@bernadette – Agreed about the restaurants.

@Rebecca – Go for it. I have a bunch of great blog in the link tab.

@Lena – Sounds like a fun trip. SE Asia is a very comfortable places to travel to be it alone or with someone.

I’m a first time solo traveler leaving on a 6-months trip through Asia in 3 weeks. So far my list includes Istanbul, Sri Lanka, Thailand (south to north), Laos and Vietnam. I have a feeling that buddhist and hindu countries are more psychologically comfortable, if not safer for a single female backpacker. At least the first time around.

Still, I think that going alone is the best way to travel. I enjoyed traveling as a part of a couple, but we missed out on a lot of experiences and acquaintances, as we were always consumed with each other.

I’ve traveled solo often, the first time at the age of 15, and the longest stretch for three years. I haven’t really felt more or less safe than with a travel partner, nor have I felt more or less lonely.

I haven’t stuck to the ‘safe countries’ at all. I was in Mozambique just as the war ended and there was hardly any food to be had, South Africa right after the end of Apartheid, Eritrea and Beirut after their wars too… I backpacked around Nigeria (not the smartest decision, I’ll admit) and Algeria (equally questionable) but experienced places and events I never would have as part of a couple or group.

I’ve been lonely – maybe 1-2 days a year. I can feel that way at home too. On the contrary, as a solo traveler I’ve actually found it more difficult to be on my own because I’ve so often been surrounded by well-meaning friends.

I don’t always travel solo but it is my travel style of choice. It’s as close as I feel I can ever come to absolute freedom.

Solo travel is still travel. No reason to miss the experience. And it’s true that it’s very easy to meet people while wandering. Just because a person leaves alone doesn’t mean they won’t meet lots of friends along the way.

@Stephanie

I think that’s the experience most women have traveling solo. Fun and safe. As long as individuals travel smart, it should be an issue.

The cool thing about being a woman and traveling alone is that you never really are completely alone. It’s easier to meet people, pick up conversations with strangers and find folks to share small experiences with if you start alone. You also don’t have to travel on someone else’s time schedule or worry about whether or not they are having fun.

I have taken a couple of trips with friends, and I have to say that the ones I take alone are much more enjoyable.

For anyone considering it, I’d say go for it!

Except women are now traveling more than men. Alone. I’ve seen quite a few women traveling alone through my travels and I think that number is growing. Yes, it’s often in safer countries, but I’ve also seen plenty in Central America and West Africa. Safe places, but poor compared to the West.

When women travel alone, they go to the safer places, don’t fully participate in all activities, and are forced to modify their dress and other habits. It appears that world travel is simply one more of many life activities, just like chess, math, science, engineering, computer programming, haute cuisine and haute couture, where women are unfortunately under-represented, especially at the higher levels of achievement.

It’s really great trend to see. I’m sure your daughter had a great time. Great area of the world.

I’m from Norway and here it’s very common. My daughter made a backpacker trip 10 years ago to the Far East and Australia and it was no issue that they where only girl travelling together.

That makes a lot of sense about going out to photograph alone. Takes a lot of patience to get the perfect shot. Tough to expect someone else to wait it out.

It’s a different style of travel. It can allow for some personal development. Also, great to have company though to share with.

@Lifecruiser

I like the idea of looking like a local. Trying to blend in. That goes a long way in being safe.