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Lessons Learned While Travelling Alone
Lessons Learned While Travelling Alone
I have done a lot of travelling in my lifetime; some with family and friends and some by myself. There is a very big difference in these two types of travel. Your whole travelling process changes when you are going at it alone. When you are off on adventures with the family there is always someone to turn to for suggestions on restaurants, attractions, and everything else that you want to experience. There is also the obligation to fit things in that you may not particularly like nor want to participate in. While travelling alone you gain complete freedom of choice which is why I would like to share some of the lessons I learned while travelling alone.
Lessons Learned While Travelling Alone
Do Not Plan Everything
I cannot stress this first lesson enough. Travelling is all about gaining new life experiences and having a good time. If you plan and schedule every single thing that you are going to do on your trip it is akin to following a schedule at home. Experience the freedom that only travelling by yourself can offer. You need to plan certain things like accommodations and flights as these are tough to do on short notice. Everything else can be spontaneous and act like an adventure every day.
Wherever you are travelling to will have some hidden gems that are not in any of the travel guides. This is your chance to just walk or drive around an area and find things that may interest you and your mood for the day. You could set a tight schedule and wake up not feeling like going to a certain place that day but you will feel guilty for not following the plan. Don’t say no to anything before you have tried it either. I had a great time working on a yacht during a year long trek that took me to a lot of places and kept money in my pocket. Working while travelling is a smart way to see the world and gain something to put on your resume; and you may not have to worry about accommodation. Click here to see some yachting jobs, or search around the web for jobs that may be right for you. Gap year jobs are available all over the world!
Do Not Overindulge in Alcohol
You may be reading this next lesson and laughing to yourself but I am being completely serious. When you are travelling with friends or family, there is always someone else around to make the smart decisions and look out for you if you have had a few too many. Drinking too much while travelling alone can end very poorly for some of us. With the poor judgement and lowered inhibitions that alcohol consumptions causes you are a target for all kinds of unpleasant things. If you were to have a friend around they could act as a buffer and get you back to the lodgings unscathed. You have no extra security when alone so it is essential that you keep your wits about you.
Move Around
This lesson is something I wish I had learned many years ago as it could have saved me from some boring trips. Never stay in one area for too long as you will start to get comfortable with it and the excitement factor will quickly die down. You want to keep that excitement as part of your trip the entire way through to get the most out of your money. Choosing a new town or city to stay in every couple of days or weeks will add a sense of being on a new trip every time you move around. Not only does this keep the excitement level high it allows you to take in a vastly wider array of attractions during your travels. Keep yourself moving and you will certainly get more out of your solo adventures.
Plan For Extra Expenses
There is nothing worse than being in a foreign country and realizing you do not have enough money for something. This could be something material that would not kill you if it isn’t purchased but it could also be in the form of something more urgent. When you travel you always run the risk of getting ill or being injured somehow and may need to be treated at a local medical facility. You cannot risk relying on your travel insurance alone to cover any of these costs; unless you have read all of the fine print and have memorized everything that they will cover. It is always a good idea to have an international credit card or extra cash on hand for emergencies. It is very likely that you will never need to use this extra money but it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Review Your Cellphone Plan
Everyone has a cellphone at this point as they are such a convenient way of communication. I made the mistake of not calling my provider before taking a trip and I will never make that mistake again. Cellphone providers have specific packages that you can buy to make it affordable for international calls, texts, and data. A simple phone call to your service provider could potentially save you hundreds if not thousands in cellphone bills.
Some of these lessons have been learned as a result of me making mistakes as a new solo traveller while others I picked up while browsing some reputable travel sites. Click here for a great website dedicated to independent travel. You sometimes need to make a mistake to learn the lesson but in this case you can learn from mine. Following these four simple lessons can make your next solo trek a lot more enjoyable and safer. Now you can book your flight and pack your bags with peace of mind and a lot more knowledge to use in your travels.
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Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar
Find out why Sand boarding, Diving and Safaris through the desert are included in the Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar.
Qatar is a country of reinvention. Shimmering towerblocks rise against a desert horizon, and maze-like souks thrive next to 21st-century shopping palaces. It’s also one of the more accessible countries of the Arab Gulf, with a welcoming reputation towards visitors and plenty of attractions to keep them coming. Some of the best holiday activities you’ll find in Qatar are the adventurous kind. And these are the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar.
Sunset in Qatar – Photo by wj2012
Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar
Diving expeditions
The Gulf Sea is famed for its crystal waters and the exuberant marine life which lurks just beneath the surface. Messaid is a good jumping-off point where you’ll find angelfish and barracuda, while those intrigued by underwater wrecks will love the Hall Island dive site at Al-Sharqi, where bright clownfish circle the abandoned boat.
Sand Adventures
Many of the sports here have been adapted from colder climates, so instead of skiing down a mountain piste, try Khor Al Adaid beach to glide down the impressive dunes on a sand-board. Alternatively, race your blo-kart along the sands of Al Wakrah, south of capital Doha, to experience the thrill of wind-sailing on dry land.
Sand Boarding – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by ground zero
Al Jassasiya
The ancient carvings of Al Jassasiya lie to the north near Al Shamal, amid a truly remote landscape of village ruins and limestone. Hire a 4×4 of your own and make the journey to see the 900 petroglyphs which riddle the rocks here. The carvings denote flowers, animals, fleets of shows, or traditional Arab boats, and to this day, their origins remain a mystery.
