In celebration of Worldwide Ladies’s Day right now, we shine a lightweight on the journeys of two adventurous Malaysian solo feminine travellers.
For Kng Pei Han, 30, incorporating journey and outside actions into her solo holidays is a should. Since she began travelling on her personal a few decade in the past, Kng has visited greater than 45 nations around the globe, and plans to do extra.
Certainly one of her wildest endeavours was a “budget-friendly” expedition to Machu Picchu in Peru. This included taking a van to the favored hydroelectric energy plant, Hidroelectrica, trekking 11km to Aguas Calientes, after which climbing up the historic Incan landmark.
Kng has travelled to over 45 nations around the globe and visited many well-known landmarks, just like the Rainbow Mountainin Peru. — KNG PEI HAN
She additionally conquered the Rainbow Mountain whereas in Peru, which proved to be a demanding trek. The mountain’s altitude of 5,200m above sea stage made the journey “torturous”.
“Each step felt like a battle,” she stated.
To make issues worse, Kng was struck by altitude illness midway by means of the trek. “There have been moments I genuinely thought I wouldn’t make it, however in some way, I pushed by means of.”
On high of her three-month journey in South America, Kng has additionally gone on a month-long journey that lined 5 nations in South-East Asia.
Nonetheless, for many who want to embark on their very own solo journey, she recommends “beginning small”, selecting locations which are simple to navigate. She says that this may help construct your confidence in exploring unfamiliar areas at your individual tempo, whereas minimising the possibilities of getting misplaced.
Kng additionally advises new solo travellers to do their very own analysis on the meant locations earlier than their journey. For instance, when she deliberate her approach by means of the Colombian capital, Bogota, Kng made certain that she researched the realm totally.
“I took obligatory precautions earlier than going forward with my plans,” she stated in an interview, including that travellers must also pay attention to the native customs.
Kng additionally runs extremely marathons.
Self-discovery and her want to discover the world on her personal phrases had been what impressed her to journey solo.
Whether or not it’s scaling a rugged mountain path or wandering the streets of a brand new metropolis, for her, journey is about “embracing the unknown” – with an open coronary heart and an keen thoughts – and breaking free from the acquainted.
“It has formed my method to challenges, each personally and professionally,” she stated.
What made Kng’s journey of exploration much more thrilling was the individuals she met alongside the best way.
“A robust assist community can tremendously empower ladies who wish to ‘chase’ their adventures,” she shared, including that one mustn’t underestimate the ability of connecting with solo travellers on social media, as “… they usually share their experiences and helpful journey ideas that may enrich your individual adventures.”
To make her travels extra fascinating nowadays, Kng has additionally began to incorporate operating into her itinerary, and even joined marathons, a few of which happened abroad. Her newest marathon happened in Sekinchan, Selangor, the place she accomplished her very first extremely marathon, masking 100km.
In response to her, the race was nothing wanting gruelling, pushing her limits for practically 13 hours. “This was my first time operating for such an extended distance,” she shared.
She joined the extremely marathon to show to herself that she will shatter each bodily and psychological obstacles. This has additionally fuelled her ardour for solo adventuring much more.
“Operating helped me clear my thoughts, to remain disciplined,” she stated, including that operating marathons is now considered one of her favorite methods to find new locations.
Amongst different races that she participated in had been the 2023 Taipei Marathon, 2024 Bali Marathon, and Sydney Marathon.
There are various good spots in New Zealand for climbing, in response to Zahirah. — Pictures: ZAHIRAH YASMIN
Journey-filled life
Avid hiker Zahirah Yasmin, 27, fell in love with nature at a younger age and has since climbed numerous mountains and camped in lots of components of the world.
She usually embarks on her mountainous pursuits alone, preferring multi-day hikes. As an illustration, Zahirah has scaled Mount Rinjani, the second highest energetic volcano in Indonesia, the place she spent three nights sleeping within the forest.
Different highlands Zahirah explored had been in India’s Kashmir, the well-known Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal, and Fiordland in New Zealand, the place she studied. It was additionally throughout this time that Zahirah started her solo adventures, particularly within the wild.
