Why Traveling Alone is the Best Gift to Yourself
Honestly, I never really had a plan – I just wanted to see the world. So I did. Solo travel just happened. I won’t give you a step-by-step guide because, well… I never had one. I never really thought about it until people started asking me questions like “Don’t you get bored?” Oh, you can! But it is up to you to make your experience a fantastic moment! You’ll meet incredible people from all walks of life, whether you plan to or not; and this will change you and how you perceive the world. You’ll have to talk to people regardless, whether it is the waiters, bus drivers, strike up conversations with strangers without even realizing it. Solo travel pushes you out of your comfort zone – and that’s where the best stories begin. And if you’re thinking, But I’m too shy to talk to people! Trust me, I get it. I used to think the same. But take it from a former shy kid – you absolutely can! And well, strangers won’t give you a choice anyway, people WILL come to you, even if it is just to ask if you are lost! Let’s rewind – how did I get there? After graduation, I moved to the South of France, but it just didn’t feel right being there. I wasn’t sure what I wanted, really, so I started looking up where I could go to escape my reality. For my first move overseas, I didn’t go too far – I chose the neighbours. I became a nanny in London for a family with two kids in Hampstead. Not a bad setup for my first time living in a different country. I loved my time in London, I stayed for about six months, studied to improve my English, met many people. My experience with the family? Let’s just say it wasn’t the best – but it was a great learning experience. I came back home with a newfound appreciation for my mom’s parenting skills. After that, I went back to school to study – yep, you guessed it – Hospitality & Tourism! At the same time, I also enrolled in the French Navy. Yep, I really did. My plan? To serve on one of the ships. But that didn’t quite go as expected… Turns out, the waiting list for a woman to get assigned to a ship at the time was 10 years. Anyway, life went on, I made new friends, found jobs in tourism, and started traveling and going to events on my own. It kind of flowed naturally. I realized I actually enjoyed doing things solo – not waiting after anyone, it’s just freeing. One day, as I often do, I was browsing new destinations when I stumbled upon Mexico. And then – boom – Whale Shark season was coming up! A dream about to come true. No questions, no second thoughts – act now, think later. I booked it! I was beyond excited, and it didn’t even cross my mind to ask if anyone wanted to join. I was 20 years old and about to live one of my dreams! Of course, I got all the usual concerns and worries from people around me – even my mum! So, to put everyone at ease, I booked a resort. In the end, I was only there to sleep, but hey, at least it reassured them. Truth be told, I had zero interest in staying at a resort. I came to explore the country, meet the locals, and eat real food! The staff kept seeing me come and go and eventually asked why I even bothered booking a resort. I had a blast there and even went back the same year – this time with my mum, since it had always been one of her dreams. Plus, it was around Christmas, so… perfect gift! Over the years, I went back to London many times for weekend getaways. One of the best things about Europe? You can hop from one country to another easily and cheaply. So I did – a little bit. I visited Germany, Spain, Andorra, Portugal… but I wanted to go further. Stay longer. And that’s how I went WILD “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” – Lao Tzu So, why should you? I’m telling you – this freedom is addictive. No more waiting on anyone to make plans. Solo travel has become a lifestyle for me. It’s not just something I do – it’s who I am. And honestly? I try to convince everyone I meet who hasn’t travelled solo to give it a shot, even just once. You won’t regret it! That’s exactly why I’m writing this post first – because I hear it all the time. People cancel trips because someone bailed. Plans fall apart because nobody in the group chat is actually making moves to book the damn trip. If you keep waiting for others to join you – whether it’s for a trip, an event, or that restaurant you’ve been dying to try – you’ll be waiting a long time. And life is way too short to miss out on amazing experiences. I get it – traveling somewhere foreign alone can feel unsettling. With all the news we hear, the “what ifs” start creeping in. What if something happens? What if I miss my flight? What if I get bored? What if I have no one to share the memories with? These are all common concerns, but you know what’s worse? A missed opportunity. The regret of not ticking off that bucket list destination when you had the chance. Dangers exist everywhere, but just like you’re cautious at home, you can be cautious abroad. Why should that stop you from exploring? You don’t have to take the road less travelled – the well-travelled paths are just as incredible. Start there. Get comfortable. Gain confidence. And who knows? As you experience new places and new ways of traveling,
How I Ended In Aotearoa & Made It My Home For Two Unexpected Years
