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  • Anfal Sheyx
  • Jun 12
  • 9 min read

Updated: Jun 13

Boarding my 12 hour flight to Hanoi, not knowing what was waiting for me (aside from the one week of accommodation I’d booked in a party hostel) was one of the most surreal moments of my life. Yes – I had travelled, as a 20 something girl I had been lucky to experience the world; family holidays to far flung places, not to mention the oh - so famous girls trips abroad as I got older. I had even dared in my early 20s to solo travel to neighboring countries, dipping my toe outside my comfort zone on my year abroad in Europe. But to travel alone – armed with nothing but my small backpack (which would become far too small before the trip was over) and my belief that I could accomplish this, was a much more intimidating task than I believed.


I had first started planning my trip a year before I left. It started off small as I hypothetically asked myself which part of the world would I want to see most? Those questions spread to when would I go? And for how long? And before I knew it my friends were amazed at the itinerary I had amassed in my notes app: pages and pages detailing where I’d stay and what I would do, even a map with a drawn out route for me to take, but remember – this was all hypothetical. That was until the turn of the year, when the clock rang to bring in 2025, I decided I want this year to be different and that my vision board full of travel would have to become a reality.


Hanoi, Vietnam

Landing in Hanoi, tired from my flight and being yet unable to navigate my way around, was a harsh beginning. Yet my arrival at my friendly hostel via Grab (a helpful taxi app popular in South East Asia) and the subsequent week proved to be worth my journey. Staying in Mad Monkey Hanoi and being only minutes away from the famous Pub Street was a highlight, as well as the coconut and egg coffees of Vietnam which quickly became a favourite.


I had decided before the start of my trip to travel for a total of 2 months, starting in north Vietnam and moving south before jumping to Cambodia and up to Laos, to North Thailand and down to the islands before ending my trip in Bali. I had resolved early on to stay around a week in each location, simultaneously afraid of burning myself out and/or losing interest in my travels.


Very much a city hub, Hanoi was great for shopping. Streets lined with lululemon and Kipling bags as well as hand woven and crochet bags lined the streets. If you could be careful enough to avoid the scooters, you could even catch a water puppet show in town, I recommend catching dinner at one of the famous Met restaurants in town before heading to Train Street to catch a showing of the train (be careful where you stand!) and then going to Pub Street for a few drinks.


Something to think about when you start out your travels is how to stay connected to home. A lot of travellers I met relied on Esims such as Airalo or Nomad which worked well for them, and while I initially tried this it didn’t work the best for me (some Esims may be incompatible with some phones or unreliable) so for the rest of my trip I decided to sim cards to make sure I was able to stay in touch. Many sim card providers can be found in 711s all throughout South East Asia, as well as in airports when you first arrive. If unsure I would recommend asking the front desk at your accommodation where you might be able to find a sim card and be sure to ask for the data only package to get a better deal!


While in Hanoi you could also check out Ha Long bay or Ninh Bihn, as well as look into doing the Ha Giang loop which can usually be booked through your hostel or accommodation.


Hoi an, Vietnam


Having loved my time in Hanoi I headed south to Hoi An. While a lot of sleeper buses are available to tourists and usually work well, to save time in my travels I opted to fly everywhere so my arrival to Hoi An actually came through Da Nang and from there I easily booked a taxi via Grab to take me to my hostel in Hoi An. Mad Monkey Hoi An was a great hostel which was super social and hosted nightly events making it easy to meet people.


Having stayed there for a week, I enjoyed a cooking class and a day trip to Ba Na Hills which houses the famous Golden Hands Bridge. I also had fun exploring Hoi An itself; from An Bang Beach to the lantern festivals wherein you can join in on the boats and release a lantern on the water to make a wish. As for the nightlife in Hoi An, expect to find fun at Tiger Tiger Bar and don’t be afraid to join in on the hostel bar crawls!


If you have time, an amazing souvenir would be some tailored clothes, I recommend Canali Clotheshop in town for the best quality and tailoring. Another thing to note about Hoi An is the high number of thefts or muggings via scooters and taxis, I was always advised by other travellers and my hostel to book through Grab to ensure my safety on nights out and throughout my visit.


After my time in Hoi An, I headed for Siem Reap. My trip only being 2 months long I opted to skip Ho Chi Mihn City. Another helpful hint I gathered from other travellers is that people tend to travel in Vietnam South to North as Ho Chi Mihn city is described as calm and as a good starting point before moving to Hoi An and Hanoi, both of which get increasingly busier.


