Archive for July, 2009

So You Want To Go It Alone?

Kirsty Going it Alone, Gallipoli, Turkey

Kirsty Going it Alone, Gallipoli, Turkey

I have not undertaken a huge amount of solo travel but when I have, I found it quite different from travelling with a companion. I’m not sure I would choose to travel by myself often. I found it a little lonely and when I saw/experienced something amazing, I found myself looking around for someone to be able to say “Wow, did you see that” or “Look, isn’t that beautiful”. I also felt I was limited with where and when I could do things. In saying that, I do realise that there is not always this choice. I have a compiled a list that will aid the solo female traveller to be prepared!

1. Advice Regarding Your Documents

Prior to your departure check for the latest travel advice to ensure it is considered a safe destination. Check that you have all the necessary documentation. Make two copies of all papers, travellers cheques etc, one copy to carry separately from the originals and leave the other with someone at home. 

2. Arriving/Departing from your Destination

When travelling from your accommodation to the airport/train station or vice versa, go with a taxi recommended by the accommodation place and avoid arriving to your destinations late at night. 

3. Safety in Numbers

Travel in a group if you intend visiting somewhere considered ‘off the beaten track’ and avoid going on your own to remote areas/ruins where tourists don’t generally go. Take a guide or seek local advice. 

4. Accommodation

When arriving in a new town, keep to your original plan and stay in the accommodation you originally chose. Don’t let the taxi driver persuade you that it is now full and that he knows of a cheaper/better one. He’ll be working on commission and the accommodation, more than likely, won’t be in a safe part of town.

5. Valuables

Keep all valuables well hidden at all times and don’t wear expensive looking jewellery. That is inviting trouble, especially in under-developed countries. Leave your valuables in your accommodation safe when making long day trips. Obtain a receipt not just for your money belt/wallet etc but for its contents, with everything itemised.

6. Advice Regarding Your Carry Bag

When putting your bag down on the floor, to take a photo, or on public transport, or just to sit in a cafe, remember to put your foot through the strap. Not only does this make it harder to snatch, you’re less likely to forget it! 

7. Remain Confident and Keep Your Wits About You!

Most importantly, look “Confident” at all times! Walk with a purposeful stride and an air of ‘I know where I am and where I need to get to’…even if you don’t. Don’t ever look like easy prey.

Comments 8 Comments »

