*Note: This post is a little out of order as I still have a ton to post about Indonesia, but it’s in the moment on day 301 of my travels and made sense to share with you today, as I’m living it.
As I watch the sun set on the final day of my travels I can’t help but smile to myself. I’m coming into the last day of my trip the same way I came into the first day and approached my travels from the beginning: solo.
From the 7th floor of a hotel in Surabaya, Java, I look out on rooftops, listen to the mosque as it announces sundown (time to eat! It’s Ramadan!), and reflect on my decision to take off on this open-ended trip almost exactly ten months ago.
It feels like so long ago now that I was searching for flights and hotels online and trying to fight the fear of the unknown. So much has changed.
I could have never expected the things that happened this year to take my life in the trajectory it has taken and had no idea it would all lead me to where I am now.
It all started in Siem Reap when I met an amazing group of fellow solo travelers at my hostel and spent the rest of my time in that amazing town biking around Angkor Wat with them and realizing that yes, solo travel is actually an extremely social way to travel, after all.
Maybe it wouldn’t be so hard; maybe I wouldn’t be alone much after all.
I fell so hard in love with Cambodia that by the time I left, my heart hurt and I knew I had left a piece of myself behind there, with the smiling children who chased after me laughing and yelling ‘hello!’
Laos taught me that I could jump on a (scary, scary) motorbike and have an adventure. The natural beauty astounded me and I still tell people it’s my favorite country I’ve visited so far.
Thailand brought a new set of life changes that I never in a million years thought would come. I got my first tattoo, and I let a monk pick it out! Even crazier, I actually cancelled my booking for the full moon party on New Year’s Eve and spent it in silence sitting at a Buddhist wat, meditating.
Thailand was where I spent the longest stretch of time (3 months) and came to realize that my style of travel is truly off-the-beaten path experiences. Ever since then, I’ve committed to that approach in almost every place I’ve visited and each experience I’ve sought.
Australia taught me about finding love and losing it, only to fall in love with travel again. Everything happens for a reason and I see that now.
Malaysia brought me back to the roots of travel – hanging out with locals and experiencing previously unimaginable hospitality. I’m so glad I didn’t listen to anyone who said Malaysia wasn’t worth spending time in. They were simply wrong.
Indonesia has proved to be the most challenging yet most rewarding country yet to traverse solo. More on that to come, but it pushed me to truly take off-the-beaten path to a new level.
It all began with a half-baked dream, a whole lot of self doubt, and a healthy dose of fear (I mean c’mon hardly any Americans travel long term like this, much less as solo females).
The most surprising about all of this is that I’m still scared. I’m scared every day. Each time someone asks, “what will you do when you’re done traveling?” I shudder a little bit. That is the one question that, from the beginning, I never had an answer to.
“It will come to me on the road,” I always said.
As I close this chapter of life, wandering, hundreds of hellos and and an equally high number of goodbyes, new friends, new beginnings, hundreds of brilliant sunsets and awe-inspiring sunrises, hours of laughter, times of frustration, jar after jar of tiger balm to soothe the mosquito bites, mental calculations of baht, dong, rupiah, kip, riel, and ringgit, countless random acts of kindness and thousands of smiles, my heart feels heavy with nostalgia, warmth for the good times, a little bit of pain, a little bit of fear, and even more anxious anticipation of what’s to come.
The only thing that is clear to me right now is that my wandering isn’t finished. It can’t be. I’m not ready.
I’ve missed everyone from California, and it’s still home, so when I say this please don’t get me wrong:
I’m coming home, but I have a plan.
I won’t be staying for long.
Jason says
I’ve been following your blog since day 1 and I can hardly believe it’s been 10 months already! Your blog posts always give a nice touch of reality that’s so often looked over by travel writers and bloggers. You’ve inspired me to, despite my immense fears, soon go on my own travels.
I look forward to seeing what your plans are after your return to California. I hope you’ll always keep your blog updated with your adventures!
Kristin says
Jason,
Wow, that’s incredibly kind and I’m so glad that you commented. Good for you deciding to embark on your own trip! It will be amazing. I’ve got a packed summer and some loose plans abroad again following California, so don’t worry, this show will go on!
