Solo long-haul flying while pregnant

I flew alone from Mexico City to London to Aberdeen during my 3rd trimester (28 weeks). That’s almost 12 hours in the air, plus a few more on the ground, with baggage, at 7 months pregnant.

You’ll hear people saying that it’s not safe or you’re not allowed to travel during pregnancy (especially during your 3rd trimester) but that’s not exactly true. There are rules and guidelines to follow though. These are my tips based on my experience.

Don’t leave it too late

Rules vary by airline but in general you will not be allowed to fly after the 36th week (32nd week if you are pregnant with more than one baby) so book as far in advance before that as is suitable for you (in case of delays or cancellations, you don’t want to leave it too close and end up missing the “safety” window). Obviously every pregnancy is different, but (outside of the horror of the first trimester) the further along you are the more physical discomfort you’re likely to experience in terms of backache, heartburn, braxton hicks, etc. so bare that in mind. Long-haul travel (esp in economy) isn’t comfortable at the best of times and waiting until the very last minute might mean extra aches and pains that are bound to make it a bit of a miserable time.

Talk to your OBGYN or midwife before booking

Depending on how far along you are, what airline you’re flying with, and your physical condition you’re likely to require a letter from your health care provider stating whether your pregnancy is single or multiple, your expected due date, and that there are no complications with your pregnancy (or that they deem you safe to fly under your current condition). They’ll also hopefully be able to give you advice on how to stay healthy and comfortable during the flight, for example: wearing compression socks and getting up to walk around regularly to aid blood flow, staying hydrated, and maybe even be able suggest or prescribe pregnancy-safe travel medication if necessary.

Become a member of the airline

This is my biggest tip whether your pregnant or not. I join every membership of every airline I travel with. It’s free, and you’re more likely to get priority for free upgrades, the ability to choose your seat and meal preferences in advance, and collect points for future travel. In general I feel that I get a slightly better service since I’ve become a member, and because I travel back and forth from the UK to Mexico a couple of times per year it’s definitely worth it to get those points and privileges. The best thing for me is getting to choose my meal preferences (I’m vegan), especially when I’m pregnant I can’t afford to go a whole 10 hour flight without eating, so knowing that I’ll get suitable food means I don’t need to worry that the meals on general offer are going to be something I don’t like or can’t eat. Not to mention that “special meals” get served first, so less waiting time. I also have “aisle seat” chosen as my preference because I hate having to squeeze past a stranger every time I want to walk around or use the bathroom which is also extra helpful when you’re pregnant and have a baby using your bladder as a trampoline.

Travel light

Once the airline has flagged that you’re pregnant (esp if you’re quite far along and your bump is showing) they (or some kind stranger) may offer assistance with getting around the airport and carrying your bags, but there’s no guarantee* so be prepared to have to carry or push your baggage around alone. If you’ve got transport lined up or someone dropping you off and picking you up at the airport then checking the majority of your baggage and only taking light hand luggage might be the way to go. I like to feel like I have everything I need with me on the plane, and opted for my old-faithful carry-on backpack as my main luggage. That’s why, even more than usual, I tried to pack as little as possible and only travel with necessities. This time round I was staying in the UK for 5 months, and during that time would be giving birth, so there were things I needed to pack that I wouldn’t normally bring, which meant other things got left behind. I brought a “capsule wardrobe” of clothes that I knew would fit during pregnancy and the first few months after, even if it meant I’d be wearing the same thing over and over again. I stripped back my toiletries to the bare minimum, knowing that I could pick up anything extra like shampoo bars on the other side. And I made the decision to get all my baby stuff once I was in Scotland, and prepared for the flight back to be the one with extra checked baggage, instead of taking everything back and forth twice.

