A Solo Backpacker Experience

Just this month, I had my first ever international flights as a solo backpacker.

Yes.

Mind you it would be great to have company when going to another country. It would be fun and exciting especially there’s someone to talk and share experiences to.

But being alone in venturing and exploring new countries is much more fun and exciting than being a pair.

Why? I‘ll share you my story.

On the first half of this year, I got an amazing reward.

It’s a gift certificate of 3 days and 2 nights stay in a hotel on any places listed, either international or domestic.  By the way, this gift certificate is good for two and I took the liberty to be alone in this trip instead. (You will know why.)

And they are free of charge! What a reward!

My first glance was not on the domestic routes but on the international ones instead. So I took the Malaysian route, Kuala Lumpur.

I planned my trips ahead and even made a quick stop in Singapore for a day before going to Kuala Lumpur. Then I made a detour in Manila to attend a four-day conference.

As I planned my plane tickets, pocket money and all, I made sure that everything’s well prepared and nothing is forgotten.

My Singaporean Experience

Since this is my first time to go out of the country, I was so nervous when I checked in for the international flight going first to Singapore. And to top it all, I was alone. So my nervousness heightens. But that doesn’t stop me to explore a whole new horizon even if I’m a solo backpacker.

When I arrived in Singapore early morning, there are NO phone signals. So I got a bit worried since I don’t know how to communicate with Chuck, a community friend, who will be my tour guide/guardian for the day.

After passing through the Immigration, Chuck is already outside waiting for me.

Thank goodness! What a relief!

If it wasn’t for him, I dunno if I can tour the country all by myself and it would be much MORE expensive than what I have planned for the trip.

When we went to Chuck’s home, we got to ride an Uber car. It was my first time to ride it and the driver seat is on the right side. How cool is that?

And so, we toured around places after settling my things. Bought some chocolates and key chains with promo rates as souvenirs.  We ate different cuisines, toured around Marina Bay areas and even walked around the underground tunnels to explore other places. We even went to Suntec City to attend a prayer gathering and met new people there. It was fun!

What’s more amazing is that there Wi-Fi connection is so fast that I can download or stream movies in minutes unlike in the Philippines. There are NO squatter areas and NO traffic! The places are clean and orderly. The people are much disciplined as well.

My expenses for the Singaporean day trip were much lesser than the budget I have prepared for! If I had a travel buddy joining me in this trip, chances are expenses would be bigger than planned. So it’s just right to have taken this trip solo and probably the two of us wouldn’t be accommodated in Chuck’s house since it’s a bit small.

On my whole day trip, I was so eager to ride a double-decker bus. I was so looking forward to it that all the buses we’ve taken are just the normal ones. By the way, buses and trains use cards as tickets for the rides. Meaning, fares are cashless. Even for Grab and Uber as well.

Before going to the bus terminal which I will be taking my Malaysian trip there, I was so excited when I got to have a chance to ride a double-decker bus before leaving Singapore! It was a dream come true!

My Malaysian Experience

After a 5-6 hour bus ride from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, I finally arrived in Malaysia! The second country I have visited for the very first time.

I arrived in the bus terminal very early in the morning, so I took a cab going to the hotel for my free 3-day and 2-night stay. And note there are still NO phone signals so the only thing I can rely on is the Wi-Fi connections.

As I have arrived in the hotel, it was SO early and I have to wait for 6 straight hours before I can check in at my room.

So what I did is that I walked around the outskirts of the KL Sentral area, which is just near the hotel so that I wouldn’t get lost. As I looked around, the places are more likely the same in the Philippines. There are beggars lying around the streets, some establishments are old and wretched and there are lots of construction sites around specifically near the river going to Chinatown or Central Market.

My plan was to roam around Chinatown or the Central Market when the goods are affordable and where I can buy a nice pair of shoes.

When I looked at the map and walked around, I got lost. I went to places that are not even close to the destinations I will be heading to. And so, I went back to the hotel and waited there for the remainder of the time.

Being lost at that time made me realized that I got to discover new places and explore around them. 

That’s why it’s a good reason to get lost sometimes.

When I finally checked in at my room, I settled everything, took a bath (I haven’t gotten a bath after arriving at the hotel) and relaxed on the bed watching TV.

My brother-in-law toured me around Chinatown and Central Market after his work. We ate Chinese and Arab cuisines. We even bought souvenirs including a pair of shoes, perfume and watch. We even bought chocolates in Central Market which are affordable as well. Even my brother-in-law bought a pair of shoes and shirts that night which he wasn’t planning to buy at all.

On the whole morning till afternoon of the next day, I just stayed in the hotel watched movies and TV series using their fast Wi-Fi connection.

The room that I stayed in was more organized and clean than the other hotels I have stayed in the Philippines. Even the compliments and towels are replaced on the next day and all are arranged accordingly. The room is cozy and relaxed that I stayed there for the whole morning till afternoon.

After my brother-in-law’s work is done, he toured me again. But this time, we went to the Petronas Towers, the so-called Twin Towers of Malaysia. We got to ride different trains to our destinations. The trains there are more spacious and chilly than the MRTs and LRTs of Manila.

When we went got to the Pertronas Towers to have pictures taken, we also got an amazing opportunity to watch the dancing fountain LIVE!

It was so cool and amazing! It was like watching a theatrical musical in water.

On my last day in Malaysia, I readied myself to go to the airport bound for Singapore and have a connecting flight bound to Manila.

My expenses for my Malaysian trip were once again much lesser than the budget I have prepared for! If I had a travel buddy with me, chances are we won’t be lost and won’t be able to discover new places. Expenses would be high on food, souvenirs and tours. And I won’t be having a ME time in the hotel if I had a travel buddy with me.

My realizations of being a solo backpacker

When I have arrived in Changi airport for my connecting flight bound to Manila, I have realized some things.

It’s thrifty when I go solo even on international trips. All the tours I had are all unplanned and even though I haven’t explored all the tourist attractions in the country, I got to have my ME time and chill.

I even got time to meet new friends and get lost to discover new places. I even saved money from my trips abroad. I got to enjoy the places I have visited on my own and had a time to discern and reflect on my next plans. These are just some perks of being a solo backpacker.

Prior to my international trips, I been to places on my own and it’s amazing to be just myself and enjoy.

Sometimes, we need to be on our own to reflect, discern and meditate on the things we need to do when we get back home. Sometimes, being alone in a foreign country can give us a boost of confidence and explore new heights without anyone judging or making comparisons.

So take a time off and go to places on your own. You’ll discover more things than having a companion.