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Self-growth, Solo Travel

The Life-Changing Power of Solo Travel: 20+ Lessons I’ve Learned From Solo Travelling and How It Transformed My Life

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  • Solo travel benefits solo travel lessons
    Self-growth,  Solo Travel

    The Life-Changing Power of Solo Travel: 20+ Lessons I’ve Learned From Solo Travelling and How It Transformed My Life

    If you are hesitating about trying solo travel or wanting to understand why solo travel can be a life-changing experience, or you find yourself at a stage in life where you are uncertain about what’s next and want to seek…

  • Taipei massage recommendation Relax 33
    Taiwan,  Wellness

    Aesthetic & best Taipei Massage Recommendation: Relax 33 Massage SPA and Lounge Review (near Metro Zhongshan Station)

    As someone who is pretty picky about massages and has high standards for massage technique, service, and overall atmosphere, finding a great massage place in Taipei that I can fully trust and enjoy is a challenge for me. After trying…

  • Grampians Boroka Lookout rainbow
    Australia

    7 Must Visit Grampians Attractions with Ratings for Views, Trail Uniqueness & Difficulty

    Planning a trip to Grampians National Park in Australia? This guide covers 7 must-visit Grampians attractions, including Pinnacle Lookout, Reed Lookout, The Balconies (Jaws of Death), Mackenzie Falls, and Boroka Lookout. For each attraction, you will find ratings for the…

  • Pinnacle Lookout Grampians
    Australia

    Grampians Pinnacle Lookout walk guide: how difficult is it? trail photos & ratings from 5 people with different fitness levels

    Hiking to Pinnacle Lookout is one of the Grampians’ most popular trails, yet it’s also known for being challenging. So how difficult is the Pinnacle walk trail? In this guide, you will see real photos of the route, hiking duration,…

  • Mackenzie Falls photos
    Australia

    Mackenzie Falls walk in Grampians guide: trail difficulty, return trip distance and time, photos along the way.

    According to Visit Grampians, Mackenzie Falls is one of Victoria’s largest waterfalls and a popular attraction in Grampians National Park. This guide covers whether it’s worth visiting, trail difficulty, hiking distance and duration, plus photos along the way. Difficulty rating…

  • Grampians The Balconies (The Jaws of Death) photo
    Australia

    The Balconies and Reed Lookout Grampians Guide: difficulty, views, distance and duration of walk

    Planning a trip to the Grampians National Park? This guide covers The Balconies and Reed Lookout, including trail difficulty, hiking distance and duration, and the stunning views at both lookouts. Use it to plan your visit and decide if these…

  • Grampians Boroka Lookout rainbow photo
    Australia

    Boroka Lookout Grampians Guide: No Hiking Required, Actual Views & Is It Worth Visiting?

    Planning to visit Boroka Lookout in the Grampians? This guide covers actual views, photos, difficulty rating, whether it’s worth visiting, and tours that include Boroka Lookout. Difficulty rating for Boroka Lookout, Grampians Boroka Lookout is the easiest lookout to access…

  • 3-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Itinerary and Honest Private Tour Review (From Melbourne)
    Australia

    3-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Itinerary + Honest Private Tour Review (From Melbourne)

    Traveling to Melbourne, Australia, and want to explore stunning coastal views, mountains, rainforest and wildlife without self-driving? This guide shows you how to enjoy 16 attractions on a relaxed 3-day Great Ocean Road and Grampians itinerary, plus my detailed, honest…

  • Sapa rice terrace trekking photo
    Vietnam

    Vietnam Sapa travel tips: tourist traps to avoid, how to get to Sapa from hanoi & itinerary suggestion

    Planning a trip to Northern Vietnam? If you love nature, mountain views, stunning rice terraces, and want to understand more of Vietnam’s ethnic culture, Sapa is a great destination. The best part? Traveling from Hanoi to Sapa is easier than…

  • Nguyen Van Binh Book Street in Ho Chi Minh City
    Vietnam

    11 aesthetic and cultural things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

    In this article, I will share some of the highlights I think are worth checking out, whether you are interested in Vietnamese history and culture, artistic vibes, or photogenic places, you will find Ho Chi Minh City attractions that suit…

  • Hanoi attraction
    Vietnam

    Hanoi travel guide for first-time visitors: must-try food, attractions, itinerary & currency tips

    Planning a trip to Hanoi and wondering how many days is enough, what are things to do in Hanoi, and what to know before you go? This Hanoi travel guide will share aesthetic, historical, cultural places to go in Hanoi,…

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About Author

solo travel girl

Hello! I’m Samantha, a Taiwanese shorty who unexpectedly took the first solo trip after finishing my summer job in the USA in 2012, and it greatly transformed my life and mindset. Since then, I have explored 21 countries, attained a Master’s degree in the UK, lived in Palau, Shanghai, and Dubai.

