on your website? I thought this may be something you could add if you don’t. We're flying to QLD from Perth to take the twins to all the theme parks on the Goldcoast. We’re hiring a pram the same as the one that we have at home (it's a double), for a weekly rate of $65 plus $20 delivery which I know may sound a bit extravagant but I can’t imagine going to the theme parks without one and our pram is too heavy to take on the plane. They’re also throwing in a box of toys for $12 for the week. Here are a few sites:


http://www.lollypopsbabyhire.com.au

http://www.hireforbaby.com/

http://www.jackandjillhire.com.au


Thanks Lu!

Farewell Malcolm Douglas

It's a sad day. The original crocodile hunter, Malcolm Douglas (age 69) has died today after crashing his 4WD into a tree on his property near Broome.

Mr Douglas was one of Australia's foremost crocodile experts. He owned and ran the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Farm in Broome (see photos of Brayden below learning about crocs in Broome on our trip around Oz) as well as his wilderness reserve outside of Broome where he lost his life.

He is also well known for his many wildlife documentaries and films, and his passionate and sometimes controversial opposition to commercial development of his beloved Kimberley.

He taught many of us a great deal about Australia and our wildlife and it's fair to say his more than 50 docos and films contributed to our desire to get out there and see it too!

Malcolm leaves behind wife Valerie and two adult children, Lachlan and Amanda.

Brayden practising his croc wrestling on a concrete (but very lifelike) croc at the Malcolm Douglas Croc Farm in Broome WA

New West TV Channel - great lifestyle shows for Aussie travellers!

West Television (WTV) is Western Australia's first and only free-to-air digital community television station. WTV is a locally focused broadcaster aiming to reflect Australia's cultural diversity and provide an alternative viewing platform. Combining nationally produced shows with locally produced material, WTV is the station to watch to support and enjoy Australian made content.

Programs

CARAVAN & CAMPING SHOW
Explore everything that is Caravan and Camping, bringing you great advice, product reviews and wonderful ideas of where you can spend your next holiday!

ADVENTURE BOUND is a long running, dynamic television series that takes viewers on exciting and extreme fishing adventures around Australia.The new series will be hosted by one of the countries best and most well known fisherman Lee Rayner! Taking their own car and boat on the road, as much as they can, the team will show viewers how they can have their own exciting fishing adventure without blowing the budget.

ALL 4 ADVENTURE
Jase and Rodo are a couple of modern day adventurers. They travel in to some of the most remote places Australia has to offer. In the remote areas that Jase and Rodo travel to, you will not find tour guides or charter boats.

ON THE WATER
On The Water is an action packed aquatic adventure show, where the hosts will take you on an adventure around Australia, to showcase the vessels and water-borne activities that you love, and the ones you know nothing about. Man power, wind power and horsepower are the kings of the activities that are covered in this program. On The Water covers major water events such as the International Skiff Regatta.


and many, many more. Check your TV Guide for show times and enjoy.

Our Australia - New Children's Books

This delightful series is narrated by a young boy named Taha and tells the story of his adventures around Australia in a campervan with his mother, an Australian citizen of Greek origin. It is aimed at children aged between 7 and 12, and it gets the mixture of fun and facts just right. The first four books in the series focus on Alice Springs, Broken Hill, Longreach and Mildura.

Written by multi-award winning children's author Phil Kettle, Published by Australian Geographic and selling for $12.95.

The National 4x4 and Outdoors Show

The National 4x4 and Outdoors Show is on this weekend (3rd - 5th September 2010) at Melbourne Showgrounds.

I reckon there are plenty of dads who would be happy to spend Father's Day checking out over 200 exhibitors, showcasing the latest in 4x4, campervans, camping, fishing and boating accessories!

For more information visit http://www.4x4show.com.au/