girl who travel

What to Prepare for Your Solo Trip: Part 2

5:32:00 pm

image source: google.com

Hello lovelies.... A new update is here... I planned to write this back on April, yet I forgot and ended up writing about it now. A lot things happened, my focus was rather on other things. X__X but it's okay, thanks to my friend I remembered I have blogs to update. I'm still going to write about solo travel, since it's still on my list. As I said in my previous post, I'm going to write about the practical items to prepare on your solo trip. For the preparation stage, please check my previous post HERE..


Here some tips and trick I usually do on my solo travel. Let me remind you again, this will be based on my own experiences, so maybe it might not work on you.


TIPS

First thing first, please make sure your bag is comfortable and practical enough to put all your necessities inside, like passport, wallet, camera, tripod, and water bottle. For girls, maybe tissue and some lip balm will also a necessities. I don't like to bring big bag with all the time, so i usually bring a small backpack that has enough space for all that.

image source: google


I'm not the professional photographer type of traveller so I usually just bring my SONY a5000 and basic lens for taking pictures. I don't like to bring a lot of stuff, because I tend to forget things, so this work for me just fine. If you're the pro photographer type, then you need bigger bag. :)


Second, seperate your money into several places.
I'm not the type to use credit card, so I can only depend on cash or debit card. Back then before there's JENIUS, I have to rely solely on cash, haha so I have to be really careful.

I usually seperate my money into several portion. Why? Remember that even if you're cautious enough, bad things can always happen. That and it's to prevent you from spending too much on something like shopping on the first or second day.

image source: google


Here how I usually seperate my money. when I travel.. First portion is put in my wallet. Usually enough for 2-3 days worth (around 1/4 or 1/5 of my money). The second portion I put in my bag, inside the deepest pocket. Just in case your wallet got robbed, you still have your money inside your bag. I usually put 1/4 portion in there. The third portion is put in my luggages, lol.... Sometimes I also put like 10-20 dollars in my phone case, just in case.... :P


Third, put your shopping spree plan on your last two days. It's easier to see how much space your luggages have. It minimize your spending, and avoiding overweight luggages.


Fourth, things that I usually forget...... Check the charger shape in your destination country. Bring one that has complete set of international charger, and some places for USB charge. One for all kind. Easy on your luggage space too.

image source: google



Fifth, rather than wifi pocket, better buy local simcard. No need for extra charging devices, so you can save space for your camera, phone, and powerbank instead. Simcard nowdays has better package deal and the price is considerably cheaper than wifi pocket. Remember that you use it alone. If you go in groups, then better use wifi pocket (if you don't have any seperate plan).


Sixth, the tripod. Don't need to bring big heavy tripod anymore, you can always buy the compact one. ;) one that fit in you small bag.

Seventh, bring tote bag for plastic bag replacement. ;)



TRICK

Yes, you might have plan your itinerary well. But the condition can be different from what you expected, count the weather too. So maybe you need to be more flexible when you travel, and sometimes, you need to depend on other people too.... So here's what I usually do to make my trip more enjoyable.....


1. Learn some basic language.
Like Excuse me, Hello, Thank you. And also important questions like where is the toilet, what is it, and how much is it. For me, I like to know some question to help me with shopping. So the first thing I learn is how to ask the price, how to count, and how to haggle. :) It worked so well when I was in Korea. :D
image source: google


2. Smile and be friendly.

image source: lonelyplanet

You're alone in foreign country. Some might not be able to speak english. So when you're in a pinch, it's always helpful to smile and ask a stranger. Sometimes this work when you're shopping too... I usually try to talk nicely to the seller, not necessarily haggle... just talk a-b-c-d then when you try to ask for cheaper price, usually they give cheaper price... This only work on places where they don't have other costumer yeah so you can talk more at ease. Busy store won't give you much attention and time... Maybe this also work better because I'm a girl. Have you ever tried this trick? Please let me know if it works for you too...