“Mountain climbing is an effective exercise for college students on a finances,” stated Zahirah, who funded her travels by taking up part-time jobs on weekends again then.
Mountain climbing solo means it’s a must to arrange your individual tent and prepare dinner your individual meals, Zahirah says.
Certainly one of her favorite climbing spots is in New Zealand – Milford Sound within the Fiordland Nationwide Park.
“I pitched my very own tent, cooked my very own meals, all whereas accompanied by the peaceable environment,” she stated, including that she has hiked there on a number of events.
The gorgeous mountainscape in addition to the varied assortment of natural world make the journey all of the extra rewarding.
“You’ll not encounter animal predators or venomous creatures in New Zealand, as a substitute the true hazard lies within the climate: It may well shift dramatically from a sunny day to gnarly winds and freezing temperatures.”
Zahirah advises travellers to test the climate situations of the place they’re planning to go to, in order that they will pack the appropriate garments and kit. For instance, in a spot just like the Fiordland, Zahirah stated that one would want to convey a private locator beacon, a tool used to alert search and rescue groups of your whereabouts, in case you get misplaced.
Solo travelling goes past merely exploring a vacation spot – it gives nice studying alternatives too. “I’ve gained numerous essential classes, and extra considerably, I’ve discovered to take care of a constructive outlook on my environment.
“It doesn’t matter how others understand me, what actually counts is how I see myself and the love I’ve for who I’m,” she proudly stated.
Optimistic outlook
Zahirah’s mother and father had been initially sceptical about her life-style, as she travels at the very least as soon as each few months. Nonetheless, regardless of their issues, they’ve all the time inspired her to pursue her desires.
As for Kng, she stated that her mom has been actually supportive of her choices. “She travelled extensively in her youthful days however was later restricted by conventional expectations after turning into a mum or dad. Therefore, she all the time encourages me to chase what I like,” she defined.
Nonetheless, Kng nonetheless has to take care of detractors who criticise her for her frequent travels and for happening these journeys alone. “A few of my kin who’re fairly conservative consider I ought to focus extra on household,” Kng revealed.
The widespread false impression about ladies travelling on their very own is that it poses too nice a hazard. Kng stated, “This mindset is usually held by the older era. … I consider in difficult this misbelief by displaying by means of my experiences that ladies are simply as able to exploring the world solo.”
After all, one must all the time be cautious of 1’s environment when travelling by yourself, and taking all obligatory precautions is essential.
“I’ve been questioned about security and independence. Whereas the dangers exist, similar to in some other scenario, taking the appropriate precautions could make solo journey very secure.
“Regardless the place you might be, you will need to all the time be vigilant. If one thing feels amiss, don’t hesitate to belief your instincts and get out of the scenario as rapidly as you’ll be able to,” Kng suggested.
She emphasised the significance of getting a listing of emergency contacts who’re simply accessible, and to all the time let individuals you belief know the place you might be. Whether or not you’ll want to attain out to a cherished one or alert native authorities, being ready can present a peace of thoughts.
Having heard different travellers’ distressing experiences, Zahirah advises different ladies to behave decisively when confronted with worrying conditions. As an illustration, instantly search assist from the general public or native authorities.
Zahirah in Sri Lanka. — ZAHIRAH YASMIN
“Be assertive and if potential, transfer to a safer space. Relying on the gravity of the scenario, contemplate submitting a police report.
“Your security ought to all the time comes first. Share your location with pals or household in order that they know the place you might be,” Zahirah emphasised.
Utilizing dependable transportation like verified experience share companies or female-driver choices can even enhance security, Kng stated.
In the case of lodging, she recommends selecting locations with extra good evaluations than unhealthy ones, “ideally in central areas”.
At all times plan forward and organise your itinerary, Kng defined. Doing so shouldn’t be solely very important for a rewarding (and secure) journey expertise however it will possibly additionally assist stretch your finances. On the similar time, have a backup plan as a safeguard in opposition to unexpected issues. Carry a spare bank card for emergencies, for instance, so that you don’t must depend on strangers.
Solo journey might not be for everybody, however it does depart one with lasting reminiscences. Time to set out by yourself solo journey.
