Linda

I'm scheduled to go to Hawaii (Kaui and Oahu) November 1st for 10 days. Due to the recent attacks, my travel partner (sister) won't get on a plane and is backing out. I really need to get away and I'm considering going alone. I'm a 40+ female and have never traveled solo. Any advice would be appreciated.

Michelle

Linda, Hi! Like you, I suddenly found myself w/o my travelling companion. I had concerns similar to yours. I decided to go anyway! I ended up enjoying the solitude and the 'do-whatever-you-want,whenever-you-want' approach to life. I also met some wonderful people in my travels; people I wld. not have met if I had been w/ someone. We enjoyed drinks around the pool, went out for dinner & took in a few sight-seeing tours together. I have kept in touch w/ these people. So, to sum up, I think that you shd. go. You will still have a great time. As for advice, I really don't have too much to offer. Just go with the flow!

Sue

I've traveled alone all over the world and have loved it! If you are social, friendly and outgoing you'll have a blast and may never travel with someone else again. Sugguest you do day tours which will make meeting others easier. Go and have a great time.

Elizabeth

First of all: I know nothing at all about Hawaii, so my advice isn't site-specific. But I've travelled alone a lot and love it. I'm older than you.

When I travel alone, I look for advertised day-trips, where a guide takes a group someplace, and I sign up for at least one of them. Besides the obvioius benefit of having somebody take you someplace you want to go, and explain it (or help you scale it or whatever), you'll be around people who are easy to talk to about the shared activity. (Oh I see someone else said this. I'll say it again anyhow.)

Another thing: I always get a massage as soon as I get there--call ahead if you're staying in a place that can help with this. It de-jet-lags and relaxes you, and it's an hour of contact with a nice local. Frankly, if I were you I'd sign up for a LOT of massages, I bet Hawaii is full of interesting body-work people, unusual Asian treatments, etc., and we're all traumatized and needing it.

And if it's your thing (most people it may not be), you can go to some kind of church service. (I especially like this in foreign countries.) And go the coffee hour or whatever afterward, and ask people questions about the place you're visiting. At least in small churches, I am always made to feel welcome. In the Caribbean, people who've seen me visiting their church would greet me in town all week.

ldsant

Hi. I too have travelled all over the world alone (going next week to Singapore!). It's wonderful for all of the reasons the above folks have said. I went to Maui alone for 10 days and then extended my trip because I had such a great time. Just find things that YOU like to do. You'll have a great time! If you need any other hints, please feel free to email me.

Kaye

I'd also say "sieze the day"! As for the safety factor - just as we should in everyday life, but especially on vacation - be aware of your surroundings. Here are a few tips I was told that are helpful:
1. When going somewhere, especially in the evening, try to walk with or at least close to another group of people. If you feel uncomfortable, explain & most people won't mind. Purse-snatchers, etc. like to pick out solitary marks.
2. Carry yourself as if you know where you're going, even if you don't. Look people in the eye when meeting them coming at you on the walk - if they ARE shady characters, they'd rather hit someone meek-looking who can't identify them. Looking at them makes them look for an easier target.
3. If you have a purse with a strap, put it on one shoulder ACROSS your body, rather than hanging from one shoulder. It's harder to grab & run that way - also tuck it under your arm, if possible - some thieves have been known to use cutters on the straps.
4. Don't go in elevators, stairwells, etc. by yourself. Also, if uncomfortable about someone, make an excuse that you forgot something & ask for an escort to your room.
5. If out at night, try to use well-lit sidewalks & walk away from a lot of shubbery.
6. We found it to be as safe an area as any we've traveled. The suggestions to talk to & meet people is good - the more you meet, the more interesting & fun the trip!!! Maybe there's someone out there going the same as you, who you'll meet & make a friend forever!!

traveller

At your age (40+), I suddenly found myself alone after 25 years of marriage. Well, I had the opportunity to travel to Australia and I just decided to go. I had a wonderful time. I could do exactly what I wanted and it is amazing how friendly people are and how helpful. I would do it again in a minute. I could read if I wanted to, walk for miles alone and WHERE I wanted, if I wanted company at dinner or lunch, I just chatted up my neighbors and always was invited to join them. It was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life.

I am quite outgoing and don't mind having a chat or so about nothing in particular. I think it is helpful if you are not too shy. If you deal lots with people and are used to talking a lot about nothing, you will have a great time.

Good luck and I hope that you remember your experience as I do mine - one of the best times of your life.