Dorian says
Kristin,
I’m so happy that after years of you telling me of your future plans to travel, you came through and really did it full on! This trip has come to an end but the way I see it, it’s only just the beginning. Time is flying and before you know it you’ll be out of Cali and on a plane to somewhere with a smile on your face and so much pent up energy for all the promising adventures waiting for you.
Kristin says
Dor, your comment made me smile 🙂
I still remember you saying to me “you’ll never get out of that office, you love it too much,” and I told you I’d prove you wrong! Your travel emails were always an inspiration. Hope I see you when I’m home or somewhere on the road.
Owen says
Kristin,
This is a very wise and very honest post, thank you for sharing it. Even though you say that you’re still scared, it sounds to me like the sort of being scared the artist Georgia O’Keefe spoke of when she said, “I’ve been afraid every single day of my life, but I’ve gone ahead and done it anyway.” I hope that it is just the end of the beginning of your travels and that you’ll be on the road again as soon as you’d like to be.
Kristin says
Thanks, Owen. That’s a wonderful quote said by a woman I admire.
Amanda @ Adventure Year says
Beautiful pictures and beautiful words for this post. I’m hoping to jet off on a journey similar to yours when I graduate, and it’s always really inspiring to see posts just like this one. I’m glad you’re making a stop home to see the people/things you missed, but I’m even gladder to see that you aren’t done! 🙂
Kristin says
Definitely do it, Amanda! If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that travel was the right decision all along.
Kate Convissor says
Yup. Scared every time I start on a new trip. Always wonder if I’ll really do it. But wanting to travel so badly always trumps fear.
Heading to Mexico for a bunch of months soon. What’s your next adventure?
–fellow solo woman on the road
Kristin says
Mexico sounds awesome. Always good to connect with a fellow solo female traveler!
Jenny says
Congratulations on your trip, Kristin. Also, I hope your time at home goes well for you. (I always feel terribly out of place when I return the US). Until the next adventure…
Kristin says
I am a little scared of feeling out of place while I’m home. I remember the reverse culture shock was pretty huge last time i returned from an extended stay in Asia. This time, I’m thinking I’ll be a little better prepared since I know and remember how it felt last time.
Phoebe (Short Road To Happy) says
Really nice article – refreshing read especially as we have left the expat life in Beijing to embark on a RTW motorbike trip. This post sparked that excitement for our upcoming adventure! You said – you have a plan – well, we can’t wait to watch it unravel! Congratulations and looking forward to more fun experiences.
Kristin says
That sounds like quite an adventure! Enjoy!
OCDemon says
It’s unfortunate how ridiculously huge the world is, and how few experiences can be had in the brief time we have to see it. But then again, it’s pretty amazing how many experiences people can have in just a short time that are more valuable than a decade of routine. So keep on exploring.
Kristin says
It’s both fortunate and unfortunate that it’s a big world, but that is definitely something I realized this year. It’s huge and takes a long time to explore fully, and I like to move slowly.
Rika | Cubicle Throwdown says
You’ve done so much in 10 months!! So awesome. Can’t wait to hear about what’s in store for you next.
Kristin says
Thanks Rika. Exciting things, if all goes to plan!
Evan says
Indonesia looks so fun! May I ask how much money you needed to save to travel for 10 months? Maybe you could write a post on it?!
Kristin says
Evan,
I’ll definitely be writing a post on what I personally spent, plus another one on what someone could expect to spend in 6 months in Southeast Asia. The short answer for now is over-save, because everyone I met seemed to spend more than they bargained for. Should be up in the next month or so once I finish off the Indonesia blogs 🙂
Evan says
Were you away for Christmas? How was it to be away from family and friends?
Kristin says
Yes, I haven’t been home for ten months. I didn’t actually celebrate Christmas at all this year. I was on a remote beach in Koh Phagnan called Bottle Beach – no wifi, no electricity, no Xmas decorations. It took someone saying, “oh yeah, Merry Christmas!” for any of us to even take notice. It was kind of nice to get away from the consumerism, to be honest. I still mailed a box of cool things home to my family and we skyped as well once I got back to civilization.
