The Joy of Travelling Alone
It has always been in our culture as Filipinos that traveling is always declared as a group activity. Most or shall I say, many of us would often go out of town together with friends or family members.
But, how many has actually traveled alone? I doubt if anyone will raise hands here.
Unknown to many, traveling solo has its perks too. It was through journeying alone that I was able to develop my skills in communicating with the strangers. I get to know a lot of people. I was able to appreciate local history more.
Traveling alone is a very liberating experience for me. Imagine, I don’t have to wait for friends at the airport for an extra minute before queuing at the check in counter. I dont have to worry extra budget in case my friends would ask to dine in an upscale restaurant, or take a taxi instead of the usual jeepney ride. I can go to any place that I want. What if my friends love to go to the park, while I want to visit a local museum? Hard, isn’t it? Traveling with friends always limit your choices of itinerary. Not to mention limiting the foods that your going to binge in. I love seafoods, but my friend is allergic to crustaceans. While my other friend is a vegetarian???
The pace of your traveling activity is not a problem when you are alone. You can set your pace if you want to tour quick, or walk slowly, just like in the park.
I myself love traveling alone. It gives me the freedom to explore a city without the need to tow friends who are not interested in what I’m doing. I really enjoyed my self so much when I traveled all alone last July 2006, from Manila to Baguio, Baguio to Vigan, and Vigan to Manila. December 2006, I saw my self flying alone to the Asia’s Latin City of Zamboanga, then swim at the white sand beaches of Basilan. I also traveled alone for the Dinagyang Festival 2006 in Iloilo City.
So if I were to choose between traveling with a group or traveling alone, I’d still prefer the latter. The adventures are limitless. Who knows what happens next.
Upcoming Festivals to watch out for!
Sinulog 2010
Ati-atihan 2010
Dinagyang 2010
Panagbenga Festival 2010
Philippine International hot Air Balloon fiesta 2009 Clark Pampanga
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jove » April 8th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
“So if I were to choose between traveling with a group or traveling alone, I’d still prefer the latter. The adventures are limitless. Who knows what happens next.” — i totally agree! going solo beats travelling with a bunch of people, and is almost as exciting as travelling with someone you love. naks!
Elmo » April 9th, 2007 at 6:37 am
I have been travelling alone for a long time. Either for business or pleasure. And nothing is more irritating than to be asked, “Where is your partner?” or “Are you travelling alone?”. And the expression on the inquirer face says it all when I answer, “Yes”.. as if I am some kind of a charity case .. nakakaawa naman, mag-isa lang..
Fortunately, this does not affect me anymore.
Sometimes, it is good to have a travel buddy, if only
to have someone to take your picture, to chat with during meals, and to enjoy a beautiful breathtaking scenery with.
One big disadvantage of travelling alone is the price of accomodations and tours. Might as welll have some travel with you dahil parang pang dalawang tao na rin ang binabayan
But there are trips you
edong » April 10th, 2007 at 8:36 am
+ : I enjoy travelling alone. Having your own pace, your own decisions, your own direction (or lack of
).
- : There is an ache inside me, when there is no one there to share the experience
jhenny » April 10th, 2007 at 9:57 am
seems fun pero for a female parang nakakatakot din, considering some situations are not really good… but i like the idea.. and you’re lucky kasi you could travel alone and i agree with your points
but i don’t think i could travel alone.. siguro kahit 1 friend lang kasama koo ok na ako dun
ngyaaaw » April 11th, 2007 at 2:20 am
As daunting as it may sound, travelling solo is thrilling and rewarding at the same time. Besides, you won’t be “alone” for that long as you are bound to meet like-minded people anyway. I’ve met some of the most wonderful people thru my travels.
Ernesto » April 11th, 2007 at 11:54 am
I had hesitations travelling by myself, but like what everyone above me had posted, it can be very exciting and fulfilling. Its typical for American college students to either study abroad or go backpacking. I did the latter. I decided to explore Italy and loved every minute of it. Except for a dinner in Venice (where I was surrounded by lovers), I never felt lonely because theres always someone new you can meet (especially I stayed at several hostels). Anyway, I highly recommend travelling alone, it gives you a great opportunity to learn about yourself.
biboy » April 11th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Of course, traveling alone has its advantages. I prefer to travel with my family so that you can spend quality time with them. Bonding is the more appropriate term. I have been bitten by the travel bug and has been doing a lot of traveling with the family. Enjoy!!! There is a website which has helped me a lot – http://www.hoparound.net. It gives you an excellent listing of interesting destinations. What’s great is that you will also see a list of micro tourism service providers per location. So you can plan your trip to the fiesta you want to visit and arrange for the services you would need during your stay even before your leave your place by using the internet.
