I am a 24 year old Canadian girl and I am going to be
travelling to Australia in October or November of this year.
I have done some travelling, but never alone....my quandry
is...am I better to go alone, or should I go with a friend?
This girl and I are college friends, but I don't know if I
could stand her to travel with or live with her. She is not
someone I would consider living with here at home,but will I
feel differently while so far from home? I am worried about
travelling alone and being lonely. I am generally outgoing
and can easily carry on an interesting conversation, but I
have never been away from home for more than a few months
(I'll be gone a year) and I don't know if I will be grateful
to have a friend from home there with me. Is it quite easy
to meet people in Australia? It may sound like a crazy
question, but in other places I've travelled, it's not
always really easy to meet others. Basically, I am asking
you all for advice....better to go alone, or welcome my
friend (who wants to come WITH me)...Could you share some
experiences with me about travelling long-term with
aquaintances? (I was planning on telling my friend that I
am going to go alone, but then another friend said that I
might really like having someone from home there for
support and company)....yikes
[There are 20 posts - the latest was added on Tue 18 May, 4:00]
Use the form at the end of this page to add your own post.
Topics
| Thorn Tree
| Home
I know how hard it is not to worry about "being alone" while
travelling. I experienced the exact same dilemma last march
'98, I was going backpacking for 6months in Australia and
New Zealand, BY MYSELF!!!! I was sooooo nervous, but that's
totally natural. Even worse was the fact that the original
plan had been to go with a friend but guess what? that fell
through and there I was, little Canadian girl never
travelled off the continent of North America, with no one to
guide her!
Trust me, you do not want to go with someone that you
already know you won't be able to deal with while there. It
just won't work. Even if you both cling together, you
probably won't meet as many people. Go by yourself. It won't
be easy, but garanteed it won't be as hard as you think
either. You will meet so many people and you will be glad
that you are by yourself and able to do exactly what YOU
want. you will have so many acquaintances in new countries
when you come back that you'll be able to stay for free just
about anywhere in the world! So please go! IT does get
easier.
Hi Steff
When I was 24, I decided to travel to Canada and since none
of my friends had the cash or the interest to accompany me,
I decided to go alone. Was kinda nervous about arriving in
a strange country without knowing anyone but it was the best
thing I ever did! I met great people (and I'm not the most
outgoing person)and found that people were more likely to
approach you as it's not so intimidating as when you are in
a pair or a group. Australia is a friendly country and I
don't think you will have any problem meeting people to
travel with and/or socialise with. Travelling by yourself
can be lonely at times but for the most part, it is very
rewarding. You only have to please yourself and you really
feel a sense of accomplishment for having had the guts to
just get on with it. Go girl!!
Don't worry about being on your own - you'll have a great
time.
As a Canadian female who's travelled twice on her own, and
is planning to do it again later this year, I definitely
recommend it.
If you don't get along with your friend at home, then you
definitely won't get along with her overseas - in face,
she'll really get on your nerves. If you're going to travel
on your own, make sure you get along very well with the
other person.
When I was travelling on my own, yes, there were times when
I was lonely, but that only serves as an incentive to be
more outgoing and to make the effort to talk to people.
And the Australians are very friendly, outgoing peopel -
you'll have no problems making new friends, acquaintances,
etc.
And when you're on your own, you can do whatever you want!
Go for it - you won't regret it one bit.
Have a great time!
Hi Steff, like all the other posts I recommend coming on
your own! You'd be together with your mate 24 hours a
day...think about it!!! If you land in travellers type
hostels & destinations you'll end up with more travelling
companions than you'd need! We locals are friendly and
because Aust is a fairly safe cozy sort of a place you'll
probably feel at home here anyway! Have a great
If you already know that you wont get along with the other
girl than go alone. I travelled around OZ, New Zealand
and Thailand all by myself for 5 months in 97/98. Best thing
I ever did. O.K. sometimes I had times were I felt really
lonely, but most of the times I was fine. If you are staying
in hostels you bound to meet people. I met so many people,
some of them I'm still in touch with. Don't worry - just go.
I had a brilliant time.
Why gamble the trip of a lifetime plus all the time, money
and effort it takes to actually do it on someone you
already have doubts about? Go with someone who you will
never fight with, that you have everything in common with,
and you you truly love and value - YOURSELF.
I agree with everyone above, the benefits of going alone far
outweigh going on a trip with someone you're not sure you're
going to get along with. Look at it this way, you are going
to Oz, everyone speaks English & you will meet lots of
people. In fact, I have met more people travelling alone
than when with other people.
.