Make yourself as comfortable as possible

You might have heard that airlines will give you an upgrade if you’re dressed very well because they’ll think you’re wealthy or important. I asked my friends who work at check-in desks, who are flight attendants, and even pilots if this is true and every single one of them said no, it’s a lot more to do with if you’re travelling alone, if you’re a member, if you’re nice to the staff, if they need to redistribute weight on the plane, and if there are spare seats. So now I really don’t try to look a certain way when I travel because I know it doesn’t matter and comfort is way more important. I have a go-to plane outfit that consists of soft bamboo clothing, a big blanket scarf, compression socks, and slip-on shoes. Do I look good? No, probably not. Do I care? Also no.

*Be prepared not to get special treatment

As I said earlier, someone might offer to help, but they might not. So it’s important to be prepared to do do every stage alone if necessary. This was probably the biggest mistake I made - thinking other passengers and people in the airport would help me out, because they didn’t. For the most part, it’s fine, I have travelled frequently enough that I’m capable of taking care of myself. But when I reached the boarding gate I waddled along looking for a somewhere to sit and wait, saw that there was no space, and had to walk right back to the front. Not one person offered me their seat and I had to stand next to the boarding desk, with my bag on my back, for 30 minutes waiting to be allowed to board. Even once I did board, no-one offered to help lift my luggage into the overhead compartment, and when we landed I needed to ask someone to get it down for me. Again, no big deal, but even when I travelled no-pregnant someone would usually offer help with bags, so I was a little surprised. I think if I’d gone into it with a different mindset I wouldn’t have been so disappointed and annoyed by the other passengers attitudes.

It might feel daunting or scary to fly pregnant, long distance, or alone, especially if it’s the first time. Often we imagine all the worst case scenarios of all the things that could possibly go wrong. The truth is that airlines and flight attendants do not want anything bad to happen to you while you’re in their care, that’s bad for business, especially in the age of social media. They are trained in how to handle any number of emergencies, including pregnancy related ones, so personally I just focus on getting myself to and from the boarding gate, and trust that they’ll take care of the rest.

Sustainable and Ethical Travel Tips

Sugar cane and fruit at a Mexican market

Why is all travel not sustainable?

More and more often we hear the word “sustainable” in relation to climate change, food, the fashion industry, and tourism. In these cases, it essentially means actions that protect and maintain their environment. For tourism specifically, it can refer to actions that do not exploit natural resources or harm local people. Tourism is on the rise, steadily for the last 30 years, with the exception of 2020 when the tourism industry suffered a loss of almost US$4.5 trillion due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The tourism industry is keen to recover from this loss and travel is expected to increase even more once Covid restrictions are lifted. Flying and package holidays are getting cheaper and an ever-growing number of people want to travel to take holidays abroad. However, as we become more aware of the effects of climate change we also see the effects of tourism, especially on formerly non-touristic countries, many of which are considered “developing” or “third world”. For wealthy people in the global north to visit these places often involves staying in newly developed luxury resorts. However, this can have a very drastic impact on the local communities and ecosystems. (Please read this, this and this research for more information.)

As a travel photographer and avid traveller, I feel it’s my responsibility to understand the impact I have on the places I visit and to travel as sustainably as possible. So, I took an online course on Sustainable Tourism by the University of Copenhagen and did some of my own research, and this is some information and tips I wanted to share for anyone else worrying about their travel footprint.

Eating local foods

Most tourists are from the global north where western diets are the norm. Many times these types of travellers, especially those staying in luxury accommodation like resorts and hotels, expect high-quality food that they already recognise and know they will enjoy. This forces the resorts and restaurants to cater to their tastes, often meaning they have to import or prepare food that is different from the local cuisine. This often forces local farmers to grow food that is not in harmony with the natural ecosystem and also causes a rise in food costs for local people. The more sustainable option, which has a better overall impact on the local community, is to eat the local cuisine from small restaurants and cafes outwith the luxury resorts. Tourists from the global south typically already do this or are more comfortable and willing to try local cuisine from street markets or local-run restaurants. For others, this can seem a little daunting as it can mean a big step outside their comfort zone and eating food that is unfamiliar. However, it is a good way to reduce harmful effects on the people of the country and the best way to enjoy a truly authentic experience of the destination. Researching the traditional dishes of a country before visiting is a good way to prepare and identify which food suits your own palate. (Please read this research for more information.)

