When Karen Edwards, a 31-year-old nurse, and her partner Shaun Bayes announced that they were going to travel the world with their toddler Esmé, everyone thought they were nuts. But, being long-time backpackers, they packed everything into one backpack, took their 10-week-old baby girl and took off. Asia, Australia, and New Zealand were waiting.
"The overall aim is to inspire like-minded travel loving parents – your travel days do not have to be over," said Karen. "It is all about incorporating your little person into your way of life. You can still do everything, including snorkelling and diving, but you just take it in turns. I can't imagine having spent my maternity leave any other way." The travelling trio is currently in Thailand and going to Cambodia next!
"Both Shaun and I were keen backpackers before I fell pregnant," said Karen, a 31-year-old nurse
"Everyone thought we were completely nuts when we said that we were going to take Esmé"
But Shaun left his job, sold their car, rented their house and took off with their 10-week-old baby
Over 10 months, they travelled across Asia, Australia and New Zealand with only 1 backpack
Karen was breastfeeding and Esmé was vaccinated before they left the UK
"Little miss was born in London, has a mum from Ireland and a dad from New Zealand..."
"The gal is destined to travel!"
"She was really well behaved"
"Because she was small it was easy enough to keep her in the harness when we were on the move"
"We have no regrets, she got to experience new sights, scenes and smells as she grew"
"The only time I felt Esmé was missing out was not having much socialising with other children"
"However the libraries always have free rhyme classes if you need to socialise your child a little"
"The weirdest part of the trip was actually coming home"
"Esmé hasn't lived somewhere for a long period of time because we were always moving around"
"It's also harder to find her things to do in London - well, compared to travelling anyway"
"People say having a child ruins travelling, but it really doesn't"
"Obviously there were times...when you fancy a beer and the baby is asleep"
"And when you crack it open she wakes, that makes it harder. But it's worth it"
"You can still do everything, including...diving, but you just take it in turns"
"I can't imagine having spent my maternity leave any other way"
"It is through these experiences, I want to share factual information, personal stories as well as top tips for travelling with little ones"
"The overall aim is to inspire like-minded travel loving parents"
"Your travel days do not have to be over"
"It is all about incorporating your little person into your way of life"
The travelling trio recently took off to Bangkok for another 3-week adventure
Feeling inspired? Check Karen's blog for tips on travelling around the world with a baby
