The resort wasn’t particularly full, and I had finished reading all of my books and magazines, so I felt getting out and about was the best option.
I had a great time on all of the trips, but memorably on the yacht cruise where one of the waiters took a shine to me and kept on calling me ‘teacher Laura’.
I also got stung by a jelly fish and had to be doused in vinegar – glamorous! Going travelling alone got me out of my shell, put me in charge of my travel plans and gave me the flexibility to do whatever I wanted.
Small challenges had also given me the confidence to tackle any problems I may face solo and gave me the confidence to tackle future travel by myself.
Like Penang, at the point when I was craving some company this time company came to me. I’d gotten a little dressed up and decided that instead of spending the night alone in my room I’d go and enjoy some daiquiris by the ocean. A drink or so in a couple came up to me and asked me if I was alone and would I like to enjoy them. I thought ‘why not’ and ended up drinking, chatting and dancing the night away with two awesome people.
When you travel it may not be the person you’d be friends with at home that can make your trip and on this occasion meeting a couple who were just a smidge older than me meant we had some great chats and life insights as well as lots of dorky dancing, not really caring who was watching.
Those chats helped influence some changes I needed to make in my life at the time and quite a few daiquiris later I returned to my room, said, ‘stuff it’, ordered noodles at 2am and drunkenly gulped them down before enjoying the queen sized bed, diagonally, to myself.
Going travelling alone has its advantages!