Solo Holiday Experiences

top_drawer_2

Chlorine7 wrote: »

It is a giant leap but I've researched and researched and I've been to so many other Asian countries so I hope that will stand me in good stead. I get bored in Europe so quickly and it's so expensive that if I'm going to spend a lot of money I want to be somewhere I really want to be.

I did chicken out last night but I booked when I got to work this morning. Now instead of willing myself into booking, I'm slightly freaking out that I've booked it!

I'm flitting between 'Yay, I've finally booked' and 'OMG what have I done!' :eek:

Hey,

Come to Seoul Chlorine!! I would be happy to meet you for lunch or a day out, if you would like. The 18 hours flying is not nearly as bad as it sounds and everything you could possibly want is here within an hour or so of Seoul.

I reached 30+2 and realised that I had been held back my entire life by my many, and varied issues, so I did something I wish I had done years ago and (completed a CELTA, and) applied to teach English in Seoul, South Korea. It's not a holiday in the sense this thread is talking, but its long-term temporary and I love it here and I have a good life that I couldn't afford in the UK.

Also, returning to the topic of solo holiday experiences, on Thursday I booked two weeks in the Philippines 14th - 28th, alone. I've only got my flights booked yet and am still working on researching what I want to do / places to go / stay etc. Terrified.com but it can't possibly be worse than coming here to South Korea, knowing it was for the forseeable.....

TD

catoutthebag

Afternoon ladies.
I'm male and ill hopefully be doing this soon..2 nights though as anymore is tough I'd guess
Again I'd only been away with ex's and rather than relying on another future gf or friends who can never commit, I thought I'd do it myself.
Have a European destination in mind
Don't worry about the language. It's never been a barrier for me when I've been round other major European cities.
Bon chance!

Chlorine7

LostSoulForever wrote: »

Good for you - the more time you think about booking it the more doubts creep in , so well done for taking the plunge - of course the "what have i done" thoughts will be there.

I'm sure your previous experiences in Asia will help - will language be an issue? can't see Seoul having that many English speakers - though i might be wrong.

How long are you going for ?

I'm only going for a week. I figure thats long enough in a big city and short enough to know I'll be returning home soonish so no panic will happen while there.

Yes, language will be an issue but the metro is in English and there's a lot of street food so eating and sightseeing should be fine. I'm staying in my own room in a hostel so I hope to meet people there who are maybe organising tours/trips that I can tag along too.

I really hope that the excitement comes soon. I went out with friends yesterday and one was super excited that I'd booked (she has gone on tours alone as her husband hates to fly) and one I think was happy for me as she could see I needed to hear that and the other seemed astonished that I would do something like that. I do actually get excited when I look at the shopping I could do :rotfl:

Once I explain to people what am I supposed to do with my life, just go to work, come home, go to work, come home hit a few bars and hope that someone along the way will want to visit the same places with me they seem a lot more understanding and supportive.

I've got to admit that people on this thread have also been pretty great in helping me find the confidence just to book

Chlorine7

top_drawer wrote: »

Hey,

Come to Seoul Chlorine!! I would be happy to meet you for lunch or a day out, if you would like. The 18 hours flying is not nearly as bad as it sounds and everything you could possibly want is here within an hour or so of Seoul.

I reached 30+2 and realised that I had been held back my entire life by my many, and varied issues, so I did something I wish I had done years ago and (completed a CELTA, and) applied to teach English in Seoul, South Korea. It's not a holiday in the sense this thread is talking, but its long-term temporary and I love it here and I have a good life that I couldn't afford in the UK.

Also, returning to the topic of solo holiday experiences, on Thursday I booked two weeks in the Philippines 14th - 28th, alone. I've only got my flights booked yet and am still working on researching what I want to do / places to go / stay etc. Terrified.com but it can't possibly be worse than coming here to South Korea, knowing it was for the forseeable.....

TD

Wow, that is a really kind offer to meet for lunch If you've got any tips and recommendations (esp for food ) I'd love to get those too.

I have always dreamed of working overseas and nearly moved with my ex when he couldn't be happy with any job here but I could never find the courage to do it on my own.

Philippines should be a piece of cake for someone who moved to the other side of the world and as I've just learned booking flights is the biggest step. Now all I need to do is step onto that plane!

LostSoulForever

Chlorine7 wrote: »

I'm only going for a week. I figure thats long enough in a big city and short enough to know I'll be returning home soonish so no panic will happen while there.

Yes, language will be an issue but the metro is in English and there's a lot of street food so eating and sightseeing should be fine. I'm staying in my own room in a hostel so I hope to meet people there who are maybe organising tours/trips that I can tag along too.

I really hope that the excitement comes soon. I went out with friends yesterday and one was super excited that I'd booked (she has gone on tours alone as her husband hates to fly) and one I think was happy for me as she could see I needed to hear that and the other seemed astonished that I would do something like that. I do actually get excited when I look at the shopping I could do :rotfl:

Once I explain to people what am I supposed to do with my life, just go to work, come home, go to work, come home hit a few bars and hope that someone along the way will want to visit the same places with me they seem a lot more understanding and supportive.

I've got to admit that people on this thread have also been pretty great in helping me find the confidence just to book

A week will be fantastic
Very handy that the metro is in English & yeah if your in a hostel you'll be more than likely to meet fellow travellers who can help out etc.