Sunset Cruise
When the time comes for a more relaxed excursion, you can do no better than a sunset cruise onboard a wooden dhow as you drift past the super-modern Doha seafront of Al-Corniche and the old harbor at Al Khor. If you’re still hankering after some adventure, rent a smaller vessel and go for a fishing trip the following day.
Desert Safaris
Much of the inland desert in Qatar remains inaccessible on foot, but fortunately, that’s where a 4×4 comes in very handy for a safari trip you won’t easily forget. There are numerous options available from Doha, including day-long excursions, bumping, and rolling to the inland sea at Khor Al Adaid. Or make the trip at dusk for a spot of star-gazing before you settle in Bedouin-style tents for the night.
Desert Safari – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by robertpaulyoung
Most activities can be arranged via a tour company. Although cash has been the predominant payment method in Qatar, this is beginning to change, which is good news for tourists since HSBC offers protection against loss or theft. If you’re planning on taking part in several activities, it can be handy to have some plastic on you to avoid expensive traveler’s cheques, plus credit cards from HSBC and other familiar providers also enable easy access to money at the ATMs. However, it’s wise to exercise caution, using only official bank machines here and sticking with local currency at the market and in smaller shops.
There’s no doubt that Qatar offers some world-class cultural attractions beyond the more energetic highlights, and while you’re in the country, set aside some time for the historic Al Zubarah fort or browse the recreated 19th-century Souk-Waqif, in Doha.
This country has been undervalued in the past but is now coming to the world’s attention. With its desert adventures, ancient sites, and thriving culture, this attention is thoroughly deserved.
This is a travel feature by world traveler, Jose Capelo. He loves exploring the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar and has spent many trips exploring the wild deserts of Qatar.
Bondi is well known for sun, surf, and fun, but what can you do if you find yourself there in the colder months from June to August? Here are a few suggestions for things to do in Sydney’s most popular suburb when the temperature drops.
8 Things to do in Bondi in Winter
1. Go on an art tour
If the weather doesn’t allow for the typical outdoorsy activities Bondi is known for, a tour of some of its first-rate art galleries can be a great way to spend an afternoon. Don’t miss the Cooee Aboriginal Art Gallery, dedicated to promoting Indigenous art, and the Bondi Art Lounge, where you can view works from local artists or even take a beginner class and create a masterpiece of your own.
2. Take a hike
In crisp cool temperatures, a hike along the coastal cliffs with a view of the gorgeous Pacific Ocean below can’t be beaten. One of the most popular hikes is the Bondi to Coogee Walk, which is 6 km and takes you through Sydney’s eastern suburbs and past plenty of cafes, restaurants, and kiosks where you can stop to rest and take in the sights.
3. Head to Bondi Icebergs for some winter swimming
Even during winter, swimming is not entirely out of the question in Bondi. The Oceanside pool at Bondi Icebergs Club is open year-round, and the winter swims every Sunday from May to September have become a time-honored tradition. Although club members must complete at least three winter swims a year to retain their lofty membership title, non-members who are up for the challenge can pay a one-time fee to use the pool and sauna.
4. Strap on your skates and visit the only beachside skating rink in Australia
If winter swimming is a step too far for you, why not skate instead? Bondi has Australia’s only beachside ice rink, and the ocean view in the background makes for a striking contrast. The ice rink is open from June 27 to July 13, and aside from hosting skating sessions that are open to the public, it also features spectacular ice shows from Stars On Ice.
5. Settle in for brunch at one of Bondi’s decadent cafes
Winter wouldn’t be the same without a few indulgences, and after all your skating and hiking, you’ve probably earned a hearty brunch anyway. Fortunately, Bondi is full of great brunch options, from Trio Café with delicacies like poached eggs with truffle oil and char-grilled halloumi; to the rustic Brown Sugar, where you can indulge in classic comfort food like buttermilk pancakes and English muffins with bacon.
6. Join a cooking class, dodge ball game, or salsa lesson
During the winter, it may seem like most people have gone off to hibernate, but if you know where to look, you can still find plenty of social things to do. Start by checking out the Bondi community page on Gumtree. You can find like-minded individuals to explore the area with or even join a group for fun activities like hiking, biking, or cooking.
7. Score some vintage fashion at Bondi Markets
The Bondi Markets, held every Sunday on Bondi Beach, are known in Sydney for being the best place to shop for vintage clothing and accessories and hip new fashions from emerging designers. Aside from style, you can also shop for art, furniture, flowers, books, local produce, and delicious street eats. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a great place to do some people-watching and see the Bondi locals in their element.
8. Stop by the Bondi Pavilion
The Bondi Pavilion is one of the suburb’s oldest landmarks dating back to 1928 when it first opened, featuring grand dining rooms, a lounge, a ballroom, and the Turkish and Hot Sea Water Baths. Today, it’s used as an art and cultural center and is home to a theatre group, recording studio, and art gallery. There’s always something going on here, from pottery classes to festivals to open-air cinemas, so check it out if you have a chance.
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We think our blog is thought provoking and a little witty. But we have been proven wrong before. Find out more about us here...