I believe that everything starts with an idea and one step. Therefore, I created this blog to share my journey and tips in exploring the world and self-growth. My hope is to connect with like-minded souls & aspiring solo travelers and provide a little help, inspirations for your next adventures.

As I’m crazy about ocean views, rooftop/outdoor bars/cafes, aesthetic vibes, and hidden gems recommended by locals. You’ll easily find information on all of these in my blog.

Let’s explore, grow and heal together! xx

Contact & Work With Me: [email protected]

Instagram

“We keep moving forward, opening up new doors an “We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we are curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” — Walt Disney

.
Doors📍 Al Seef & Al Fahidi Historical District, Dubai, UAE 🇦🇪 

@samanthavoila #doorsandwindows #collageedit #travelreels #spicollective #streetfinder #tdmmag #alfahidihistoricalneighbourhood #art #alseefdubai #collage #bbctravel #collageartwork #dreaminstreets #travelphotography #adventure_culture #doorsoftheworld #doorsandwindowsoftheworld #streetphotography #travelblogger #myvisionprecisely
These places are still VERY WARM!!!😁🔥☀️ These places are still VERY WARM!!!😁🔥☀️ 

For many of us, summer is officially over, which means going to beaches and having a swim may not be the best things to do anymore.

BUT did you know in Dubai, UAE people are actually waiting for autumn & winter to come to be able to enjoy the outdoor activities and beach life? 

It’s not like their summer is cold or something, in fact, it’s way too hot 👉40+ degrees is considered as pretty normal, plus the humidity🫠 makes it really hard to stand outside without AC.

‼️The good thing is people may still get 35+ °C  in autumn 🍂 and 25+ °C in the winter ❄️ there!

So, if you choose to go to the UAE for your winter getaway trip, and want to enjoy beach time, here are a few beach bars/restaurants I liked and would recommend going. 

1️⃣Best beach vibe in the city with Asian food options!!! 👉 @kokobayuae 
2️⃣Most comfortable sunbed: @february30dubai 
3️⃣The most peaceful with clearest water and can snorkel: @turtle_beach_bar 
4️⃣Prettiest and has various food option: @uladxb 
5️⃣Great for seafood: @surfclubdubai
6️⃣Best atmosphere and for wave watching: @kitebeachcenter.uaq (no alcohol)
7️⃣Similar to Kite Beach Centre UAQ but with alcohol: @lumibeachuaq 
.
.

#beach #beachvibes #beachlover #beachbar#beachview #beachvacation #oceanview #oceanlover #oceanvibes #sea #summervibes #summer #bbctravel #whatsondubai #visitdubai #darlingescape #paradisefound #worldofwanderlust #prettylittletrips #igerstaiwan_wanderlust #middleeasttravel #travelreels #worldtourismday
“The EARTH without ART is just EH” 😬😂 S “The EARTH without ART is just EH” 😬😂

So, here are 2 places in Dubai for people who enjoy artistic vibes👉Courtyard & Alserkal Avenue.

Courtyard is small but it’s like a little garden, really cute and has cafe, stores, restaurants & galleries. The best part is, it is so close to Alserkal Avenue where you can find more art galleries, unique vendors, cafes, vintage car store & cinema. 

Loved walking around both places, and getting surprise by what I could encounter. 

📍 @courtyarduae & @alserkalavenue 🧚🏻‍♀️ 

#streetphotography #arts #dubaitourism #courtyard #travelphotography #travelblogger #streetart #aesthetic #dubaitravel #passionpassport #spicollective #dreaminstreets #sheexplores
As someone who’s used to the freedom and ease of As someone who’s used to the freedom and ease of solo traveling or travel with friends that shared the same interest & mindsets &values, 
planning a trip for the whole family to a country I’ve never been is already a big challenge.

