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Meet the 1-year-old who's been travelling the world since she was born

11 Feb, 2016
Meet the 1-year-old who's been travelling the world since she was born

The world's tiniest backpacker has been to 12 countries in 3 continents all before her first birthday. And she's still on the move!

While most new moms spend their postpartum days resting, 31-year-old Karen Edwards kept on moving. With a single backpack, her adorable baby girl, and partner in tow, they embarked on a 10-month journey to visit countries such as Ireland, Indonesia, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

Both Karen and Shaun live in London but were long-time backpackers before they became parents and having Esme didn’t change a thing. She was barely three months old when they began their  adventure.

‘Both Shaun and I were keen backpackers before I fell pregnant and everyone thought we were completely nuts when we said that we were going to take Esmé when she arrived,’ Karen told Metro.

  My little angel with her passport just a few weeks old… Only age one she has already been to Ireland, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Taiwan and Hong Kong… Our next trip for February is in the making … #travel #travelwithbaby #travelmadmum #adventure #backpacking #instagood #instadaily #instatravel #igtravel #instapassport #holiday #jetset #travelgram #wanderlust #wonderlust #familytravel #travelwithkids #picoftheday #traveltheworld #mumblogger #tmom #travelblogger #passport #globaldegree #30Xthirty #globetrotter

A photo posted by Travel Mad Mum (@travelmadmum) on Dec 28, 2015 at 7:25am PST

Trekking through the monkey forest in Ubud

  Well this was an interesting walk through monkey forest to say the least… Especially when we had a monkey on the little ones face ???? .. See earlier post for the image #travel #adventure #travelgram #instatravel #instagold #backpacking #backpacker #instagood #instapassport #jetset #holiday #vacation #familytravel #takethekids #travelwithkids #livingthedream #wonderlust #wanderlust #mum #baby #blogger #mumblogger #travelblogger #picoftheday #monkeyforest #bali #ubud #babywearing

A photo posted by Travel Mad Mum (@travelmadmum) on Sep 27, 2015 at 1:12pm PDT

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing, Karen shared. Needing to care for a newborn involved taking turns watching her; Karen also needed to breastfeed often. But she is quick to point out that “the experiences they’ve shared together have far outweighed any small grumbles.”

This photo may be stressful to look at but there’s actually a funny story behind it. Karen explains: “I feel I need to explain this picture. We were having a family photo. Monkey was on dad because he had a banana. Never expected he would jump on the baby…luckily he was just being friendly. Too funny of a picture not to share. Haha. I can imagine this may horrify some mummys.”

  I feel I need to explain this picture. … We were having a family photo. .. Monkey was on dad because he had a banana… Never expected he would jump on the baby ..luckily he was just being friendly .. Too funny of a picture not to share .. Haha.. I can imagine this may horrify some mummy’s … #monkeyforest #bali #ubud #scared #travel #travelmadmum #travelingwithababy #adventure #baby #omg #picoftheday #instagold #instapassport

A photo posted by Travel Mad Mum (@travelmadmum) on Jul 23, 2015 at 4:18am PDT

“Esme has had so many new experiences. She’s very sociable. She really loves being outside,” shared Karen. But she admits that it would’ve been better if she had a lot of other kids to play with.

  If you are heading to Ubud in Bali and love your luxury I can highly recommend Bissma 8 to hang out for a day..we stumbled upon this place accidentally. You wouldn’t think to look at the place it would be child friendly but they were very welcoming. They have a roof top bar, restaurant, yoga studio and beautiful infinity pool that falls into the jungle… They had a yummy BBQ with lots of veggie and meat options . We just chilled at the pool nibbling, drinking beer and cooling down in the pool… The staff loved little lady ..Take me back!!! #travel #travelwithbaby #travelmadmum #adventure #backpacking #instagood #instatravel #instapassport #holiday #jetset #travelgram #wanderlust #wonderlust #familytravel #travelwithkids #picoftheday #traveltheworld #babywearing #flying #welltraveled #bali #ubud #bissma8 #infinitypool #jungle #bliss #bbq

A photo posted by Travel Mad Mum (@travelmadmum) on Oct 8, 2015 at 9:49am PDT

Follow more of their adventures on the next page

Esme proves that you’re never too young to take in culture while traveling. Here, she visits a giant buddha in Hong Kong.

  I love this oversized imposing Buddha in Hong Kong! #travel #adventure #travelgram #instatravel #instagold #backpacking #backpacker #instagood #instapassport #jetset #holiday #vacation #familytravel #takethekids #travelwithkids #instadaily #livingthedream #wonderlust #wanderlust #mum #baby #blogger #mumblogger #travelblogger #tmom #picoftheday #instadaily #buddha #hongkong

A photo posted by Travel Mad Mum (@travelmadmum) on Oct 29, 2015 at 5:42am PDT

READ: Father sells his house and successful company to travel the world with his daughter

In Malaysia, they mastered the art of the underwater family selfie!

