solo travel tips

I love traveling and seeing new places. It’s one of the luxuries I’d definitely do if I only have the extra funds. I’d love exploring Europe. Wala nga lang akong pera kaya hindi ko magawang puntahan ang mga gusto kong makita like Amsterdam, Vienna and Paris.

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Aside from KSA, I’ve had a few travels na rin naman all within Asia. Kaso lang, jinxed yata ako pag nagta-travel. Dahil palagi akong nag-iisa pag bumi-byahe. For whatever reason the Good Lord has, I’ve been going to foreign countries all by myself! Mahirap at minsan nakaka-kaba. Being alone in a strange place definitely takes away much of the pleasure of exploring and enjoying the sights.

But just like any other experiences in life, marami akong natutunan sa pagta-travel mag-isa. And this is what I’m gonna share with you, in case na kayo ang makaranas maging solo traveler. A few tips while traveling on your own:

1. Know the culture. I usually do research pag may pupuntahan akong bagong lugar. I do quick reads on the culture particularly the dos and donts relating to their traditions (and in some areas their religion). You wouldn’t want to get in trouble just because of your ignorance of what is sacred, offending or illegal to the local culture. Imagine mo na lang kung hindi ko alam na bawal magkalat ng kahit ano sa streets of Singapore, baka unang lakad ko pa lang (1997 pa ito) na-cane na agad ako!

2. Know the place. I also download maps of the area where I will be staying. Para magkaroon ako ng ‘feel’ of the area. At least alam ko yong mga landmarks para pag naglalakad ako, I have a sense of direction. Para hindi ako tanong ng tanong. Coz this is one thing you want to avoid. Pag nahalata kasing bago ka sa lugar, you can easily fall prey sa mga masasamang loob. Besides, pag may idea ka about blocks and distances, you can avoid unnecessary taxi fares sa mga lugar na pwede mo naman palang lakarin.

3. Know a bit more. Dapat alam mo kung ano ang forex rate para hindi ka naloloko whenever buying something. Dapat alam mo rin kung tag-ulan or mainit sa pupuntahan mo so you can bring the proper gear. You should also know at least a few basic conversational phrases. Hindi ko lang ito masyadong nagawa sa lakad ko noon sa Guangzhou (back in 2001) dahil madalian. All I learned was xiexie na hindi pa yata tama ang pronunciation ko kaya hindi rin ako maintindihan ng mga tsekwa! hahahaaaa.

4. Don’t go scrimping on your hotel budget. Hindi naman sa sinasabi kong gumastos ka unnecessarily pero may mga bagay na hindi mo dapat tinitipid. One is your hotel accommodation. Book in a fairly reputable hotel. You wouldn’t need a room in a 5-star hotel but definitely not in a seedy place. If you’re alone, mahirap mag-stay sa isang patakbuhing lodge or inn where security, even your comfort, can be an issue. Natutunan ko ito when I went to Dubai in 2007. Katitipid ko, ang napuntahan kong hotel, parang hotel sa Ermita. May band sa 3rd floor playing all night long kaya kahit 8th floor ako, puyat din ako kinabukasan. Dami pang tambay sa baba na tingin ko mga shady characters!

5. Watch what you’re eating. Iniiwasan kong kumain sa mga road-side food stands. Ke nagtitipid ka or just being adventurous, I don’t go for it. Mahirap madale ng food poisoning in a foreign land at nag-iisa ka pa. Hindi rin ako sumusubok ng mga masyadong exotic food dahil nga sensitive masyado ang tyan ko. I don’t want to end up in a hospital bed suffering from whatever instead of doing what I’m supposed to do in that country.

6. Avoid blings. Back in 1997 nasa Johor Bahru ako (Malaysia) and one of the guys (Pinoy din) in the tour group was wearing a scandalously big piece of necklace. Galing din siguro ng Saudi (hindi ko kinausap coz he looks mayabang). I’m sure the tour guide wasn’t hitting on him when he reminded the group na iwasang mag-invite ng unncessary attention. Malaysia is still a muslim country and a huge piece of gold na suot ng lalaki is something na hindi common sa mga local residents. At siguro, hindi lang dahil sa culture. Sa security mo na rin as a traveler. Remember, Manila doesn’t have the exclusivity when it comes to pick-pockets and muggers.

7. Keep organized. Lalo na yong pera, passport, credit cards and plane ticket. Hold it close to you, as much as possible, never let it out of your sight. I usually sleep in my hotel room with these things safely tucked under my pillow. And when I’m out of the hotel, a beltbag is always the best way to keep them safe. Pwede rin yong mga secret pockets na nasusuot sa legs to keep your money safe. At syempre, wag magdala ng sobrang cash. These are the times when credit card serves you best.

8. Establish a contact. I usually establish some rapport with the front-desk officer of the hotel. In the absence of someone who watches your back, sya ang pwede mong maging contact in case may mangyari sa yo. Sya rin ang nakaka-alam ng movement mo, in and out of the hotel. So I try to establish some sort of connection, kahit sandal lang, to that person just in case.

9. Don’t be too adventurous. Pag ako lang, I explore the city during daytime. And most of the time, I’d go on organized tours. Para may sasakyan, may guide at syempre may feeling of security ka instead of doing it all by yourself. Iniiwasan ko ring gumimik sa gabi. Bangkok lang ang naging exception ko kasi hindi mo talaga maiiwasan ang nightlife dito! Hahahaa. But in other places, iwas na lang ako sa unnecessary lakad para less ang risk.

10. Something hygienic. There are two things na lagi kong dinadala at hindi inaasa sa hotel: toothbrush and bath towel. I don’t feel comfortable using disposable toothbrushes. At mas lalong hindi ako comfortable na gumamit ng bath towel na hindi ko alam kung ilang libong singit na ang pinag-kuskusan! Ginagamit ko lang yong towel to wipe off and dry my feet.

These are just a few things na magagamit mo when traveling alone. Although the biggest thing is yon pa ring pag-iingat. It’s not your place and you’re alone so keeping safe is always the best option.