Accommodation and the local economy

Many people justify luxury travel to “developing” countries by saying that it helps to boost the local economy and that these countries rely on income from tourism. Although tourism does bring money into countries, the money from luxury resorts rarely filters down into the local community. Staff employed by the hotels and restaurants do benefit from the salary, but often the managers and owners (the people who make the most money) are ex-pats, whereas the labour and support staff such as waiters and cleaners are local people who receive lower wages, face high turnover rates, and experience bad working conditions. The rest of the local community do not benefit from the money and more often suffer environmental consequences as a result of tourism. For example, hotels with pools, garden spaces, hot tubs and spa facilities etc use vast amounts of water, reducing water supply to the rest of the region and sometimes causing shortages. The pools, ponds, water features and wastewater also act as breeding grounds for mosquitos, and mosquito populations are known to rise around tourist resorts and compounds, increasing the local people’s risk of mosquito-borne illnesses. A better option is to stay at smaller local accommodations such as workaways, homestays, or hostels run by local people, and shop at local markets so that the money goes directly to the community and back into the local economy. Some people do not feel safe doing this, especially in countries with dangerous reputations or high crime rates. In that case, it may be better to choose a different destination where you feel more comfortable, rather than fund harmful tourist practices. Also, bear in mind that some places like Hawaii have asked tourists not to visit the islands during the Covid pandemic as they’re health services and natural resources are strained trying to accommodate foreigners, with local communities suffering the consequences. It’s important to consider the wishes and comfort of local people when deciding on your travel destination. (Please read this and this research for more information.)

Wildlife tourism

This is a huge part of the tourism industry, all over travel and tourism Instagram you’ll see photos of people posing with wild and exotic animals. Although it may seem harmless and you may be assured that the animals are well cared for, it is impossible to have wild animals interact with humans in this way, without some kind of training or abuse involved. This training often starts when the animals are young and can be very cruel. Elephants for example have their “spirit broken” through beatings with wooden and metal instruments to ensure that they allow tourists to touch them and climb onto their backs - a completely unnatural behaviour. Tigers and other big cats have been known to be drugged in order to subdue them and get them to “calmly” pose with tourists for photos. Animals that are used for entertainment are exploited and almost always kept in unsafe and unethical living conditions. A more ethical alternative to this is situations where wild animals live freely and are not owned or controlled by humans. This exists in places like Nara Park in Japan, where wild deer live and can be fed or viewed by tourists, and also on reserves like those in southern Africa where wild animals can be watched and photographed during safaris. Not all safaris are ethical of course, those which promote hunting (especially “big game”) or fund ivory and medicine trades are partially responsible for the decline of endangered species. However, viewing-only wildlife tourism is shown to be mutually beneficial for the animals and the local communities. (Once local people realise how much money is brought to their area through conservation tourism they are more likely to protect the wildlife and natural environment.) So, how can you know when somewhere really does rescue or benefit animals? Well, generally it’s best to avoid anywhere that allows you to touch (for the most part) or ride the wild animals, where the animals are kept contained (except for a short time may be due to illness or for rehabilitation), and definitely not anywhere that wild animals are trained or perform for tourists. Even rescue facilities where animals are rehabilitated and released generally shouldn’t allow you to touch wild animals (rescues for domesticated animals like cats and dogs or exotic animals formally kept as pets may be different.) Projects such as turtle hatcheries may provide an opportunity to get up close and interact with newborn turtles as this sometimes involves helping the turtles safely make it to the sea. Scuba diving trips where animals may naturally come close to swimmers is also an option, but in instances where bait is used to lure animals can be considered problematic. I know it’s not as “fun” but for the safety of the wildlife, it’s important to remember that we as tourists should watch, admire and observe them from afar, not disrupt or interact with them or their natural habitat. Some local and indigenous communities have closer relationships with the wildlife, but that is due to their long-standing coexistence with their natural environment and isn’t something that should be forced or mimicked by tourists. (Please check out this and this information to learn more.)

