Just wrapped up my first six weeks of international solo travel and I’ve been thinking a lot about how different this feels than I expected.
I’ve always been comfortable alone and never really felt lonely. Most of my travel back home in NZ has been solo, especially motorcycle trips. I’ve done bits of solo travel abroad too, but always with family nearby. This time was different. Quit my teaching job, flew to Bangkok with basically no plan, one hotel booked, and a vague idea of figuring it out as I went.
What surprised me most is that the places aren’t what stand out anymore. It’s the people.
Getting lost on a ferry in Bangkok with a Japanese American couple and somehow becoming their tour guide for the day. Chatting with a British teacher in Sukhothai about life in Korea. Market vendors teaching me how to count in Thai. A hotel owner remembering my favorite food and making sure I had it for breakfast before I left. Random roadside conversations about motorcycles through Google Translate. Being recognized by food sellers and 7 11 staff in small towns.
I thought I’d feel lonely. Instead, these tiny, fleeting connections have been the most fulfilling part of the trip. It’s made me want to slow down even more, stay in smaller places, and spend a week or two in one spot instead of rushing.
Just wanted to share. Solo travel has turned out to be way more human than I ever expected.
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