BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi,

I'm a new member, just signed up today. I've been trying to read up on some threads that may pertain to what I'm looking for. I don't know if I'm going through some life change(nice way of saying mid-life crisis) or what.
I was married for 16 years and have finally gotten comfortable with the idea of life as a single person. All of a sudden I have the urge to do things that I feel that I missed out on when I was in my 20's.

I'm an experienced traveller, but have always travelled with family or friends. I've also had all my travels planned out with airfare and lodging. I've also been employed full-time +OT since I was 20. Now I feel the need to take 8 weeks off and see a part of the world that will be new to me. I've been to Europe, so I know I'd enjoy that but something is calling me to Australia and NZ with maybe a side trip to Fiji on the way back to Seattle.

Any words of advice or encouragement would be greatly appreciated especially in regards to being a single female traveller.

Thanks

I can't help you with Oz, but I can help you with solo travel for women... mostly by sharing my own experience with you.

I've been traveling on my own for many years, since I was 15, in fact. My major trip took place when I was in my 40s - 43 in fact. I set off for 6 months and was gone for three years.

You're easing into solo travel by going to a woman-travel-friendly part of the world and that's great.

The nice thing about solo travel is that you're only ever as alone as you want to be. Often, when I'm on the road, the problem is more one of trying to find time alone rather than the other way around.

You're courageous to take the solo plunge and that's great! I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time - I always have whenever I've gone solo.

All the best on your travels!

Thank you so much for the link. I can't wait to read through it.

I traveled from London to Paris to Northern Italy with another single woman last year. The thing is, I want to experience this type of solo travel and get to know people and experience different cultures. When we were in Italy however, we had the best time. I just don't want to be in a situation where a man gets the wrong idea of my wanting to strike up friendly conversation. This happened in Manarola, a really nice guy took my friend and I to his favorite restaraunt. Although we offered to pay for our share he insisted that he wanted to treat us. He did try to get a little friendly but I held my ground. I just don't want to be in any uncomfortable situations like that.

Any suggestions regarding this type of situation?

There's never any guarantee but there are some sensible precautions you can take to stay safe as a solo woman.

I've also always thought that a good self-defence course is great for the psyche - I've never had to use anything I've learned but just knowing I could defend myself has given me great confidence. The No Nonsense site has great information about women's safety. You could also try these safety tips for women.

It's often a case of common sense and awareness more than anything else...

Cris, I'm 44 years old and have only really been traveling internationally for the past 6 or so years, before that it was mostly camping all over N. America.

A few years ago I got the itch to go further afield. Started with Europe and then moved on to the Middle East. Then China, the Middle East again, more Europe, and then SE Asia. All of it was done with my bf (now husband) along. Until last year and this year when I decided I wanted to go solo.

My most recent trip (last month) was with no itinerary except my ticket to SE Asia and back. I had no agenda, no timetable, and no constraints. It was wonderful, and I realized I just needed to look at travel less rigidly than I had been. Who cares if I didn't make it to Ankgor Wat even though I was right there in the area? I had only to answer to me.

I think you need to just dive in and head to where you're being called (Aus/NZ/Fiji). What's the worst that can happen--that you decide this way of travel isn't for you? My guess is you'll have a ball. Sometimes it's taking that first step that's the most difficult to do.

As to the safety topic, I'm a big proponent of listening to my gut. If the little voice in my head is uncomfortable with something, I listen to it.

Good luck with your future travels.

Scribetrotter, I didn't realize that the link was your blog, very informative!

Zeke14, thanks for the words. I'm so excited, I've been looking at airfare both oneway and roundtrip. Wondering which will be the best in the long run

I can't help you with advice on traveling alone as a woman, but I would encourage you to take the plunge and go for it. Australia is a wondrous place for the inquisitive visitor, and there are many ways in which you could do parts of the trip in the company of others, rather than traveling solo. There are other reasons than safety to consider when planning a long journey in Australia, not least the fact that it's a huge place, almost the same size as Continental USA, but with only one-twentieth of the population. While there are no guarantees, the chances are that if you hung out in the right parts of town where budget travellers hang out, you will meet people going the same way as you are and who might want someone else to come along to share the costs. Of course that in itself is a bit of a safety lottery, but the fact is that you have to take a few chances, and if you get to choose the people with whom you spend time, you will most certainly be just fine.

