'You'll Get Lonely'
solo travel | Asia | Cambodia | story time | tips
You'll Get Lonely
We were 20 years old, and it was magical…
We Were 21 and It Was Pure Magic
I’ll never forget the moment my best mate, Laura, left for the Phnom Penh airport. Suddenly, it was just me. Alone.
My first thought? It’s 5 a.m.—go back to sleep. But then it hit me: I was completely free. Free to rent a scooter and finally zoom around Cambodia. (Laura had always been terrified of scooters, bless her.)
So, that was it. Four dollars a day for pure freedom? Don’t mind if I do.
What followed was chaos in the best possible way. I got caught in a monsoon, completely lost in the winding streets of Phnom Penh, and even had a minor scrape with another scooter. And you know what? It was the sickest day of my life.
The freedom to do whatever I wanted—to eat when I wanted, go where I wanted—was intoxicating. At 21, I felt independence like I’d never known. After a whirlwind day in the capital, I set my sights south and made my way to Kampot, a dreamy riverside town I’d read about.
The Flip Side of Freedom
And then… the loneliness crept in.
Kampot was as picturesque as I’d hoped, but being there alone was a whole different story. I was sick as a dog, chained to my private bathroom thanks to a raging case of Cambodia belly. My back was sunburned in the shape of a freaking world map, and I felt utterly miserable.
Sure, I had people around me. I even joined a local pool team at a hostel, but it wasn’t the same. What I really missed was the comfort of chatting nonsense with someone who knew me. Someone who wouldn’t ask, Where are you from? How long are you staying? What do you do for a living?
I just wanted to crack dumb inside jokes and laugh about how disastrously bad my stomach situation was. I wanted Laura.
And… I got really lonely. I was sick as a dog, scared to leave my private bathroom in case of any ‘accidents’ out and about, I had a world map shape sun burn on my back, this feeling was new to me.
The Comeback
Luckily, a few weeks later, some friends booked flights to meet me in Vietnam. And just like that, the loneliness eased, the Cambodia belly subsided (thanks, Imodium), and I was back in my element.
But even now, 12 years later, I can’t quite decide: do I prefer traveling solo or with a friend?
Here’s what I do know: the key isn’t choosing one over the other. It’s knowing when to reach out to the ones you love—and when to kindly tell them to p*** off for a few days.
Tips for Traveling with a Mate
If you’ve got a friend tagging along on your trip, here’s the survival guide I wish I’d had:
Stick to Your Priorities
Make a short list of things you absolutely want to do, and stick to it—whether your friend joins or not. If you want to explore the local markets while they want to nap, don’t wait around. Independence is key.Build in Alone Time
Don’t feel like you need to be glued at the hip. Different bus seats? Perfect. Not into the Full Moon Party? Let them go with the hostel crew while you recharge.Prepare for Stress
Traveling will show you sides of your friend you’ve never seen. At some point, you’ll both be sweaty, stressed, and swatting mosquitoes while arguing with a tuk-tuk driver about the exchange rate. It’s inevitable, but it’s also part of the fun.
Final Thoughts
The truth about traveling, whether solo or with friends, is that it’s never as glamorous as Instagram makes it out to be. It’s messy, sweaty, chaotic—and utterly magical.
So whether you’re sharing the ride or riding solo, embrace it all. The good, the bad, and the mosquito-bitten. Because those are the moments you’ll be talking about 12 years later.
What’s your take—solo adventures or team travel? Drop your thoughts below!