My first solo travel blog
I haven't written a blog for a really long time, but this trip was so special and eye opening to me that I feel it deserves a place. I have also travelled solo in Austria twice, but never this far away from home alone before...
On February 9th 2016 I headed to Heathrow airport with a 40L backpack that i'd managed to fill for a months worth of travelling in New Zealand. Mum stayed with me overnight at the Premier Inn to keep me company as I had a long wait the next day for my flight, we had dinner and (tried) to sleep. The next morning we had breakfast and sat in the lounge for what seemed like forever and a day, then headed to the airport for me to check in. We had a snack together then I had to say goodbye as I needed time to go through security etc. Before going through I gave mum a massive hug and I had a few tears, the reason being because i'd always let my anxiety control me, and I was taking the control back and doing something huge and life changing. I wasn't nervous or scared. I'd also left a few home comforts behind as I felt I needed to trust myself that I could go on and far away without them. This trip was majorly important for my self confidence and knowing that I can do things without holding back. Going over to the other side of the world, all on my own and not knowing anyone was a massive test for me and i'm really happy & relived that it was never an issue.
It was my first long haul flight and I was looking forward to it (flew with Cathay Pacific both ways, I would recommend, very good service). I also got chatting to the two ladies next to me and they were flying to Hong Kong to do a course in nursing for 6 months, we all looked after each other, left the snacks on each others tables if one of us had fallen asleep etc (I barely slept the whole flight as I couldn't get comfortable, so thank goodness for the films!)
Landing in Hong Kong was breathtaking, and the reason why I chose a window seat was of course to see the view. The sky scrapers were so impressive and the structure of the city. Once landed I went through security and into the airport shops, I had a 7hr wait for my connecting flight, so I looked around (HK airport is very interesting & very big). I had the option of leaving the airport because of UK passport, however I opted to stay put and treated myself to lunch/dinner. It was fascinating just being there, seeing the view out of the windows and trying to get myself to realise that I was actually there! I also checked in with family & friends on their super fast Wifi.
7hrs Passed and it was time to finally board my connecting flight to Auckland, excitement really started kicking in now as I was on the final leg. I think I slept about 2hrs that flight (the whole journey including HK and stopover in total was 29hrs), but still when we landed in Auckland I didn't feel tired at all, just totally in awe. Looking out of the plane window with the shutter up and thinking I'M FINALLY HERE! I've done it! It was very surreal, and so exciting at the same time. I'd flown all the way to the other side of the world, on my own, not knowing anyone, for a month!
When we had landed and off the plane, the first thing I noticed was the heat, so it was off with the layers! I sat down for a little while and checked in with friends/family again to say I had arrived safely (I made sure this was as daily as possible). I then carried on through security with my passenger arrival card, I was desperately hoping I had filled it in correctly - I watch far too much Nothing To Declare. But all was fine and I was good to start my adventure. I stepped outside and looked around, I was so excited by the palm trees and had already got talking to a girl who was also travelling solo but also becoming a teacher in Auckland, we got the city bus together and as she didn't have anywhere to stay I recommended the hostel I had booked into, unfortunately no availability but she managed to get in somewhere else.
View from my room
I got to my hostel and it's just how I imagined. Lots of travellers, the atmosphere that you actually felt a part of it, and feeling at home. I found my room and unpacked a few things and went into the city to check it out and find dinner. Auckland felt like such a safe, friendly city, I never felt like I was an outsider or just visiting. The people are just so friendly, and the shops great too of course! After finding food I went back to the hostel as I had an early start the next morning to be picked up for the trip.
The next morning after finally a good night sleep in a bed, I woke up and had my breakfast in the lounge and hurried to get to the Sky Tower for the first day of the Stray tour. The bus arrived and was already full of people, who soon became good travel buddies/friends. Muesli was our driver, he had so much knowledge about everywhere we passed and went. He only stayed with us for a week and then we switched to Postie who took us everywhere else.
