Tanah Lot Temple, Bali – Feb. 18, 2012 (continued)

*The following blog post is a personal account of a day in Bali, written by a traveler on SoloMate Travel’s single travel trip to Bali in February of 2012.

We are going to finish the day with a visit to watch the sunset over the Tanah Lot Temple.  This temple was built on lava rock in the 16th century and sits 200 meters off shore.  The sight of this temple is spectacular and majestic.  They are celebrating the traditional birthday celebration that takes place every 210 days and we have arrived to witness the last day of the celebration. The Odalan (or temple festival) is the quintessential Balinese experience.  I am expecting to just walk around and take a few pictures, but our guide Yanta has arranged for us to take part in the cleansing ceremony with the locals and people who have traveled from all over Bali.  We are actually going to the shore and have the privilege of praying, being blessed, and getting cleansed by the priest!  We put our sarongs on and make our way to the edge of the water on the beach.  I find myself on my knees with my offering of flowers in front of me and I start to pray.  I admit that this does not come easy to me because it’s not something that I practice on a regular basis.  I have a feeling that this visit is about to change all of that.  I am praying for my children first, my family, and for myself.  I am praying to find inner peace.  I am praying for clarity.  I am praying for answers to my questions of what path to take in my life.  What happens next rocks my very core.  I am feeling overwhelmed and I find myself with tears falling down my face with the power and strength of the prayers around me.  The priest comes to each person and we each participate in the cleansing ritual.  When we are finished, I look over and notice that I’m not the only one in our group of solo travelers with tears on my face.  I’m thinking about what an amazing day it has been, but it doesn’t end there.

There’s another ceremony taking place up the hill and we are once again given the chance to join.  We are the only tourists allowed to join in.  If I thought that I was moved before, I was mistaken.  I was not at all prepared for the powerful impact of what I would be feeling next.  There is live music being played and I don’t understand the language, but I can feel the impact.  We are repeating the ceremony with our offerings of flowers and have now added incense, which you constantly smell everywhere in Bali.  This ceremony is a bit more detailed and we are guided as to which flowers to hold between our fingers.  Each group of flowers represents prayers for the soul, enlightenment, and praying for the God of the temple.  I am praying again and find that I have twice the amount of tears and feel on the verge of sobbing.  Again, I am not alone.  If I ever had doubt about the power of prayers, it is now completely gone.  This experience will stay with me forever.

Gulingan Village, Bali – Feb. 18, 2012

*The following blog post is a personal account of a day in Bali, written by a traveler on SoloMate Travel’s single travel trip to Bali in February of 2012.

Today on our solo travel trip, we are going to Gulingan Village to learn about true Balinese cooking.  I hope they’re ready for my big appetite.  On the bus is our guide Yanta and he is very charming and patient as we ask a thousand questions.  We are definitely putting him to the test.  Along the ride, I see that the transportation in Bali is by way of motorcycle.  They are everywhere and people are riding up to four people on a bike.  Babies and young children are hanging on to their parents!  No seatbelt laws here.

It’s raining when we arrive at Gulingan Village, but it’s not going to slow us down.  We just get our umbrellas and venture over to our traditional Balinese pavilion.  It’s here that we are taught how to use fresh herbs and grind spices to add to our meal.  It has been so much fun watching our hostess prepare our lunch.  We sit family style and this meal does not disappoint.

My favorite part is yet to come.  I get the unique experience of walking through the Bali rice fields.  It’s still raining, so we grab our umbrellas, take off our shoes, and walk along the slippery edge.  There is a mix of cascading rice fields and palm trees and I have to say that even though I’m told that it takes an entire day to plant one rice field, this is one heck of an office to work in everyday. I am enchanted and pinching myself because I am in Bali!!!

The Benefits of Traveling Solo

Traveling alone is quite the unique experience and can be very rewarding. What’s great about traveling solo is that it allows you to break out of any shell you may have. If you’re a shy, self-conscious person, solo travel is a great way to get over it and become a more confident person. Traveling solo will re-ignite your “I can do anything!” spirit!

