My Son's First Adventure On Board and Abroad!

Hello everyone!

It’s been over a year since my last post. It was never my intention to post annually here. As a working mom who somehow thought adding a doctoral degree to the mix was a great idea, things have been wonderfully chaotic. Sure, there’s been stress, but the challenges come with a lot of joy, and a sense of adventure for the memories we’re creating and the journeys that lie ahead.

To keep up with my goals, I’ll be posting in English from now on. This is my attempt to polish my writing skills, so please bear with me if things sound a bit formal sometimes!

---

This was a big milestone. My son's very first time on a plane and his first international trip! Watching his eyes light up as we boarded was priceless. The hum of the engines, the excitement of takeoff, and the thrill of being above the clouds for the first time. It was all new to him, and his curiosity made every moment feel extra special.

As we landed in a whole new country, My son's wonder only grew. From the unfamiliar sights to new experiences, this trip wasn’t just a getaway, it was the beginning of his journey as a little world explorer!

The Journey Begins

In May, we decided to take a short trip to Singapore! The idea came up when we finalized my son’s passport and were figuring out a special way to celebrate May, which is also my mom's birthday month. She suggested a family trip to Singapore, wanting to celebrate her birthday with her grandson along Orchard Road. I was surprised but excited, this would be my first time traveling internationally with a toddler in tow!

Now, I’ll admit, we haven't done much traveling since my son was born. The one notable trip was a quick road trip to a nearby coastal city when he turned one. After that, travel plans took a back seat. With a tighter budget and the challenges of traveling with a toddler (parents, you know the struggle!), it was easier to stay put.

But this time, everything came together! Once the travel documents were sorted, I put on my “planner” hat, as I usually do for our family trips, and began creating a detailed itinerary. I love having every little detail outlined, it’s my way of making sure we’re prepared and can make the most of our time, stress-free. Here’s a taste of how I plan: from where to eat to transportation, ticket prices, and even budget estimates for each activity. It helps to have a roadmap, and I think we all appreciated the clarity!

Getting There: A Two-Stop Route

Since direct flights from Palembang to Singapore haven’t resumed post-pandemic, we decided to fly to Batam and take a fast boat to Singapore. Not only did this allow us to work around flight availability, but it also gave my husband a chance to visit Batam’s famous thrift markets, one of the largest hubs for the thrift business in the region. He’s been eyeing this visit for a while, so it was a win-win!

---

Day 1: Journey to Singapore

We touched down at Batam Airport in the morning and headed straight to Batam Center Harbour to secure our fast-boat tickets to Singapore's HarbourFront. The sea trip took a little over an hour, and we had to account for the one-hour time difference between Indonesia and Singapore.

Upon arrival at HarbourFront, we breezed through immigration, thanks to the priority line for parents with toddlers under 2, definitely a perk for families! With immigration cleared, we hopped into a taxi bound for our hotel on Bencoolen Street. We opted for this location after finding that accommodation prices along Orchard Road had spiked.

It was the start of an exciting adventure!

After settling into our hotel room and freshening up, we headed straight to one of Singapore's most iconic spots: Merlion Park! This was a must-see on our list, and the excitement was palpable.

Given that we were traveling with a toddler in a stroller, we mostly opted for taxis to get around comfortably. Navigating public transportation with a little one can be a bit challenging, so the convenience of taxis was a big help. However, we did try the MRT for a short trip, just to experience Singapore's renowned public transit system. It was incredibly efficient and a great way to get a sense of how smooth and accessible public transport can be in other countries.

Our first day was already packed with new sights and experiences!

Merlion Park, still holds the same vibes as before, flooded with tourists from around the world to see the symbol of Singapore. My son had a really great time despite the hot weather. This toddler born in the pandemic and lockdown era loves to visit new places and of course to see a bunch of people.

Done with the sweltering Merion Park, our next destination was Jewel at Changi Airport. This magnificent place opened in 2018, and this was my first time visiting it. Every year there is a new attraction that worth visiting in this small country.

Jewel was so breathtaking, I could not imagine how human civilization utilized technology to create this artificial environment in the middle of an airport. My son took a nap on our way to Jewel, then when he woke up, he was mesmerized by the vast waterfall that was pouring down from the ceiling to the bottom of the structure.

After strolling around the Jewel, we headed back to the hotel to get some rest and ready for our night adventure on the famous Orchard Road. First thing first, once we see the ice cream we must buy it. This was my husband's first trip to Singapore and he must try the most well-known Singaporean Ice Cream Sandwich! We found it even though the variety of ice cream tastes was sold out. But this sandwich ice cream hit differently!

Orchard Road was not as crowded as usual, maybe because it was not during the weekend and peak season of the holiday. But overall we enjoyed it, especially my son, he was full of excitement when I allowed him to run around by himself.

Finally, we went back to our hotel. We did not decide to stay longer until midnight because our son needed to sleep in time. Otherwise, he will be moody in the next day. Good night and sleep well sayang!  

---

Day 2: Exploring Orchard Road

The next morning, we kicked off our day with a visit to the vibrant Orchard Road. To fuel up, I grabbed an iced coffee for a quick boost, while my husband, who avoids caffeine, opted for a refreshing iced matcha latte.