If you go travelling with someone you're not sure about you
could end up having a nightmare trip. What if she likes
cities & you want to go hiking? What if she hates Chinese
food but that's the only thing you'll eat? What if she
insists on staying in motels but you can only afford
hostels? There are lots of issues that can come out on a
trip & if you haven't discussed them ahead of time with the
other person, you are going to have a bad trip. You will
end up comprimising what it is you really want to do, just
to please the other person (or it could be the other way
around, too!). If you go on your own, you have no one to
fight with other than yourself!
.
Also, sorry to go against the advice of your friends but,
really now, the only support and company that is really
going to matter is your own. If you're on a trip with
someone you don't really want to be with, how supportive
could she be? Also,what kind of company is that (i.e. I
don't even like you but, I desperately want to have someone
to talk to)? Keep a journal if you want company, visit
cybercafΘs, call home when you really need to -- these are
ways to really have support & company!
.
If you are worried about safety, why not consider starting
off your journey with a short tour (10-14 days)? There are
lots of inexpensive camping expeditions/hostel-based trips
you could take, if money is an issue (e.g. Trek Australia).
You will meet people on the trip, get a feel for the country
but, also you will not be alone. A great way to get your
feet wet.
.
I highly highly highly recommend that you read "A Journey of
One's Own" by Thalia Zepatos. She gives some excellent
advice on how to effectively travel solo as a woman.
You`ll have no trouble here in Aussie making friends and
meeting people. We`re all pretty easy going.
Bring your thongs,togs, hat and a stubbie cooler. That
should do it. It is hot that time of year. Leave your friend
at home, You`ll find someone better to hang out with.
I've travelled through Europe and Israel by myself. Lots of
fun. I really enjoy seeing historical sites, museums etc by
myself as you get to stay for as long or as little as you
like. Staying in Youth Hostels is a GREAT way to meet
people - who wants to be alone ALL the time? I met quite a
few people in hostels who I then had dinner with, spent the
next day with or had fantstic intellectual discussions with.
Plus Australia is pretty tame for travelling in (I live
here), it would be one of the easier places to travel in
alone - low crime, streets reltively safe (don't walk alone
at night though) and the local men aren't really into
harrassing women (in general). have fun. Australia's a
GREAT place.
First of all.....DITTO to what everyone else has said.
I have been away from home and travelling alone since October 6. I have been to Asia, Germany and am now living in Galway, Ireland.
I admit I was a little scared at the prospect of having to travel alone (friends had pulled out for various reasons), but now I am actually glad to have been alone.
You do not have to worry about somebody else and what they want to do that day, or whether they are having a good time. You can take off on your own in a strange city and explore in your own time. You will be amazed at the things that you see and the people that you meet. People all over the place are very friendly and very willing to assist a damsel in distress. ie. looking for a street name with a map in your hand is a dead give away.
Just make sure you keep your wits about you. I don't know any self defence and am 5 foot half an inch tall (don't forget about the half an inch). I had a little trouble with a drunk in Cork but there was a gentleman there to assist and all went fine. You may have troubles yourself, I hope that you don't, but it is amazing the situations you can talk your way out of. Just don't panic!
Take heart! There are thousands of women who have done it and there will be thousands of women who will do it after you. Travel by yourself! You will be amazed at your own courage I promise you and you will learn from all of the expieriences.
In a country like Australia, there will always be someone there to help you out should the need arise. After travelling, I have to say that the Irish and Australians have a great deal in common and if you head to Sydney, you will meet loads of both. The only survival tool you will need for Aussie men in the bush (where they have a chauvanistic attitude) is sarcasm.
Good luck!
Karen
Dear steff, i have travelled a great deal on my own and
would always recommend it as the way to go... the Chinese
have a saying , "travel a thousand miles with me before
you call me your friend". If you ain't great buddies you
certainly wont be after time on the road together....Oz is
a marvellous place for travel and you already have the
language so pack some courage in your bag and be prepared
to move out of your comfort zone. Being on your ready for
some risks you'll be even worse when you are 60!!!!!!
Steff
How are you?
Go on your own, certainly take your friend if she wants to
go and travel too but plan for yourself and if she comes
along and some of her plans fit into yours then you can do
those together.
Aus is a weird and wonderful country and very safe and you
have nothing to worry about. It is very much like Canada,
which I have been travelling around for the past while, in
terms of safety and having a good transport system and good
medical etc etc.
Also you continuously meet other travellers and locals and
decisions are made on your feet so it's always better to
only have yourself to think about.
I travelled around Australia for 8 months and loved every
moment. I think you will too. I still have some notes and a
guide or two on Australia which you are welcome to have if
you want. Mail me and I will post it to you.
Otherwise enjoy!