  • RT @OnlyMelbourne Bust It @ Aqualink Nunawading | Melbourne for Children | Kids http://bit.ly/vdFr2 #
  • @schneiderk Was unable to balance the CBA bank rec! I'm sure there were transactions missing on my clients Statement. A pain being year end. in reply to schneiderk #
  • @katetribe I think my clients statements were faxed to her from CBA. They were different from the usual ones! Just a real nuisance for her. in reply to katetribe #
  • Reading a wonderful email update from one of our young teachers off to Ghana to teach for 3mths. He's just arrived in Kenya from Melbourne. #
  • First #followfriday #tellmrtweet goes to @vipvirtualsols for being one terrific, supportive colleague in the #VA industry. She's just fab'. #
  • Todays #dream #travel destination is: the Flinders Ranges, Australia http://bit.ly/wy7v7 ~ a favourite place of mine! #
  • @akaTK What a bummer! I recently grabbed kirstywilson.com & must get on & put it to good use! Like I haven't already got enough to do!! ;-) in reply to akaTK #
  • RT @traveldudes: Some info about food in Cuba: http://tinyurl.com/m2b9gz #travel tip #lp #
  • Second #followfriday #tellmrtweet goes to @a_web_designer for being one of the most considerate & generous tweeps I know. He rocks! #
  • @Puggles99 I haven't managed to get to Arkaroola as yet. Not had a 4WD. It really is a spectacular area. I love South Australia. in reply to Puggles99 #
  • Thanks for the #ff ~ @packers4 @vipvirtualsols @JodiAceVA @creatingorder @geehall1 @nicebio @MassAttackGirls @Puggles99 Have a great weekend #
  • Third #followfriday #tellmrtweet goes to @TerriCook for being a friendly, cheerie tweep & interacts with all. #
  • Who else is looking forward to the 'Tour de France' starting tomorrow? http://www.letour.fr/ I know @JodiACEVA will be! I love it each year. #
  • @Puggles99 Hah…we know all about punctures. Went to central Oz last yr & scored 2. Both in the middle of no where. (That's not hard tho!) in reply to Puggles99 #
  • @Puggles99 …every where in the Outback is the centre of 'no where'! ;-) in reply to Puggles99 #
  • I love the 'Tour' for the SBS coverage & wonderful sites you see @CharlotteLilly @karenmorris @jadecraven @MassAttackGirls #dream #travel :) #
  • @Puggles99 *8*…flat tyres in one trip?! Oh, you poor things. What a nightmare. :-S in reply to Puggles99 #
  • @Paul_Rasmussen …kids are out of the cupboard NOW! That was a productive episode. ;-) in reply to Paul_Rasmussen #
  • I'm with you! RT @JodiACEVA My bit to promote other Australian Businesses and Services. http://tinyurl.com/l5tuds Who's with me? #
  • Fourth #followfriday #tellmrtweet goes to @jasonhussong for supporting my new venture! A great #travel tweep to connect with. #
  • Todays #dream #travel destination is: the Flinders Ranges, Australia http://bit.ly/wy7v7 ~ a favourite place of mine! #
  • @JasonsTravels I've just stuffed it twice…maybe 3rd time lucky!!!! That's what #followfridays do to me!! ;-) in reply to JasonsTravels #
  • Fourth #followfriday #tellmrtweet goes to @JasonsTravels for supporting my new venture! A great #travel tweep to connect with. #
  • RT @creatingorder Blog update: 5 Twitter Clutter Quotes: I'm a fan of Twitter and also of Tweetdeck, which organ.. http://tinyurl.com/l65qos #
  • Well done! RT @rebeccamezzino My Today Tonight segment is online! Visit http://www.todaytonightadelaide.com.au click "SAFM Clutter Buster" #
  • More #ff thank yous: @geoffreygordon @AngelSmit @ComplexNumber @Glendawatts :-) ) #
  • Last #followfriday #tellmrtweet goes to @amoyal who has caught my attention with his enthusiasm & suggestions for #dream #travel tweets! #
  • RT @TheTravelTart Just competed for a chance to win a trip to Antarctica by writing a blog – vote for me at http://echothis.info/YJ #
  • MWAH! RT @AndrewBlanda Can't you just feel the love oozing from this place tonight! @iggypintado @sammutimer @kirsty_wilson @AKAVirtualPA #
  • Todays #dream #travel destination is: the Flinders Ranges, Australia http://bit.ly/wy7v7 ~ a favourite place of mine! #
  • RT @TimboReid "I love deadlines. I love the whooshing sound they make as they go by" Douglas Adams #quote #
  • More #ff thank yous to some wonderful tweeps: @traveldudes @lindyasimus @markparton @Day2DayPA #
  • @videoezy Helloooo…I'm here. Working on a little revamp of my business website landing page. Making it 'social media' friendly! ;-) in reply to videoezy #
  • @videoezy I'm working on my business site at the moment but maybe you are referring to https://inform.quest/_traveltips Have you seen that one? in reply to videoezy #
  • @videoezy I don't think some time out hurts. There's been days when I've been quiet & really need to *refocus*, esp with the kids. in reply to videoezy #
  • Thnx for #ff tweets: @viaferrata @Chris_pinkapple @SarahCashel @colletts @iggypintado @moombaman @eastfieldlodge @chandler_s @klettersteig #
  • TRAVEL TIP: So you want to go it alone? Some tips for the solo female traveller > http://tinyurl.com/mjbabl #dream #travel #
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    Comments No Comments »

