Go to page: 1 |
 |
Should I, Shouldn't I? |
 Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 8:23 pm |
  |
| Hi everyone!
Been thinking of going travelling on my own to Australia & New Zealand but the whole idea seems pretty overwhelming and I would really appreciate some advice. Anyway, I've identified the barriers stopping me from taking my plans any further as: 1) I have a long-term boyfriend and the idea of leaving him behind is really hard (he is totally supportive of my travel plans & is encouraging me to go) Anyone else been through this situation? 2) I'm worried I'll be lonely. Is it easy to meet people and make friends whilst travelling? I'm interested in how others have found it and if they've stayed in touch with the people they met on their travels. 3) Personal safety - are Austalia and NZ relatively safe for lone female travellers? Did anyone have any problems whilst travelling? 4) Hostels - what are people's experiences of staying in them? I've heard that most dorms are mixed & this may sound like a daft question - but is this relatively safe? If anyone could give advice on any of these issues I'd be eternally grateful 
Helena |
|
| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 5 Posts |
| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 8:38 pm |
|
| 1). Can't reaaaallly answer the boyfriend thing I'm afraid. I haven't been away from a boyfriend travelling. I have 4 close friends who travelled and left their boyfriends at home. 2 of them stayed with their boyfriends the whole timie they travelled (6 months), 1 of them split up with her whilst she was away (5 months into her 6 month trip), but she was fine about it. 1 of them, her boyfriend split with her after she was away for about 6 weeks. She went straight home. I suppose it depends on you and how you personnaly think you could cope with the very very long distance thing. If it's possible that he can come out and see you for a few weeks, that could make it a lot easier. It is difficult, I'm sure it is.
2). I can't speak for the whole world. But Australia is SO easy to meet people. You'll never ever be lonely in terms of how many people you can chat to/go out/get drunk with etc. There's backpackers travelling alone EVERYWHERE. Everyone wants to make friends. Everyone wants to share knowledge/experiences. I have made some amazing friends travelling, and I hope we'll be friends for a very long time! Again though, it depends what sort of person you are. Obviously, the people you meet are not your best friends from home. They don't know everything about you and know you inside out. So in that sense I suppose people could get lonely. I didn't, at all. Friends/family/boyfriend are always at the other end of the phone for chats! People you meet you may not travel with you for long, if at all. And there could be times when you are on your own travelling/experiencing something. Maybe you would get lonely thinking, "I wish blah blah was here to see this with me". I didn't. But you could make some amazing friends and never travel alone. Personally I do not find travelling lonely. I am happy in my own company. I am there for what I can see and do. Not for who I can take with me or be with all the time. It's different for everyone. Some people get homesick. Some people don't. Just sit down and ask yourself how you would feel if you were taking yourself off somewhere alone for a few days, or whatever. In terms of meeting people, no matter how shy or nervous you are, you will meet people. You can chat to everyone easily, so in that way you won't get lonely! 3). I didn't have any trouble in Aus. It is sooo safe. I left my bag on the beach repeatedly whilst I was in the sea, walked around on my own in the dark... whatever. It is soo safe. No issues. Obviously just be sensible. Probably leaving you're bag on the beach n walking round quiet places in the dark isn't wise... maybe I got a bit too comfortable! Haha. Point I'm trying to make is that I felt very safe. Just have your wits about you/common sense. Don't do over there, what you wouldn't do here! 4). Hostels are amazing. Everyone is friendly and gets on with it. I saw people in dorms always leave laptops, ipods, phones etc lying around. I didn't at all, but people do. There are mixed dorms, but I would say that 80% of hostels have female only dorms as well if that would be better for you. Sorry for the ramble. |
|
| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 349 Posts |
| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:36 pm |
|
| Hey Helena;
I'm travelling to Oz in about 2 weeks time, pretty much on my own (but am flying with a travel buddy from this site). I'm leaving my bf behind to, in fact i leave him on wednesday and i know its going to be so hard, i have to keep reminding myself that this is something i really need, and want to do. Its great that your bf is so supportive, youre really lucky. People can manage long distance, and even if you can't i really don't think you should allow a relationship to stand in the way of what would make you really happy. Secondly, yeah probably at some point you will be lonely, but take this as a test of your character. You'll never be alone for long, most people travelling are so friendly and happy to meet new people. You're also concerned with hostels, you really shouldn't be. There is no danger in mixed dorms at all. The only thing you should ben concerned about is casual theft (which happens, and some backpackers don't have scruples about stealing, which shouldnt be ignored), but this can be easily curtailed by locking your bag with a padlock and keeping an eye on your stuff. With regard to personal safety Oz and NZ are relatively safe, but of course be wary just as you are at home. Don't flash expensive goods around and don't go down dark alleyways at night, obviously. Most of all have a fantastic time if you go, or if you stay (and if you stay, make sure you won't regret staying!) Alex xx |
|
| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 501 Posts |
| Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:44 am |
|
| Dude,
Im in exactly the same boat as you when it comes to the relationship part, ive wanted to go off travelling for about the last 13 years but never had the balls or determination to do and save the money up. Finally decided in january that im doing it although all me mates reckon i'll be back within a month lol, seriously tho, ive been with my girlfriend for four and a half years and shes always known that ive wanted to do it thats why she said shes gona put me on the plane herself if she has to, as ive been gettin cold feet (although i dont leave till jan) what im trying to say is, yes it will be hard leaving your boyfriend and whatever happens happens, but do you really want to look back in say ten years and think 'god i wish i'd done it now', i know i dont so thats why i have no social life anymore so i can save the money, I know ive rambled quite alot but i get alot of inspiration from everyone on this site and it just makes me want to go more. Never lose sight of your dreams!!!!! |
|
| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 473 Posts |
| Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 12:34 pm |
|
Hi everyone!
