Are you thinking of escaping the wet and windy Aberdeen climate this summer? Can you see yourself going solo in Asia? Or perhaps you like to think you could be a lone ranger in Oz? Well, whatever tickles your fancy read on for some top tips from someone who has dipped her toe into solo travelling and lived â only just â to tell the tale!
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First of all, donât be scared!
Stepping off the plane in a foreign country, knowing nobody and your best friend being an A-Z map can be a rather daunting experience – especially if this is your first time away by yourself. But as soon as you arrive at your first dodgy hostel and look around you at all the other frightened faces you will know you are not alone! Take the bull by the horns and introduce yourself, whatâs the worst that could happen?!
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Never judge a book by its cover!
Got a type? We all have really, but this is not the time to revert to type and more a time to be open to new people, however odd they may seem on first impression! Always give someone a chance, you never know, they may turn out to be your life long partner in crime. Despite this, itâs still okay when you have tried your best with someone and they just donât shape up â itâs time to cut your losses and move on!
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Never say no!
The clichĂ© is true! You really do regret the things you donât do. So if its skinny dipping with the locals, or the bungy jump that you have been assured is safe but your mind still keeps wandering to the news headline of: âPale Ginger Plummets To Her Death In Fatal Bungy Jump Accidentâ swallow your fear and just do it!
Trust me, you wont regret your decision when you are having the time of your life falling out a plane with a hot man strapped to your back or discovering your inner mermaid at the bottom of the Great Barrier Reef.
Donât worry, your wingman is out there somewhere!
If you are a single pringle thatâs ready to mingle but are a little shy about bounding into a bunch of beautiful men and announcing your immediate availability, then never fear, your wingman is no doubt near! Once you have found your travelling wingman you can wave goodbye to your previous apprehensions regarding the opposite sex. If a love conquest goes wrong then at least you now have someone to laugh it off with. And when it goes well they are always there to sacrifice a good nightâs sleep by napping on the balcony while the bedroom is⊠occupied. It does go both ways though; you must always be on hand to help in a crisis. Perhaps when your wingman finds themselves caught doing the dirty in the great outdoors, by a dingo⊠and has a nasty bite wound to show for it!
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Be selfish sometimes.
This is one of the only times in your life when you can live to please yourself! Do exactly what you want to do, when you want to do it. You will have worked hard to save up the money to go away, so donât waste it on something that isnât really your cup of tea but happens to be what your new travel buddy fancies doing. The best thing about travelling is discovering new places and meeting fantastic people along the way. So donât be afraid to split up with your pal for a couple of weeks and do your own thing. You can always hook up again along the journey!
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Enjoy every minute of it.
Remember to just make the most out of absolutely everything. These are the days that you will look back on when you return to the bleak, grey Aberdeen and you will long to be reliving the whole thing. Be prepared to spend most of your time drunk, making questionable life choices; everybody knows, an awkward morning is always better than a boring night!Â