Respecting local culture

Although my research did touch on this topic, a lot of what I’m writing here is personal opinion. I think this is a very important thing that we sometimes forget: tourist are short-term guests in a country, but the local people live there all the time, their lifestyle and culture should be respected by the guest during the visit. It’s a very colonialist view, but western tourists often believe our way of life is the best or correct one and forget that although other cultures may be different it doens’t make them bad or wrong. This means, respecting local customs regarding modesty, alcohol, public displays of affection, etc is important. The individualist view of “I should be able to do whatever I want” can actually have real-life consequences for the local people. In some places, young people view tourists as more sophisticated than locals and believe their look or lifestyle is something to be admired, so when tourists wear revealing clothes in modest regions young people sometimes try to copy them and this can cause tension and social problems among the local community. Another thing to be aware of is what is called “white saviour complex” or "poverty porn” this is when tourists pose with local communities, often children, sometimes to show off the charity work they are doing, and post it on the internet. This is problematic for a number of reasons, not least of all that the children or their guardians don’t get the option to consent to the images being taken or shared, and such images where the children can be identified have been shown to increase their risk of abduction and human trafficking. Additionally, it can perpetuate harmful and offensive stereotypes about the country and culture, painting the tourist as a “saviour” of the “poor” local people (thus the name). Other things such as cultural festivals or events may involve practices that are not common in western cultures, and this can be a difficult ethical dilemma for tourists to deal with. In my opinion, it’s best to allow the local people to decide what they allow in their own culture, and support local activists in being the ones to try to make any changes that they think is necessary, rather than judgement or protest being made by people viewing the situation through a western lens.

What does this mean for the future of tourism?

Well, unwto.org has plans and guidelines in place for how we can kickstart tourism again in an ethical and mutually beneficial way that also prioritises safety from Covid-19. The UN has created a list of Sustainable Development Goals that aim to “end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030”, so look out for places and organisations that are working towards or meeting some of these goals. In general, travelling more sustainably might mean going on more of a backpacker-style vacation than having a private pool and access to a golf course, experiencing local cuisine over luxury room service, or booking a guided nature hike instead of an elephant or camel ride. I know it might not be everyone’s preferred way to travel but when it comes to preserving the planet, the wildlife, and the well-being of the local people, making some of these changes can help make a big difference.

Wild sika deer at Nara Park

Now, I want to put a disclaimer saying that I AM NOT PERFECT! This plan/method is not going to be perfect! There is no way for me to be 100% sustainable and have zero negative impact, the majority of us will never be able to achieve that goal for as long as we have to exist in modern, capitalist society. However, my goal with this, as with all things, is to do my best and do as little harm as is practicable and possible in each situation. I never seek to shame or criticize other people for their choices or lifestyle as I don’t know anyone’s personal circumstances, and I know there’s a million reasons why something may or may not be possible for each person. I just try to share my personal experience or things that I’m learning in the hope that someone might find it interesting, or relatable, or useful.

La Marquesa, Mexico

Okay, so I’ve never been a big fan of horses (still aren’t), I find them big and scary.. so when my friends suggested going to La Marquesa I couldn’t imagine what I’d be able to enjoy about it.

La Marquesa is a national park in Mexico State in Mexico and known for it’s beautiful landscape, rolling hills, and horses. Most people love horses, I think. I have so many friends from Scotland who are horse riders, and have raised their horses since ponyhood(?), foalhood(?), whatever it’s called, and talk about the amazing magical bond between human and horse. My husband grew up in rural Mexico and his grandparents owned a ranch so he (like most Mexican men) learned to ride a horse when he was a boy so he could help out on the ranch. I, on the other hand, prefer to avoid horses like the plague. They’re big, bigger than me, and I’m very tall. They’re unpredictable (at least to a horse novice like myself), and they’re powerful, I’ve seen some of my strongest friends thrown off or kicked and the bruises alone are terrifying.