  Underwater family selfie… I decided I needed to man up with water when my baby started out doing me with putting her head under the water ! #travel #adventure #travelgram #instatravel #instagold #backpacking #backpacker #instagood #instapassport #jetset #holiday #vacation #familytravel #takethekids #travelwithkids #livingthedream #wonderlust #wanderlust #mum #baby #blogger #mumblogger #travelblogger #picoftheday #selfie #familyselfie #underwaterselfie #langkawi #malaysia #waterbaby

A photo posted by Travel Mad Mum (@travelmadmum) on Sep 18, 2015 at 12:58pm PDT

They made some new friends in Australia!

  When we were in Brisbane, we got to hang out with the Kangaroos! #travel #travelwithbaby #travelmadmum #adventure #backpacking #instagood #instatravel #instapassport #holiday #jetset #travelgram #wanderlust #wonderlust #familytravel #travelwithkids #picoftheday #traveltheworld #mumblogger #travelblogger #blogger #brisbane #loanpine #kangaroo

A photo posted by Travel Mad Mum (@travelmadmum) on Oct 12, 2015 at 1:57pm PDT

Esme cozied up to her momma as they enjoyed the English countryside

  Today we travelled to beautiful Buckinghamshire to hang out with a good friend. It was a beautiful crisp autumn day. We strolled through the hills with the littlies .. Lovely .. #travel #travelwithbaby #travelmadmum #adventure #backpacking #instagood #instadaily #instatravel #igtravel #instapassport #holiday #jetset #travelgram #wanderlust #wonderlust #familytravel #travelwithkids #picoftheday #traveltheworld #mumblogger #tmom #travelblogger #blogger #walking #buckinghamshire #visitengland #uk #babwearing #autumn

A photo posted by Travel Mad Mum (@travelmadmum) on Oct 23, 2015 at 2:16pm PDT

Esme explores more stunning destinations on the next page

Starting her new travel blog, Karen hopes to inspire other parents to give in to wanderlust and to keep on pursuing their passion for travel.

Karen told Bored Panda, “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.”

Their currently on a new adventure which will take them to Thailand, Cambodia, and then to New Zealand.

  Getting all prepped for our next adventure with this little tot… Next stop Thailand, Cambodia and New Zealand.. Let’s hope she’s comfy and as well behaved as last time in her upgraded carrier … #travel #travelwithbaby #travelmadmum #adventure #backpacking #instagood #instadaily #instatravel #igtravel #instapassport #holiday #jetset #travelgram #wanderlust #wonderlust #familytravel #travelwithkids #picoftheday #traveltheworld #mumblogger #tmom #travelblogger #blogger #babywearing #toddlerwearing #hiking #littlelife

A photo posted by Travel Mad Mum (@travelmadmum) on Jan 27, 2016 at 9:32am PST

Bangkok bound!

  On board emirates Bangkok bound now!.. So delighted to be going on another adventure with this little monkey! Can’t believe the overwhelming amount of media interest and kind emails from lovely people today! Thank you so much .. Feeling humbled ☺️ … Get ready for lots of photos over the next three weeks ???? #travel #travelwithbaby #travelmadmum #adventure #backpacking #instagood #instadaily #instatravel #igtravel #instapassport #holiday #jetset #travelgram #wanderlust #wonderlust #familytravel #travelwithkids #picoftheday #traveltheworld #mumblogger #tmom #travelblogger #blogger #emirates #heathrow

A photo posted by Travel Mad Mum (@travelmadmum) on Feb 8, 2016 at 12:07pm PST

As of their writing, they have just arrived in Cambodia!

  The absolute crap experience of getting a visa in Siem Reap is quickly forgotten when you step out of the airport. The sun is going down and the warmth of it on your skin is a true novelty after being in London for the last five months! We bundled our bits and bobs onto a truck Tuk Tuk … I wonder how there not going to fall off! The driver assures me the road is smooth and not to worry! That smile from Esmé gazing at me as we whist through the wind on this new experience melts my heart. She had her hands held up high. I can see she is trying to catch the wind in her hand. Wedged between Shaun and I she says moooo moooo when she sees the water buffaloes drinking from the stream as we zoom by! I can see how stimulated and excited she has become! A far cry from the tanty at the visa desk half an hour previously! The actual travel part from place to place is not always easy but it’s always worth the experience which follows.. (Looking a little wind swept in this one). #travel #travelwithbaby #travelmadmum #adventure #backpacking #instagood #instadaily #instatravel #igtravel #instapassport #holiday #jetset #travelgram #wanderlust #wonderlust #familytravel #travelwithkids #picoftheday #traveltheworld #mumblogger #tmom #travelblogger #blogger #tuktuk #cambodia #siemreap

A photo posted by Travel Mad Mum (@travelmadmum) on Feb 10, 2016 at 8:58am PST

When asked if she’d do it all again with their next child, Karen told Metro, “there are no plans for another yet, but, if and when, definitely”.

Follow Karen, Shaun, and Esme’s journey on Instagram here.

READ: Meet the mom who is homeschooling her kids as they travel the world

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

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