Traveling on my own

Yes, but, I'll be bringing my tripod . I'm always traveling with someone, so I thought I'd do it alone for a change. An "open treasure box?" Wow...hahah... Right, I'll send you your pasalubong (If I have space in my luggage).

A tripod would be nice. hahaha... That could be used as a defense weapon if need be. Have tried traveling alone thrice in our country. You really don't know what to expect. Just be extra careful and don't attract to much attention ( less of the blingbling and less sexy outfit ).

@doggydimon: "less of the blingbling and less sexy outfit" Noted! Although, even with friends I rather travel in conservative wear and rarely wear blingbling. Too much hassle (am on vacay to have fun not to look cute !) Thanks!

thumbs up..I also love going to hotels alone here in our place..just to go far from those people who keeps on ruining my day.. when i land a job, i will also try going to other places :)

@ Biiyah: Be careful of the hotels that you're going into. You might run into not so good company.

That is good, we need to befriend also ourselves and give it time to look for what it is looking for.

It sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. Who knows, you might find some other lone traveler and get to know him or her and start doing some things together. Time will tell. Don't be afraid to make friends but do be cautious that noting more will become of it unless you want it to. Have a safe trip!!!

Thanks! I guess it's just a matter of knowing how to deal with people, strangers. And, you're right, it could be an opportunity to meet other people - locals and fellow travelers. Thanks again!

That's right, I guess. Being too overly suspicious and showing it would all the more invite attention to your self. It's in my country, though, so physically, I wouldn't be singled out as a tourist. When I speak, maybe, yes because I would have a different accent from theirs. Yes, definitely I will do some research, and I've asked a friend to give me her itinerary when she went there and see which sites I could go to. Thanks for the input!

Well, I haven't told my family about my solo trip yet, but I guess they would trust my judgment on it. I know I can make this a good trip and I'm looking forward to it!

Thank you. Yes, I have a long time to prepare for it, so I guess I'll go prepared.

Hope you will enjoy the trip. Don't forget to have a full preparation so just in case anything happen and you already get prepared with it.

I guess you're right. It's hard to trust strangers. But, I believe that the majority of people are good. But, still, I will exercise a bit of caution.

That's what my married friends tell me. They say that I have to do it all before I settle down because once I do, the priorities change. So happy to hear you had that chance to travel when you were single.

I think it is awesome that you are facing the world and your fears yourself. I hope that you continue to grow on this journey. I will be waiting for updates so don't forget about us. By the way...I am a tiny lady so I can probably fit in your suitcase if you change your mind and want some company after all!

Well, yes, it's more fun to travel with someone, but this trip is not just for fun for me. I want to go "discover my self" or I want it to be a "soul-searching" trip, and the place and time has a significance. Surely I can't be bored because I enjoy being alone sometimes. Besides, I hear that solo traveling is empowering. I have a lot of fears I need to conquer on my own. Surely, I will let you know about it! Hopefully, myLot will still be myLot and we would still all be here by then. Thanks!

Unfortunately it's just for a few days so I just have with me my handcarry. And, it's still in 2012. Need to psych my self first. It's just that the seats were on sale, and I grabbed the opportunity.

Good planning throws up less surprises and means that when you get to your destination you do not waste time trying to find places to go. Although you cannot plan for everything. There maybe something or somewhere you did not find in your search. Someone also said not to go to any deserted beaches. I would stick to places where there are a lot of people. Also be aware if you use a cash machine in unfamiliar territory that there are people who watch out for people taking money out of a cash machines. It happened to me out in Greece, it was a busy street and I thought nothing about taking the cash out of the machine. My wife said to be careful you do not know who is watching. So I glanced round to see if anyone was following. There appeared to be so I told my wife to walk faster and this guy kept up with us. The main thing to do in a situation is not to panic and go down a side street, which my wife wanted to do. You are safer on the main street with a lot of people about. Anyway, I found a place where I could turn round and obviously see this guy, (there was a clothes rail outside a shop). So I went to the other side of it and turned round so I could see him. He did falter in his stride, but carried on past us as if nothing was wrong. Normally I would have gone in the opposite direction but to get to the bus that I wanted to catch I followed him. He turned into a cafe and greeted his two friends. Call me suspicious but what would have happened, I feel, is that he would have tried to lift my credit cards out my pocket. If I had noticed he would have run up the street to the cafe which had a convenient rear exit. His two friends would have been there to impede my chase. The main thing to realise is that where there are people you are generally safe. I would also take the advice of the other person who said to get a money belt so that you can keep your travel documents and money safe.

