Welcome!

I’m Tonton

just a introverted shy solo traveler taking on the world (with lots of anxiety)

As the “quiet one” who didn’t have any friends in class and someone who deals with anxiety in general, solo traveling was the last thing I expected to do. But when I went on my first solo trip to Vietnam early this year, it sparked an unstoppable wanderlust. Being born and raised in “boring” Canberra (yeah, the real capital city of Australia), I realised there’s a whole world out there beyond this shit hole. Join me as I wander, eat all kinds of foods, meet new amazing people, and experience new cultures around the world, starting with Japan & Korea this October! ✈️🌍

Discover itineraries, packing guides, and travel tips to help you travel with confidence.

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Get to know me

Welcome to my travel diary, where I share my adventures, itineraries, and tips from around the world. As you’ve probably gathered from my intro, I’m a massive introvert! Meeting new people used to be my worst nightmare; I’d nervously stutter, struggle to talk about my hobbies, and grapple with keeping conversations going. Staying in my comfort zone was my norm; I avoided trying new things because I feared they wouldn’t go as planned, which always got me down. I was the type who never spoke up in group settings, always deferring to others to make decisions because I worried my ideas weren’t good enough or would be met with disagreement. Public speaking or voicing my opinion in team meetings at work? I found that scarier than facing a bear! Solo-traveling has helped me step out of my comfort zone, discover new passions, and grow in ways I never expected. Fear and anxiety is naturally apart of our lives, but don’t let it control and stop you from living your best life.

The impulse That Changed Everything

A breakup led to a mental breakdown, and in a moment of desperation, I booked a semi-solo one-month trip to Vietnam at the beginning of this year. My close friend was planning a trip to South-Central Vietnam and I decided to tag along. He had to visit family for the second half of the trip, so I decided to backpack North Vietnam by myself. It was my first overseas trip in six years, and it was a revelation. I realised just how much of the world I was missing out on while stuck in my Canberra routine, studying hard at university and grinding away at my 9-5 job.

Vietnam: A Journey of Growth and Resilience

For some background, my mum used to peel grapes for me, and my dad, a severe germaphobe, always kept the house spotless. So, I’ve always been a bit of a princess who never really lifted a finger. On this trip, though, I challenged myself in ways I never had before. With just two backpacks (one on my back and the other in front), I traveled from South to North Vietnam by myself. Every few days, I moved to a new city, enduring the scorching heat and humidity, sometimes walking over a kilometer on uneven pavements from the bus stop to my hostel with all my belongings. Mentally and physically, the weight on my shoulders was the heaviest it’s ever been (I’m also weak, I can barely squat the bar—I’m more of a hip thrust girl). This is Vietnam we’re talking about, and the hygiene level is definitely not on par with back home. It was a real challenge sharing rooms and bathrooms with strangers. These experiences truly humbled me and tested my independence and resilience. I remember thinking to myself after sharing a room with 30+ people on the Ha Giang Loop and lugging 16kg across multiple cities, if I could survive this, I could survive anything.

Despite my fear of being alone, I thrived during this solo trip. I met and formed new incredible connections with locals and fellow tourists on this trip. I still keep in contact with some of the people I met on this trip and am planning to visit some of them on my upcoming Asia trip this October. This journey was transformative as it showed me that there was a vibrant world beyond Canberra’s borders, filled with various experiences waiting to be discovered and many more new people to meet.

Returning Home With a New Perspective

Upon returning to Canberra, I fell into a depression, constantly reminiscing about the memories I had made in Vietnam. Life in Canberra was mundane and uneventful, especially in a city where everything closes early except for the 24/7 McDonald’s or the occasional kebab shop. We don’t even talk about Canberra’s nonexistent nightlife. I always dreamt of leaving Canberra after high school, but I was held back by family, university education, and career growth opportunities. The trip ignited a hunger in me to see more of the world, try new foods, learn new cultures, meet new people, and most importantly, to finally get out of Canberra. I then made it a goal to save up as much money as I could and quit my job to travel for ~6 months this October. I actually went to Japan two months after coming back from my Vietnam trip but it was a very rushed trip where I went with my cousin and we only spent 1.5 weeks there. I have many regrets on this trip and will be coming back to do Japan correctly.

