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.
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Trekking through the monkey forest in Ubud
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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.”
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“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.
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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.
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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!
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They made some new friends in Australia!
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Esme cozied up to her momma as they enjoyed the English countryside
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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.
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Bangkok bound!
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As of their writing, they have just arrived in Cambodia!
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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
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