I know what you mean about excitement, i'm excitited for you - yet i haven't got excitited about my May trip to NY - i booked my flights in Dec & 1 hotel 3 weeks ago, just finalising my 2nd hotel as i decided to split my trip as i'm going for 3 weeks.
Though i'm just (finally) going though the pictures i took on my last trip and it's peaking my enthusiasm slightly :rotfl:.

Yes, there has to be more than work/home/work/home - rinse, dry & repeat - have you ever tried travel forums? someone suggested them to me a long time ago that you can possibly connect with fellow solo travellers who have common places in mind. I never did look into it though. I kinda like travelling solo but it would be nice to share the experience.

Booking is half the battle done next one is getting to the airport on the day :rotfl:.

rubytuesday

My son went to Seoul for his work and loved it.

Hope you have a great time x

Chlorine7

LostSoulForever wrote: »

A week will be fantastic
Very handy that the metro is in English & yeah if your in a hostel you'll be more than likely to meet fellow travellers who can help out etc.

I know what you mean about excitement, i'm excitited for you - yet i haven't got excitited about my May trip to NY - i booked my flights in Dec & 1 hotel 3 weeks ago, just finalising my 2nd hotel as i decided to split my trip as i'm going for 3 weeks.
Though i'm just (finally) going though the pictures i took on my last trip and it's peaking my enthusiasm slightly :rotfl:.

Yes, there has to be more than work/home/work/home - rinse, dry & repeat - have you ever tried travel forums? someone suggested them to me a long time ago that you can possibly connect with fellow solo travellers who have common places in mind. I never did look into it though. I kinda like travelling solo but it would be nice to share the experience.

Booking is half the battle done next one is getting to the airport on the day :rotfl:.

I don't usually get excited until a day or two before holidays but I don't usually feel 'Oh s**t'. It's actually passing for the moment. I've been watching youtube videos and reading a lot of blogs and those get me excited about the fact I will be there soon.

Will you just be going to NY for 3 weeks or heading somewhere else? I loved it the first couple times but the last time was harder work for me. I love the city but the people can be awful, even worse than Londoners! Food, sightseeing and shopping are always good in the USA. We did a day trip up to Washington from NYC and I loved it.

I haven't tried travel forums but I will have a look, thanks for the suggestion.

LostSoulForever

Chlorine7 wrote: »

I don't usually get excited until a day or two before holidays but I don't usually feel 'Oh s**t'. It's actually passing for the moment. I've been watching youtube videos and reading a lot of blogs and those get me excited about the fact I will be there soon.

Will you just be going to NY for 3 weeks or heading somewhere else? I loved it the first couple times but the last time was harder work for me. I love the city but the people can be awful, even worse than Londoners! Food, sightseeing and shopping are always good in the USA. We did a day trip up to Washington from NYC and I loved it.

I haven't tried travel forums but I will have a look, thanks for the suggestion.

Wow, your really getting into it with youtube & blogs . Never thought of doing anything like that before - might have to give it a try. I think i'm the opposite, as in - with a couple of days to go i start questioning whether to go or not :rotfl: & the panic sets in.

Yes, just NY for the whole 3 weeks - i'm still in love with the place & it'll be my 4th trip in 2 years, the last one being back in Sept. I can't seem to get enough of the place & i have to say i've only had positive experiences with people i've met.

I did split my first 2 trips with DC, lovely place as well & will go back again at some point in the future.

I might go on a few day trips, maybe along the LIRR + this time i want to see more of Brooklyn, Queens & The Bronx.

I should really try other places in the USA as well, so this maybe the last trip to NY for a while - mind you i keep saying that & keep going back .

southoftheriver

I've been away alone a few times, I made a similar thread in the travel section several years back. I started off going to the canaries which was fine, and ended up going to LA/San Francisco for 2 weeks which was amazing. Felt really liberating and I didn't feel lonely at all. Reading this has reminded me of how nice it is to have some alone time. I'm not single now and I was then but its still important to take the time to explore the world around you in different ways.

I went to stay with family in NYC last summer but spent about a week or so exploring the city alone. Was so much fun! If I have the time i'd love to go somewhere this year too.

Enjoy your next trip

top_drawer_2

Chlorine7 wrote: »

Wow, that is a really kind offer to meet for lunch If you've got any tips and recommendations (esp for food ) I'd love to get those too.

I have always dreamed of working overseas and nearly moved with my ex when he couldn't be happy with any job here but I could never find the courage to do it on my own.

Philippines should be a piece of cake for someone who moved to the other side of the world and as I've just learned booking flights is the biggest step. Now all I need to do is step onto that plane!

LOL food, you must try Korean barbecue, Tteokbokki and also at least one of the many, many chicken restaurants here! And obviously the national dish, (although it comes with every meal anyway so you won't have to try too hard), Kimichi. There are also numerous seafood restaurants (with the food still swimming in the tank outside!), seriously not my thing, but whatever floats your boat goes.

You should visit a Jjimigibang (aka bathhouse, read up on it first!) and also a Norabang (again, read up on it first!) as well as see the sights such as the Seoul Tower (previously Namsan Tower). Depending on the dates you are coming and what you like to do, hiking is pretty amazing here, as is a temple stay.

LOL I'm not sure about piece of cake, but it will certainly be a different set of issues that what I have here; I'm just reading up on crime against tourists in Manila and issues relating to taxis ripping passengers off

Have a look on Meet up for events / groups you might be interested in, the groups are frequently visited by tourists as well as people who live here as they are the only English speakers in SK.

Also, depending on your age check out couchsurfer and / or the Thelma and Louise website.

PM me the dates you are coming and I will send you my mobile so that we can arrange to meet up.