One of last night's dinner guests had a whale of a tale (or was it a wail?) to tell about the adventure of flying home to Seychelles from Australia last week with her fourteen-month-old son ... a tale of misery as she was forced to face hour after hour of cramped, confined mothering of a very grumpy boy after having almost every single treat she'd packed to keep her son happy confiscated before... more

Writing yesterday about the planning stages of our up-coming trip to Cambodia ... even though we haven't yet established exactly how up-coming it will be ... I mentioned the fact that we'll be spending at least a couple of days at AOA, the... more

Our first trip to Cambodia in 2003 was to adopt our son, Sam, and a nerve-wracking experience it was.

When we returned in 2005 for our daughter, Cj, we were much more relaxed. Not only had we been through the adoption process once, therefore knowing what to expect at each step and finding it much easier to trust... more

We're going to Cambodia! And, this time we won't be adopting while we're there, so this trip will be a real vacation.

As anyone who's ever traveled to another country to meet their new child knows, stress levels are too high and nerves too frayed during that amazing, emotional and extremely busy time to much to allow for much laid-back vacation fun.

Horror stories from headlines haunt the first-time adopting parents, and visions of babies vanishing in a puff of smoke while some shyster runs off with the dough dog every... more

Anyone planning to travel outside of the US will need to obtain a passport before traveling. If this is your first passport, you must apply in person at your local passport office and provide 6 things:

1. Application for Passport, Form DS-11

Form is available at the passport office. Do not sign form until the passport agent instructs you to do so.

2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship (one of these)

Previous U.S. Passport Certified birth certificate Consular Report of Birth Abroad Naturalization Certificate Certificate of Citizenship

3. Proof of Identity (one of these)

Previous U.S.... more

Most people anticipating a long trip with children do so with some worry. But there are things you can do to make traveling a long way by air less stressful on everyone.

1. Pack thoughtfully.

First of all, keep your carry-on luggage as minimal as you dare. The less you need to tote, the easier the airports will be to navigate. A small backpack used as a diaper bag is an excellent way to carry what you need while still keeping your hands free. Wheeled luggage requires at least one hand. A backpack can be carried, hands free.

Carry on only the essentials: diapers, wipes, Ziplocs (for messy stuff), formula, bottles, snacks, an extra outfit for each child, and a few... more

Preparing to travel to a foreign country to adopt your child is an exciting time. With a little planning and careful packing, you will have all your necessities, hopefully without feeling too much like a pack mule getting your things – and your new child - from place to place! Here are some tips to help you think through the process.

1. Begin a list early, ideally at least a month ahead of your departure date. As you think of things you might like to have, gradually add to the list. You can always pare it down later.

2. For clothing, 5-7 days worth of clothing really is enough, even if you plan to be gone several weeks. Choose items that all go together and that you can... more

Ahhhhhh.

It's so good to be home.

There's nothing like a week away to have me appreciating just about everything about home. Even the quirky and normally annoying aspects of island life ... the chaos of baggage claim taking more than an hour at 4am, subsequent power cuts, and a total dearth of yogurt available anywhere ... meld into the warm fuzzies of dogs happy to see us, the comfort of my own bed with a view, the loving embrace of friends and family, and everything else that spells H O M E.

Cj was so happy to find herself... more

Continued from the previous post

Foreign exchange for purchases from overseas and payments due in US Dollars, GB Pounds or Euro takes at least a week to get, you must have a really good reason for wanting the money and be able to prove exactly where it will be going.

To renew my US Passport, which requires a Bank Check (or as it's known here, a "Banque Cheque") for $50.00 made out to the US Embassy in Mauritius. If you think... more

Preparing for an international trip while living in Seychelles involves some rather important details that need working out in advance. Since we've been organizing for our trip to Singapore for a while now, I'm of a mind to let you in on some things that are just a bit different in this part of the world.

In addition to tickets and passports, exit visas, departure tax, seat assignments, boarding cards, and so on, one thing people need to have with them as they prepare to board their flight to where ever is money ... and Seychelles Rupees don't count.

Our local... more