I vividly recall the first time I travelled on my own.

 I was to accept an award for my photography at a presentation being held at a sophisticated 5-star hotel on the Gold Coast. Recently separated from a soul-crushing marriage of 25 years, accepting an award in recognition of my photography talent and absorbing myself in a little luxury seemed like a minor triumph and a positive step in a new direction so I decided to make the trip up from Sydney.

 I was anxious about the trip and nervous about accepting the award in front of hundreds of people. As we sat in the ballroom, a break in proceedings allowed me to strike up conversation with a journalist who was receiving an award for her writing work in The Australian newspaper. After mentioning to her that I was travelling alone for the first time, she sat back in her chair unable to hide her shock. She went on to relate how she travelled frequently on her own for work and that it was quite ok and for several reasons was even preferable to travelling with a companion.

 I was a little embarrassed. Well into my forties now, yes, I’d travelled, all over the world. I’d even lived on three separate continents, I had just never been on a trip that was just for me, on my own agenda with nobody for company…just me.

 I returned to my room and enveloped myself in the luxurious bedding and contemplated my pillow menu. Soft and downy feather; temperature sensitive foam contour moulding; firm therapeutic and more. My eyes slipped away as I recalled our earlier conversation. Yes, I believe I’m warming to this solo travelling. I think I’d like to explore it further.

 I think it’s time for new adventures.

 Nina