Experiencing the real Hokkaido – More than Sapporo & Hakodate
Travelling Iceland with kids
Photo credit: @LeiaLauren
When I left my job to travel the world, many people were saying that it’s only possible because I don’t have any commitments. While I’ve addressed the financial side of things by freelancing and working remotely, a part of me always wondered how things will be like after I have kids. Will I still be able to travel as much? Does passion stop the moment you have kids?
Then I met Peter and Amber with their lovely 5 month old twins Leia and Lauren in Iceland on a road trip. While I’ve encountered western families travelling the world with their children, it’s something else all together meeting Singaporeans doing the same. It changes from a “I wish I’ll be able to do the same”, to “OMG it’s really possible to do this while balancing a normal life.”
We were halfway through our road trip in Iceland (see also: Iceland Winter Itinerary – Road trip for 2.3k including flights), when we heard the all too distinct and familiar Singaporean accent at a restaurant.
I still remembered my first comment to them was “you guys are crazy!” Travelling with kids is fine, but with their 5 month old twins? That’s adventurousness on another level.
Yet the more I learnt about them, the more inspired I became.
So I caught up with them after our trip, and decided to share their story because more people need to see this.
Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck. Photo credit: @PeterAmberTravel
Tell us a little more about your background and day to day jobs.
We hold regular full time jobs, my (Peter) background is in finance and Amber’s into marketing.
Love your photography and videos! You’re like professionals. How long have you been working on it?
All our photography and videos are self-taught, and we draw inspiration from Instagram and Vimeo. We started snapping travel pictures in 2012 with the trusty Olympus LX3 and progressed to a DSLR Canon 6D in 2013 for our first Iceland trip. From 2014, we moved back to mirrorless but with Sony’s full frame A7 series for its form factor. We like creating travel videos as it is timeless and always brings us back to the moments we shared in those places.
New Year’s Eve at Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavik. Photo credit: @PeterAmberTravelHow long have you two been travelling together? What’s the story. How did you meet!
We met in 2011 in Frankfurt through the course of our work, but only got together later part that year. Been intensive travelling ever since! Got married a year later and here we are.
Some people will think you’re crazy. Why in the first place did you decide to travel with your kids!
Exploring the world has always been our passion and parenthood doesn’t have to rob us of it. Everyone thinks it’s a bad idea. However we choose to think that its all about taking the first step. Needless to say, Leia and Lauren’s well-being is our top priority. We did our research, consulted multiple doctors, and ensured they had their major vaccinations completed before the travel.
Perhaps it’s also because both of us have very open personalities and do not tend to conform to traditional beliefs or hearsay.
Awwww. Photo credit: @PeterAmberTravelBut wouldn’t the kids be too young to remember anything?
You are right, Leia and Lauren will probably not remember a thing, being 5 months old when they first travelled to Iceland. But we have so many stories and travel pictures to share with them when they get older. That to us, makes everything all worthwhile.
What’s it really like to be travelling with kids? The sacrifices, the stares…
Let’s just say it has its fair share of stressful moments; like the incident where Daddy accidentally checked in their milk powder before our long haul back to Singapore. Thankfully the helpful ground crew saved the day. When travelling with babies, there is little room for oversights so we have learnt to be extremely organised!
Truth be told, we didn’t expect it to be easy. We knew from the beginning that it was going to be challenging and taxing. Our typical spontaneous travelling styles will have to change. More intensive research and planning will be required before each trip. Not forgetting to mention that there will be immense packing and extra suitcases to lug around (we had 7 plus a double pram for Iceland).
There are more considerations, but not impossible.
Skógafoss at a distance. Photo credit: @LeiaLauren
What’s the one thing you love most about travelling with Leia and Lauren?
Being extremely cooperative, our babies make the old adventures seem new! They give us a broader perspective, adding a whole new meaning to family travel. They taught us to travel slower, and truly soak in what the destination has to offer.
Share a secret for parents who will like to bring their kids travelling at a young age?
As much as possible, coincide your flight timings with their sleep schedule. You will likely get a less fussy baby and a much more relaxed flight!
Amber having a special moment with the Icelandic horse. Photo credit: @PeterAmberTravel
Would you do this again? If yes, where next!
Definitely. We have made plans to catch the beautiful cherry blossoms in Tokyo this April. Japan is child-friendly and has good sanitation so we are looking forward to a great time with the kids!
How do you feel about the phrase “life/travel stops the moment you have kids.”
This phrase seems to portray parenthood as restrictive, unless you don’t enjoy travel. We believe in a very simple theory – happy parents happy babies! The lack of self-worth and fulfilment in parents often results in resentment, not something that we want to feel towards this supposedly amazing phase in life.
Travelling and exploring has always been our way of life and really, we can’t see a better way than to travel with our babies! In such a way, we are able to spend time with our children yet do what we enjoy.
Northern Lights in Iceland. Photo credit: @PeterAmberTravel
If you’ve been inspired like I have, do check out the first hand account of Leia and Lauren goes to Iceland.
Who says you can’t travel after you have children. All we need is a dose of patience, a dash of common sense, and an adventurous spirit.
I’ve finally found my idols for parenthood. This is what I call family goals.
p.s. Btw the chubby Leia & Lauren are like celebrity babies on Instagram.
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Your girls are beyond adorable!! Btw how many layers of clothings do they have on? Im travelling to Iceland in April with my 5mths old and 19mths old. Would appreciate any tips frm you ;)
Hi Nurul!
You should direct the question to Peter Amber actually. I only interviewed them cause I found their story interesting!
We went to Iceland last spring, it was really amazing! Thank so much for your work and info! It was my second time i have visited Iceland but after reading your inspiration and want to jump on the plane again.
:D