First time solo-traveller

Trippin’ over: Stars by future generations, Test by Saro, The Ocean by Mike Perry, Easier by Mansionair, Whiteout by Warpaint, Outside by Tender, Stonecold by Machineheart, Loveless by Lo Moon, Answer by Phantogram, Waiting on the Summer by vhs collection, You only like me with the lights out by Avid Dancer, Into the Light by J. Views, No matter what by Little Monarch, I by Foreigh Fields, Lean by Blonder, California by The Lagoons, Get Low by James Vincent Mcmorrow, Temporary Love by The Brinks, Occlude by Nearly Oratorio, Horizon by Tycho and ILYSB by LANY

 

So as part of my bucket list, I want to travel alone. It’s not really because I have no one to go with, nor because I am a self-confessed introvert, or because I am lonely; I just really want to experience the hype of travelling all by myself. So I put on my big knickers and just went with the flow.

Thanks to the free roundtrip ticket my tito gave me I just got back from my Hong Kong trip which was really a short stint. It was actually my first ever solo trip so I felt every kind of emotions. The thing is I enjoy my family and friends’ company but then I have this nagging urge to take time to enjoy myself; to be okay with the concept of aloneness. Apart from being able to cross out few things in my bucket list, being away from work (even in a short period of time); I realized a few things I would like to share with you.

 

1. Plan… Plan… Plan ahead REAL hard

Hong Kong is actually near Manila. The flight just took me a little over 2 hours. So as a first time solo-traveller you really have to plan everything really hard. From the flight, your itinerary, budget, your accommodations, your mode of transportation; just about everything. I know this sounds very scary and exhausting but I had this little notebook where I put on every detail about my trip (and this helps). I searched the internet and followed various blogs. I read a lot of posts regarding solo travelling, watched videos about it and about the place where I intend to visit. I read different airport and airline policies (because it varies, believe me). I know this sounds a little OCD but it never hurts to plan every little detail because remember you are by yourself and you have no one other than yourself to rely on.

 

Hong Kong airport when I arrived. yey!

 

 

2. Know your budget

I tried scrounging up every available fund I have, I try to have a little bit more extra money for my trip. With regards to budgeting, I searched for fees I have to pay for every place I want to visit. I try to incorporate it with my existing budget. Is it worth seeing? Is it too expensive? Are there other alternatives wherein I could pay less and save? These are the constant questions I have as I try to select places I want to visit.

For someone with a limited budget like mine, I try to compare things ahead of time. When in a small budget try to find cheaper transportation alternatives. Like for instance, instead of me riding the airport terminal train (which gets you to the city for less than 30mins, but soo expensive), I opted to ride an airport bus which will take more travel time but is cheaper (less than half the expense of the airport train). I really don’t mind spending more minutes inside the bus since I get to enjoy the view and I’m not really in a hurry. Also I read that buying an octopus card (card that is prepaid and is used to pay for the city trains and buses and can also be used in some stores) and you can have a refund when it’s time to go home. Try to avoid riding cabs because not only are they expensive (like in most countries) it’s kinda unsafe for solo-travellers. Try to take transportations wherein there are a lot of other people who rides it; more likely those are cheaper and faster. There is also a place wherein I took a cable car; instead of paying for a roundtrip cable car fee, on the way home I took the bus. I also try to avoid going to the big restaurants because more likely I have to pay more for my food; instead I ate different street-foods and went to small locals-packed restaurants/eateries. One of the purpose of travelling is to get to know and experience the culture of the place where you visit, so try not to go to the fast-food chains; instead look for the restaurants where locals frequented; most likely the food there is great and cheap. There are ways in which you can stretch your budget. You just have to be creative.

 

double-deck bus from the airport (which is waayy cheaper than the airport train)

 

 

egglettes ( I think) this is a waffle-like street-food and it was yummy!

 

 

 

def delish street-food!

 

 

3. Set your own itinerary

Since my trip is not a package tour, I was able to set my own itinerary. I was able to choose the places where I want to visit and set my own time and pace. Since I only stayed at Hong Kong for a short period of time, I know I won’t be able to visit all the beautiful places it could offer. Instead, I try to list the places where previous bloggers rated the must-go-to places at Hong Kong. Also since I am in a limited budget, I try to go to the places where there is no entrance fees. I went to the Hong Kong Museum of History and I learned a lot (and it’s free!). I also went to see the Symphony of Lights in the Harbour (which I recommend). There are a lot of things a city can offer that is free from charge. Go to the city parks, take a walk there (I saw people practicing tai chi in the Kowloon Park, and it was awesome). Go and get lost in the city streets. I got lost and because of that I was able to find this small restaurant which serves a very yummy rice noodle soup. You don’t have to pack your day with a torturous itinerary and you don’t have to strictly follow it, remember you are travelling alone that means your time is your own, you can mix and alter your itinerary. Be flexible, whatever suits your mood go with it. Just make sure that you visit the places you really want to go.

the rice noodle soup I was raving about

 

 

Free entrance!