I have a lot of good experiences when I travel alone; like getting help from strangers, sometimes getting some freebies too... 


3. Meet new friends.
Travelling alone is a good chance to meet new people. You don't have anyone else to focus on, so you can try talking to strangers who share your room or hostel. I met several people from my last trip to Korea and Thailand. We went to the festival, talk and eat together.

image source: google

Some might be your real friends. :) You can always as for contact exchange when you feel comfortable with them. If you're clicked, maybe you can keep in contact and travel together in the future.. :)


4. Ask your friends for guides.
If you have friend(s) in your destination country, it'll be great to contact them and meet up. If they don't live there, you can always ask for pointer. The key is be nice when you asking and do your research first, it will be easier for your friends to answer your questions too. :) Don't expect them to make the itinerary for you. Do your research, if you still have questions, then ask them.



Those are my tips and trick for solo traveller. If you share same opinion or have different experiences, please let me know. I'd love to know more point of view and your experiences! :)


See you again lovelies~!
xoxo
Anastasia


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Credit:
images are taken from google.com

girl who travel

What to Prepare for Your Solo Trip

12:14:00 am

Who's never heard about solo travel? I think everyone knew and maybe some of you have tried or considering it at the moment. I've tasted tried it and I actually love it. Not that I have a lot of chances to travel alone, since I wasn't independent before June 2018 (I was still a student until last year). But since I got some chances at solo trip, why not?





If you're considering this type of traveling, here some of my tips and trick and what to prepare for your solo trip..... All this tips and trick are based on my experiences, so it might not be perfect or work for you, but it'd be nice to have a head up before you jump into solo trip.


1. The Basic Plan
Unless you're an expert in surprised-unplanned trip, then yes, you need to plan it (half-way or thoroughly). As for me, I'm more into planning it thoroughly and see what will happen on the field that day.


For starters, decide your destination.
If you're a beginner at solo trip, start off with countries that quite save for solo traveler, specially if you're a girl. My first solo trip was to Nikko, Japan. It was a 2D1N trip to hot spring near Nikko and since I lived in Tokyo at that time, it's not that different to me. The only difference was I got no one to talk to. My second solo trip was to Seoul and Busan, Korea. It was really great because the aunties helped me a lot with direction and I got a lot of freebies even though I was quite confused as how to communicate since I don't speak korean and not many can speak fluent english... As you can see, both Japan and Korea are save for solo traveler, even if you're a girl.

You can also check some of this website for more recommendation on the destination...
Solo Traveler World - They put the affordability, cost to get there and safety (the writer is based on Canada)

source: google



In this step, you have to do a rough research on what you're going to do there, anything you're interested in like the festival, amusement park, the flower season, anything. This research on your purpose of the trip will help you decide on the next step: When and How Long.


After you decided on the destination, ask yourself for the when and how long question.
It's best to decide to go on your free time, like summer break or take a time off from your office, or if you're on the freelance side like me, you can decide on the festival or seasonal theme. For example sakura season in Japan, or Holi festival in India, or Lantern Festival in Thailand. After you decide when, next is to answer the "how long will my trip be?" question.

Once again, please consider your own availability. If you got a tight time off, then maybe you can't explore much or go to far away land. If you got the time, then you can decide on a week or 10 days vacation to a far away land.



The next step is to see your finance.
How much can you spend on this vacation? or how much are you willing to spend on this vacation? The bigger you're willing to spend on your vacation, the greater it will feel. I mean, you won't think twice to book a 4 star hotel, or take a taxi everywhere you go, or enter an expensive restaurant, or maybe enjoy a bit of massage or spa on your vacation. But if you're in the tight budget kind of traveler, you can put more of your money into the activities rather than on the hotel and transportation.

The quickiest thing to do is to go to trip advisor and ask the senior or ask your friends who had been to your trip destination or a friend who live or are from your trip destination.


