Many times I’d been asked when I go somewhere, “Who is with you?”. If I answered alone then I get different reactions. Some are shocked, some envy me for having the lakas ng loob to go alone and some, actually mostly, are afraid for me. So sometimes I really hide my plan to people who will be afraid for me going solo. Anyway, if there’s really none who can join you in your tour/vacation and you like time for yourself then you can do traveling alone which can be as exciting as traveling in a group.
Here are some of the advantages/disadvantages.
Advantages:
1. Going solo will make you learn how to survive on your own. You will become street smart and you will know more people and build more friends along you’re your way.
2. You are the master of your own time and your own itinerary. You will be the only maarte so you don’t need to think about the other concerns of your friends or whoever is with you.
3. Once in the place, you will be more relaxed than if you are with a bunch of people around you. Maybe it’s because you can lie down under the sun the whole day if you liked to and no one knows you so you are free to do whatever you like to do.
4. You will get extra attention and there’s a feeling that everyone seems to take care of you even you don’t know each other. Just because you are a woman (if you are) and alone..(especially in the Philippines where people always go in groups)
Disadvantages
1. It is more expensive because you have to pay alone for everything like the car or bangka if you need one, and also the food which is usually good for two persons.
2. No one will take a picture of you.
If you have decided to travel alone here are some of my tips:
1. Travel early in the morning so at least when you lose track in the map, you still have plenty of time to look for the right road or at least go back to your base. This one will also work if you don’t know the real schedule of last trips of the buses, ship, banca or plane.
2. Have enough cash money. There are places where there are no available ATMs. But, still bring your cards.
3. Research first about the place. Know if the place is safe.
4. There are some places where people are sometimes tricky. Some tricks can be sometimes helpful. I remember in one of my solo trips, the tricycle drivers keep asking me if am alone, I said no, my companion is in the room still sleeping. It works that they don’t bug me.
5. Sometimes follow your instinct. I was once looking in the net for a hotel. I saw this Hard Kock hotel, its cheap, looks good and it’s in native cottages. I called to the owner and say’s there’s vacant room for me in the date that I will be there. Then I just realize that the name of the hotel seems not good enough to the ears especially to a woman so I chose other hotel. Then I was right that I changed my hotel.
6. Call the hotel where you will stay and ask what they can offer to you. Like, is the breakfast included, will they pick up you up in the airport or in the pier.... sometimes, they will not tell you unless you asked. Its very useful for a single traveler at least you don’t have to look for their place anymore.
7. And as always, travel light.
For my general rule: whether you are traveling alone or with a group, always help the locals (especially in the Philippines).Buy at least little things from them to help their little business and also the person as well.