Good wishes
Glenn
Hi Steff,
Yes, this is one more Canadian woman who has travelled on
her own and recommends that you give it a try. Of course
some of my friends and family thought I was crazy. I was
lucky to have a few friends in southeast and east Asia to
drop in on, so I was not always alone. But to be honest, as
much as I enjoyed seeing my friends, the best experiences
were gained during the weeks when I was alone. People came
up to talk to me mainly because I was alone. I made friends
with a Japanese student when taking a ferry to Japan from
Korea, a Japanese woman who only approached me because we
were both alone at a historical site, a Korean, several
Malaysians etc. I am absolutely convinced I would have met
NONE of these wonderful people if I had been travelling with
a friend. A group of a dozen Malaysians took pity on me when
I was hiking Mt. Kinabalu (in Malaysia) by myself, so I was
invited to join their party and share their dinner - it was
just wonderful! We talked late into the evening in the
mountain shelters and wrote letters to each other for
several months afterwards. So please try travelling alone.
You will be more adventurous and meet more interesting
people!
Good luck!
I had a great time travelling around Australia by myself. I
was supposed to go with friends in Sydney (we were all
living there short term) but one got very sick. Going
solo turned out to be the best thing ever: you can stay
somewhere that you love, and move on if you hate it. Also,
everyone usually travels along the same routes (a popular
one is up the East Coast), so there is no shortage of people
to meet and travel with, should you choose. Byron Bay was
my first stop after Sydney, and everyone there was so
friendly I didn't even have enough time to myself to write
letters, etc. There were definitely lonely days here and
there where I wished for a familiar face. On the other
hand, some of the people I met on the trip I still
keep in touch with and consider friends (and I met my fiance
on that trip, too).
Steff,
speaking as an aussie i of course am biased about what a
great country this is but having said that i think your
best bet is to come on your own. if you're not sure about
this friend of your's leave her at home. you'll meet heaps
of people and have a great time on your own. if it's safety
you're worried about, it's pretty safe here but just to be
sure why not do a defence course before you leave
Hi!
I travelled with my flat mate of 7 years for 3 months last
year and nearly killed each other! I have travelled around
the world on my own and with friends (I am an aussie girl),
and trust me, you met more people when on your own.
Sometimes you get a bit lonely, which is valid, but hey,
that is what reverse charge telephone calls to your family
are for!
Good luck with your trip, you will love our fine country.
Scarlet!
Thank you so much! I think I just needed to hear from
people directly that I should go alone. I am trying to be
brave about it and I think I will get there on my own!
To all you Aussies who wrote..thanks! I look forward to
meeting you all and I may want to even stay!
By any chance do you live in Vancouver?
I know an Australian living there who will be travelling to Sydney at the same time as you if you want some one to hold your hand and then let go once you've arrived and found that we are not that frightening here in Australia.
Let me know by posting your response and I'll hook you up with her.
PS. She is in the Travel Industry so could be of some use to you.
Good Luck what ever you do.
Hello All, i live in the UK, but have always wanted ever
since i was a child to travel to or even move to Australia.
As i am getting older (19) and now at uni, studying law i
am becoming more and more interested in fulfilling my
dream.I am going to try to fit in 6mths once i have
completed all my legal education. Then travel for a while
to Aus then qualify then maybe move for good.
1)I have decided to travel alone, which is the best route
to begin from once getting into Sydney.
2)It would be my first travelling experience, but i know i
will not regret it, how much money do people recommend a
person needs to travel as a backpacker for 6mths.
3) would i be able to work over there? I am bar and
waitress trained. Would i need references, how easy is it
to get employed.
4)does anyone have any tips for the best places they have
visited as a lone traveller, that are welcoming, in
Australia.
feel free to email me with any replies.
thankyou.
Claire (a uk lass)
I am also Canadian, and have done alot of travelling,
mostly with friends. I have travelled with friends who
after a while you wish were not there. Sometimes travelling
with friends, can lead to not being friends. You find out
very quickly their likes, dislikes and personality. I am
planning to go to Australia, N.Z on my own this year. I am
looking forward to going where I want, and not having to
please someone else and just spending time with myself. It
can be difficult if not used to travelling, but if you do
some research about where you are going it is easier. Also
depending on where you are going look into travel passes or
companies that cater to certian ages Oz Experience, Kiwi
Experience, Contiki, look into a youth hostel branch in
your area and get information on organizations, hostels in
places you want to see. The more information you get while
at home, you can make contacts in the places you are going
to.
Travelling is the best way to see and learn about life. The
world is a big place, and here in Canada we are used to a
certain standard of living. It is nice to leave because you
appreciate more of what you have when you get home.
Go for it! E- mail me if you want more encouragement.
Joanne