Christine » April 18th, 2007 at 3:42 am
While I enjoy travelling with friends more than travelling alone (I love having people around to share the experience with and discuss things), I would not mind travelling alone and have done it a few times because of work. What I don’t like about it is sleeping alone in the hotel room – I’m a scaredy cat!
jylifish » May 15th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
…it actually gives one a chance to linger on a certain moment or anything that captures your attention without having to think of companions or any possible inconvenience one can cause.. a very welcome opportunity be in touch with one’s self and make use of a very valuable and free gift – time….
maggie » May 16th, 2007 at 6:49 am
i always travel alone, if i can help it. the freedom is limitless.
.
Aileen » June 27th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Nice blog! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on solo traveling. I have also enjoyed solo travel, and prefer it more over group travel. It gets complicated for me being a woman solo traveler because people always give you strange looks when checking into hotels, or taking boat rides alone. That doesn’t stop me
But there is a real exhiliration of being on the road and just being free. Happy traveling!
Corinne » January 5th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Well I already did that travelling alone going to Sagada just lass dec 3-5, 2007. And I really had fun…
lunaticus » January 14th, 2008 at 5:48 am
Hey Corinne, I also traveled alone in Sagada last dec 13-15. Sagada and places up north is a pretty safe place to travel eventhrough your alone. Anyways, before I went there in Sagada, I went trekking in BAtad Village, BAnaue. ANd spend a night there. Pretty cheap accomdations too.. Next stop is Vigan…
Travelling alone is just a thrill. Its being comfortable and enjopying the place by yourself. Being alone doesnt mean we’re lonely. Its means where happy enough to actually veture somewhere else.
Edgar Alan Zeta-Yap » March 10th, 2008 at 12:29 am
Solo traveling is a conversation between you and the destination. I’m planning a trip on my own to Banaue-Batad-Bontoc-Sagada… My other chronicles, as seen through experimental analog photography, can be found at my travel lomoblog: http://eazytraveler.blogspot.com Cheers!
Tam » June 30th, 2008 at 9:13 am
I’ve been planning to go to Cambodia alone over the 4th of July holidays, to be honest, not because i’d prefer it that way, but because i couldn’t drag anyone with me. I’m glad i read your posts – they made me feel that this is actually a much better choice. This is my first time out of the country so i had to take a tour package, but maybe next time i’d be brave enough to backpack through Asia alone.
I guess the only problem is, who’s supposed to take my picture standing on top of the angkor wat towers??? hehe
princessfiony » October 27th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Hi!I’m inspired with your thoughts about travelling alone. I plan to go to Baguio next weekend. I liked your itinerary, I know it could be useful for my trip.
Thanks for your sharing your insight.
ken » May 21st, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Hi!
I’d been travellin mostly with friends. Think it’s about time to travel alone come June 10 of 2009 in SAGADA. Booked already in Residential lodge for a 2 days and 2 nights stay. I hope something good comes out of this trip…
Filipina » July 13th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
That’s the reward you got from traveling alone. I’m happy to hear that you enjoy it. However, don’t think it’s hard to ask help if you are alone? I mean two heads are better than one. Why be alone if you can have someone to be with you.
Rachel » October 22nd, 2009 at 3:58 am
Totally agree! I love seeing new countries and learning about them. I find traveling solo extremely liberating and much less constrained. I’m free to decide where I want to go, what I want to see, and what activities I want to do. I currently live in Canada and have traveled to 20 countries so far. The Philipines is next on my itinerary!
Nice » November 12th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
hi. i found this site while searching for places i can visit next year, and i’m glad for the encouragement in the article. i haven’t traveled much in the past… only started just this year, and with friends.
i want to try traveling alone next year, but i’m not sure which place i should start with (one that will best suit a first-time female traveler like me). can you recommend any place? my planned travel would be around february or march… and then around october or november.
will appreciate any help and tips. thanks