Abroad alone

Hi everyone.

I told you it’ll be a lighter next post, this one I can do and with a smile on my face!

Travelling abroad alone!

You’re probably thinking, what fool does this? Well, me!

I’ve done 4 countries by myself now and they’ve been the best experiences I’ve ever encountered.

1. Portugal in 2014
2. Germany, Malta and Austria in 2015.
3. I was meant to do Paris and Bruges last year also but I was meant to go a few days after the awful attacks in France. When I told my mum, I still planned to go, she gave me

But in my head, I was thinking;

(I don’t use the N-word, it’s a funny pic. Allow me lol)

“Are you mad; I can never go abroad by myself” I hear you say!

Tbh, I thought the same thing until I booked myself to go Faro/Lisbon, Portugal. I was desperate for some sun, sea, and sand and no-one was free to go during the week I had booked off from work. Instead of crying over spilled milk, I thought I’d treat myself and splash out on a 5* hotel and book the best room they had on offer.

Bruv. It was amazing. Since this trip, I’ve only stayed in a hotel less than 4* once and you can really tell the difference straight away. (Holiday Inn Derby, change your damn beds) 🙈 I sleep on the side of the bed. How did I roll into the middle ALL NIGHT, as it was so flat 😂 I was fighting the bed ……;

Back to Portugal, a black man by himself, they must have thought I was a drug dealer 😂. (I did get ask for some while out there smh) However, the hotel staff still treated me with the respect you’d expect from a high-quality place. (Should’ve been an mc lol) I was there a week; I could’ve stayed a year. It was absolutely perfect. The locals were so friendly. Hotel staff responded to all my requests quickly. Breakfast banging. I managed to get up to dolphin watching and spent an entire day on an exclusive deserted beach.

From the balcony of my hotel room (above)

I’d recommend going to Portugal. It’s cheap and such a relaxing holiday. Even my younger sisters are going there for their birthday in September after I spoke so highly of it. With the price I managed to get them, I feel to jump in their suitcase and go aswell 😂

August 2015, I was at the lowest point of my life. I needed to get away from London and fast. Didn’t care where just away. The original plan was to do 5 countries in 5 days. But I couldn’t decide on what so opted to do Malta as my main trip but end up in 2 countries I’d probably never do again in my life. So I chose Germany and Austria.

Last week of September, I was off like:

Frankfurt, Germany was cool, despite no black people on my flight. Lol. I was kind of shook walking around the city. Every black person, I’d look at them like;

As I hear it’s not color-friendly in certain parts but it was fine for the night I was there. On Tuesday morning and I took a flight straight to Malta. As soon as I got off the plane. The heat that licked my face.

I just knew I’d have fun.

Cab driver picked me up and drove me 45 mins to my hotel in St Paul’s Bay. Easy check in. But these man gave me a 2-bedroom apartment 😂 Kitchen and everything. It was madness. But the view from the master bedroom;

When I fully deeped my apartment, I did this. lol

As Malta was so cheap, I didn’t do any cooking. I ate out EVERY meal. I was on holiday, f that. You cook my meal dammit!!! lol. Malta was truly amazing though. I reconnected with myself after the troubled year I had. I chilled and really took in all that had happened and how my life has now taken a completely different direction to what I thought was happening. It took me a while to accept that but now in a much more peaceful place and happy with my life!!!

Friday came and it was time to leave. Sad but everything comes to an end. So jumped on another flight but this time to Austria. I get there and it was raining cats and dogs.

I had to double-check if I hadn’t mistakenly touched down in London. 😣 I couldn’t do much as it rained for pretty much the whole time I was there. So I’ll have to make a trip back out there as I hear good things about Vienna.

Reasons why I love going aboard by myself.

Of course it’d be cool to share the experience with someone or a group of friends. But I was able to do what I want when I want, whenever I want. Waiting for people to book flights and shit is long sometimes and they all want to do other stuff to you so someone has to give. But when alone, you don’t have to think anyone but yourself. It gives you the chance to indulge yourself fully and to take in new surroundings unfiltered by the prejudices, tastes, or preferences of a traveling companion that can be heady stuff.

Of course, single travel has its perils too (but have you seen me with my hood up? no one is troubling me lol) — such as safety concerns, loneliness, and the dreaded single supplement. But a little preparation and common sense can save you money and get you through the rough spots.

Solo travel can be the ultimate in self-indulgence; you can rest when you want and pour it on when you’re feeling ambitious. Another benefit is that your mistakes are your own, and your triumphs all the more exciting.

I got talking to a woman at my friend’s birthday recently and she is like me and hops all over the world by herself. The grin I had on my face;

She said the same thing about can’t be bothered waiting around for people so just do you! I could relate so much.

Start of 2016, I said to myself no holidays as I need to stack for a massive investment, I hope to secure sooner rather than later. But everyone deserves a break from time to time. But if you do catch me abroad, I’ll probably be by myself. Middle of 2016 is fast approaching and haven’t been away yet, I wonder where I’ll book to go (if I haven’t already).

I never reveal my plans; I just do it. Guess you’ll have to wait for that blog for when that happens ….

JRT