Rogerio, you just shot down all of those good feelings the last 20 posts gave me =/
I'm leaving my girl for this trip and I think that will be the hardest part for me. excuse me while I find a corner to cry in now

oh, you'll do fine.

I think it's better to know the potential pitfalls of long term travel and know they're there and other people have gone through it, this way you can handle them, rather than going headfirst blindly

in a word, no.

I loved being alone, and I've only done it once without other people with me. Now I wouldn't do it any other way, if you've got the choice, which you obviously do!

Probably the biggest positive for me was that I didn't have to be a part of a group... Actually, while I was in Cape Coast Ghana, I discovered myself getting really annoyed by the white people I'd see! Forgetting that I am white myself! I think it just kind of takes away some of the tourist vibe that can be given off if you are with other visitors. Plus, you can do whatever you want, and how nice is that?!

i read another post re this subject... and it's good advice... if u accept that there will be times when u are GOING to be lonely... as well as other times where u will have an absolute blast with the people u meet, u won't have a problem... i was taken aback at how easy it was to strike up a conversation on my very short trip in NZ in Jan this year... only took a few days of backpacking before meeting people... of course, this is one of my concerns, but if u go for backpacking, u will not be lonely (but u may have a different type of loneliness in terms of missing friends and family back home etc...)... my advice, prepare yourself mentally for the worst and u will be fine!

By the way, when I went to melbourne earlier this year with 2 other friends, it turned to shit. Another trip when I travelled with 2 girls to USA restricted me big time... the solo trips, whilst difficult at times, have caused me the least problems. Yeh, it would be nice to travel with a best buddy for a year, BUT 24 hours a day with the same person would drive me absolutely insane... people who travel with each other... my advice, you definitely need time out!!!!!! i wish i had of taken this advice when i went with two buddies to melbourne for NYE 04/05.

I am leaving in 1 week for a 10 month rtw. Holy smokes, cant believe its happening. I need to pinch myself.

Anyway, one of my fears is/was lonlieness and this whole topic. I have kind of addressed it in a few ways:

1 - accepted the fact that i am just going to be friggin lonely sometime. easy to say now before i have left. but whatever, its reality. Yes, it would be great to be trapessing the world with the woman of my dreams, blissfully in love, and great music plaing in the background n stuff... um, yeah. But the reality is i am single and my oppty to rtw is now, right now. and its an oppty that very few people get and even fewer take, so i gots ta do it.

2 - i have invited a number of friends and family to come visit on my trip. So i think i am meeting up with like 4-5 friends and my parents a couple times as well. So it should be a good mix of solo vs. companions. i am also going to do a tour or two. (intrepid i think). I am really excited that people have shown an interest in meeting up. we'll see re follow through.

3 - Work on my travel blogging website as a project. I think its good to have a project. Others mentioned good books, etc...

Maybe also do some volunteering.

I am my own best friend and usually like to spend time alone, but even with a healthy amount of introversion, i share the fear.

Take care folks...

AG, you sound like your in the same boat as me.....going solo, a few mates coming out to various places and a few Intrepid trips. Which Intrepids are you doing?

What route you taking too?

Best of luck....wish I only had a week to go, I'm not off 'til February

fantastic advice AG... you've summarised this issue to a tee... all the best with your departure in a week's time... having a blog as a project will give a RTW trip added purpose...it's always a good feeling to know that people are gaining by reading our experiences, whether bad or good. it's sites like this that educate and inspire... and allow people to see that there are many others in the same situation. RTW travel is not meant to be easy, but beats working 9 to 5 in a dead end job. can't wait to meet the multitude of people that i would of never had the opportunity to meet during my up and coming RTW trip due to start in 5 weeks.

Amyadrift - Totally recognize that feeling -the main problem is when you never know anyone properly and you are always introducing yourself and explaining who you are! Gets so dull! On the other hand, its so quick getting to know people a bit better when you are travelling, as you are actually having experiences with them as opposed to just chatting.

In my experience traveling alone, sometimes if you are in a not-easily-traveled place where there are some backpackers, the few really stick together (and sometimes you can't get rid of them or have any time to yourself), and sometimes the most easily and heavily traveled places are more clicky and it's harder to make a connection. I think when you really need budies, if there are any backpackers out there, you'll not be alone!

I think this topic is so exciting. In my opinion, if you are in a position at this point in your life where traveling solo has become an option, you have to try it for yourself. Maybe you're at a crossroads and there is something out there for you to learn about yourself from traveling alone. I know so many people (present company EXCLUDED) that cannot even imagine the possibility of going solo. Good luck!

I travelled solo for 3 years. I think I am done tho. I got what I needed from it and grew quite alot. But now I want to share things with someone. I guess one goes through phases.

I have always been a solo traveler. I believe in it and practice what I preach. I work with people and sometimes need a break from them.
I like to get away from people during my yearly jaunts.

That said, I am writing this from Hanoi and I must admit that tonight I am lonely as hell.

The backpackerati travel in couples or groups and, as I am not 20 any longer, am not welcome or eligible to hang out with the "cool kids".
I am glad that I have my BootsnAll family to confide to.

Please, no lectures. I'll be OK again tomorrow.

Though it's been a long while since this thread's been active, I thought I'd add my piece anyways! I'm heading to Oz in about 3 weeks and the loneliness issue has been playing on my mind throughout my planning.
I think the main issue for me is not having anyone close to share the experience with, plus the incessant "Hi, I'm....". That especially worries me seeing as I haven't even left yet and the thought of it gets to me!

But then I start listening to the rational side of my brain (wherever it is). On days when the constant introductions really grate, I won't have to do it. On the days when I feel especially lonely, I'm just gonna think of a) how lucky I am to have the opportunity to take such a long trip b) how head wrecking everything can get at home & c) the fact that to challenge yourself is to grow so it's time to suck it up and live out of my comfort zone (for longer than say a job interview takes).

My loose plan to overcome any lonely moments that (lets face it) I'm gonna have is to remind myself of why I left home and to accept that the grass is always greener on the other side so I may as well enjoy the side I'm on. Here's hoping I look back at this in a year and wonder what all the fuss was about!

Best to all thinking of or doing their solo thing!