Preparing for Malaysia: Any Tips?
Batu Caves photo credit: Lanka Tour
At the beginning of November, Matthew and I will be traveling to Malaysia for an 8-day trip. I have a speaking engagement in Kuala Lampur, and we plan to spend a few extra days sightseeing.
Malaysia is not a country I ever imagined visiting, so it is exciting and overwhelming to plan for the trip.
It will be my first time REALLY overseas (I have only traveled as far as the Caribbean), and I am really excited. Matthew has traveled extensively with World Vision, National Geographic and other organizations, and I am so grateful he will be with me.
I have started a Pinterest board about Malaysia, which you can visit here. I am most excited about going to the Borneo rainforest, visiting an orangutan sanctuary (I have loved orangutans since I was a little girl) and seeing the Batu Caves.
It is going to be hard for us being away from the kids for that long, as we have never both been gone at the same time for more than five days. Plus, we will be on the other side of the world! (It takes two days to get there.) Thankfully, my mom is coming to stay with them in Nashville, and I know they will be well-loved.
I would love any and all tips that you have for traveling overseas, being away from your children for an extended period of time or about Malaysia specifically. Please share them in the comments below.
We’ve been very blessed with grandparents who have watched our kids for extended periods of time. A couple of years ago, I traveled to Portugal to meet up with my husband while he was on deployment. My parents watched our kids while we were gone (they were 4.5 and 1 at the time). We FaceTimed a couple of times but they did well while we were gone. The kids were with my parents or in-laws for about a month this summer. For us, it was something my grandparents had done with us (lots of traveling) so it is part of our family culture. Good luck!
Make sure you have a power of attorney for your mother to make any healthcare decisions or sign any paperwork necessary should your kids need medical care while you are out of the country. Have a fun trip!! My husband and I went to Italy a few years ago and left our 3 kids at home with grandparents.
Yes, we definitely have left that before for shorter trips. 🙂 Good reminder!
And ITALY! Swoon. It’s on my bucket list.
Something my parents always did for us as kids, and I do for mine now, was to leave “surprise” bags for each day they were gone if they were both gone for a several day trip. It serves as a visual count down to when Mom and Dad get home (ours are always numbered and in a row on the counter) and something fun each day. We do simple toys, treats, a new movie to watch that day, etc. It can be as a shared bag for the family or one for each kiddo. Doesn’t have to be super expensive or complicated- our kids have loved a favorite snack or treat and a note the most!
I love the idea of numbered bags. 🙂 SO great. I will definitely do this.
Hey Jess,
My kiddos love spending time with the grandparents, so us being gone is also super fun for them :). But things like face timing, photo sharing, making a schedule of your time/events for them to follow along with, daily letters or baggies are fun. I’ve been to Asia, but not Malaysia. I do like the website Viator for tours. And I second the power of attorney.
Thanks for sharing about Viator!
Mu husband and I vacationed in Penang, Malaysia a few years ago and loved it! It has been one of our favorite spots! Make sure to do the night markets (and barter!) and eat the street food-it’s delish! Also, get a massage! Enjoy!