Been thinking of going travelling on my own to Australia & New Zealand but the whole idea seems pretty overwhelming and I would really appreciate some advice. Anyway, I've identified the barriers stopping me from taking my plans any further as: 1) I have a long-term boyfriend and the idea of leaving him behind is really hard (he is totally supportive of my travel plans & is encouraging me to go) Anyone else been through this situation? 2) I'm worried I'll be lonely. Is it easy to meet people and make friends whilst travelling? I'm interested in how others have found it and if they've stayed in touch with the people they met on their travels. 3) Personal safety - are Austalia and NZ relatively safe for lone female travellers? Did anyone have any problems whilst travelling? 4) Hostels - what are people's experiences of staying in them? I've heard that most dorms are mixed & this may sound like a daft question - but is this relatively safe? If anyone could give advice on any of these issues I'd be eternally grateful
Helena i can only really give you my opinion about the boyfriend thing, as i've been to australia but only with family which isn't the same as backpacking! loved it though and i'm going back when i go away in jan. i know EXACTLY how you feel about the boyfriend issue, i will have been with my boyfriend for 3 and a half years when i go away in january and (and i'm thinking of going away for a year in jan 2011, eek!) sometimes i feel completely overwhelmed at the thought of leaving him behind - it makes me not want to go so i avoid thinking about it! i think you're lucky that your bf is so supportive, mine is too but my friend who i'm going with has a boyfriend who is really horrible to her about it so i don't think they're going to last whilst we're away! i think that if you don't go you'll regret it, especially if you don't go because of your boyfriend - especially when he's supporting you! i think you should go - if the worst comes to the worst and you truly hate it you can come home. but you'll never know if you don't try. good luck xx |
|
| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 47 Posts |
| Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 6:29 pm |
|
Thanks guys!! Really appreciate the advice and the words of wisdom. Has really helped me to put things in perspective 
Louise - Thanks for going into so much depth (didn't think you were rambling at all ;) ). The more people can tell me about their experiences the better. I'm really glad that meeting people and making friends shouldn't be a problem. Sounds like you had an amazing time! Alex - Hope you have a fantastic time! Thanks for the reassurance about leaving my bf behind. If it's meant to be then we'll work out whilst I'm away. I agree with what you said about being on my own being a test of character. Appreciate the safety advice too
Stephen - Well done for finally getting the guts to go travelling! I'm sure you won't regret it I really need to do the same. Thanks so much for sharing that!
Sarah - Thanks for the words of encouragement! I like what you said about not dwelling on the fact that I'll have to leave my boyfriend behind because it's completely true that the more I think about it, the more I don't want to go. Great advice! Hope you have a fab time
|
|
| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 5 Posts |
| Posted: Fri Oct 2, 2009 6:25 pm |
|
| I think in the end, would you kick your self in the ass if you didnt do this? that is how I feel. Im leaving my b/f of 5 years behind. He and I are going to stay together. Talk all the time is the plan. But in the end, its up to the both of us if we want to keep this going. The worst part for him he told me was that what he likes the best about me is the reasons im leaving him to go traveling.
As for making friends. Come on! People who travel have great personality's and make friends easy! I will be leaving in April. I can't wait. I'm going to be sad to leave but I can only imagine at this point all teh cool people im going to meet and things that I am going to do! |
|
| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 44 Posts |
Go to page: 1 |
Previous Message :: Next Message |
|
|
Favourites
Digg
Furl
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Google
Reddit
More Services >>
