Warning: by the time you finish reading this you may want to book your own solo trip and experience the benefits of seeing new places at your own pace and in your own way. Not to mention the added benefits of getting time to relax, reflect, and regenerate. Enjoy our first travel story, which I hope will inspire you to step outside your comfort zone and be more fearless.
As told by Fisiwe Vilane
“Give it to your damn self! Those were the words that I told myself when I decided to embark on a solo trip to Asia. Inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert’s book “Eat, Pray, Love” and the movie, I knew I had to experience a solo trip to Asia at least once in my lifetime — minus India😒
The initial plan was to travel in August to be away from anything familiar. I had a life changing experience in August so every year I always plan something as this is officially the toughest month for me. However, that was not to be the case as I had a lot to do, on the work front, in August, and so I found myself emailing my travel agent to change my dates to October.
The idea to travel solo came from the experiences that I had with planning group travels. It would start off nicely until the trip was cancelled because people had dropped out, one by one, and at the end, the whole trip would lose sense. So I decided to challenge myself and do this solo travel thing.
I had googled the best female solo travel destinations and Bali ticked all the boxes; no visa required, currency benefits and of course the food, sea, sun — everything I was looking for. I emailed my trusted travel agent and asked them to package a trip that would allow me to see as much of Bali as possible. And I had one request — a big bed please. I would be spending my time sleeping, eating and reading so I might as well sleep comfortably.
There was a suggestion to spend a few days in Singapore since I’d be passing through there and so it was a by-the-way part of my trip. A few days before my departure the anxiety was kicking in. ‘Did I make the right decision? Would I be safe, and what if I get sick?’ My boss wasn’t making things easy for me either as there had been the Tsunami just around that time, so the fear of a recurrence was in the air and he was advising me to change destinations. But I wanted to go to Bali, and nowhere else.
My parents and siblings were also apprehensive, as to why was I going so far alone? It was so unfamiliar for them and such a strange thing for someone to do.
The flight to Singapore was almost 11 hours, so I used the time to read and browse Instagram and Pinterest for some interesting things to do — refreshing my bucket list one last time. It was my first time flying Singapore Airlines and the cultural marketing is on another level. Also there was so much food being offered, I was worried about getting too fat for my bikini. I got to Changi Airport and couldn’t explore it because my layover was short.
The flight to Bali was just over two hours. When I landed I was greeted by a warm welcome and my driver was already waiting for me. The people of Bali are the some of the calmest and most content people I have ever met. I mean that! And I appreciated how I never felt inconvenienced by being a solo traveller, there was always someone willing to take a picture of me, or even offering when they saw me taking a selfie.
I was going to be exploring three places in Bali and the first one was Kuta. It is considered Bali’s shopping heaven and is appealing to the young crowd. I was to stay there for three days. So when I arrived the first day, I stayed at the lovely Four Points by Sheraton hotel that was central to everything. I got my big bed, and a room that opens directly onto a pool. Heaven! I got fed a delicious breakfast everyday, and was served by a warm and friendly staff that always went the extra mile. There was also a 24 hour shop just outside the gate for those midnight ice cream cravings because hey, the place was blazing hot.
The shopping markets confused me, they are everywhere. Although the currency is in thousands, everything was still so cheap. Pity I had overpacked, so I couldn’t buy much but now I know — take an empty suitcase and buy all your holiday clothes in Bali. They also have lovely straw bags that go with everything.
In Kuta, I also visited a spa and tried out a flower bath. The Balinese are massage specialists and I felt brand new and glowing after that experience. I also went to Kuta Beach but it wasn’t as clean as I expected, so I didn’t swim. But I ate because hey…delicious food is everywhere in Bali. I spent my last Kuta night at the Sky Garden nightclub and had the best fun. The music was all familiar and the general warmth of the people made it a friendly crowd. Night mode was properly activated there.
My next stop was Ubud and the road trip there was a holiday on its own. We stopped at the Tanah Lot temple and the Handara Golf and Resort. Both places were photoshoot heaven. But the actual golf course looked like a grazing veld for cattle, I did not even feel bad about not being able to play. We also stopped at an ATM on the way and I withdrew my first 1 million rupiah, cash. It felt so good to be an instant millionaire even though it was just E974.00.
We went past a coffee plantation and I tried 10 different types of coffees and teas. I am such a tea lover so I made sure I got my money’s worth, and more. The most expensive coffee is Luwak coffee and to produce it they have these small squirrel looking animals that eat the seeds then poo the coffee beans. Yuck…but its good coffee, also the production process takes care of any misgivings.
I arrived at Sthala Hotel in Ubud and was greeted with a glass of blue tea. I was so tired from being on the road, I just slept on arrival. I planned to be in Ubud for three days and visit the rice fields, the waterfalls and do some yoga. While there I also spent hours in and around the beautiful infinity pool; eating, sleeping, reading. However in my excitement of being an instant millionaire, I discovered that I had left my card inside in that ATM, two days ago and more than 100 kms away!
My last two days in Bali were spent in Nusa Dua. I can best describe it as the Clifton Beach of Bali. Opulence is everywhere; the hotels and everything around the area were just high end. I got my first fish spa ever and another flower bath. I almost cried though when I saw all those cheap beautiful clothes that I couldn’t buy because my card was lost and I had no space in my luggage. Then it was goodbye Bali and off to Singapore for three days. I would now be at the airport for a while and I got to see first hand why they call it the best airport in the world. Everything is first world, in the truest sense. If this is what 2022 will bring us, I am ready.
My driver was not very friendly, we hardly spoke. I missed Bali already. All I was seeing was a nice city with big and luxurious cars all round. I have never seen so many Bentleys, Maseratis and Porshes all over. The hotel staff advised me to learn and use the bus and train system as it is very efficient. I visited Marina Bay Sands and the malls there had all the big luxury brands under one roof, selling exclusive clothes. Even though my money access was sorted, all these boutiques stocked items that were above my annual salary. That place was relatively expensive and too commercial. It still had some beautiful places though.
Travelling solo was empowering, as well as liberating. Everyday was up to me, I was in complete control of my time. It made me realise that I had cancelled so many good trips because I didn’t have anyone to go with, and thus robbed myself. The alone time was needed and allowed me to just rest and reflect, with no pressure to interact if I didn’t want to.
What is key is being comfortable in your own company. I didn’t feel lonely even once. And being deliberate about it was important. Believe you will have a great trip and the universe will give it to you.
Would I do it again? Over and over again. In fact, I am already planning for my next one in my head.”
