Last week, I’ve introduced a series called Pinay Gone Solo that will focus on extraordinary Filipina (Pinay) who have tried traveling alone in the Philippines, Asia or anywhere around the world. The feature on Colleen Giron feature was such a hit, so thank you so much to all those who read and supported her. Yes, this blog as I said 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 at times.
Today, I’m featuring another extraordinary Filipina, someone I’ve known since Grade 2. She’s my classmate since high school in our hometown in Bulan, Sorsogon. We also went to the same university back in college at Diliman, Quezon City. She is now based in Australia, but despite the distance we remained good friends. I’d like to introduce my good friend Rose Nanette Gogolin.
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Solo Female Travel in Cambodia
(Text and photos by Rose Nanette Gogolin)
“Life is a daring adventure, or it is nothing”- Helen Keller
While skydiving hasn’t been crossed off on top of my bucket list yet, I have always sought to enjoy every slice of adventure life throws at me. If it is elusive, I chase after it. Besides, “daring” is such a subjective word.
I have always wanted to go to Cambodia and see the legacy of mighty Khmer civilization. Ok, not entirely true. I’ve seen it in Lara Croft movie and ever since then, I vowed to personally see the sun set in Angkor Wat, to touch those bas reliefs and to stir the dust of the ancient city under my feet. I was just so determined to go there that I didn’t think of anything that might come in my way. And, knowing my friend Gael who has travelled solo extensively, I was inspired to do the same. Ironically, the worst happened under the roof of my own country when a custom officer interrogated me like there was a criminal stamp all over my passport. He could have been polite, but he chose to be condescending and rude. Then again I thought, I was the one off to some place beautiful and him, oh well, he was stuck in his desk. Life is fair sometimes.
Cambodia was the first, and most definitely not the last because I realized, books and movies do not exactly give justice. It is incomparable when you actually stand among the rubbles of Angkor Wat, in the same way that no instruction manual can ever make you feel the exhilaration of successfully riding a wave. You just have to go out and be there! If you can’t drag anyone with you, go solo!
When they say, “It isn’t always about the destination.”, they are correct. Sometimes, it could be that nice person who showed you the way to a bus station; it could be a sudden awareness of another culture that is entirely different from your own or it could even be that scrumptious meal and fabulous dessert you will rave about for months to come.
Travelling is not easy but the rewards are worth it.
You will see places. You will realize how vast the world is and how limited your knowledge is, yet despite all these, you will conquer your fears, see beauty even in wretched places and you will understand that you have been fortunate to have that chance to be in that exact space at that time. You will learn a lot of things and be enriched with experience. You will also recognize that the greatest of discoveries happen within yourself.
Travelling opens our eyes to a new perspective we wouldn’t come across had we continued to stagnate in one place. And travelling solo, being a female and savouring every moment of it… that is one daring adventure indeed!
About the Contributor : Rose Gogolin graduated with a degree in Chemistry from UP Diliman. She is now based in Australia and enjoys traveling during her free time.
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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.
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Related post:
Pinay Gone Solo : Colleen Giron
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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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[...] Pinay Gone Solo: Rose Gogolin [...]
Awesome, very inspiring story. So far, ang natravel ko pa lang na solo ay Singapore. Nginig tuhod, had been invited by Indian national na naging dorm mate ko ayaw ko nga!! HAHA!
hahaha sumbong my ke Josh! lol Ada, comtribute ka pag me time ka ha.
awesome, thanks for sharing Gael!
great post.. more to pinay gone solo series..
beautiful! I love this! I would love to contribute <3
it’s a treasure if you’ve been keeping a friend since you-know-when then it’s a great bonus if you have traveling as a common thing.
nice idea to feature stories of solo female travelers, gael! I’ve been wanting to try going solo. Reading such stories might push my plans too soon.
Hi, i will be traveling alone in cebu and bohol this coming holy week. I am a bit afraid. This would be my first time. My bestfriend left me so I have decided to use our tickets and accommodation. Kindly help me to overcome my fear. I will do backpacking due to a tight budget.