Solo travel is one of the most rewarding ways to see the world. Whether it's a two week jaunt in a new destination, or a mammoth round the world trip, we all learn a few things about ourselves and others when travelling solo.
Sometimes it's not because of we are financially unstable, but "courage". Not everyone has the courage to travel to either unknown or new places - wandering around a small town and witnessing the beauty of this world, living out of our comfort zones, giving some time for us to think while breathing the fresh air of new environment. Trust me - it's worth every penny!
Have you ever imagined waking up by the beach, looking up to the blue sky with birds chirping and flying around, the sound of waves hitting the shore, watching sun rise between mountains from afar, soaking yourself in the deep crystal-clear ocean and tanning your skin under a nice weather? It's beyond your imagination!
Yes, those can be experienced even when you go on a group travel, but there are few other things that you might not learn when group travelling - but you will experience something new when travelling solo..
When you're travelling solo, you are always going to make heaps of new friends. You don't have to worry because you will meet people who have the same interest with yours! Other people who travel solo often seek the same which is to make new friends. they don't travel solo for nothing. So, you have nothing to lose!
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Another thing you can experience is that you would be able to engage with locals on a personal
level which only travelers can do. I remember meeting locals when I was in Japan, then we went to hike Mt. Takao together. It was so amazing - the view and the experience with locals. You can get close to local culture by engaging with them. You know what, locals are the best guide in their own home country, don't you think so?
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You are free to adventure as you please - whenever and wherever! being able to adventure as you please feels so good and awesome. You will not be restricted with tour arranged by tour agency. You do your own thing and whenever you feel like so. If this morning you wake up and feel like nothing to do, or just want to be lazy, you can always change the plan - YOU ARE IN CHARGE. You can go sipping coffee at local coffeehouse or trying local cuisine near your hostel. And if the next morning you feel so energetic and your level of curiosity almost explodes, go rent a bike and travel to whenever you want. Local villages are great though!
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Most people travel to experience other culture and by travelling alone, you can gain a deep understanding of every destination you visit. You can get close to locals, learning and embracing their culture. You should not miss local festivals for the world. It's beyond enthralling - I have been to some. You will educate yourself on why locals behave certain ways and being able to get involved in their festivals is the golden opportunity to feel like a local, celebrating with joy and seizing every moment.
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Do not travel to escape life, but travel to make life not escape from you. There is always something liberating about travelling to a new place, where no one knows who you are. All left with you at the moment is curiosity. You do not have to concern on how people will perceive because no one knows who you are. Just kick-start your day with adventures and always feel good!
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Most of us rarely get enough of "Me-time". Alone time is healthy and it can be so addictive too, I can tell you. It is a perfect time to find yourself back - start to learn and love yourself. Being alone can make you appreciate yourself better.
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Solo travel to a place far from home will make you appreciate all important people in your life. Even you are far away from home, you will get closer to those people who you call "home" - knowing them will be worried or wondering at home, you will always make sure you take good care of yourself.
Those are seven things you can learn by solo travelling. There are more. Always more than that every solo travelers can learn. The beauty of travelling is you always hear on news about the bad sides of a certain places/countries, however there is a lot more of good things out there which they don't broadcast on news. Get out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself, explore the world, be curious and take the life as it comes!
REMEMBER : BE CURIOUS!
*Photos courtesy of @edmund.ani