The additional step is to see how long do you have to save your budget.
If you're happened to be like me, the beggar who doesn't want to travel in tight budget, you will try to save your money for at least 6 months. FYI, I saved my allowance money for 7 months before I took a solo trip to Korea, and 11 months for my upcoming trip to Thailand this year.

If you have 6-12 months to save up, you can save bit by bit, but if you only have 1-6 months to save up, better save a bit more or just take your emergency saving. LOL... it's not recommended to take your emergency saving though... but if you're in an urgent situation where your doctor advice you to take an immediate vacation, then it's an emergency.



2. The Intermediate Plan
You've graduated from your basic plan and there're next steps to consider....


source: google

Do more advance research.
Yes, you know your purpose of the trip, but you're not going to do it everyday, aren't ya? Go search on historical places, restaurant, street food to try, nature attraction - things like that... I usually write them down on my notebook; the name, the address, open hour, fee, what can be found or see, and how to get there. Write everything down, or maybe just copy-paste it into your microsoft word.

Here, in this step, I usually look at surrounding district or region if I got a week vacation or so... I will look at how to go there, if I need another plane ticket or train or bus... and how to buy train and bus ticket for between city travel. If it's only a 2D1N trip, better forget it and just focus on your main destination or purpose.


After you got the outline of your itinerary, book your plane ticket.
As for me, who wants to travel without worries and cramped legs (I've got long legs so yeah....), I will recommend you to look at travel fair. I'm not sure if your country has travel fair, but if it has, go check it out. Prepare your credit card for the additional discount! ;) But if you're okay with budget plane, tyou can skip the travel fair.

You need to keep checking until the price is in the lowest (if you have time before your trip). They said wednesday is the best time to buy plane ticket, but I'll say check it everyday for 2 weeks or several months prior to purchase.


source: google

After you got your flight ticket, prepare the document for VISA application.
Not all of us have the Singapore or USA passport, so yes, some of us need to apply for VISA. Go look at the embassy website for the list of necessary documents and apply for your visa. This step is not needed if your country has the leeway of free entry to your trip destination, like mine is to ASEAN country...


3. The Advance Plan
This is the final preparation step before you can relax ;)

source: google



make your fixed itinerary.
This is exclusively for you OCD traveler out there, a.k.a my companion. Yes, I usually type all the information I wrote on my notebook into excel. I separate them into date and time, place's name, how to get there, and additional info like fees and open hours. I printed them out as my bible (beside maps) while I'm on my trip...


next is book your hotel(s).
Don't forget to check all your dates, don't double book, don't miss the date. I missed a day before and I had to spend NYE in Jimjilbang back in Seoul. It's one of unexpected experience and somehow nice in a way, but if I have choice, I will pick a personal room rather than the bunk bed in jimjilbang... LOL


source: google

The last one is to change your money
Check the rates and if you're lucky, you'll get a cheaper rate for your upcoming trip.... even a penny difference counts. ;)


Additional step is to buy amusement park ticket, or transportation discount ticket (like JR pass if you're going to Japan), or book a wi-fi for your trip. This might be additional, but quite necessary for  extra enjoyment on your trip.


And that's what I usually do. It might be your usual things to prepare before your trip, but I believe people divide all the task when they go on group trip or family trip. And my lazy bum never really prepare anything when I travel in group or with family beside apply for Visa and buy plane ticket.

Who's with me?


Oh! Before I forget... I plan to make the second part; the actual tips and trick when you go on solo trip. Since I'm preparing for my third solo trip, I'm kinda excited to write while doing some hotel research... until next time! I'll try to post it on April 2019! See you!


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credit:
Korea trip images are mine, taken by Sony A5000
other images' source is stated below the image.

2016

Belitung Trip

10:38:00 pm



Hello again everyone!

I realized lately I've been writing more about my trip rather than my fashion style. It's just.... I'm usually too into something that I forget to take pictures of my style and it's hard when there's no photographer to take pictures (yes, that's you my sister)..