Keenan says
What just happened? Is your trip ending because your going home or because you say so? Best of luck.
Kristin says
I’m not done traveling, I’m just finishing up this chapter. I’ll be back on the road again in two month’s time.
Sam F. says
One chapter in life to the next!
Molly says
What a lovely post, I have been following your journey all year and I am so excited to see what’s in store for you next! I begin my travels in 8 weeks and have loved all of your stories, totally inspired! Thank you!! Have a safe journey back to California x
Kristin says
Molly,
That’s so exciting to hear and completely warms my heart. Thanks so much for your readership and for commenting 🙂
Your trip is going to be amazing! Happy travels.
Toni says
I haven’t even left for my indefinite trip yet and I’m already freaking out when people ask that question!
I think the difference between us and people that don’t travel is that yes, we’re scared (often daily) but we continue to push through anyway 🙂
Here’s to at least another 10 months of travels hun!
Kristin says
That’s so true. The reality is, nobody really knows what he/she’s doing and maybe there’s not enough risk involved if the path is certain.
Alana - Paper Planes says
The question of what you’ll do next is the worst!! :/
Congrats on 10 months!
Kristin says
I just keep saying I don’t know. Because…well…I don’t!
Lilian says
I’ve reading this blog since the beginning of your journey and it has been an amazing journey. You’ve given me so much inspiration for when I eventually visit South East Asia. I can’t wait to read about the next chapter, whatever that may be 🙂
Kristin says
That’s so wonderful 🙂 Thank you so much for your comment. Made my day!
Rob says
You have earned it!!
Congrats on a huge accomplishment and looking forward to your future adventures. Don’t let being home get ya down and congrats again on “the trip of a lifetime.”
Kristin says
Thanks Rob 🙂
Ryan says
What an amazing journey it’s been Kristin, and a freakin’ blast following along with your adventures! As always, I don’t think this is an end…because when one door closes, another opens. And I’m sure after this trip you’ll have the courage to go on another path that isn’t all that clear, but potentially amazing. I’m so so so stoked for SE Asia after following your blog 🙂
Kristin says
It’s not the end, it’s just the closing of a chapter so that I can begin another. It was an amazing introduction to the nomadic lifestyle, though. You’re going to have such a blast in Southeast Asia.
Simmy says
Great post! I’ve been following your blog for quite some time now and you’re truly an inspiration 🙂 I look forward to starting my own journey in January!
Kristin says
Thank you so much for your kind words, Simmy. Congrats on your upcoming trip! Let me know if I can help with answering any questions you might have before getting ready to take off!
Sumit Mathur says
Hi Kristin,
I just now stumbled upon your post on linked in (on your most dreaded question…) and was immediately attracted to read it.
You happen to be the first person I’ve come across who seems like a true travel addict. Thats the term I use to define myself, though I’m still some steps behind – I’ve been contemplating for years, what you’ve done already… embark on a long journey, carefree and unconcerned about what others think about.
May God help us succeed in life and enjoy every sweet fruit life has to offer…
🙂
Three cheers to carefree travel…
Kristin says
Thanks for your kind comment. I’m surprised I’m the only travel addict you know of. There are a lot of us out there! Best of luck on your travels.
Gemma says
Hi Kristin,
Beautiful piece of writing as usual, always read and recommend your blog posts. You’ve done yourself proud. Hope to see you again someday xxx
Kristin says
Aww thank you so much, Gemma. I reference our amazing crew in Siem Reap a lot on here. Was such a great time we had. I hope to see you too!
Bethany says
I am planning on taking a year to travel, as you have – and I was hoping you could email me back and give me advice on being a solo-female traveler (whenever you get back or have time). Is it hard and do you get swindled a lot?
Kristin says
Hi Bethany, I didn’t receive an email but I’ll send you one now! Check your inbox!
Franca says
Congratulations for reaching your 10 months of constant travelling! I fell the same when people ask me what I’ll do when I’m done with travelling mainly because I don’t have an answer yet and I don’t like to think that one day I’ll have to stop (not yet at least). I’m glad you have a plan, I wish I had one too 🙂 Happy and safe travels!