Early days

So the journey began on a wet sail away.

My panic attacks were having panic attacks about being solo, but in a complete 360 degree turn around, I actually attended the solo travellers meet and greet on night one. Will admit it was bouyed by a glass of wine beforehand, but I did it, and met the loveliest people.

Still had to go through the excrutiating drama of the dining room with complete strangers. It really wasnt a drama, other that what I made it.

Lesson one - trust yourself to be able to eat in public. You won't necessarily make a total tit of yourself.... You can leave that until later when the random dancing starts!!!

There was rough weather from Sydney to Adelaide, but by the time we got there, I had some travelling companions!! Other like minded widows who are far more seasoned travellers that I.

Alternatively termed the "merry widows" or "the golden girls", we shared many adventures together during this first leg of the trip. I am eternally grateful for their company, humour and guidance through the weird days of world cruising.

The days pass, and as a solo I can highly recommend joining some groups to expand the number of people you encounter on a deeper level - I decided to learn bridge. Bridge eventually got the better of me, so I haven't kept this up on the second leg of my journey, but really recommend doing things with others.

Since I'm writing this at the beginning of my second leg of the journey, I'm away to take my own advice and bookmark some things to do. There are a lot of sea days on this part of the journey, but more on this later.

Looking back on my journal from the first leg, this was a standing agnda item - get out more and mingle more etc etc.....

Seems some lessons need learning over and over again.

Solo doesnt need to be alone.