Archive for the 'Brfg: Travel' Category

Feb 13 2007

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Jakarta

Published by suzette under All, Breastfeeding, Brfg: Travel

I guess I might be regarded as a very demanding hotel guest. I always make very weird requests.

Wherever I travel, I always ask for 2 things - freezer to freeze my ice packs (and sometimes expressed breastmilk - EBM), and chiller (fridge) to keep my fresh EBM.

I’ve been doing this for nearly 3 years without getting any problem. I’ve done this in Bangkok, Chiangmai, Beijing, Shanghai, Manila, Houston, New York, Chicago, KotaKinabalu, Penang, Kuantan, KL, etc. All no problem.

But today I nearly cried here in Crowne Plaza Hotel, Jakarta.  Previously in Mulia Hotel I didn’t have any problem.  I am extremely disappointed with today’s event.

I actually parked my ice packs with concierge since yesterday noon. This morning when I tried to retrieve them, I waited for 40 min, and at the end I gave up. I left without my ice packs.

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7 responses so far

Oct 23 2006

EBM from Beijing

Published by suzette under All, Breastfeeding, Brfg: Travel

Bringing EBM from BJ is proven to be more difficult than the last few trips.  The security scaning is more stringent.  At first they really refused to let me bring my cooler box onboard due to the liquid.

I was panicking already, coz I cannot check in the chilled ‘lam-bet-bet’ ebm!  It took me so many explanation and even walked to the separate custom counter for further screening and questioning.  Finally I passed the screening.

Then, the next challenge was, the aircraft crew refused to keep my ebm for me.  Instead, he gave me a pack of ice, asked me to put my ebm inside.  I accepted it, coz I’d only need to do this for 2 packs (expressed twice only along the way).  If it had happened for the longer journey I’d have problem liao!  Thank God!

One response so far

Oct 17 2006

Another EBM Challenge

Published by suzette under All, Breastfeeding, Brfg: Travel

I am supposed to continue my story about the last Chicago trip, but can’t help to write about this trip!  Well, am in Beijing now, just had my morning meeting, lunched and in the hotel room.

Okay, why I can’t wait to write about this trip?  Just want to complain only… The airport and ‘Boarder Control’ system was so lousy here.  Though I’ve been here many times before, never been this bad.

My flight arrived at 6:30am.  At 7:30am I was still queing at the ‘Boarder Control’.  There was like no clear lines, and it was like a zoo.  Two lines can converged into one, and one line can lead to no where, etc.

After I cleared the imigresen, I was stuck at the luggage claim.  All the TVs do not display my flight.  No info on my luggage.

I asked someone on the ground, he asked me to go to the baggage assistance counter.  When I reached there, a lady staff just grumbled: “为什么每个人都来找我呢?”

And she just walked away, gong to the back of the counter.  I chased after her coz I was in a hurry having to make it for the morning meeting.  I asked her “小姐, 我那班机一个小时前到, 但电视上都没有它的 belt number…”

She continued to walk to the back as I was talking and said “你去隔壁呀!”

I was left there helpless, coz there is no one else at the counter, and I was clueless on what she meant by that.  Finally got someone to help me and that was another 15 min gone.  Luckily my car still waited for me.

When I reached the hotel, to my surprise, they can’t get a freezer for me, and they can’t fiind dry ice for me either.  Now I have problems with my EBM.  They’ve finally agreed to keep my 3 packs of milk in their so called ‘not cold freezer’ and to test out whether it works or not.

I am now in dilema whether to freeze (not sure work out or not) or to chill my ebm.  If I chille, I only worry that it is difficult to transport so many of the small lam-bet-bet (soft) packs.  Worry of leakage lah, etc.  Aiyeh!  Why so difficult one?  And I have to come back again 2 or 3 weeks from now!!!  Geram!

3 responses so far

Oct 13 2006

8 Days Separation

Published by suzette under All, Breastfeeding, Brfg: Travel, Isabel

I have so many things in my list that I would like to blog about.  Really dunno which one to start first.  I’ll just pick the easiest (no photos to upload and stuff…)!

I am very glad that, after 8 days separating from my children, it only took me a week to fix things.

Well, what was wrong that I needed to fix?  Mostly nipple confusion for Isabel.  I think, yes - ‘I think’, she has nipple confusion.  Well, she didn’t reject my breasts entirely, but she behaved very differently when it comes to feeding.

When she was sleepy and hungry, instead of nurse to sleep, she cried to sleep.  She just suckled for 2-3 times: chup, chup, chup; then let go and crie, cried, cried till she finally slept.

To feed her, I had to feed AFTER she fell asleep.  Really the other way round.

Glad that it is back to normal now.  At least she is quiet at night, no more crying after/during feed, more peaceful!  Hahaha!

As for Ian, I think this short separation does us more good than harm.  Not sure it is the separation or he just grown up (even for few weeks older), he suddenly behaves so well.  Oh, I’m not saying he is naughty… well, I’ll write separately about his behaviour.

2 responses so far

Oct 03 2006

Amount EBM Brought Home

Published by suzette under All, Breastfeeding, Brfg: Travel

Okay, counted this morning.  I brought home 234.5 oz of ebm, from 23 Sep 7am till 30 Sep 9am, 8 days.  Isabel drank 250 oz during the same period.

Not too bad a gap.  In total, I still have enough stock for me to go away for 11.5 days (550 oz).  :D  :D

Going to leave again to Singapore and Beijing soon.  Glad they are much shorter trips.  But I really hate pumping.  :P

5 responses so far

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