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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

“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
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
Other than eating loads everyday, these are what w Other than eating loads everyday, these are what we do to celebrate Chinese/Lunar New Year, pretty much every year! 

🧧Pre-festival preparation: Spring cleaning, Write lucky words on Spring couplets & put them up, Decorating house with RED & GOLD colour things, Preparing snacks for guests.

🧧Chinese/Lunar New Year Eve’s: Putting red clothes on, Going home, Checking the best timing for offering sacrifices to ancestors, Having family reunion big meals, Giving & receiving red envelopes (💰🧧😉lucky money inside), staying up and waiting for the New Year Day.

🧧Day 1 of Chinese/Lunar New Year: Setting off firecrackers, watching lion & dragon dance, Going to temple, have more big meals.

🧧Day 2-8 of Chinese/Lunar New Year: Visit family from mum’s side and more, Playing fireworks, Playing games/gambling & Keep eating, eating, eating! 🐷 🐰 

🏮Day 15- the last day of the celebration is the Lantern Festival, which will happen on 5 February this year. Means…… more food & lanterns!🤩

❓Sometimes I think our CNY is just like western’s Christmas, but with totally different details. Don’t you think so?😄

從小到大幾乎每年春節,我們的馬祖家族就是像這樣聚在一起,然後一起吃到兔,我胖了啦!你也胖了嗎?
假期結束了,但還是要祝大家兔年大吉,錢兔似錦!等元宵再繼續吃吧!

📸 📍 Matsu Islands 🦁 & Taipei, Taiwan 🇹🇼

#chinesenewyear #chinesenewyearcelebration #lunarnewyear #新年 #馬祖 #馬祖南竿 #gotomatsu #taiwantravel #taiwanculture #culture #culturetrip #asianculture #festivemood #travelblogger #street #travelreels #travelguide #worldcaptures #bbctravel #matsutravel #stayandwander #streets_storytelling
Hundred of wishes lighting up the night sky 🏮✨
This is the annual Sky Lantern Festival in Taiwan.

Pingxi is famous for its sky lantern. 
You can actually visit any day of the year to write your wishes on a lantern and release it.

But if you want to witness a magical moment like this, when over a hundred lanterns rise into the sky together, you will need to go during the festival which held around the Lantern Festival 元宵節each year (date changes every year).

It was my first time seeing it in person.
Honestly, I came partly because I’ve been watching a little too much news lately and needed something hopeful to look at. And this place really is full of hope. 

Besides the usual wishes for health and prosperity, I noticed many international visitors wrote the same wish: “world peace” this year.

It’s certainly a wish that we all need, and somehow it’s emotional seeing many people do care about the world and others far away.

At the same time, it also feels insane that world peace has became ordinary people’s regular wishes and prayers, while wars are often caused by world leaders.

Still, wishing the world peace. No more war 🧚🏻‍♀️
And for world leaders to become wiser & to care more about people than about their power, ego, profit and entertainment. 🙏🍀🙌

每次看到台灣明信片上的平溪天燈齊放奇景,
都想著哪一年我要去看,但沒有一年有真的特地去一趟。

今年不知哪裡來的勁,可能是看了太多世界負面新聞,覺得很需要看到一些希望和美麗的景吧。
元宵節當天忙完,抓了相機就出發,來回花了五小時
站著淋雨也淋了兩個小時,終於看到也拍到這感動的瞬間!

一百多盞天燈同時升起那刻,像是希望佈滿了整片夜空,很驚艷感人啊,比起中東戰火滿天,我們真的是很幸運欸目前!

可能是多數人都感受到全球的動盪,
願望部分,看到除了大家最常寫的身體健康和發財以外,
今年很多盞天燈上面都寫著「世界和平」,根本超級需要!
看到還是有很多人為世界祝福,以及關心世界上的人,就覺得莫名的很感動哈!

雖然不懂為何世界和平居然變成普通百姓需要常常來祈求的事,而各種戰爭紛亂卻都由世界領導挑起。
但還是要祈求,世界趕快和平啊,不要再有戰爭了!
祈求世界領導都很有智慧、關心人民多過於自己的權力、自我、利益和娛樂。

📸 📍 Shifen Square, Pingxi, New Taipei City, Taiwan
新北市平溪十分廣場
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
“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
When enjoy a cocktail while dining wasn’t as eas When enjoy a cocktail while dining wasn’t as easy as in other countries I’ve been to, finding places that have licenses to sell alcohol became like a treasure hunt 🧞‍♂️

Other than hotel bar/ hotel owned beach bars, Pier 7 in Dubai Marina was one of our favourite places to enjoy dining & have a bit of cocktails 🍹. 

At Pier 7, there are 7 restaurants that provide alcohol, each of them is with different vibe & food. And 💫 Mama Zonia was one of my favourite because of their🦜🌿 jungle vibe/interior design and amazing & diverse food options!! All the food and drinks we tried was perfect, honestly! And that’s why this is the place many of us kept going back while we were there. 

Highly recommend it if you visit Dubai Marina and are looking for fusion food, great cocktail & jungle vibe.   

For the atmosphere you may need to check their account @mamazoniadxb for it, I forgot to capture it 😅

📍 Mama Zonia, Pier 7, Dubai Marina, UAE 🇦🇪 

#dubaicocktails #dubai #dubairestaurants #uniquebar #uniquerestaurant #mamazonia 
#fusionfood #foodietravel #travelphotography #food #alcohol #travelblogger #pier7dubai #expatblogger #dubaitourism #passionpassport #dubaibars #travelguide #exploredubai #worldtraveler
A gentle reminder: The storm is temporary. Keep go A gentle reminder:
The storm is temporary.
Keep going, 
don’t give up
Your rainbow 🌈 
will 
appear

溫馨提醒你:
暴風雨終會過去
繼續前行
不要放棄
屬於你的彩虹 🌈
自會
出現

📸 📍 Boroka Lookout, Grampians National Park, Australia 🇦🇺 
澳洲格蘭坪國家公園 Boroka觀景台

#grampians #grampiansnationalpark #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne #australiatravel
🎶 What if I run away to Mars … by taking the 🎶 What if I run away to Mars … by taking the scariest roller coaster🎢 in the world (for me😅).

As this is almost the last post about Dubai/UAE. I’d say, this attraction is the HIGHLIGHT of all places I ticked ✅ in the country.

And since winter ❄️ is the best time to do it, I highly recommend this if you ever going to this country for your winter vacation 🔥 

❓Would you try this?

P.S. I made a reels with more informations about it a while ago, but…I accidentally removed it from the grid 😑 if you need, you can still find it on my Reels section 🥹. 

📍 Jais Sledder, Jebel Jais, Ras Al khaimah, UAE 🇦🇪 

.
#jaissledder #rollercoaster #uae #rasalkhaimahuae #rasalkhaimah #dubaiinstagram #worldplaces #travelgram #visitrasalkhaimah #travelreels #nature  #adventure #worldcaptures #cntraveler #travelinspiration #mountain #uaelife #dubaitravel #travelbloggers #femmetravel #wintervacation #wintertravel
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