Down under with instafamous twins Leia & Lauren

Getaways are meant to be relaxing – but what if your little ones tag along? Get a parents’ perspective of travelling with twins.

Adorable MOMO (Monoamniotic-Monochorionic) twins Leia and Lauren Lok took Instagram by storm when they were born in 2015 and has now garnered a hefty following of 331,000 followers on their Instagram platform @LeiaLauren. Born to travel enthusiasts Peter Lok and Amber Yong – the writers of travel blog peteramber.com – the twins have been travelling since they were just over five months old and even braved Iceland’s icy winter then!

Now more than two years later, the toddlers have already traversed the world and can probably be considered more of a frequent flier than you or me. We caught up with this globetrotting family who just came back from Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast in Australia and found out more about their family-friendly itinerary, useful parenting guide for travelers and just what makes this couple tick.

1. Have you guys always loved to travel?

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Peter: Before we had Leia and Lauren, we used to travel four to five times a year. And now that we have the girls, we travel a lot more. Amber: Kids have a huge sense of wonder, even little things amaze them. Travelling with kids means that you travel at a slower pace than you used to. Although the girls may probably not remember a thing at this age, family bonding will always be our priority. After all, these challenges are part of the journey.

As seen on Leia & Lauren: Gold Baby Sandal

2. You seem to have a rather unconventional view in your everyday parenting approach. Could you share a little more with us?

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Amber: We believe that kids should be exposed to dirt so that they will be immune to it. We are not too quick to pick up wet wipes at the end of the day. Fear is cultivated by us in them. When parents tell their kids “If you're naughty, the police will catch you!” they grow up fearing the police, but they have no reason to do so! I want them to grow up learning the danger associated with some animals yet learn to respect them in their own spaces.

3. You guys are really popular online! The girls have amassed over 300,000 followers, how has this journey toward Insta-stardom been? And what’s your plans for the future for @LeiaLauren?

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Peter: I was previously the Chief Financial Officer at an MNC, I took a break when the girls came along, to look after them and also to explore my creative side. What started as a fun hobby, photographing the girls growing up, has grew to what it is today. (For those who don’t know, Peter is the official photographer behind @LeiaLauren.) They went really popular at one point, so there have been many opportunities for us to grow in this area. It’s definitely a life-changer for me.

Amber: Yes, all the photos and videos you see on our account, Peter did them. He’s a self-taught photographer and videographer, while I do the styling, writing of the blog, content scheduling and overall time management, plus running our boutique for kidswear at Leia+Lauren the label.

As seen on Amber: Metallic Weave Mules

4. What type of traveler are you?

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Peter: For us, we prefer the nature side, the wildlife sanctuaries, beaches rather than shopping. And Australia is the perfect place for us. There are a lot of animal experiences, farmstays, the hot air balloons rides and adrenaline sports. So, there’s everything, jam pack full of activities.

Amber: This time we went to Queensland - Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Hinterland and also Brisbane. Did you know that Gold Coast actually has 300 days of sunshine and 72km of coastline? So it’s generally a very child-friendly destination to visit.

5. Based on your experience traveling with kids, what are the definitely must-have items to pack for a trip?

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Other than the standard milk and diapers, you will need: medical kit, thermometer, wet wipes and extra change of clothes. We always segment out essentials to fit into our hand carry because if your luggage ever goes missing, you would have the necessities to get you through.

Fun facts about Australia

- Australia is the sixth largest country in the world
- Take note of food restrictions and try not to bring food snacks, although milk is permitted
- The best time to visit Australia is dependent on the region you wish to visit, so do prior research!

Check out Peter & Amber’s recommendations for Gold Coast & Sunshine Coast

STAY

Worendo Cottages

Worendo Cottages, a treehouse getaway that offers a peaceful setting in the Lost World Valley overlooked by the rugged mountains and an invigorating escape from the mundane in a stunning wilderness setting. Get a taste of exotic Australian wildlife with close-up encounters at your backyard!

Price Range: $$$ - $$$$
Address: 97 Cedar Glen Rd, Darlington QLD 4285, Australia

Mantra Sirocco

Mantra Sirocco is a beachfront resort is located directly opposite the beautiful Mooloolaba beach offering spectacular ocean views, with beachfront access.

Price Range: $$$ - $$$$
Address: 59-75 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba QLD 4557, Australia

ACTIVITIES

O’reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards

Explore the beauty of the Canungra Valley and enjoy a sample of their finest wines, or simply enjoy a leisurely picnic lunch with a bottle of bubbles. For the adventurous, take to the skies in a hot air balloon and behold Queensland's spectacular hinterland.

Price Range: $$ - $$$
Address: 852 Lamington National Park Rd, Canungra QLD 4275, Australia

Cedar Glen 4 Wheel Drive

An activity for all ages, be enchanted by this truly original Australian farmstay experience through the foothills of the Lost World Valley, picturesque Albert River and beauty of the Cedar Glen property.

Price Range: $$ - $$$
Address: 3338 Kerry Rd, Beaudesert, Queensland 4285 Australia

Leia & lauren wearing our cute Champagne Baby Loafers and Amber with Champagne Glitter Loafers

Charis Seafoods

Enjoy lunch and the spectacle of pelican feeding at Charis Seafoods on the Gold Coast. It makes for a great day out and best of all, it's free! Pelican feeding happens daily at 1.30pm.

Price Range: $$ - $$$
Address: 371 Marine Parade, Labrador QLD 4215, Australia

Tangalooma Island

Tangalooma Island lies on the eastern shore of Moreton Bay and is known for its resort accommodation, dolphin-feeding program, sand dunes and wreck diving.

Price Range: $$$ - $$$$
Address: Moreton Island QLD 4025, Australia


To see more of Leia and Lauren, follow their little adventures on their Instagram @leialauren