Siem Reap, Cambodia


My arrival into Siem Reap initially was hectic, as a I booked a tuk-tuk to take me to my hostel without being aware of the city wide celebration of the Cambodian New Year – a tradition which lasts 3 days in the middle of April and which aims to wash away the negative of the past year through water. So, as I arrived into Siem Reap I was immediately hit with water guns from every angle as people of all ages celebrated this tradition, being able to join in the next night remains to be one of my favourite memories.


After its new year celebration Siem Reap proved to be a very calm and beautiful city. Its main attraction is the Angkor Wat Temple built in the early 12th century and immortalized on the Cambodian flag. Booked through my hostel (Mad Monkey Siem Reap) I was able to take a day tour visiting it as well as the surrounding temples. If allowed a little more time in Cambodia, I would make my way south to Phnom Penh to see the Killing Fields and then from there take the journey to Ko Rong Island in time for the Nestival celebration which falls on Saturdays. 

 

Luang Prabang & Vang Vieng, Laos


After a relaxing time in Siem Reap I was excited to explore Luang Prabang. Initially hesitant to travel to Loas because of reported methanol poisonings in that area, I decided to go because I was so eager to see that part of the world. My hostel (Once again Mad Monkey Luang Prabang) was amazing and organized a trip to Kuang Si waterfalls which was a dream come true!


I had also decided to travel to Vang Vieng in Laos that weekend (which was highly recommended to me by other travellers!) instead of spending the entire week purely in Luang Prabang. My hostel was great in arranging my travel and my accommodation there in Mad Monkey Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng in Laos is known for its beautiful mountains and its hot air balloons which I eagerly tried after my arrival! This can also be booked through my hostel and with the addition of tipsy tubing if you want to try that too!


My week in Laos was perfect and I wouldn’t change a thing! A few days in Luang Prabang was perfect to get to know the area and then Vang Vieng was a short train (only an hour or so) away. One important thing to note is if you plan to travel to Laos is that instead of Grab app (which works in: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand excl. Koh Phanghan, and Indonesia) Laos has its own travel apps called Loca and Xanh SM. Another popular way to travel around if via tuk-tuks or vans that will usually pick up 8 – 12 people outside train stations and airports, and while this was useful, I was vary as a female solo traveller and leaned on the side of caution by always booking via an app.


Chiang Mai, Thailand

After a great time in Laos, I headed to Chiang Mai. Being so eager to explore Thailand and wanting a more relaxed vibe I stayed in The Yard Hostel which was a great addition to my trip. One of my main goals in Thailand was to visit an elephant sanctuary which I was also lucky enough to be able to book through my hostel. Elephant Nature Park was ethical in its treatment of their animals and was a great experience overall as we spent the day watching and following the elephants, learning about their life stories and daily lives.


Chiang Mai also has tipsy tubing experiences, water parks and a great night market which I definitely recommend trying out.

 

Phuket & the Islands, Thailand


After my time in Chiang Mai, I headed straight to the south to Phuket. Given more time Bangkok would be a great stop for a few days where you can explore Chatuchak Market and stay in hostels like Mad Monkey Bangkok or The Yard Hostel Bangkok.


Phuket proved to be beautiful with its beaches and old town where you could relax and shop for days. I spent a couple days exploring here before I decided to fly to Koh Samui, an island just off the coast of Thailand. Koh Samui was one of my favourite parts of my trip, I stayed in SocialTel Hostel which was near the centre and close to the beach bars like Ark Bar which hosted nightly fire shows, as well as being close to Sound Club which was a great spot for nightlife. SocialTel Hostel was also close to Samui Central, a mall which hosted day and night markets which lots of souvenirs and great food.


If inclined, you could also take a short ferry to Ko Tao to explore another island, or Koh Phi Phi which lives on the other side of Phuket. Samui is also a popular place to stay during the Full Moon Party celebrations on Koh Phanghan which happens monthly. Only a thirty minute ferry from Haad Rin pier in Koh Phanghan, Koh Samui is the perfect place to stay if you don’t want to stay on the Full Moon Party island itself. Transport can usually be booked through your accommodation, and you’ll be dropped off only a five minute walk away from Haad Rin beach where the party happens on Koh Phanghan.


One thing to note is that a lot of thefts usually happen during the Full Moon Party so be sure to be aware of your belongings and to maybe bring a spare along on your trip. I took out a certain amount of cash as well as one my bank cards and left my ID and other cards at home, I recommend doing the same.


