Solo Travel

[MsMediator]

I still prefer to travel with people. I am open to group travel with strangers if they are open to meeting new people. However, such people would most likely have to be singles, as couples, families, and friends stick to each other. However, traveling with a group of singles also poses a risk as everyone needs to be on the same page about boundaries, etc. Not everyone wants to "hook up". Solo travel is nice its own way, with my limited exposure you don't get the same kind of thrill with group travel, but it can get a bit lonely/boring at times. You get to "soak in" more with solo travel, like when you are looking at a breathtaking view it is different when you look at it alone versus with someone else, but it is also nice to share the experience.

 

[Lanolin]

Im in a garden club and organises trips away every year usually weekends theres also walking group, that does day trips round the city I dont know if your church does any camps, gatherings or conferences (sometimes just for women) but that can be a way of travelling as well with everything all organised for you.

Offering to pay for someone else if you really want them to come or share costs otherwise nobody will be able to come with you, unless you give them advance notice so they can save for tickets and expenses. we only do that with family though, because time together is important. I dont think its fair to dump an expensive trip onto someone just because you desperately need a companion and then only go where you want to go all the time. Let them decide some activities or where they want to go if you do that.

If your church doesnt do anything for singles, ask why not. I think its silly that churches dont cater for singles who need to experience these things, even if its on mission trips. You need to get out to spread the gospel and how will you do that if you have no way of travelling. For christians...if God has a purpose for you to travel, He will provide.

 

[Lanolin]

I just want to share that I did go away with Sis and bro and mum in the school holidays as on a road trip. I think I wouldnt have done the same thing on my own cos it was such a long car journey and you cant just stop anywhere or anytime on the highway! My sis does go for runs and even does marathons on her own but thats really the only things she travels solo for.

One of my bachelor cousins always goes skiing like hes constantly at one skifield or another for several months at a time then goes on to the next when its the season for it. Apparently he books a place every year at the skifields for himself, and hes not even an instructor or anything. So I think maybe for a solo pursuit like that (some activity that you need to do on your own) thats when solo travel is worth it? I dont know how he can afford but some people live to travel, like their job is literally only so they can fund their travels away lol

If you dont have children or pets to look after then why not go explore the world for a little bit. I am personally not so adventurous though, I dont really like the experience of getting lost! I'm more of an armchair traveller....but even I get a little fatigued by some travel logues.

The realities of travel is that when you need to go and cant find a toilet or you need to constantly feed yourself and find somewhere quiet to sleep or figure out where to go and what time this or that is open takes a lot of adjusting to if you dont plan to stay in one place for any length of time. But people go on their bikes (lock them up so they dont get stolen) or they hitch, (not such a safe option these days) or walk (with everything on their back) or go as far as they can on a full tank of gas ...I remember reading about travel via motorcycle people would go in packs (but each with own indivdual motorcycle) and get sponsored by the motorcycle company for doing so...but they had to know where to go for spare parts and to be able to fix their machine when it broke.

People do belong to car clubs and rv groups just so travel can be a lot safer (and more fun) going together. I think venturing into the unknown is not the point for most is about going away or doing some activity that you can be alone but at the same time with other people (like organised marathons, the route is all already set out for you, and the roads clear, its not like you are running it by yourself and have to figure out where to go) so its more you have an idea of where you are going.

The other thing seems to be walking tracks and things that are signposted clearly people have thought about how long it takes to get to here and there and done it before. The thing I would rather do is go stay somewhere different but STAY there and do different activities and day trips from that base so I always had a 'home' to go to to rest. Travelling for the sake of it, honestly, can be a tad boring seeing a road stretch before you and endless fields or unrelenting forest or the same roadside weeds for miles and nowhere to stop and rest lol But you have to learn to pace yourself and listen to your body I guess.

 

[Lanolin]

One of my mates turned 50 and said he was going to Africa but with some other cycling buddies as he'd always read Wilbur Smith books and dreamed of going.

I watched this dvd of a man walking the nile with a friend, they picked up some other buddies as well, and were walking though a tropical swamp in Tanzania or somewhere, but his buddy died of heatstroke on the way.

I was like...?! Yea some things you are best not to undertake or be thoroughly prepared cos they guy was dehydrated didnt have any water and just died within a couple of hours of intense heat.

They also met some bandits along the way who took their equipment. The leader was a white guy with his African buddy but they were travelling with AV gear that of course looked expensive. You dont flash your wealth around in a poor country! Thats just rude cos of course the poor people think you are there to give to them and not for your own selfish ends..,

 

[matteovega]

Solo travel can be such an amazing experience. I've done it a few times, and each trip was memorable in its way.

 

[Lynx]

Okay I've seen this before. New forum member, dredging up an old thread about something that can easily be advertised, but not leaving a hyperlink advertisement... They always come back a few days later with the ad.

Watch this space for future developments.


(Dear matteovega: If I'm wrong, my apologies, and also welcome to the forum. But it has happened WAY too often to not expect it again.)