I won't go into too much detail about the whole trip, as I can guess there are people out there who would like to go and see it for themselves. However the main memories that I have kept with me are making lovely new friends that I wouldn't have met otherwise. Staying over in a cabin/lodge and sitting outside with Kaitlyn in the hammocks just staring up at the night sky, chatting away, no traffic noise, just silence. Sand boarding on the dunes and seeing who could get the closest to the sea.
Manuka Honey quickly became one of my favourite things, it smells so good and the products do what they say.
Food/craft markets. Maori village evening and eating their delicious Hangi feast made for us. Staying at a different place every night which made it even more exciting as you didn't know what to expect (some better than others). I loved stopping off along the road and going into the shop to get snacks/food for the next few days - one of them I remember was a bulk buy supermarket, and we even stopped at a fruit farm and winery which was really interesting. My hot air balloon ride - that was ticked off my bucket list, I woke up at 5am as it was a sunrise flight, it was incredible as were the views, and was topped off with a champagne breakfast. Kaikoura was stunning, standing on the top of the mountain looking down seeing the clear blue sea. I also loved the evening when we went to see the giant Kauri trees, we had a guide show us all around the woodland. It was very atmospheric, you could feel the energy, passion and love right there. The singing and hugging was also fab!
Sharing new memories and some great laughs with new friends. I couldn't have asked for a better group. We became like a travelling family and i'm so grateful to have met and kept in touch with some of you and hope to visit you all as soon as possible.
Since coming home, the trip has helped me in so many ways, my confidence more than anything, and it's taught me how to keep calm in difficult situations. It really really was the trip of a lifetime, I still talk about it a lot to this day as it has had such a positive impact on my life. The amazing memories are endless, and when I listen to Kygo & new Coldplay they all come flooding back. It is a place that holds a very big special place in my heart. I enjoyed and loved every second.
All I will say, for anyone thinking about solo travel and are worried about going it alone, please don't be afraid. Don't let your worries/fears hold you back. Do your research, check out where you are staying, pack sensibly, have your wits about you, also - a great tip that I took with me from reading articles online is having the NZ police phone number on me in case of emergency or if anything was to happen, at least then it's there. All of these things will help put your mind at ease. There are also plenty of solo travel Facebook/Twitter pages, so get talking to people :)
x
On February 9th 2016 I headed to Heathrow airport with a 40L backpack that i'd managed to fill for a months worth of travelling in New Zealand. Mum stayed with me overnight at the Premier Inn to keep me company as I had a long wait the next day for my flight, we had dinner and (tried) to sleep. The next morning we had breakfast and sat in the lounge for what seemed like forever and a day, then headed to the airport for me to check in. We had a snack together then I had to say goodbye as I needed time to go through security etc. Before going through I gave mum a massive hug and I had a few tears, the reason being because i'd always let my anxiety control me, and I was taking the control back and doing something huge and life changing. I wasn't nervous or scared. I'd also left a few home comforts behind as I felt I needed to trust myself that I could go on and far away without them. This trip was majorly important for my self confidence and knowing that I can do things without holding back. Going over to the other side of the world, all on my own and not knowing anyone was a massive test for me and i'm really happy & relived that it was never an issue.
It was my first long haul flight and I was looking forward to it (flew with Cathay Pacific both ways, I would recommend, very good service). I also got chatting to the two ladies next to me and they were flying to Hong Kong to do a course in nursing for 6 months, we all looked after each other, left the snacks on each others tables if one of us had fallen asleep etc (I barely slept the whole flight as I couldn't get comfortable, so thank goodness for the films!)
Landing in Hong Kong was breathtaking, and the reason why I chose a window seat was of course to see the view. The sky scrapers were so impressive and the structure of the city. Once landed I went through security and into the airport shops, I had a 7hr wait for my connecting flight, so I looked around (HK airport is very interesting & very big). I had the option of leaving the airport because of UK passport, however I opted to stay put and treated myself to lunch/dinner. It was fascinating just being there, seeing the view out of the windows and trying to get myself to realise that I was actually there! I also checked in with family & friends on their super fast Wifi.