Anyway, this year's summer break was spent at Indonesia once again. My family and I went to Belitung this time, and we had so much fun... We were there only for 4 days 3 night, but I think we went to almost all tourist spot there.


What? You haven't heard about Belitung Island? Well, let's go to some basic information about the island.


Belitung (or Biliton in english) is located in east coast Sumatra, Indonesia. It's a part of Bangka Belitung province. It's famous for pepper and tin. The biggest city in the island is Tanjung Pandan. The island has a shallow and calm sea that's perfect for snorkelling, swimming, and sailing. The island has a lot of granite boulders, turqoise sea, and white sand beaches that's perfect for tourism. The island is actually the location for book and film, Laskar Pelangi (or Rainbow Troop).

As for famous tourist spot, you can go to Tanjung Tinggi beach, Tanjung Kelayang beach, Batu Berlayar Island, Pulau Pasir, Pulau Burung, Lengkuas Island, Babi Island, Kelayang Islet, Literary Museum by Andrea Hirata, Kaolin Lake, and Laskar Pelangi Elementary School (the shooting location of Rainbow Troop).


Belitung itself is pretty famous within domestic tourist, but it still lack the international tourist. It was as beautiful as Bali, with nicer beaches, but honestly, it lacks culture compared to Bali.


But for me, every part of Indonesia is beautiful.


Back to my post, let's begin from day 1.

On the first day we went to visit the famous Vihara Buddhayana



  

 
Burung Mandi beach





Literary Museum by Andrea Hirata

It's all bright and colorful building, where you can find a lot of quotes, pictures, and some paragraph written in Rainbow Troop book. A recommended place to go for taking a lot of pictures.








 Laskar Pelangi Elementary School



 Ahok house, and of course trying out Belitung special noodles; Mie Atep.


The second day was spent on hopping nearby island and snorkelling.. My sister hasn't sorting out pictures and video from when we're snorkelling so I can't put much here...





I actually went up to the mercusuar and take some picture around the island.. Unfortunately it was a bad day, it kept raining-stop-raining again, so we can't really enjoy our snorkelling and picture-taking. :(











...and the islands are Batu Berlayar Island, Batu Kelayang Island, Sand Island, Lengkuas Island (that has the mercusuar).


The third day we went to Tanjung Tinggi beach. It was shooting location of Laskar Pelangi (Rainbow Troop). A beautiful beach with a lot of huge granite stone. We were lucky that day since it's sunny so we could get a lot of nice pictures. This place is a must-go-to spot, but you need to climb the huge stone to get nice and beautiful pictures. So goodluck!
















After that, we went to the new tourist spot that just opened around April, Leebong Island. It's a private island that has shallow and calm beach around the island. It will be build as a resort where you can play kayak, swimming, banana boat, and much more fun things to do. To go to this island you have to pay IDR 1.500.000 for the boat that will take you to a bigger Sand Island and this private island.

Say hello to my Snowy :D










It's better to go to Lebong Island in the morning so you can see a lot of starfish in Sand Island. We were too late because we took a long time in Tanjung Tinggi beach. T^T




The rest of pictures we took in this island are inside our GoPro.



 But we got the beautiful sunset we've been waiting for 3 days. :D


The fourth day was short, and we only went to get some coffee and take pictures at Danau Kaolin.







I heard before we can go to the middle of the lake, but there was an accident several years ago that made it's forbidden to go to the middle of the lake.


That's was the warp of my trip to Belitung, but there're some tips I want to share before I say goodbye.

^ you need to rent a car for Belitung trip because there's no public transportation here.
^ It will be better if you hire a local tour guide, to know more about the culture there. They can be your personal photographer too. :D
^ bring a lot of sunblock because it's super hot when it's sunny. You will need it, really.
 


xoxo
Anastasia


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credit:
photos taken by Sony alpha 5000 and 6000, Iphone 5s
taken by the local tour guide, my father, my sisters and me


Belitung information source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belitung