  • RT @OnlyMelbourne Bust It @ Aqualink Nunawading | Melbourne for Children | Kids http://bit.ly/vdFr2 #
  • @schneiderk Was unable to balance the CBA bank rec! I'm sure there were transactions missing on my clients Statement. A pain being year end. in reply to schneiderk #
  • @katetribe I think my clients statements were faxed to her from CBA. They were different from the usual ones! Just a real nuisance for her. in reply to katetribe #
  • Reading a wonderful email update from one of our young teachers off to Ghana to teach for 3mths. He's just arrived in Kenya from Melbourne. #
  • First #followfriday #tellmrtweet goes to @vipvirtualsols for being one terrific, supportive colleague in the #VA industry. She's just fab'. #
  • Todays #dream #travel destination is: the Flinders Ranges, Australia http://bit.ly/wy7v7 ~ a favourite place of mine! #
  • @akaTK What a bummer! I recently grabbed kirstywilson.com & must get on & put it to good use! Like I haven't already got enough to do!! ;-) in reply to akaTK #
  • RT @traveldudes: Some info about food in Cuba: http://tinyurl.com/m2b9gz #travel tip #lp #
  • Second #followfriday #tellmrtweet goes to @a_web_designer for being one of the most considerate & generous tweeps I know. He rocks! #
  • @Puggles99 I haven't managed to get to Arkaroola as yet. Not had a 4WD. It really is a spectacular area. I love South Australia. in reply to Puggles99 #
  • Thanks for the #ff ~ @packers4 @vipvirtualsols @JodiAceVA @creatingorder @geehall1 @nicebio @MassAttackGirls @Puggles99 Have a great weekend #
  • Third #followfriday #tellmrtweet goes to @TerriCook for being a friendly, cheerie tweep & interacts with all. #
  • Who else is looking forward to the 'Tour de France' starting tomorrow? http://www.letour.fr/ I know @JodiACEVA will be! I love it each year. #
  • @Puggles99 Hah…we know all about punctures. Went to central Oz last yr & scored 2. Both in the middle of no where. (That's not hard tho!) in reply to Puggles99 #
  • @Puggles99 …every where in the Outback is the centre of 'no where'! ;-) in reply to Puggles99 #
  • I love the 'Tour' for the SBS coverage & wonderful sites you see @CharlotteLilly @karenmorris @jadecraven @MassAttackGirls #dream #travel :) #
  • @Puggles99 *8*…flat tyres in one trip?! Oh, you poor things. What a nightmare. :-S in reply to Puggles99 #
  • @Paul_Rasmussen …kids are out of the cupboard NOW! That was a productive episode. ;-) in reply to Paul_Rasmussen #
  • I'm with you! RT @JodiACEVA My bit to promote other Australian Businesses and Services. http://tinyurl.com/l5tuds Who's with me? #
  • Fourth #followfriday #tellmrtweet goes to @jasonhussong for supporting my new venture! A great #travel tweep to connect with. #
  • Todays #dream #travel destination is: the Flinders Ranges, Australia http://bit.ly/wy7v7 ~ a favourite place of mine! #
  • @JasonsTravels I've just stuffed it twice…maybe 3rd time lucky!!!! That's what #followfridays do to me!! ;-) in reply to JasonsTravels #
  • Fourth #followfriday #tellmrtweet goes to @JasonsTravels for supporting my new venture! A great #travel tweep to connect with. #
  • RT @creatingorder Blog update: 5 Twitter Clutter Quotes: I'm a fan of Twitter and also of Tweetdeck, which organ.. http://tinyurl.com/l65qos #
  • Well done! RT @rebeccamezzino My Today Tonight segment is online! Visit http://www.todaytonightadelaide.com.au click "SAFM Clutter Buster" #
  • More #ff thank yous: @geoffreygordon @AngelSmit @ComplexNumber @Glendawatts :-) ) #
  • Last #followfriday #tellmrtweet goes to @amoyal who has caught my attention with his enthusiasm & suggestions for #dream #travel tweets! #
  • RT @TheTravelTart Just competed for a chance to win a trip to Antarctica by writing a blog – vote for me at http://echothis.info/YJ #
  • MWAH! RT @AndrewBlanda Can't you just feel the love oozing from this place tonight! @iggypintado @sammutimer @kirsty_wilson @AKAVirtualPA #
  • Todays #dream #travel destination is: the Flinders Ranges, Australia http://bit.ly/wy7v7 ~ a favourite place of mine! #
  • RT @TimboReid "I love deadlines. I love the whooshing sound they make as they go by" Douglas Adams #quote #
  • More #ff thank yous to some wonderful tweeps: @traveldudes @lindyasimus @markparton @Day2DayPA #
  • @videoezy Helloooo…I'm here. Working on a little revamp of my business website landing page. Making it 'social media' friendly! ;-) in reply to videoezy #
  • @videoezy I'm working on my business site at the moment but maybe you are referring to https://inform.quest/_traveltips Have you seen that one? in reply to videoezy #
  • @videoezy I don't think some time out hurts. There's been days when I've been quiet & really need to *refocus*, esp with the kids. in reply to videoezy #
  • Thnx for #ff tweets: @viaferrata @Chris_pinkapple @SarahCashel @colletts @iggypintado @moombaman @eastfieldlodge @chandler_s @klettersteig #
  • TRAVEL TIP: So you want to go it alone? Some tips for the solo female traveller > http://tinyurl.com/mjbabl #dream #travel #
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    Comments No Comments »

    Where are the Flinders Ranges?

    Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges

    Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges

    The Flinders Ranges are located in the state of South Australia, approximately 430km north of Adelaide. I’ve been fortunate to travel in the region on two occassions and found it the most beautiful and peaceful of destinations. It’s world renowned for its geological history and impressive fossil remains. Its main attraction is Wilpena Pound, a natural amphitheatre that was used by early pastoralists. Its an easy walk, following the Wilpena Creek from the camp ground into the Pound itself where you can visit the historic homestead of the early settlers.

    The area invites visitors from all over the world and now caters to this, having all accommodation types from a 5 star hotel, to unpowered camp sites. Some stay a night or two and see what that can whilst on an organised tour, and others stay much longer, allowing time to walk/hike the many trails. There are trails leading to aboriginal painting sites, scenic lookouts and picturesque dry river beds. Four wheel driving is also very popular and imperative if you want to go off the sealed roads and be more adventurous.

    You will be delighted by the wildlife here. During my trip in 2008, I saw scores of kangaroos, wallabies, emus, wedgetail eagles, parrots and a shingleback lizard.

    Map

    TravelTipsPlus Google Map of the Flinders Ranges

    One Great Reason to Visit

    One great reason to visit the Flinders Ranges is the sheer beauty of the isolated ranges rich in colour and texture.

    Flinders Ranges, South Australia

    For More Information

  • Wikipedia
  • Flinders Ranges – Official Site
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    Comments 4 Comments »