Confessions of a Solo Traveller

Whenever people heard i travel alone,  they often told me, "i could never do that.", "i can't do it alone." or "wow."

Well, i most certainly did not toddle my way out to the unknown world! In fact, my first semi-solo travel trip came at 11, when i was on my way down south meet up with my uncle! Another runaway at 16, i skipped school, hopped on a bus, went 300km away from home, and told my mum i slept over at friend's place. My first real dip into the solo travel pool came in when i was 23, i went Krabi, Thailand. It was perfect for me at that time, i really needed a break, peacefully alone. Sometimes, i hung out with other solo travellers; sometimes, i explored on my own. Sure, i got lost, it was intimidating at first, i backtrack, ask for direction and realize 'twasn't a big deal. 'TWAS NEVER A BIG DEAL!!!

Immediately, i found myself with courage going to other places alone, each single trip works wonders, i am brimming with self-confidence and personal growth. i am more capable than i'd ever doubted. The preconception of solo travel is something happened when we who don't have anyone to go with, who without friends. but i'd gotten so much comfortable with travelling alone! i have more time to eat, walk and take pictures.

i don't always enjoy staying dorm, sometimes, i want privacy. 
that when i would allocate some extra money to spare on accommodation for the last  2 days of any trip, nothing luxury but something in between, as long as it's comfortable and not too pricey.

i love coffee. i love books. i love music.
l would never travel without a book. Often i found myself venture into places, not only to experience the raw cultures, but to look for a comfortable coffee shop, come back the next day with books and music.

i love walking.
i walk. until i can't walk any further, with that pair of New Balance.

i hate beer. 
but often i drink when travelling alone. it makes me look more sober and outcast, i love it that way. 

i am not rich. stop saying that!
i need months to save, funding for my travel expenses. i save, then i spend, the cycle goes on, and i don't have much savings. also, i am lucky to have a job that lets me to take extended leave to travel.

i am introvert, but i like talking to other travellers. 
they might be strangers, but talking to them wasn't like any small talk. it subjects to their travel adventures, thoughts, something out of the box, as culturally differs.

i tell people i am a student.
i don't know why i say that, it seems the word student kills any conversation that might jack up my work stress while i'm travelling.

i don't call home. 
i know, this is something i'm ought to start doing. many times, i tell my family about my trip 1 day before my flight. still, such is a life of a single who lives alone.

i hate checking-in luggage.
i always travel with a 38L travelling bag and a camera belt pouch. it makes me look cool when i don't have to wait for my luggage at the conveyor belt. also, i get to skip pass all the waitings at customs.

i named my Deuter bag, Camera and iPod.
Denver, Kimber and Ally.



These are my confessions, i am not recommending anyone to follow my example. If you've been wanting to try travelling alone, i encourage you to try it at least once.

Alone i wander in the waste of rashes,

like one whom his heart pounds with anxiety,

only the world is my book, guiding my way of seeing things.

Regards,
JW

Stolen Moments

the bravest battle that ever was fought, time, the splendor of the old.

Loneliness spurs into finding something to live for, great enough to die for.

For a father, growing old nothing is dearer than a daughter.

the sun, the rain, that nature sung in heaven, filled with everlasting oil, give due light to misled and lonely traveller.

nothing concern, as too large to be deliver.

Don't foresee the future, concern with taking care of present, a gift from God that given no control over the moment.

we enjoy warmth because we've been cold, we appreciate light because we've been in darkness, but we can never enjoy youth once we've got old. seize the day!

there're times we treat life like a mysterious door, it doesn't open no matter how hard we push it or pull it, we never notice that we should've slide it.

there's only one class in the community that thinks more about money than the rich, and that is the poor. the poor can think of nothing else. 

of course, we knew this meant an attack on the union. granting them voting rights, gradually to get rid of us?

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

being any gender is a drag, or attempt to stay between.

a city that outdistances man's walking power is a trap as all truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.

rock, the pillow. ground, the bed; sky as pillow, moonlight as spread.

TCxG- the Freedom Clique

Populations are growing, the world is shrinking. but why go camping?

Everyday, cities are expanding borders and infringing on surrounding lands and forests. My government does no good in preserving forests nor public lands. Eventually, the opportunities for memorable camping experiences are getting fewer and farther between. The biggest Rare Earth Plant (Lynas Advance Material Plant) will start operating early next year, despite public objections. FULL Story click here. My government doesn't want to hear our cries anymore, people don't matter to them anymore. This, could be the last of our annual camping clique, as it's merely a distance of 20 kilometers from the Rare Earth Plant.

"the land is so rich, why should we suffer like this?" -pak samad-

 i cried. 

Escaping routines of ordinary life, rejuvenating our soul. Sitting down the campfire, gazing upon the stars, listening to the sound of waves, pacifying our mind. Camping teaches us resilience. It builds courage, it teaches us about our strengths, weaknesses...and for enjoyment of beauty in nature.

For respect the Mother Earth, for she who gives us life.

++

take nothing but pictures

leave nothing but footprints

kill nothing but time.

Regards,

JW