Here is how I started my Solo Travel

With only few hours in hand during my stopover in Malaysia last year, either I could wait at the airport for my next flight or I could venture out to check Kuala Lumpur before my plan takes off. But again going out alone in new country was something I detested and till some time back I always needed a company to move around. Whilst contemplating on should I or should I not, I got close to immigration counter where my passport was stamped for visa. Moving out from the que, I looked at the time which was lapsing quickly. If I do not take this chance, no wonder I may not get it again so easily. I looked at myself in the mirror across the bathroom wall and thought to my self, ‘I’m not such a bad company after all’. If I cant enjoy myself to begin with, how can others’.

I came out and took this leap of faith to explore the home of towering structures, flea markets, religious architectures and sprawling gardens all by myself.

I quickly deposited my luggage in the cloak room and rushed towards the train station and reached KL Sentral which is the main hub. Not wasting anytime, I hopped on to tour bus as this was the fasted and the safest way to cover major locations in a day without getting lost.

Now that I was on the bus, turning back was a stupid thing to do. Earlier, I couldn’t help but wonder how traveling solo would be? This was my chance to explore it right away and I was enjoying every moment of it already. It gave me a unique sense of freedom which one can never experience in someone else’s company. Chatting with strangers on the bus, knowing the history of the new country, random pictures, food and no one to judge you are some of the benefits of traveling solo.

The bus passed through all 23 attractions on the list and you can hop off any time and hop on the next bust if want to stay longer at any one place. Do not leave your belongings in the bus. you might not be able to catch the same bus again.

Must see attractions include Petronas Tower, KL Tower, Little India, Bird Sanctuary, National Palace, Central Town and several other monuments scattered around the route. I’m not much of an animal lover and therefore I skipped going inside the Aquaria, but you can definitely enjoy taking the submerged cage to get close to the tiger sharks and stingrays.

If shopping is your thing, then Kuala Lumpur is your city. I got down at Pavilion Shopping Centre and enjoyed window shopping in a row of luxury brands that I assume suits everyone’s taste. The mall is one the most beautiful and postcard perfect by all means. I found the city quite safe for solo travelers and also people of many nationalities around me.

My personal choice was to explore the China Town and also to try on some Malaysian cuisine to curb my hunger. China Town is vibrant and busy at any time of the day. Though night stroll is better that sunny afternoon. You can get cheap bargains on clothes and fantastic deals in all shops over there.

In the evening, to feel the pulse of the city, I took a metro back to the Sentral to catch my onward bus to the airport.

Since the airport is on the outskirts, keeping a buffer to reach back in time is safe for your flight. It may take around 1.5 hours by bus. IF you want to get there early, take the train which is bit costlier but faster.

This was just a starting point for me as a single female traveler. The journey has just begun…