I guess you're right. A good planning will make a good trip. A friend is giving me an itinerary of places there that she's been to, so I guess I would just have to add if ever there would be some place I'd like to go to. Thanks!

Whew! That was scary! Well, as I've said to one of the other posters here, I guess I'm bringing more cash so I will avoid withdrwing from any ATM. There have been many accounts on how many people steal from people getting money via ATM, so I'm a bit careful on that part. I'm also a suspicious person so it would ruin my holiday if I'd be watching my money, cards, etc. like a hawk. Yes, I've also heard from a friend about the money belt bag, which I think is very convenient. Yes, I guess I need to avoid too deserted beaches and other places. Thanks for the input!

yes, remind me at the time you'll be planning your trip. i just want cheesecakeS from calea :D

Sure thing, Ms. Cheesecake girl!

Thanks! You're actually going to give me the itinerary, right? You promised! I bet you I'll have fun. And you know the reason why I chose to be alone, and why I chose that place, right? Makes the trip more worth it for me! Sure, if it's not much, you don't have to pay me. Unless it would weigh so much, then, pay me! I did not pay for luggage, so it's just me and my handcarry...

Yes, a milestone! They say that traveling solo is empowering. And, I want to see that for myself. Yes, it's just local. Bacolod. Ooh, I'm excited! Butm that's still a long time from now.

It's in the Visayas, and it's a long story why I chose that place. Maybe I'll tell you that in person when we have a chance to meet personally in the future (well, I promised bhabycatch that). You're right, it's the City of Smiles, so probably there are a lot of friendly folks out there.

Oh! The City of Smiles. I'm sure there are a lot of friendly people there although I am really not familiar about what to see in Bacolod. I only know that they are known for the Maskara Festival. (Mask Festival) Somehow you know what is to see when you just say the name of a place like when I hear Bohol, the Chocolate Hills comes into my mind. Or Palawan,the Underground River. Briefly what is there to see in Bacolod and what made you choose it over the other islands. Is Bacolod in Visayas or Mindanao? Uh,oh..somebody needs to check her geography.

Yes, I have. And since it's a very advance booking, I got them at very low prices. We often have promo fares for plane rides and I took advantage of it. I always travel with family or friends, so this time, I thought about traveling alone. A friend has done it and she says it is truly enlightening and empowering. Thanks!

That's no problem for me. As I live in a third-world country, those scenario are pretty familiar. I love learning other peoples' culture and languages, and I agree with you on the fact that the majority of people are good and will help you in times of need. I certainly hope to bump into you in one of these travels one day! Thanks!

Yep, what do they say? "It's a small world, after all."

Ah, that was sweet, gloryacam, thank you! Well, you never know! :) XJane

Yes, I guess there would be no problem because it's still local. And, yes, you're right about being able to read body language. And, yes, I will be visiting their site for information about their place. Thanks!

Oh, I could just imagine that! I guess I would also do that when I'm feeling down. There is comfort in running away and I understand that. I love being alone sometimes so I guess it would still be good for me.

That's what got me interested in traveling alone - accounts of people who've done it, enjoyed it and lived to tell how much they've enjoyed it! Yes, I agree, I have to do a bit of research on the place. Though a friend is going to give tips as she's been there before. It's just local, so no need for my passport, though eventually, I'd like to try traveling abroad on my own. I have a friend who traveled to Europe alone and I guess she had so much fun! I would like to try that, too. Thanks!

Yes, it's interesting, indeed, how people of differing cultures see the situation. One thing is for sure though, I guess that everyone pretty much mentions to be "careful" or something like that. I would probably not opt for hooking up with other travelers. This trip is just for a few days, so I'd want it to be just me and me. It's just a local trip, but they have a different culture there and a different dialect, and though we could speak in English or our national language, my accent would still be different from theirs. Other than that, I wouldn't be singled out as a tourist in a crowd. You're right, all it takes is just some courage. I live in a different city now far from my family and where I grew up, and though I originally had a roommate from my hometown, she has headed back home and I'm on my own now. But, I'm no longer scared of the big city as before.

Well, I think there's a bit of difference between men and women as to solo traveling. And, generally the thinking is that it's more dangerous for a woman to travel alone. But, if I conquer this, I guess I would have a good time, too.

Well, I travel alone from my place now to my parents' place which is 7-8 hours by bus. But, since I do it regularly, I don't consider it as travel. But, this travel I'm having alone is really a solo vacation travel, so I don't know how to go about that. I've seen some women who travel alone, and with precaution it could be quite safe.

Do well in your studies so that you would land a good job. When you have a job, you can do many things that you couldn't as a student. Thanks!