Here are just a few reasons why traveling solo is the best way to travel:

• You can plan your own itinerary – visit the sites you want to see, shop at the boutiques you enjoy, eat at restaurants that satisfy your tastes. The only person you have to please is yourself.
• You are more likely to be invited somewhere by a local. When traveling alone, you will have many more opportunities to interact with the locals and experience things that you wouldn’t get to experience in a bigger group.
• You will have a more well-rounded experience. You are more likely to strike up a conversation with a local when you are traveling by yourself. This will allow you to learn more about the people and the culture of the place you are visiting.
• By traveling alone, you will have the opportunity for personal reflection. You will have time to just think about yourself, life, or anything you desire to fix your thoughts upon.
• You are in control of your budget – whether you want to save money by staying in a hostel or splurge on a 5 star hotel for yourself, you are in control of how much you spend and you will get to spend your money on the things that matter most to you.
• If you mess up and take an unexpected wrong turn or hop on the wrong bus, there is nobody there to see your screw up!
• By traveling alone, you will gain self-confidence that you can do anything! Traveling alone will give you the confidence to believe in yourself.

If you’d like to travel solo with a group of like-minded people, join one of SoloMate’s single travel trips. Call 855-290-7050 today to reserve your spot!

Nusa Dua Resort and Spa, Bali – Feb. 17, 2012

*The following blog post is a personal account of a day in Bali, written by a traveler on SoloMate Travel’s single travel trip to Bali in February of 2012.

We arrive at the Nusa Dua Resort and Spa in Bali and I am in awe.  We drive in through enormous stone carved walls and pull up in front of the open air lobby. This resort is spectacular!  We are greeted with fresh flower scented towels to wipe our hands and refresh.  I will find out later that this is big here in Bali and I have no complaints.  Upon check-in, we receive a tasty Balinese beverage of fruit juices to sit for a minute and get to know our fellow solo travelers a little better.

We are escorted to our new home for the week.  Wow!  The rooms have the perfect amount of charm and space that anyone could ask for.  Our room has a raised ceiling with a fabric and wood design that is going to be a treat to wake up to every morning.  Don’t get me started on the balcony – it wraps around with a view that I’ve only seen in the movies.  I am looking out at the beautiful trees and pathways that wind their way throughout the resort.  Pictures could not do this view any justice.  You have to come to Bali and see it for yourself.  I can’t wait to explore everything this resort has to offer.  See you in the morning.

Pizza, The Amalfi Coast Way

Artisanal pizza is the rage worldwide, but what better place to find your favorite while traveling with Solomate Travel to Italy’s Amalfi coast. During your singles vacation in Sorrento there will be lots of opportunity to see why they say pizza from the south, the Neapolitan pizza is the best. Very different from Rome it has a thinner crust and is perfect to fold up like handkerchief and eaten on the go.  Enjoy this classic street food on a bench overlooking the bay of Sorrento and Mont Vesuvius with your new travel companions. The crust should be thin, a little chewy but beautifully blistered and airy. Topped with the perfect marinara made from the San Marzano tomatoes, pizza does not get any better than that.

Our solo travelers can choose Ristorante DaGigino or Panetteria Pizzeria Franco both eateries are simple and authentic. Tavern Allegra serves up pizza, loads of other specialties and atmosphere galore. You might be singing the words to the song, Amore before your evening is over. Il Buco and Ristorante Pagni Delfino are classy, upscale and not to be missed.

Of course, no visit to Italy’s Amalfi coast is complete without Solomate’s unique farm excursion to learn how to make the famous Buffalo Mozzarella cheese and of course, Pizza.

End the day with a chilled glass of lemoncello from the nearby orchard.  So don’t travel alone, instead join SoloMate Travel  gastronomic adventure to Italy’s Amalfi coast, May 4-12, 2012.

Bali Arrival – Feb. 15, 2012

*The following blog post is a personal account of a day in Bali, written by a traveler on SoloMate Travel’s single travel trip to Bali in February of 2012.

24 hours flying in the air and we have arrived in Bali!  I have started my journey by meeting with the people that will become my family for the next 10 days.  I have the privilege of having my trip guided by Solomate Travel and know that I am in good hands.  What a blessing to work with a company that plans everything for you down to picking the perfect roommate.  Solomate Travel is one-stop solo travel shopping at its best.  I’ve never been to this part of the world and can hardly contain my excitement.

I have to talk about the Singapore airport! Normally, I would dread having a 4 hour layover in an airport, but I have to say that I would have been perfectly fine having to stay longer.  There are so many choices of things to do here that I find it difficult to decide.  Who would ever imagine that there would be a pool where you can swim and relax in between flights?  There is a butterfly sanctuary, free movies, a cactus garden, a children’s area with video games, a spa for a quick massage, and a place to take a shower.  Did I mention a place to take a shower?  This is my choice hands down.  For a small fee, I get my own shower room and a chance to feel human again – a very clean, traveling human.  This is the best money I have ever spent.  Some people in our group took a dip in the pool and others indulged in the free Wi-Fi that is offered.  I am recharged and ready to go.

