fah-thai-magazine-march-april-2017-in-flight-magazine-of-bangkok-airways

SOLO TRAVEL
Reasons to travel alone can range from recovering
from a broken relationship, searching for
spiritual answers or finding a purpose in life.
Maybe you just want to escape from a chaotic
routine, or a there’s a scheduling conflict with a potential
travel companion. Maybe no one else shares your
interests in certain activities or you’re simply tired of
travelling with others? Going solo can be a cool way to
challenge yourself and it can become habit-forming!
Travelling Alone: Where’s the Point?
Whether it’s a long trip around the world or a habit
of solitary weekend jaunts, here are advantages when
travelling alone:
Alone Time
1 is Healthy
Admit it, you rarely get enough of
alone time, especially as a parent
or partner. Being by yourself and
unplugging enforces a voyage of selfdiscovery
and self-knowledge. You
reflect on life, recent experiences on
the road and the direction things are
heading. It could be a perfect time to
refresh and focus on a new goal.
White sleeveless embroidered dress from Disaya, ankle strap high heels from Jimmy Choo
Spaghetti strap top from Disaya
Distance Makes You Appreciate
2 People in Your Life
Distance makes you appreciate the people who matter
most in your life. Especially those you’ve taken for
granted. Far away and alone, the reminder to make the
most of every second with loved ones can be repeated
when you return. The same distance can also make
you realise that some people in your life aren’t quite
as important as you thought they were. Be they a bad
influence, a toxic love or a fair-weather friend, it’s not
always a welcome realisation. But it’s usually for the
best.
3
You Gain a Deep Understanding
of the Local People and the
Destinations You’ve Visited
For truly rewarding solo travel, it’s crucial that you
connect with the culture and not remain an outsider.
When travelling solo, you’re more immersed in your
surroundings. You notice the unique characteristics that
truly make a place. Also, you learn to engage with local
people and folks who are more open, and definitely
more curious when it’s only you walking into that holein-the-wall
joint, or tasting the flavours of a roadside
food stall. From a heartfelt conversation on a train to
suddenly having a network of genial families happy to
host you for a night, you know none of these incredible
experiences would have been possible if you’d been
travelling with others.
You’re Completely
4 Your Own Boss
Is there something you’ve been dying to
try that no one is willing to try with you
— like diving with whales in Australia,
seeing Khmer ruins, or simply eating
fresh durian down south in Thailand?
Travelling alone, it’s just you and you
alone who decides what’s next. It might
be daunting at first, but spending time
alone on the road is among the most
rewarding of travel experiences.
You can spend a day doing nothing but
café hopping or lingering in a museum.
You can loll on a beach on the South
China Sea, hire a guide to visit remote
villages or join agroup of like-minded
strangers for a bike trip in Vietnam. There
is no need to compromise. As a lonesome
wanderer you travel where you want,
when and how you want it – all with a
liberating degree of indulgence.
When You’re a Little Lonely,
5 You’ll Get More Creative
Whether journaling, drawing, philosophising or
brainstorming future entrepreneurial goals, solo
travellers are usually forced to find new ways to amuse
themselves when there’s no one to converse with or
in the absence of wifi. You might even stumble upon a
surprising new vocation.
You Always Return Home with
6 Lots of New Friends
If you’re a born extrovert, travelling alone can be a
wonderful way to meet locals and make new friends.
Often, people who are alone appear more approachable
to others. Before you know it, you could be chatting with
some interesting folks at a sidewalk café or meet people
with common interests like yoga on the beach. The key
is to keep an open mind while keeping safety in mind,
especially in a foreign land.
Simple Logistics
7 It can be challenging to coordinate a trip and time
away from work with another busy person in your life,
and it’s even more difficult when you try to make plans
with a group. Usually, these challenges can be overcome
by simply planning ahead. But if you find yourself with
some downtime and you can’t find a travel partner on
short notice, it may be the perfect time to pack your
bags and go anyway — alone.
Sleeveless top from The Only Son
You’ll Learn to be More Open,
8 But Also More Cautious
Of course, single travel has its perils too — such as safety concerns,
loneliness and the dreaded single supplement charged for lodging.
But a little preparation and common sense can save you money and
get you through the rough spots.
As soon as you step out of your comfort zone, dangers await.
The best way to travel alone safely is to ‘smile and keep your guard
up’. Befriend locals and live harmoniously with them, but do not
trust anyone too much.
9
You Will Be a Better Traveller
If travelling makes you a better and smarter person,
then travelling alone makes you doubly more better
and smarter. For any of you who may feel uncomfortable
even sitting alone at a diner to have breakfast, taking a
trip by yourself might seem awkward. Once you take
the plunge and get over your fears, you’ll feel a
sense of empowerment. A successful solo vacation
can inspire you to tackle things in life you’ve
been afraid to try. You will become observant,
curious, and pay more attention to details.
Meeting different people will change
you into someone with more empathy,
compassion, and patience.
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