New Zealand was never meant to be the destination. Sure, it was on my list – one of those “one day” places – but flights from Europe aren’t cheap. If I were to make the trip, it would have to be a big one, maybe tagging on Australia or a Pacific island while I was in the neighbourhood. But life is funny like that and always have other plans. For a long time, I had been planning my escape without taking action – quitting my job at the airport and leaving France behind. Canada was my goal. I had big plans that I kept delaying for various reasons, maybe out of fear of the unknown – probably… well, surely. The thought of it was exciting, but it was also scary! This time, if I left, I wasn’t coming back. The Working Holiday Visa draws for Canada were opening at the end of the year, and this time, I was determined to get in! The competition was fierce with only a limited number of visas available, and the Canadian system had a habit of crashing the moment applications opened, but 2014 was going to be the year I left. No more waiting. At the time, I was working as a Passenger Service Agent at Toulouse Airport, coming home from a morning shift when something happened at my building. A mis encounter, an unsettling moment to say the least – one that pushed me over the edge. I was done. I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t safe. I didn’t like this place. Weirdly, I never felt at home in France, even though it’s my country. I never truly felt like I belonged. And I wasn’t going to wait any longer for a life that actually felt like mine. It was time for that one-way ticket I had promised myself as a kid! So, I got home, opened my laptop, checked my options. At the time, only three Working Holiday Visas were available: Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. I submitted an application for New Zealand, not expecting much. Thirty minutes later, in my emails: “Your visa application has been approved.” I squeaked. I jumped. I ran to the lounge to my mum, half-laughing, half-screaming – I’M FINALLY GETTING OUT OF HERE!! I was going to New Zealand!!! Far, far away – like, Shrek’s kingdom levels of far! A week later, I handed in my resignation, booked my one-way ticket and organised my departure. On November 30, 2014, I left France. Landing into a ‘sweet as’ Kiwi Spring on December, 1. Kia Ora – My New Zealand Adventure Begins The excitement I felt when I first saw the land from the plane was incredible. As I went through the airport to customs, the vibrant ads about New Zealand caught my eye, everything written in English and Māori setting the mood. The unknown was not scary anymore, it was exciting; my inner child felt real happy! I made it! I had no idea what the future will bring though, but for now the adventure was starting, and that was all that mattered. I had always heard that New Zealanders, or Kiwis, were nice, warm, and welcoming. And that was the first impression I got when I arrived. Everyone was so helpful and courteous, right from the moment I passed through customs and hopped on the bus to downtown Auckland; it helped me feel at ease right away! As I sat waiting for my bus, soaking up the morning sun lost in my mind, I felt this rush of happiness – I was on the other side of world, alone, in a foreign place, exactly where I needed to be! A lady sat down next to me. She greeted me and offered me some strawberries and we started chatting, she was originally from Samoa and had been living in New Zealand for over 25 years. I thought to myself, how this kind of friendliness is not something I was used to in France, mostly in the biggest cities, no one says “Hi” to a random stranger in France; if they do, it’s probably a little dodgy lol That little exchange made my day, a good start to this new adventure and I guess a great welcome into Aotearoa; it set the tone for this adventure! First Stop: Keri Keri While organizing my departure, I found ways to get free accommodation in exchange for small tasks, which was my plan for the first month there to save a bit. Around the end of the month, I was supposed to meet the aunt of the friend of one of my colleagues from the airport in France – a nice contact to have in a foreign country. But for now, I was making my way up to the North Island, headed to Moon Gate Villa for a HelpX. Keri Keri is a charming little town nestled in the Bay of Islands on New Zealand’s North Island, known for its rich history, lush landscapes, and laid-back vibe – perfect spot to start. My hosts, Lionel and Rob, were welcoming and warm; happy to share their knowledge on the culture and the surroundings. Their luxury boutique hotel is nestled in a luxuriant sub-tropical garden and also hosts a cottage; I couldn’t have asked for a better start. Lionel even went ahead and booked a tour for me to go all the way up to Cape Reinga. Cape Reinga is one of the most iconic place in New Zealand. It’s located at the northernmost tip of the North Island (though technically, North Cape is a little further north but it is a reserve not open to the public), this is were the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet. I talk more about it in this post. There was a French guy that was doing a HelpX as well, but it was towards the end of his stay so I didn’t see him long but he was really nice. I stayed a