Bali, Indonesia


After my time in Koh Samui I travelled to Bali, Indonesia. Had I had more time I might have gone from the Islands in south Thailand to Singapore and Malaysia for a few days but I enjoyed my time in Koh Samui so much I stayed 2 weeks instead of the allotted on 1 and thus headed straight to Bali. I recommend staying in Ubud and exploring the centre where you can see a selection of waterfalls and monkey forests. I spent a few days staying in the Arya Wellness Retreat, a female only hostel which offers complimentary daily massages as well as manicures and pedicures. You can also visit the Water Temple and Ubud Temple in the town centre – a perfect way to finish off your trip!


Some of the best parts of my trip have been meeting other travellers in hostels or bars and immediately bonding over our trips and often times overlapping journeys. A great tip I picked up is to book your accommodation through your current accommodation. For example, Mad Monkey hostels had a discount if you book your stay directly through their reception, and they also had an app which allows you to collect points and get perks as you make your way through your trip. They also have passes for 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days which can be helpful if you know your route and duration of travel.


Somehow, boarding my 12 hour flight back I was both relieved that I would be going home, and sad that my adventure was over. But, if like me you want to explore the world but you’re not sure exactly where to start, I hope this guide has given you enough information (and hopefully inspiration) to take the leap for yourself.

 

 
 
 


What happened to Victoria’s Secret? In the height of shopping at Westfield on a Thursday afternoon my friend drops the all important question. Something I had been wondering myself, as we pass by the now closed down store. At the height of 2010s maximalism when beauty hauls owned our YouTube pages and Tik Tok was just a song by Kesha, Victoria’s Secret ruled our shopping malls. Its Intimidating glamour felt to us like the pinnacle of womanhood - to be an angel on the runway was to be special, and to own even a body mist could make you feel part of that magic. But now the store we had peered into as teenagers was closed as we walked by, and the Victoria’s Secret as we knew it had changed. Gone are the days of Hollywood like glamour and bigger than life wings; Victoria's Secret was irrelevant.


Having amassed a huge crowd following with the introduction of its runway shows in the late 90s Victoria’s Secret used top models or ‘Angels’ like Adriana Lima and Gisele Bundchen to skyrocket themselves to fame. By 2001 the Victoria’s secret fashion show had an audience of 12 million viewers and by 2005 Victoria's secret has established itself as a flirty, colourful brand. Its marketing was clear – whereas lingerie in the past had been understated and demure, Victoria’s Secret adorned itself with bright colours and prints. They had selectively chosen tall, thin beautiful models who not only upheld but created the beauty standards of the noughties and 2010s.


This aspirational beauty that Victoria’s Secret projected was crucial in its prolonged success, for more than a decade a sea of iconic pink and black striped bags that fell on the arm of almost every consumer with its highest reported sales at $7.78 billion in 2016. With an incredibly strong brand identity and visibility Victoria’s Secret could only succeed, so why is it that 10 years later more and more stores are closing down? What happened to Victoria's secret?


2016 saw the rise of the body positivity movement which while encouraging self love and confidence also simultaneously fought back against the unrealistic body standards of the 2010s. As hashtags like #BodyPositivity and #EffYourBeautyStandards went viral Victoria’s Secret saw criticism of its lack of representation in its Fashion Shows and campaigns. While other lingerie brands like Rhianna’s Fenty which launched in 2018 rose to meet the body positivity movement and included a wide range of representation in its campaigns, Victoria’s Secret’s hesitance to change and adapt to the growing market led to their downfall as the marketing that once made them so successful now left them ostracized, and the Victoria’s Secret Angels walked the runway one last time (or so we thought!) in 2019.


Other brands have made similar mistakes. Glossier’s launch in 2014 influenced the beauty world through its pink packaging and light coverage products making it perfect for the ‘clean girl aesthetic’ that became popular in the later half of the 2010s, as well as bridging the market gap between pre teenagers and teenagers just starting to get into makeup. However, Glossier’s reluctance to respond to its criticisms surrounding their light coverage products being inaccessible for all skin types later led to a loss of interest in its consumer market. Its release of Glossier Play in 2019 only sparred more backlash at its wasteful plastic packaging that was used as wrappers for the new products; showing that a company’s inability to connect with its consumers and respond appropriately to its criticisms can unmake even the strongest brands.


