solo travel : exploring the world and discovering self

Solo Female Travel

It’s been a while since I last wrote, and I owe an apology—both to my readers and to myself.

The Joy of Solo Traveling

As most of you know by now, I’m an avid and enthusiastic traveler (as my daughters believe), and I take my travels seriously. I believe that traveling helps me grow. It’s incredible to visit new lands, discover new cultures, explore diverse environments, and, most importantly, meet new people. These experiences enrich not only your understanding of the world but also of yourself. More often than not, as you explore the world, you end up exploring yourself too. That’s the real essence of Solo Travel—the journey within.

Journeys Within

My travels to distant, fascinating places have always been journeys within, as they are for most of us. I’ve always traveled with some company—company I truly enjoy. Most of the time, it’s my better half, who is my frequent travel companion. We share a common interest in visiting natural, spiritual, historical, cultural, old, and new places. He is my permanent travel buddy. Many times, I travel with my family, and at other times, extended family joins in—my siblings and their families. I’ve trekked with complete strangers as companions and gone on study tours to interesting parts of India with students and colleagues. It’s amazing to spend time with your companions in an unfamiliar place.

The Transformative Power of Travel

When people travel, they often shed their usual identities. Without the weight of that baggage, they become more themselves, often for the better. Traveling allows you to get to know the people you’re with on a deeper level. It becomes a study of human nature. This is especially true because people behave and respond differently when they are away from the familiar. Each journey I’ve taken has been memorable, thanks both to the places I’ve visited and the people I’ve traveled with. Shared moments and time spent with my spouse, family, siblings, cousins, students, colleagues, friends, and even strangers have created cherished memories.

A Question of Solitude

One thing is for sure: I love traveling with others, especially with my husband. But a lingering question remained—do I enjoy my own company? Am I comfortable being by myself? Can I find joy in solitude? These are thoughts I had been pondering for quite a few years, especially as I kept hearing about people solo female traveling and admired their courage in embracing that solitude. As I approached 50, I realized it was the right time to discover if I truly enjoy solo traveling, something I had always wanted to try.

As I’ve mentioned before, growing older often leaves us feeling younger. We gain more clarity on what we want to do, and there is an amazing realization that there is so much you can still do and enjoy in life. I knew I wanted to solo travel as I hit 50. Not because I lacked company, but because I wanted to be with myself and discover for myself if I enjoy my own company

A New Adventure

So, I began searching for solo travel destinations for women in India, and my long-held interest led me to Pondicherry and Auroville.

For the first time, I traveled alone, stayed alone, and planned my day on my own, giving good company to myself. I discovered the places at my pace, revisiting the same spots if I felt like it, or skipping them entirely if I didn’t. I dined in bustling restaurants, sitting all alone, enjoying the meals. I sat on a beach, enjoying the breeze and the sound of the ocean. I walked along both busy and deserted paths, discovering the beauty and charm of the place. At times, I got lost, searching for the right way to reach my destination.

Discovering Self 

It was delightful and immersive, as I explored the meditative environs of Matrimandir at Auroville on my own. Along the way, I met some fascinating people both at my stay and at places I visited, and had some deep and engaging conversations with them. I read, listened to music, ate, and relaxed—all with myself as company. I ended my trip with a four-day Inner Engineering course on meditation at the Isha Foundation in Coimbatore, which further deepened my journey within.

As it turns out, I found that I do enjoy my own company, and I would love to repeat the experience solo traveling. As I watched the sunrise from my balcony facing the sea and sat on the beach witnessing the sun rise over the water, I realized that being alone doesn’t mean being lonely. The whole travel experience was as therapeutic as it was liberating, offering me the chance to process my thoughts, rediscover my likes and longings, and re-energize myself for the friendly, amazing, and chaotic world that I live in.

About Solitude

In the end, this solo female traveling not only gave me the freedom to explore new places but also allowed me the space to reflect, unwind, and truly be with myself. It reinforced the idea that sometimes, stepping away from the familiar and embracing solitude can be as rewarding as traveling with loved ones.

This experience has deepened my appreciation for both the world outside and the world within. As I continue to travel—whether sole traveling or with my favorite companions—I know now that the greatest discoveries are often those we make about ourselves.