Ever since I was young, I’ve had the urge to start social media, but I was scared of being judged by my peers. What if they see my content and laugh? This fear held me back from making makeup tutorials in 2015, and funny TikTok content during COVID. However, now that I’m 25, I realise I can’t keep letting fear prevent me from opportunities and I finally mustered the courage to start a Tiktok and this blog. I started this blog not only to document my memories, but also to share my experiences and things I’ve learnt from my travels to help others become more confident when they travel too!

Conclusion

On my trip to Vietnam, I encountered people of various ages, but most were in their late teens or early twenties. It made me feel a bit old and regret not starting my travels sooner. This realization sparked a fire in me to explore the world now, knowing that money can always be earned back, but time can’t. So, I’ve made the bold and challenging decision to put my career on hold and embark on a big travel adventure this October. I am someone who gets haunted why the “what if’s” in life (probably why I gave all my exes more chances than they actually deserved). What if I regret this trip? What if I regret NOT doing this trip? I live life wanting to know I gave everything a shot. Surprisingly, I found it more daunting to tell my strict Asian parents about this decision than to face the prospect of traveling solo without an income for a few months.

My journey will begin in Japan (taking the unbeaten path this time), followed by Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand. I’ll be backpacking through Southeast Asia—who knows, I might even visit Laos and Cambodia since they’re so close and it would make financial sense, right? #TravelMaths #GirlMaths

I came across a quote that really resonated with me as someone who likes to stay in their comfort zone

“It is better to miss home than to miss out on the world!”

FAQ

Most Asian parents would say “why solo travel”, “it’s so dangerous”, “it’s so boring to go by yourself, just wait for someone to go with you” but it couldn’t be anymore untrue from that! Solo travel is an incredible opportunity that everyone should try at least once. It fosters independence and resilience as you navigate unfamiliar territories on your own. You learn to appreciate and enjoy your own company, discovering new things about yourself along the way. It’s a chance to step out of your comfort zone, make spontaneous decisions, and engage with the world in a way that group travel often doesn’t allow. Plus, it offers a unique sense of freedom and self-reliance that is both empowering and enriching. For me, solo travel is about embracing the adventure, challenges, and personal growth that come with exploring the world on my terms.

Short answer: you don’t! It is always nerve wrecking doing something yourself, whether it’s eating by yourself at a restaurant or traveling to a different country by yourself. But there are little things you can do prior to a trip to make you feel more comfortable and confident, especially if it’s your first solo trip. I recommend picking a location that you’re somewhat familiar with (can speak the language/know how to navigate around) and have a detailed plan for your trip. This includes how to obtain the currency, how you will get from the airport to your hotel, how you’ll be doing certain activities (will you do them yourself or go with a tour guide), etc! Being prepared helps you feel less anxious because you know you did the best you could, whatever happens next is in the hands of future you!

I might be biased but definitely the Ha Giang Loop in the Northern province of Vietnam. It is a ~350 km multi-day adventure on a motorbike that takes you through stunning landscapes, rugged mountains, lush valleys, and remote villages of Northern Vietnam. This journey offers breathtaking views and a chance to experience the local culture firsthand. Have you ever cried happy tears? Well you’ll definitely on this one of a life time trip.

Everyone says travel whilst you’re young! But you know what everyone forgets to mention? You’re probably young and broke. Either way, it’s important to stick to your budget to avoid post-vacation regrets. Using apps like TravelSpend can help track your expenses. I like to splurge on experiences and save by staying in hostels. A good tip is to balance expensive activities with cheaper ones; if you splurge on a tour, opt for a budget-friendly meal or free activities the next day. Planning and setting daily limits can help you make the most of your trip without overspending.

You can contact me on any of my socials, but email would work best at tontontravels@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you!

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