With our drinks in hand, we were ready to dive into the bustling atmosphere of Orchard Road, soaking up the sights, sounds, and excitement of one of Singapore’s most iconic shopping and entertainment hubs. It was the perfect start to an adventure-filled day!

Then, based on our schedule, today is the day for Cloud Forest and Flower Dome at Gardens By The Bay. The fee for the tickets varies, for an adult is 53 $ and my son was free because he was still under two. (transportation and other attractions are free too for kids under 2 years old)

At that time there was an Avatar: The Experience attraction there, so you could find some avatar-related decorations inside. Not really a fan of Avatar so I did not pay much attention to it. I just enjoyed the artificial nature-like environment inside the appealing weird-looking structure.

I went to Gardens by the Bay once during my 2018 visit to attend Singapore International Water Week as a participant in the Young Water Leader Summit Program. I promised myself to take my future husband and kid to this place again one day. This was also my mom's first time here, although she has been to Singapore too often, maybe more than 20 times!

Then, we visited the Flower Dome that just located across the Cloud Forest. It is a coincidence I think, during our visit was the last season of Tulips, which is my mom's favorite flower. If I am not mistaken, the last time I saw tulips was in Keukenhof The Netherlands in 2015. Mom and my son were so excited to see the colorful flowers!

Hold my hand...

It was still mid-day, and the weather was more or less the same in Palembang, we went to Universal Studio Singapore just to take a picture in front of the globe. My son was still too small to enter the attraction so we did not enter. After this, we went back to the hotel to fill our energy for tonight's activity.

During the night, we walked from Gardens By The Bay to the surrounding location, to reach our next destination to see the light attraction. First, we passed the Super Tree Grove and it was even more enchanting during the night. This was my first time seeing these gigantic iron trees right from the bottom. The lights are changing and it was a magnificent experience. I even lay down on the ground to feel the sensation of it.

We also passed by Marina Bay Sands Hotel to go to the Mall and the riverside. I had so many memories in this hotel, such as swimming on the rooftop of the building, attending Singapore Int'l Water Week, attending the concert in the exhibition hall, and many more!

To see Spectra - A light and water show was our last itinerary for today, This free event happens almost every night for 15 minutes around 8PM (CMIIW). A bunch of people gathered in the riverside area of Marina Bay Sands to watch the light show. My mom insisted that we must see this, and it was actually a great idea because the show was indeed spectacular.

Happy birthday Nineng Yeni, May Allah always bless you with happiness and health, we love you so much!

---

Day 3: An Early Morning Stroll to Fort Canning Park

One bright morning, my husband and I decided to set off for an early walk to a nearby gem, Fort Canning Park a spot known for its lush scenery and "instagram-worthy" views. We wanted to soak in the atmosphere before the crowds arrived, thinking we’d get there just in time for a quiet moment to explore and snap a few photos.

But to our surprise, as soon as we arrived, there was already a line of people waiting for that iconic photo spot! It seems we weren’t the only ones with the idea of capturing the park’s beauty in the soft morning light. The enthusiasm around us was contagious, and everyone seemed equally excited to get their picture-perfect shot among the greenery and historical charm.

Even though we had to wait, the atmosphere was vibrant, and it felt like a shared experience with fellow travelers and locals alike. There’s something fun about seeing people from all over lining up to capture a moment in such a beautiful place. It was worth it, too the photos, the memories, and the magic of starting our day in a park that feels like a hidden oasis in the city.

---

An Afternoon in Bugis Junction and the Journey Back Home

As our trip was winding down, we decided to make the most of our last afternoon by exploring Bugis Junction. The lively atmosphere, vibrant shops, and bustling crowds made it the perfect spot to soak in the energy of Singapore one last time. And finally, I couldn’t resist! I indulged in some Musang King Durian! The rich, creamy taste was everything I’d hoped for, and it was a little taste of adventure all its own.

Of course, we couldn’t leave without picking up a few souvenirs. Strolling through the shops, we found keepsakes to bring back a piece of Singapore with us, small reminders of a trip filled with memories.

With bags packed and hearts full, we headed back to the hotel, checked out, and made our way to Vivo City and HarbourFront to catch our boat back to Batam. As we watched the Singapore skyline fade, there was a quiet sense of contentment. We spent one final night in Batam, resting up before our journey back to Palembang.

And just like that, our short but memorable trip abroad with my son came to an end. If there’s one thing I took away from this experience, it’s that my little one is a true traveler at heart. He turned out to be such an easygoing kid, adapting seamlessly to the new environment, sights, and sounds around him.

For a long time, I had this lingering anxiety about traveling with children, the unpredictable moods, the potential for meltdowns, and all the logistics that come with it. But this trip was such a positive reminder that sometimes, kids surprise us in the best ways. My son's curiosity, his calm nature, and his excitement to explore made everything feel so much lighter and more joyful.

This journey broke down the walls of my worries and showed me that, yes, travel with kids is absolutely possible, even enjoyable! Here’s to more adventures and to raising little explorers who see the world with wonder and courage. 

Cannot wait for our next trip!

Still many miles to go, and many memories to collect!