Add on everyone’s different fitness levels, mindsets, opinions, and preferences for food and activities… plus the fact that they speak limited English, so all things are on my shoulder😸

And when the goal is to make them enjoy traveling abroad and see a different world more — that’s a whole different level.
But I guess we made it, and with the help from Andrew in the end. 

After a week of being the translator, planner, and guide for my family across Australia, I finally had Andrew from @southeast_touring step in for 3 days and took over.

He tour us through the Grampians National Park and Great Ocean Road, and absolutely nailed it.

His Chinese-speaking skills, professional tour guide experience, patience, humour, easygoing personality and great energy made all the difference.

Huge shoutout to Andrew — we couldn’t have wrapped up this Australia trip so happily without you!

For anyone traveling to Melbourne with family or friends and need a great local-born guide for the Grampians or Great Ocean Road (or places nearby Melbourne), I highly recommend you go with Andrew!

總是習慣一個人旅行或是和同嗜好、想法相近的朋友一起規劃旅行的我,這次規劃一個全家自由行,還是去我完全沒去過的國家,真的是很挑戰。

尤其是我們全家每個人的體力、想法、意見、喜歡吃的、喜歡看的景、做的事都不同.....
再加上他們又不怎麼講英文,所以資訊查詢和問題解決就只能我處理。

又很希望他們能透過喜歡這次旅行,多看一點異國文化、不一樣的世界,看會不會變得跟我一樣愛旅行,所以自己加了更多壓力在身上,於是任務就更加艱難。

不過最終結果應該是還不錯吧!也多虧Andrew最後幾天在格蘭坪國家公園和大洋路的幫忙啊!
前面幾個城市就我一個人當家人的翻譯、旅遊規劃人和假領隊當了8天,最後3天找了墨爾本當地 @southeast_touring 的Andrew帶我們去墨爾本附近的大自然走走。於是重擔就跑到他身上去了嘿嘿~

而且他成功以他的中文能力、豐富導遊經驗、耐心、幽默、超好相處的個性以及正能量招架得妥妥的!

真是超感謝Andrew的存在,澳洲之旅最後以滿滿的驚喜和笑聲收場!幾天下來我爸還跟他在車上唱中文歌&講起幾句英文來了勒,超好笑!

如果你跟家人或一群朋友去墨爾本玩,也想要去大洋路、格蘭坪,我真的是超推他的啦!

📍 Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia 🇦🇺 
澳洲維多利亞州 大洋路

#visitmelbourne #visitgreatoceanroad #greatoceanroadtrip #greatoceanroadaustralia #sonyalpha #sonya7iv
“Gratitude drives happiness. Happiness boosts pr “Gratitude drives happiness. Happiness boosts productivity. Productivity reveals mastery, and mastery inspires the world” - Robin Sharma

This year, I've learned a multitude of new things— skills, personal growth, history, people, places and the power of living in the present. 

However, the most significant lesson has been cultivating gratitude for what I already have and appreciating more for people's unconditional help.

It started from witnessing volunteers and monks passionately contribute their energy, time, skills, and knowledge during a week-long meditation retreat at the Buddhist centre I attended. We were so thankful everyday, and made me feel that I was somehow healed.

And then from observing the not rich at all but genuine, beautiful hearts of Cambodian people, who are content and always smile and calm. It stayed in my mind and warmed my soul.

Lastly, following daily contents from the Middle East, seeing the resilience of people facing challenges, sadness beyond what we can imagine, yet many of them continue to have faith, smile and express gratitude for life's small blessings and help each other …..this hits me hard❤️‍🩹.

Considering all these, what's not to appreciate about what I have❓

💕I am more grateful than ever for the opportunities to see and capture beautiful views of the world. 
💕I am grateful for my health and the health of those whom I love. 
💕I am grateful for the food, home, and freedom I get to have. 
💕I am grateful for every little sign that the universe brings to encourage me to keep doing what I love. 
💕I am grateful for the support, friendship, and love from so many of you, as well as the meaningful, inspiring conversations and quality time spent together.

I shall remember this, and keep being grateful for things while pursuing dreams. 

Hope 2024 will be a peaceful, & abundant year for us & the world 🌍
“Desert safari trip is a must do while being her “Desert safari trip is a must do while being here and you must do it at red dunes”, friends in Dubai said. So, I did🧞‍♂️.