It’s back on another plane to our final destination and I am so tired, but so anxious to get to know everyone in our single travel group.  Let the fun begin!

How to Eat Like a Local

A huge part of traveling to a foreign place is getting to know local traditions, history and culture. Luckily, you can get to know all three of these aspects of a country just by eating. Whether you grab a falafel at a stall along the road or you sit down for a four-course meal at a fancy Italian restaurant on the river, sampling a country’s cuisine is a great way to experience your travel destination and make your trip memorable.

Here are some tips for eating like a local on your single travel trip:

• Research your travel destination. Talk to other travelers, read guidebooks, research online, etc. to learn the greatest restaurants and best foods to eat in the area. You can even ask a local for advice on where to eat once you get to your destination.
• Sample the street food. You can’t get more authentic food than local street vendors. The people who prepare this food live in the area and are very familiar with the local cuisine.
• Visit a fish/meat market or bakery. If you take a trip to a market or bakery, you will get to see how locals in the area buy their food, as well as some of the ingredients they use to prepare it.
• Time your visit. Travel to the country during special celebrations or local history festivals so that you can learn more about why they eat certain foods and how these foods became part of that country’s culture.

For more tips on how to eat like a local on your single travel vacation, contact our travel experts at SoloMate Travel. We love giving out travel advice! Call 855-290-7050 today!

Make a Long Flight More Comfortable

Are you traveling solo and have a long flight before arriving at your singles vacation destination? Here is our insider’s guide to making a long flight more comfortable:

Start off by putting your items in clear, seal-able sandwich bags. These bags will keep your items from spilling all over and protect them from germs. Those airplane seat pockets are not germ free! Here is a detailed list of what to pack for your long flight en-route to your singles adventure.

Bag 1 – Ensuring Comfort:

• Eye cover or bandana, which can also come in handy for wiping up spills. These look cool on the guys;
• Socks or compression socks, which really do keep ankles from swelling;
• Inflatable pillow;
• Ear plugs;
• Disposable paper face mask to protect you from air-born germs, in case someone sitting close by has a cold or flu.

Bag 2 – Feeling Refreshed:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste;
• Hand sanitizer- there are many that smell great, and if there’s an unpleasant odor you just spray a little under your nostrils and presto- the world is smelling good again;
• Small tube of moisturizer, keeping it within the size allowable by security;
• Cough drops or hard candy;
• Pre-moistened towelettes;
• Yoga or exercise cord for stretching so you can get up and stretch after a few hours of sitting – your entire body will thank you when you get off that plane;
• Oversize T-shirt to keep your clothes cleaner. You can use the t-shirt as extra sleepwear or leave it behind for someone who helped or impressed you during your singles vacation.

Bag 3 – Keeping Yourself Entertained:

• Entertainment, such as a book, electronic reader, notepad (get acquainted with that book or movie that you haven’t had time for at home);
• Pen, notebook, or writing paper to write someone a letter and mail it from your exotic singles vacation destination or to make a list of those things that you absolutely want to see or buy on your single travel trip.

You can indeed make that long flight more comfortable. Just ask our tour directors at SoloMate Travel and they’ll be happy to share their experiences with you.

Discover the “Lost City” of Machu Picchu

Even though Machu Picchu stands 2,430 meters above sea level, the existence of this city was not discovered until Hiram Bingham, an American historian, stumbled across it in 1911 on the eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains while he was being guided around by locals who lived in the area. After its initial discovery, over 50 burial sites and 100 skeletal remains have been found over the course of excavations. Today, Machu Picchu is the most well-known archaeological site on the continent.

Some people believe that this city was founded in the declining years of the last Incas as an attempt to preserve Inca culture, while others think it was a royal retreat abandoned at the time of the Spanish invasion. Even though the original purpose of the “Lost City” still remains a mystery, what is obvious is that Machu Picchu must have once been a very important ceremonial center for the people who lived there. The exceptionally high quality of stonework and the plethora of ornamental work reveal this about the “Lost City”.

Our solo travel company is visiting the mysteriously beautiful “Lost City” this May on our Single Travel Trip to Machu Picchu. Our trip includes a train ride to the “Lost City” and an overnight stay, which provides ample time to experience an intimate tour- learning the ancient Inca culture and exploring neighboring trails. Give our single travel company a call at 855-290-7050 to reserve your spot on this exciting vacation to Peru!