SOCIAL MEDIA

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Why did I travel Solo and why probably you should ?

Are you really sure?
Aren’t you afraid?
Is it safe?
Won’t you be bored? And even..
Are you crazy?

There were a couple of the reactions that I got when I told people that I would be travelling alone for a holiday. All of this coming from people who have never travelled solo.

Less than 5 % of them actually responded positively and said –Go, Enjoy, Treat yourself. Thank you 5 % !

Why is that when women want to travel (read holiday) solo, it is looked upon negatively or treated with sympathy or as desperate and worse, selfish ?

This is my story.

The husband and me were all set for a ten-day dreamy European holiday to Paris, the French Alps, Burgundy Wine region and charming Bruges.

Visas þ
Air Tickets þ
Hotel bookings þ
Food Tours þ

Alas ! Owing to certain unforeseen entrepreneurial business circumstances for the husband, we had to cancel it all. ALL.

Was I upset ? Most definitely, considering I am a bit of an obsessive planner and had been researching for months for the trip. But even more that I wouId not be enjoying a long deserved break after stressful work situations and toddler tantrums.  

Next emotion: Denial. I refused to not take a break and refused to accept the fact that I was not going anywhere. I neither wanted to end up working nor spend the break cooped up at home and a staycation did not seem good enough.

Checked with some family and friends for their availability which did not materialize considering our original travel dates were just about a week away.

Due to my desperation, I somehow ended up browsing on websites and blogs on female solo travel. If they can do it, why can’t I? But if I where to go, where could I and that too in such short notice.

The husband suggested I stick to the original Europe plan but that somehow felt like a major challenge to me considering it was an itinerary with 4 destinations spread over 10 days and with a considerable bit of travel.

With the time constraints, it also meant countries where pre-approved visas posed as one of the requirements were out of question.

One thing led to another and finally rounded upon Thailand and particularly, Bangkok as my destinations being one of the few countries where Indian passport holders could obtain visa on arrival.

Here I was once again excited and researching for my spontaneous holiday.

However now came the bigger challenger convincing parents –two sets !

With the husband by my side as a rock, we wore them down and there I was packing my bags for my first solo holiday.

I post the below with the risk of being ridiculed considering I have just done this once but I am definitely vouching for Solo travel even if not always.

Advantages of solo travel:
  • Spontaneity and Flexible Plans like for instance I had just finished a day tour in the suburbs that started quite early in the morning and still wanted to go for shopping in the city later. And I did because I chose to !
  • You are the boss ! You decide what to do because you like to and want to. I hardly moved from my hotel room the day I landed and just watched one cheesy serial to other in my pyjamas accompanied with endless room service. 
  • Quality time with yourself be it for reading, writing or even thinking and learning to discover and know one of your best travel partners, you !
  • Immense confidence that it brings by travelling to a foreign country where you neither know anyone nor the language yet managing to have pretty much a great time.
  • Your holiday plan are at your fingertips. Everything depends on just you and your leave plans. You needn’t wait for availability of family/friends and their schedules.
To anyone out there males/females on the fence about travelling solo? Trust me, the only decision you need to make is to just pack your bags and go !

As warned by one of my friends that solo travel could get addictive. And after my first solo holiday, I can definitely say I am hooked. J


 

21 comments :

  1. Gayathri, I was so excited to see your check in :). And your write up says you enjoyed this trip a lot. Now I am looking forward to read about your experience :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Manju.. You are the sweetest and I am working on the post about my actual experience..hoping to get that out soon!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely message...
    Only problem is addiction...:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Bijou Etta. And do not intend to get de-addicted ! :)

      Delete
  4. Lovely message...
    Only problem is addiction...:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gay3...reminded me of the movie Queen. Go Gal..explore and experience many more destinations

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Nimmi chechi for reading and leaving a comment !

      Delete
  6. Good to hear about ur trip, waiting to hear more about this trip and the next trips to come. I'm Sure this will inspire more women to solo travel.. Cheers to ur beliefs !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much and I would be over the moon if I end up inspiring other women on their solo travels! Bangkok city posts and experiences coming out very soon..

      Delete
  7. Wow. Totally admire your courage! Must have been super liberating. Great you had that solid rock to lean on. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely Seena and definitely not have happened without the encouragement from my better half.

      Delete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Way to go! Keep inspiring. Let travel be your drug and may you have high dozes of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Niran and absolutely it's definitely an addictive drug !

      Delete
  10. You know, for whatever reason, I never thought about traveling alone. Maybe I was never encouraged or because I'm a believer of "good food with good company". However, choosing to move miles away from home for my career has taught me that lunching alone once in a while can be bliss. We all need our space and solitude from time to time.

    Your post was inspiring and further affirmed that I need to make this next leap in my life soon. Thanks for the inspiration doll! =) By the way, LOVE that picture!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow..Thank you so much Hala for such a thoughtful comment and the compliments. Even I come from a society where females traveling alone are actually looked down upon. I have no regrets in doing this and scandalizing a lot of people in the process as well! :) Am glad I could inspire you and I seriously recommend that you try it once and you get would be hooked !

      Delete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Way togo Ga3! True grit and determination ..... and guts!

    ReplyDelete
  13. The great blog about WHY DID I TRAVEL SOLO AND WHY PROBABLY YOU SHOULD ?. Thanks for sharing the blog, seems to be interesting and informative too. Could you help me to find out more details on Cruise Booking

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is my first time visit to your blog and I am very interested in the articles that you serve. Provide enough knowledge for me. Thank you for sharing useful and don't forget, keep sharing useful info: travel backpack for men

    ReplyDelete

Thank u so much for dropping by..Would love to hear what is simmering and whistling at your end !