My husband decided TODAY that China is too polluted to take the baby. I told him this before we booked the trip, but he really wanted to go, and thought that it wouldn't be too bad. So now we are scrambling to figure out where to go instead. We are leaving in 10 days. We will probably end up going to either Thailand or Japan, both of which I have been to (Japan is my favorite, I have been there 5 times), but he has not. Other Asia ideas? Of course we also got the Chinese visas for like $800 on Friday. Ugh.
Post by gibbinator on Sept 27, 2015 16:20:08 GMT -5
Yeah I'd be annoyed that he clearly didn't actually research the issue until after you spent the money. I have no recommendations. We're not well travelled
Singapore (and Malaysia) are in poor air quality shape these days, on account of the forest burning in Sumatra. My kid's preschool was closed due to haze today so this isn't a great time for this region - it'll be better by November.
Ditto pp's air quality comment about Singapore and Malaysia. This time of year a smoke haze just hangs over the western half of the peninsula. It can sometimes blow up as far as Southern Thailand, but if you only like Chaing Mai you should be fine.
I think I would still go. Switching now at almost a week away is pretty extreme. Or I guess I'd see first how much money you'd lose by changing your tickets. But I'm assuming you already have hotel reservations and plans to see certain things?? Will you be able to change all that stuff in time to a different country and still be happy with the final result?
How long were you planning on being in China? Their national week long holiday ends on Oct. 7 so a lot of people are not working and left the big cities for their hometowns right before your trip. That will reduce the pollution levels some, I think.
I forgot to mention that in addition to his heart condition, X has had some breathing problems recently and is using a nebulizer. So, while I think that it is extreme, it isn't that far off and is out of a place of concern for him.
Have you talked to X's doctor(s) about whether a few days in China would be a problem? If his doctor says it's fine, I would be inclined to refuse to change plans and use the doctor as my reason. (And, obviously, if the doctor says his lungs can't handle it, I would regroup.)
Regardless, I would be very annoyed to have to change plans this late in the game.
Post by barefootcontessa on Sept 28, 2015 12:41:21 GMT -5
I agree about talking to the doctor and getting his take. Is there a reason the baby wear cannot wear a filter mask? Also, my DH just got back from China and said the air was okay in Beijing (he usually wears a mask but said he did not need one) but not so good in Shanghai.