Most recently, Djerf Avenue which launched in 2019 and known for its timeless, aesthetic and ethically sourced pieces faced its own backlash as allegations of toxic workplaces and bullying were revealed against the company’s founder. Mathilda Djerf who had previously maintained a kind, relatable image was now seen as a toxic figure to her consumers, and as a representative for her brand; the lost consumer trust in Mathilda Djerf equates to a lost consumer trust in Djerf Avenue and their initiatives as a company. With brand identity integral to the success of a company, what happens when a brand struggles to know what it stands for? In its prime, Victoria’s secret stood for being fun, flirty and bold. its initial lack of change left the brand behind, and its hurry to keep afterwards felt disingenuous to the consumers.


We had kept waiting with anticipation of a comeback, bring back the glamour! Bring back the glitter! At its heart Victoria's Secret made us feel playful and sexy, and now we're left feeling flat as the store and the brand dissipates behind us. Even after its attempted rebrand 2023 with its Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show World Tour, the brand failed to gain any recognition despite its new inclusivity. The shots of the runway with models walking in dark moody lighting felt an antithesis to the Victoria's secret we know and miss; with its bright pops of colour and playfulness.


The 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show finally gave us hope; with performances by Cher and BLACKPINK’s Lisa and appearances from Kate Moss and Adriana Lima as well as a wider representation we felt a glimmer of the old Victoria’s Secret’s fun and glamour. With ever changing consumer demands, the evolution of brand identities is a necessity and almost always brings about a welcome change, and in the case of Victoria’s Secret – we can’t wait to see what you do next.

 
 
 


Between the hotels, Airbnbs, hostels, the flights and the activities, solo travelling can be overwhelming, especially for first timers. My first solo trip was in 2023 to Berlin – the train ride was long, the mornings were early, but as soon as stepped foot into my hostel I knew I was going to be glad I booked this trip.


For all the destinations we dream of, the Pinterest vision boards we make, more often than not we end up waiting around for the people in our lives to come around too, but let’s face it as much as we want to share those special memories with the special people in our lives, waiting for schedules to align isn’t always possible and if you have the travel bug, then you might want to hop on a plane before you know it!


So yes – while solo travelling can be intimidating, it can also be empowering! I’ve taken the time to compile a list of the best destinations for first time travellers. With my suggestion of a weekend trip (max 3 days) I’ve chosen a few amazing places where you won’t have to worry about being overwhelmed or homesick.


Berlin, Germany

For the best solo travelling experience to Berlin, I recommend staying in a social hostel like St. Christopher’s Inn. With a great bar and restaurant as well as nightlife activities, St Christopher’s Inn is the perfect place to meet people and its so central you can easily see the sights. For an unforgettable weekend of sightseeing, make sure to see the Brandenburg Gate as well as the Berlin Wall Memorial to make the most of your trip!


Krakow, Poland

Krakow is a beautiful destination with lots of history, I recommend going closer to summer and staying in Greg&Tom hostels for a free breakfast every morning before heading out to see the sights. Greg&Tom is also known for being a social hostel so prepare for lots of evening activities if that’s what you’re looking for! Krakow is also a beautiful city with lots of culture, I recommend staying closer to central and trying some traditional Polish food and taking in the sights in the afternoon as well! Make sure to check out the Rynek Underground Museum and the Wavel Royal Castle!


Prague, Czech Republic

For a weekend trip filled with culture and sightseeing, Prague is the perfect destination! I recommend staying closer to the city centre in Praha 1 or Praha 2, near Old Town or Charles Bridge. Wake up late, grab a traditional Czech breakfast and take in the sights or Charles Bridge, the old clocktower and old town! Get around Prague easily using the trams, buses and underground and make the most of your weekend break!


Copenhagen, Denmark

With lots to offer Copenhagen is a beautiful city to visit! Friendly and sociable, Copenhagen makes for a wonderful weekend trip! With lots of culture and lots to see, Copenhagen is a beautiful place for a short trip! I recommend staying close to the city centre to make everything more walkable. Make sure to check out the Rosenborg Castle, the King’s Gardens and the Round Tower for an unforgettable trip!


Edinburgh, Scotland

For the perfect weekend getaway think Scotland! With picturesque streets and beautiful landscapes, Edinburgh is a busy but cosy city with lots to keep you busy! Make sure to check out the famous Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile for lots to do and see! I recommend staying closer to the city centre and going closer to the Christmas season to catch those famous Christmas markets for an unforgettable experience!


So, while solo travelling can be intimidating, I hope I’ve inspired you to take a chance and book a flight this weekend! For an unforgettable experience you’ll cherish and remember for a lifetime.

 
 
 

© 2035 by Annabelle. Wix

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