It was a fun whole day trip with @getyourguide. The package for 11:45 am tour including👇

🚘 Dune Bashing
🏜 Sandboarding
🐫 Camel Riding
👩‍🎨 Henna Painting
🌅 Sunset Chasing
💃 Dance Show
🧞‍♂️Shisha 
🍗 BBQ Buffet
🦅 Falcon Experience 
and you can also add extra to try 🏍Quad Biking. 

2 of my favourite activities from the tour are 🐫 camel riding and 🏜 sandboarding. 

The sandboarding was super fun even I fell off😅 and the most unexpected part is experiencing how difficult it is to walk in the desert, especially walking back up after the sandboarding ride.  

Do recommend you to experience this kind of activity once, if you are going to the desert 🏜 for the first time. 

But make sure you drink A LOT of water, even in the winter!!! 💦 🥵 And be prepared it might be funny and a bit like riding the roller coaster when the camel 🐪 stand up and sit down😂

📍 Desert in the UAE 🇦🇪 
🗓 February 2022

#desert #dubaidesertsafari #dubaitourism #dubai 
#getyourguide #dubaidesert #uae #travelreels #travelblogger #travelgram #sandboarding #desertsafaridubai #naturevideos #sheisnotlost #shetravels #aestheticvibes #nature #camelride #dunebashing #middleeasttravel #desertlandscape #visitdubai #arabicculture
“Just wait 10 minutes, it will change, be positi “Just wait 10 minutes, it will change, be positive.”- that rainbow theory by our guide for Grampians. 

When we arrived at Boroka Lookout, a sudden storm hit and blocked what’s supposed to be one of the best views in the Grampians. 

We were so disappointed and thought, “hmm ok, that’s it then, let’s go”

But our guide Andrew said,“Let’s wait in the car for a bit. It shall pass soon.”

So we waited for just 10 minutes, and VOILA!🤩

The rain stopped, the sky opened up.
And slowly, double rainbows 🌈 appeared. 

It became one of our favourite moments from the Grampians & Great Ocean Road trip.
And it reminded me of a few life situations too.

🌈Words for us all- if we are going through a rough time or not getting the ideal result from things you’ve worked hard on? Don’t quit just yet. 

Be patient, stay positive, and keep working toward what you want 🤞 
Keep analysing, keep testing, keep adjusting,
just don’t quit.
The sky will clear again ⛅️ 
And sometimes… you will even get rewarded with a rainbow or two 🌈

📍 Grampians National Park 🇦🇺

#grampians #grampiansnationalpark #borokalookout #visitaustralia #sonyalpha #sonyphotography
If you are also overwhelmed by so many heartbreaki If you are also overwhelmed by so many heartbreaking news & images of what's going on in the world now, here are some calming vibes for you(I tried), from my favourite, peaceful island this year 🌊 

I’ve lost my mood on writing normal lively travel contents, this week is especially tough🥲

If you also feel our normal daily life has become a little weird now, you are not alone. 

If you feel sad, I'm with you.

If you need a soothing music playlist, or good news, or talk, let me know.

If you didn’t care, I hope you do now.

Yes, we all have our concerns, life to live, and problems to solve.

Yet, many people struggle with even being alive now.

And no, it is not far away from us. 

We all live on the same earth 🌏, we are all linked together.

💙💚

📍 Koh Rong Island, Cambodia 🇰🇭 
🗓 October, 2023
🎹🇮🇹 Flying Piano. Can you see that the pi 🎹🇮🇹 Flying Piano. Can you see that the pianist and the piano were actually rising? 
 
Choose this as the last post (finally 🤪)of my Dubai Chapter because in my opinion, even though this is a relatively small show among all the spectacular performances, it is the most beautiful, touching one at the magical mega event @expo2020dubai, the reason I was in Dubai for 11 months. 

Surely I will remember all the performances from around the world, beautiful moments and some super awesome people I’ve met at this Expo 2020 Dubai project. 

Hopefully I will see some of the people and this Flying Piano performance again somewhere in the world 🌍

As they do shows internationally, if you spot it anywhere 🗺, don’t forget to stop and enjoy it!! 🙌 it’s truly beautiful💙

📍 Expo City Dubai, UAE 🇦🇪 
🗓 October 2021 - March 2022, World Expo in Dubai
🎹Pianist: Eleonora Costantini 🇮🇹 

#flyingpiano #culture #expo2020dubai #travelgram #dubai #travelblogger #art #piano #culturetrip #pianoperformance #worldevent #worldexpo #globalstreetart #travelgram #entertainment
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