However, my husband loves horses and I know they’re an important part of Mexican culture, so I agreed to go. La Marquesa is about an hours drive from Mexico City; a beautiful, scenic, desert drive. When you pull up you’ll find several entrances to choose from, I don’t know which is the best but I do know that there are some where they’re likely to try to gouge money from tourists. There are local people living on the land, who provide food and bathroom services to visitors. The toilets are what you’d expect of a rural area, not like in the city, they’re very basic and you kind of just have to embrace it. You also have to pay a small fee to the owners.

We brought a picnic, which I highly recommend, to make sure we were properly fed and watered. It’s a hot place with very little shade from the sun and you’re likely to be there for a good few hours as most people visit as a full day trip. There are BBQ facilities and wooden gazebo structures with chairs and tables set up that you can rent. You’ll also be approached by locals offering horse rides, food, drink, kites, footballs and other goods. I personally prefer not to haggle because honestly they’re just trying to make a living and nothing they offer is going to be that expensive anyway, but if you’re watching your pennies then it’s worth wandering around and speaking to different vendors to find the cheapest deal.

If unlike me, you’re into horseriding then you can rent a horse from one of the men and be lead on a pony treck around the hills and fields - the views are spectacular. If you’re a competent rider they’ll let you take the horse on your own. If you’re new or not very confident as a rider then someone will walk in front and lead the horse. The group is lead by one of the Campesinos (the men who rent and lead the horses). Please tip your Campesinos well because it’s not an easy job. They walk for miles and miles, several times a day, up and down steep terrain, breathing in a lot of dust that comes up from the ground. Some of them are just young boys, some are old men. This is their livelihood and way of life and none of them seemed to be complaining but I think it’s important to pay them well for their services, at the end of the day, they’re there to keep you safe.

If riding a horse isn’t your thing (many people object to riding any animals for moral reasons) then don’t think you can’t still visit La Marquesa. The national park itself is full of beautiful lakes and fields to walk around. There’s other activities like motorbike and dirtbike riding. It’s even just a nice peaceful place to spend a day admiring nature, kicking a football around, and soaking up the sun.

It’s not somewhere I’d visit regularly, but it’s a nice place to go to have a picnic with your friends or family and enjoy a break from the city. It was definitely a better day than I was expecting.

 

Alpaca trekking in Mosstowie, Scotland

I love alpacas (doesn't everyone?) so I decided that all I wanted to do for my birthday was hang out with some alpacas. It was a dream come true.

I found out (through an Instagram ad) that there was an Alpaca Farm near where I lived. The company offered 2 types of visits; an hour-long visit to see the alpacas in the field and learn about them, or a three-hour trek, with the opportunity to feed and get close to the animals. Naturally, I wanted to go on a trek, but the weather wasn't right (-4 degrees) but I still so desperately wanted to see them I decided to go anyway and just observe them in the field.

The couple that run the farm are so lovely and welcoming, even though the weather was freezing, they couldn’t have been nicer. They took us to meet the animals, and spend time with them in the field. I couldn’t stop laughing at how cute and funny the little expressions on their faces are (the alpacas I mean, not the couple, obviously). We stayed back and observed them for a while, but some were braver than others and came quite close to us. It was obviously amazing to experience but it’s always important to remember that they are wild animals, some mothers with babies, so you never quite know how they’re going to behave.

After hanging out with the alpacas the couple invited us in for a hot drink, which we were more than thankful to take seeing as our noses, fingers and toes were frozen to the bone by this point. They told us all about the farm and the animals and the history of their business and fed us some of the most delicious lemon drizzle cake I’ve had in my life. We visited the gift shop on the way out (as you do) and I got a stuffed fluffy alpaca toy to take home. We called it Al Pacino. (He’s currently in the care of my 3-year-old niece)

I swear this not an ad or endorsement but, but just my genuine experience at Auld Mill Farms, a place that I thoroughly recommend visiting if you’re in the north of Scotland (although, maybe pick a better time of year, haha). Check out the website here if you want to have your own Alpaca adventure.

 

All information accurate as of January 2018