The Solo Traveler Blog

Travel Alone but Not Lonely – the pictures

Published February 8, 2011 | By solotraveler
Screen shot 2011 02 06 at 9.13.00 PM Travel Alone but Not Lonely the pictures

Maude-Ann (husband Ian in next pic) from Shrewsbury, England. Here we're going ashore to visit the small village of Puerto Eden.

This was one of the easiest trips I’ve ever taken to travel alone but not lonely.

Heading down to Patagonia to hike the famous Torres del Paine park, I took the Navimag ferry. It slowed the pace of traveling from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales from 3 hours (by plane) to 4 days, serving up landscape to make you swoon while providing a rich social opportunity.

Over the course of the four days, (it was a bit longer than usual due to the fact that we crashed on an island – another story – exciting but with a happy ending) it appeared to me that every solo traveler who wanted a hiking partner for Torres del Paine found one.

Here are just a few of the fabulous people I met along the way with a snippet of their stories.

Screen shot 2011 02 06 at 9.24.13 PM Travel Alone but Not Lonely the pictures

Ian enjoying a whiskey with ice from a glacier. (Pics of glacier at a later date.)

Screen shot 2011 02 07 at 8.00.06 AM Travel Alone but Not Lonely the pictures

Girls from Montreal. Marie-Claude (on left) joined her friend Emilie for a month of Emilie's 3 month solo trip.

Screen shot 2011 02 06 at 9.07.48 PM Travel Alone but Not Lonely the pictures

Me with Claude and Noemie, two solo traveling companions, both from France. Three amigos. Three generations.

Screen shot 2011 02 07 at 8.36.04 AM Travel Alone but Not Lonely the pictures

Two more Solo travelers from Gigi from Quebec and Fernando from Spain (L - R).

Screen shot 2011 02 07 at 8.55.24 AM Travel Alone but Not Lonely the pictures

Four more solo travelers from Hui, Singapore; Johannas, Germany; Hilde, Austria; and Tanja, Germany (clockwise from top left).

Screen shot 2011 02 07 at 8.07.33 AM Travel Alone but Not Lonely the pictures

Noemie and I decided to hike the park and camp together. Claude drove us in.

Screen shot 2011 02 07 at 8.11.10 AM Travel Alone but Not Lonely the pictures

We met Maude-Ann and Ian in the park. She made us tea and toast. Fantastic after mostly nuts and dried fruit.

Screen shot 2011 02 07 at 8.14.12 AM Travel Alone but Not Lonely the pictures

Joe from Chicago was hiking the full curcuit of Torres del Paine on a limited budget. Porridge 6 days in a row. 3 more to go.

Screen shot 2011 02 07 at 8.18.43 AM Travel Alone but Not Lonely the pictures

This was classic. Waiting for a bus, solo traveler Steve from Seattle brewed up a cup of Starbucks coffee for me on his camp stove.

Screen shot 2011 02 07 at 8.42.14 AM Travel Alone but Not Lonely the pictures

I shared the prize, the Towers of Torres del Paine, with Noemie, my fellow solo traveler.

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Posted in Solo travel stories
  • solotraveler

    I’m glad you’ve discovered a few of the benefits of solo travel. As you do more of it you’ll find even more. I find that I especially appreciate it when I’m traveling with others.

  • http://breakfastatkarens.com Karen

    I’m so glad that I stumbled upon your website. A couple of years ago, I intentionally took a solo 3 day trip to Miami and I loved it. In May, I plan to solo travel to Charleston, SC. It finally sank in a few weeks ago that if I want to go somewhere I might as well just go. Many of my friends are consumed with child rearing and husbands when not meeting work obligations. They may not be available for another 10+ years! Thanks for your inspiration! Happy trails to you. :)

  • leelaurino

    i just remembered this is Journey woman. have not had any success with this but shall try again.

  • leelaurino

    thanks for the tip! shall try this.

    just saw they are having a big solo presentation in NYC this month with Gusty Woman. Not enough time to plan a trip north, perhaps next time.

    continue to have fun in SA

  • solotraveler

    Lee, check out hermail.net (don’t go to hermail.com) to see if you can get some assistance in China – it’s not quite rent a friend but may help.

  • Ffion

    Looks like you’re having fun, my friend – good on you!

  • leelaurino

    just saw a list of companies for solo travelers and saw globetrooper…interesting.

    have seen rent a friend before but they NEVER have someone in the places i need.
    ie: morroco. ONLY women alone to get off the bus, ONLY woman on the street, just got back on the bus….
    but need a rent a friend in china,….

  • solotraveler

    Wow. That sounds like a fantastic and challenging trip.

    Yes, I’ll give some thought to how to manage a tour. It’s a big undertaking and I’d probably work with a partner. Lots to consider.

    Best,
    j

  • Desiree

    Traveling solo shows our degree of independence. It’s fun traveling solo because you are able to know more about yourself.

  • lee

    you might get too many participants. just heard that the travel group that takes solos on ‘adventures’ was FULL for nepal!

    send out a question to your solo members and ask where they have wanted to go but dont feel they can go alone.

    S. America was one of my places but i am now working on a “project” to do on my trip to China: something to focus on besides tourist sites. will research chinese painting, cooking class and just found a list of volunteer groups for short periods. REALLY want to take the fast train to Lassa (sp) but even tho i can do this on my own, it is too difficult if i get sick or hurt. the language difference is prohibitive. still looking into a tour guide.

  • solotraveler

    Now that’s an interesting idea. It’s possible. Would need enough participants. What destination?

  • leelaurino

    there are MANY SOLO TRAVELERS who think as as free spirits and find it difficult to go outside the box. i am considered crazy to take cross ocean ships or travel in “tourist countries”

    just have to work on going beyond the norm…….. perhaps you can organize a trip for scared solos

  • http://spinsterscompass.wordpress.com Spinster

    Wow, this is great. As a solo introverted expatriate, this gives me a smidgen of courage for my near-future trips. Just a smidgen though….. Not that bold, sorry. :-|

    Nice pictures and so nice to live vicariously through you (for now). :-)

  • lee

    there have been books written about it for business encounters, why not for social?

    helps when the trip is “non threatening”

    what i mean is the others dont think you are out looking for a hook up

  • solotraveler

    Yes. I think if I could bottle the ability to meet people when traveling I’d make a fortune.

  • lee

    wow, and wow.
    i am coming to toronto when you return to learn how to meet people on a solo trip

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