Travelling by yourself?

[3Js]

One bit of advice I can give that certainly worked for me, learn at least a few words and phrases in the languages of the places you may be thinking of being. Do NOT dress like a tourist, find food and beverages one or two blocks off the tourist highway, be gracious to the locals.

Have fun.

That's one bit of advice I can 100% agree with. I speak about 25 languages. In most of them I can only utter a dozen words but those few words saved my life a few times. Of course, I was a pj and you are not so that you probably will not find yourself in the same weird kind of situations I did...

I would just add: Decide first whether you are on a photo safari or a trip to meet the world and its people. If not on a photo safari, keep the camera out of view most of the time when in poorer countries. It marks you as a rich tourist (ie a target to some) and, if you are any good, you WILL know when it's ok to bring it out.

I would also just add: Make sure people know you are not American. It's the worst passport to travel under. Especially if you only speak english. Put a NZ flag on your backpack and one on your photo bag (although you shouldn't have one) and anywhere else you can think of.

I and several friends have done it across all continents so you can sure do it too. Go have fun!

 

[CdTSnap]

One bit of advice I can give that certainly worked for me, learn at least a few words and phrases in the languages of the places you may be thinking of being. Do NOT dress like a tourist, find food and beverages one or two blocks off the tourist highway, be gracious to the locals.

Have fun.

That's one bit of advice I can 100% agree with. I speak about 25 languages. In most of them I can only utter a dozen words but those few words saved my life a few times. Of course, I was a pj and you are not so that you probably will not find yourself in the same weird kind of situations I did...

I would just add: Decide first whether you are on a photo safari or a trip to meet the world and its people. If not on a photo safari, keep the camera out of view most of the time when in poorer countries. It marks you as a rich tourist (ie a target to some) and, if you are any good, you WILL know when it's ok to bring it out.

I would also just add: Make sure people know you are not American. It's the worst passport to travel under. Especially if you only speak english. Put a NZ flag on your backpack and one on your photo bag (although you shouldn't have one) and anywhere else you can think of.

I and several friends have done it across all continents so you can sure do it too. Go have fun!

Great advice thanks! One thing... Whats a PJ lol

 

[3Js]

One thing... Whats a PJ lol

Pajamas. Lol.

Just kidding. It's a PhotoJournalist.

 

[sfaust]

Do it! The only time I felt alone was when I was in a country where I didn't speak the language and very few natives spoke English. Would have liked to have a travel partner then But if you go to countries where you speak a little of the language, or where many speak English you'll be able to socialize.

 

[spacefuzz]

Yes the longest I've travelled in a single go is 3 months. Heading to Iceland for two weeks of hiking next month. Its awesome but yes it can get lonely. If you are not afraid to talk to people though you can meet some amazing people and make many new friends. I'd say go for it, but if you are nervous start with something shorter so you dont feel overwhelmed. Have fun!

 

[The_Traveler]

A suggestion and a comment.
Southeast Asia is a good bet for a culturally diverse, easily traveled, relatively inexpensive trip.
The 5 mainland countries, in ascending order of difficult travel are Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.
Thailand has a terrific tourist infrastructure and 30+ million tourists a year, the best place, imo, to start.

I would stay away from beaches and beach-cities.
Beaches draw planeloads of low-income tourists from colder countries whose aim is to drink and do drugs and screw and lie on the beach.
So there are lots of drunken passersby and hustlers and prostitutes - and not much to see.

A good rule of thumb is the the further you get from the big cities (and beaches) the more friendly and intelligent the other travelers are.

 

[Civchic]

As a full-time engineer and mom with 2 little kids, 5 rental properties, a soccer club, and a husband who can't cook -- I WOULD LOVE TO TRAVEL ALONE. All alone. Please?! LOL.

Actually, the closest I've come is a week in Vancouver for work. I loved it. When I was single I was too poor to travel, now I'm stuck with all these extra people!

 

[The_Traveler]

As a full-time engineer and mom with 2 little kids, 5 rental properties, a soccer club, and a husband who can't cook -- I WOULD LOVE TO TRAVEL ALONE. All alone. Please?! LOL.

Actually, the closest I've come is a week in Vancouver for work. I loved it. When I was single I was too poor to travel, now I'm stuck with all these extra people!

Don't engineers learn about birth control and divorce?

 

[Civchic]

As a full-time engineer and mom with 2 little kids, 5 rental properties, a soccer club, and a husband who can't cook -- I WOULD LOVE TO TRAVEL ALONE. All alone. Please?! LOL.

Actually, the closest I've come is a week in Vancouver for work. I loved it. When I was single I was too poor to travel, now I'm stuck with all these extra people!

Don't engineers learn about birth control and divorce?

Haha, I like them most of the time. And besides, the rental properties would make divorce WAY to expensive. Engineers learn about math before they learn about divorce.

 

[The_Traveler]

As a full-time engineer and mom with 2 little kids, 5 rental properties, a soccer club, and a husband who can't cook -- I WOULD LOVE TO TRAVEL ALONE. All alone. Please?! LOL.

Actually, the closest I've come is a week in Vancouver for work. I loved it. When I was single I was too poor to travel, now I'm stuck with all these extra people!

Don't engineers learn about birth control and divorce?

Haha, I like them most of the time. And besides, the rental properties would make divorce WAY to expensive. Engineers learn about math before they learn about divorce.

Nope, you don't get to complain about situations you went into willingly.

 

[CdTSnap]

Hahahahaha had to laugh at that one.

 

[table1349]

Personally I detest traveling alone. Traveling with a good partner is far more interesting. The diversity of interests is nice as is the having of some company when you are in those places where the native language is quite foreign to your own.

As for traveling to Southeast Asia, you can go for me if you like, at my age I have no fond memories of Southeast Asia.