7hrs Passed and it was time to finally board my connecting flight to Auckland, excitement really started kicking in now as I was on the final leg. I think I slept about 2hrs that flight (the whole journey including HK and stopover in total was 29hrs), but still when we landed in Auckland I didn't feel tired at all, just totally in awe. Looking out of the plane window with the shutter up and thinking I'M FINALLY HERE! I've done it! It was very surreal, and so exciting at the same time. I'd flown all the way to the other side of the world, on my own, not knowing anyone, for a month!
When we had landed and off the plane, the first thing I noticed was the heat, so it was off with the layers! I sat down for a little while and checked in with friends/family again to say I had arrived safely (I made sure this was as daily as possible). I then carried on through security with my passenger arrival card, I was desperately hoping I had filled it in correctly - I watch far too much Nothing To Declare. But all was fine and I was good to start my adventure. I stepped outside and looked around, I was so excited by the palm trees and had already got talking to a girl who was also travelling solo but also becoming a teacher in Auckland, we got the city bus together and as she didn't have anywhere to stay I recommended the hostel I had booked into, unfortunately no availability but she managed to get in somewhere else.
View from my room
I got to my hostel and it's just how I imagined. Lots of travellers, the atmosphere that you actually felt a part of it, and feeling at home. I found my room and unpacked a few things and went into the city to check it out and find dinner. Auckland felt like such a safe, friendly city, I never felt like I was an outsider or just visiting. The people are just so friendly, and the shops great too of course! After finding food I went back to the hostel as I had an early start the next morning to be picked up for the trip.
The next morning after finally a good night sleep in a bed, I woke up and had my breakfast in the lounge and hurried to get to the Sky Tower for the first day of the Stray tour. The bus arrived and was already full of people, who soon became good travel buddies/friends. Muesli was our driver, he had so much knowledge about everywhere we passed and went. He only stayed with us for a week and then we switched to Postie who took us everywhere else.
I won't go into too much detail about the whole trip, as I can guess there are people out there who would like to go and see it for themselves. However the main memories that I have kept with me are making lovely new friends that I wouldn't have met otherwise. Staying over in a cabin/lodge and sitting outside with Kaitlyn in the hammocks just staring up at the night sky, chatting away, no traffic noise, just silence. Sand boarding on the dunes and seeing who could get the closest to the sea.
Manuka Honey quickly became one of my favourite things, it smells so good and the products do what they say.
Food/craft markets. Maori village evening and eating their delicious Hangi feast made for us. Staying at a different place every night which made it even more exciting as you didn't know what to expect (some better than others). I loved stopping off along the road and going into the shop to get snacks/food for the next few days - one of them I remember was a bulk buy supermarket, and we even stopped at a fruit farm and winery which was really interesting. My hot air balloon ride - that was ticked off my bucket list, I woke up at 5am as it was a sunrise flight, it was incredible as were the views, and was topped off with a champagne breakfast. Kaikoura was stunning, standing on the top of the mountain looking down seeing the clear blue sea. I also loved the evening when we went to see the giant Kauri trees, we had a guide show us all around the woodland. It was very atmospheric, you could feel the energy, passion and love right there. The singing and hugging was also fab!
Sharing new memories and some great laughs with new friends. I couldn't have asked for a better group. We became like a travelling family and i'm so grateful to have met and kept in touch with some of you and hope to visit you all as soon as possible.
Since coming home, the trip has helped me in so many ways, my confidence more than anything, and it's taught me how to keep calm in difficult situations. It really really was the trip of a lifetime, I still talk about it a lot to this day as it has had such a positive impact on my life. The amazing memories are endless, and when I listen to Kygo & new Coldplay they all come flooding back. It is a place that holds a very big special place in my heart. I enjoyed and loved every second.
All I will say, for anyone thinking about solo travel and are worried about going it alone, please don't be afraid. Don't let your worries/fears hold you back. Do your research, check out where you are staying, pack sensibly, have your wits about you, also - a great tip that I took with me from reading articles online is having the NZ police phone number on me in case of emergency or if anything was to happen, at least then it's there. All of these things will help put your mind at ease. There are also plenty of solo travel Facebook/Twitter pages, so get talking to people :)
x