One thing regarding your question about one-way/round-trip air tickets: I don't know about Australia in particular, but many countries nowadays simply don't allow visitors to arrive on one-way tickets. Often that is enforced, not on arrival, but on take-off from your departure point. For example, you can't get on the plane from Glasgow, Scotland, destination Thailand, unless you have an onward flight ticket out of Thailand. That's the airline covering itself in case you are refused admission for any reason, and they get stuck with repatriating you because you don't have a valid ticket. So it would be worth checking if it is even possible to land in Australia without an onward/return air ticket.

ron

Traveling alone as a woman is generally ok. Yes, you run into hassles now and then, but I have generally been ok. I did a lot of business travel solo in the last 10 years and never had anyone hassle me. I think it depends on where you're going and Australia has always seemed pretty safe and comfortable to me. Actually the worse hassles I got were in Egypt when I was traveling with my boyfriend. They were propositioning me right next time him whenever he turned his back. I agree with the previous post that said that your attitude really makes the difference.

I'm thinking I should do OK. At least there won't be the type of language barriers I had in Italy, even though I tried to learn as much as I could before I went.

This trip is as much of a self awareness adventure as it is touring a new country.

I am also a new member but have considerable experience traveling in Oz. I have flown down 4 times in the past 6 years and spent many weeks traveling around Oz.
It is one of the easiest countries to travel alone in.
Lots of hostels in most areas. People are very friendly if you need help,etc. If you go, check out the bus situation
which will take you to most areas of interest from Queensland, south to Sydney, over to Perth and even up the middle to Adelaide. Domestic flights within Oz are also very reasonable and you can check the prices on the net.
It's a great country, GO! BTW, if you like the quiet beautiful countryside take the ferry from Melbourne to Tazmania, Rent a car, and enjoy the area. A week there is
not enough!
If you have more questions let me know I will be happy to answer.

Hi Curlym,

Thanks for the reply post. Tazmania is definitely on my to do list. So, I should plan on a minimum of 1 week in Tazmania? I'm beginning to wonder if I'll have time to see NZ or if I should dedicate my 8 weeks to Australia.

I am in the over 40 bracket too and have been traveling solo internationally for a couple of years now. I was already a seasoned road warrior business traveler; but had never been abroad and got the urge a few years back. I agree with the earlier posts that traveling solo you are as lonely as you allow yourself to be. There are so many Americans traveling abroad it is easy to meet people on the road. In fact, I recently ran into a couple in Rome from my own hometown.

Just smile and make yourself open and engaging and you will make many new friends in your travels. Traveling solo is far easier if you keep your schedule light and flexible. Don't try to see everything or spend too much time at tourist sights. Go explore local areas as your encounter them and ask locals what they recommend for eating, transport, sleeping, and sight-seeing. Don't be afraid to spend a day at a local bookstore, park, or cafe relaxing and experiencing local culture. I have never encountered any safety problems and most of them I see posted occur when people are out at night in areas common sense would tell you to stay away from.

Good luck on your OZ trip. I just got back from Italy and am planning a month long trip to Australia next.

Vitadacani,
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm just hoping my vacation accrual will allow for this trip to be sooner rather than later.
Were you solo in Italy? What was you're favorite spot?

G'day crisc, I only just saw this thread now, and maybe you've already started your travels to OZ, but I'd suggest at least 10 days in Tasmania (Tassie). You will need to hire a car in Tassie as there is no public transport other than local buses in towns although there is a bus which is popular with backpackers but it is very limiting and you'll miss so much.

I'm in Melbourne and have seen most of Oz, and being a solo female traveller myself it's no drama travelling around here by yourself. The east coast Melbourne to Cairns is one of the most popular routes, Byron Bay in northern NSW is a great place fairly laid back and easy to spend days there just hanging out.

Ayer's Rock is one place you should see - it's an icon and being in the outback is a totally different experience. The GBR and the Daintree are two world heritage listed areas that are a "must see" as is Kakadu if you have time.

Hope this has been of help and have a great trip.

Thank you Whistler,

It's funny that I haven't been here to read the forums since March and here I took a peek to see your reply from just yesterday.

When I travel I tend to be quite the planner. So this trip will probably happen in 2009 but I am so looking forward to it.

I have 3 weeks vacation accrued so far and my travel funds are set aside. I can't wait.