 

 

inside the museum

 

 

#fangirling

 

wong kar wai *sigh*

 

 

going to the avenue of the stars

 

 

4. Pesky children at airplanes

I am sorry that I have to include this, but this really sucks. On my way to Hong Kong I was very fortunate (insert sarcasm) to sit behind two toddlers. Even before the plane takes off, the two are arguing and crying. Ugh! So much for my peace on the plane. I don’t have anything against parents who takes their children for trips abroad, I actually applaud them for their effort. But the thing is, please try to talk and orient your children ahead of time. Please don’t allow and ignore your children who are arguing or crying thinking that they will eventually stop; they will probably stop when my eardrums are damaged. Well aside from the two distinct toddlers, other children in the plane are pretty tolerable. I think I was traumatized with those two that I want to scream to their dad and say “make your children stop!” (haha, I know bad me).

 

5. Meet new people

For this trip I stayed in a hostel which has a good review and is rated as one of the top hostels to stay (yes, I did my homework and researched thoroughly). I stayed in a dorm type room which accommodates 5 females. I was able to meet my roommates and spend some time with them. In the hostel where I stayed in, they schedule some activities wherein fellow travellers are welcomed to attend to. For my first night, I went with them to a cheap buffet and serves free unlimited beer. Well aside from the good food and free beer, this was a chance for me to meet and mingle with my other hostel mates. I was actually surprised that most backpackers are pretty friendly and accommodating. It was nice having to share a laugh and beer. Most of my hostel mates are Europeans and Westerners but there are some who are Asian, I was actually expecting to meet Filipinos in the hostel but I was surprised that I was the only Filipino who was staying there. The thing is, you have to be open-minded and willing enough to meet new people. I know for a fact that they won’t be my best friends but broadening your network of friends is not a bad thing.

my roommate Maryann

 

 

this place offers very delish dimsum 🙂

 

I rarely eat veggies but this time I ate A LOT!

 

 

6. It’s okay to ask

What is really hard for me during this travel is the fact that some locals do not know how to speak English. Although most of the people in the city are tourists, it’s hard to ask the locals especially when they cannot understand me. I got lost, I rode a wrong train, I went to the wrong station but I am not afraid to talk to strangers and ask questions. I admit, it’s not really my attitude to talk to strangers nor to ask for help; I am pretty proud; but when you are travelling solo, you have to swallow your pride and ask for help and directions if you have to. I realized that asking for help from strangers is not really a bad thing. I realized that despite being self-sufficient myself, sometimes you need other people. I think it takes a lot of courage to approach someone you do not know, strike a conversation and try to understand them and to give your gratitude.

ze famous chungking mansion..

 

 

I think this is the Hong Kong cultural centre

 

7. Always be alert. Keep your guard on

Since I travelled alone, I have no one other than myself to rely on. I am in a new place, I am a stranger in this city. I was fortunate enough not experience any kind of violence or crimes. One night, I went to the Ladies Temple Night Market and since I really like to walk around the neighbourhood, I actually got lost (again) in the streets. I go scared since it was late at night and there are only few locals who are walking in those streets. So another thing I would like to share to you is that to try to walk in crowded streets especially at night. And due to my shortcomings, my wallet got lost. Yes, my money and wallet got lost; I don’t know exactly when or where but it got lost. Good thing I kept all my important documents like ids and passports in my other purse. This experience taught me a lot of things, one is to always be alert. I don’t know if someone pickpocket me  or I just really lost it, but all the blame is basically on me. So to those solo-travellers, please, I mean please be careful.

 

one of those streets which I got lost

 

 

street art!

 

8. Take care of yourself

One of my misfortunes during this trip was I had my migraine episode. I had this really awful headache that despite taking all the pain relievers I brought in, it gave me no comfort. Since I was travelling alone, I have no one who can take care of me. During those times, I was feeling depressed since I have no one. But I have to grow up and I decided to but more pain relievers at a pharmacy nearby. I forced myself to get up from my bed, eat a little so I could take those medicines. Be prepared for unexpected circumstances and take care of yourself.

9. Do your thing at your own pace

As I’ve written earlier you own your time. You could set your own pace. You may or you not follow your own itinerary. Because I got sick, I have to rest in my hostel room for some time and I have to reschedule my visit to some tourist spots the next day. I was fortunate enough to be okay the next day, so I went to visit the places I want to go. The thing with solo-travellers is that you can be flexible with your schedule and just be attuned with your own needs and wants.

 

 

 

my ferry ride

 

 

10. It’s okay to be alone

At first I thought travelling alone was pathetic and lonesome. Because of this trip I realized that it is okay to be alone. It is okay if I need to spend some time with myself. Being alone does not equate with being lonely. I found joy in exploring new places by my own. I don’t mind getting lost by myself and eating at a restaurant by myself. I think we have this notion that because I am single that means I am lonely. I realized that I have to build first a good relationship with myself before anything else.

cable car ride

 

 

 

 

 

11. Learn more about yourself and love yourself more

Because of this trip I have learned things about myself. this may sound cliché but it is true. I learned that I am not really lonely, I just enjoy being along. I learned that I am more independent and self-sufficient than I give myself credit for. I learned that it is okay to enjoy things by myself but it does not mean that I am selfish. I learned to be more attuned with my body and guts, and to listen to myself more. I learned to appreciate myself more and to be grateful with the things I have. I really enjoyed my first solo-trip. will I do it again? I think so. I hope I can plan real soon where I want to go to next 😉

 

beautiful ceiling of Hong Kong airport