Solo Travel

Guys, previously when I've travelled around Europe, I've done it with friends - this summer, I'm heading overland through Asia, and nobody, it seems, is mad enough to want to come with me, not the whole way anyway. So, for the first time, I'll be going it alone - and I can't wait!

The freedom to do whatever I want, and go wherever I want, and no petty little arguements when you're getting really sick of each other - ahhh!

But then there's the little doubts - who will watch my bag when I go to the toilet, who will split the price of this room with me, and most worringly, how is anyone back home going to understand just how beautiful this Himalayan valley is?

Reassure me guys......😉 Reply to this

At this stage I am travelling alone when I leave in August.

I am heading to Europe for at least a 3 year working holiday. (I am currently in Australia)

I think I wll be a lot less retricted in travel, but agree with you on things like share acocmodation etc.

it will be an experience. Reply to this

Hey Conor,

I am not going to worry about that sort of thing too much. There is always Journal stuff like this site, email, digital photos movies and postcards. Keep writing, they will stay interested!!!

But seriously, don't worry too much about it.

Stew Reply to this

Is there anybody have been travel to Guilin, China? Reply to this

hi! i'm still on the road after traveling mostly solo for about 8 months now and it's been terrific! in reality, there are other solo travelers, so you're really never alone. but traveling along allows you to be as social or as hermitic (?) as you want, go where you please, wake up as early/late as you want, and it kinda forces you to interact with the people and their customs, so you will probably have a much different experience then going with another. i would conclude that it was one of the best things i could have done for myself. you discover things about yourself that you may never know, both good and bad!, without an experience as such. i hope your journey takes you to many beautiful places.... Reply to this

> who will watch my bag when I go to the toilet

That is the biggest problem of them all 😊 - the rest is as easy as a smile and a hi.

> but how can you explain travels?

No description vocal or in text, no photograph will ever recapture some moments fully... the weirdest thing for me was going back home after what I felt was a whole lifetime of experiences - and feeling as though nothing had changed, I might as well have gone away for the weekend... and that's basically how it is for those that haven't travelled for an extended period. Reply to this

One of the greatest benefits of traveling alone is that you really come into your own - it's your adventures, your experiences, your ups and your downs. You get to test yourself and in the end I think you have a much better understanding of yourself. Another plus - you get to really emerse yourself in the cultures of the places your in. With other people, it's easy to travel in a bubble. So traveling alone is kind of scary, but exciting and extremely rewarding at the same time. Good luck and enjoy it! Reply to this

i don't think it was too bad to travel alone as a female. i've met quite a number of solo female travellers along the way, and they have all enjoyed it, perhaps more than i even, too.
i think that in nepal right now, the political situation is not so great with the king having recently reinstated the government. if you're american and look the part, definitely not a good place to go as many nepali, especially the maoists, are wary of us. plenty of conspiracy theories floating around. perhaps if you contact a guide, it may be ok. annapurna area is probably not the place to trek around if you're planning on going to nepal. solo khumbu area (everest) is safer in terms of political termoil.
i have been told that india is a difficult place to travel as a solo female traveller. i guess it depends on how you approach it and where you go. again, as an american female, they have certain stereotypes that if you're willing to confront is not too bad. or so i'm told. southern india is also reportedly easier.
and again, it usually isn't the case that you'll be the only solo traveller. one of the best things about traveling alone is that you meet other people, make new friends, learn new things, have experiences you may never have if you don't travel alone.
happy travelling... Reply to this

mmtea Post Count: 2
Joined on: 24th Mar 2005 Msg: #7Added: 2005-03-24 02:11:16
Is there anybody have been travel to Guilin, China?

I'll be in Guilin / Yangshuo in August 2005
Reply to this

hi Conor,

Goiong traveling around Asia in December for first time but not alone, still quite nervous though! been to India twice this year and everyone ive mets been really friendly (locals, Brits American, Dutch etc) Everyones in the same boat.

Hope you have a great time :~) Reply to this