The Pinay Solo Backpacker

Today,let me introduce a new series featuring female solo travelers.  I would like to share their story to inspire more Filipina to try traveling alone even once in their lifetime.

This series which I will call Pinay Gone Solo will focus on  extraordinary Filipina  (Pinay) who have tried traveling alone in the Philippines, Asia or anywhere around the world.  Yes, this blog it is NOT all about me, it is also about  fellow Pinay who are proud to pursue their dreams of traveling even if it means traveling alone.  And to start with our series, we have one pretty lady named Karen “Colleen” Giron.  

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Solo Female Travel in Hong Kong

photos and text by : Karen Colleen Giron

I have traveled a lot around Philippines with friends but it was my first time to do solo backpacking  in Hong Kong.  Some may find it weird, scary and dangerous, but I find it fun and exciting. Though it took me almost an hour to convince the immigration officers of  Hong Kong that I am visiting their country as a tourist and not to work illegally which really got me nervous, I still enjoyed the rest of the days having  the feeling of freedom and self-reliance!

I packed light, brought maps and guides with me that helped me survive all throughout the trip. I had a tight budget so I pre-planned and researched everything before my trip; from bus and ferry schedules, to train tickets , cheap way to get around the city, where to ride from one place to another and many other helpful tips.  I think this was the best thing I did to avoid misadventures.  I stayed at Chung King Mansion which is one of the cheapest place I found which is pretty close to the shopping areas.

One of the things I love about this trip is the people I met. I met Liza,  an American who is also finding her way around the city. Gained a new friend and we both helped each other to get where we want to go.  I also had a small chat with a Norweigan couple that was so amazed by the cool mono pod I was using for taking pictures of myself  and they even asked me where they could buy one.  Heard some happy and sad stories of a Filipino OFW named Josephine while riding  a ferry, crossing the sea from Hong Kong mainland  to Lantau Island. Met some other Filipino family tourists who kept on asking why am I alone ( though I tried not to disclose to them that I am traveling alone).  I have also tried a few of their street foods because I was a bit scared of getting an upset stomach. But I told myself that next time I should definitely eat more exotic foods to complete the travel experience!

The weather was too cold for me; it was 6-12 degrees celsius and a little foggy that time.  Nevertheless, the trip was a success! I got home safe.  It is definitely an unforgettable and real adventure for a female like me wandering alone on a  foreign land, a very fulfilling experience indeed!  I thank everyone who made this extra special and the people who inspired me to do it.  Right  now I am actually planning my next solo trip!

 

About the Contributor : My name is Karen Colleen Giron, they call me Colleen or KC, 25 yrs of age.  I’m a web programmer but I do a lot of other things during my free time!  I love sand and beach, mountains and trees,  I love outdoor activities like climbing, surfing, snorkeling and even tried wake boarding and underwater hockey.  I am also a volunteer to an outreach program project Pearls.  I love to eat Asian food most specially Japanese food. When not outside, I read books, watch movies or sometimes trying hard to cook. 

* Pinay Gone Solo is a blog series featuring solo Filipina travelers. If you are a  Filipina solo wanderer, I want to hear and share your story.  Please help me urge fellow Filipina to pursue their dream to travel no matter how humble it is. Please send your story ( at least 350 words and max 500 words) with at least 3 photos ( 1 profile picture, 1 photo while traveling and 1 photo of a place you’ve visited) to my email : thepinaysolobackpacker (at) yahoo (dot) com.

 

 

 

 

*********************************************************************************************** About the Blogger : Gael is a Filipina solo adventurer, a dream chaser and a student of life.  Her (mis) adventures are documented in this blog. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter. For advertisement, partnerships and sponsorship, click here. or email me at thepinaysolobackpacker(at)yahoo(dot)com. **********************************************************************************************

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