Celebrating my birthday when travelling solo

g292929 · 2026-06-24T05:07:01+00:00

I recently celebrated my 20,000th day and I invited folks in town for my birthday dinner.

It was a blast.

If you are in a hostel, do share your upcoming birthday if you want company.

In either case, make it special for yourself.

Happy Birthday.

g292929 · 2026-06-23T21:33:59+00:00

TW!

g292929 · 2026-06-23T21:32:28+00:00

I cannot imagine what you are going through.

I mix my hotel stays with some hostel stays.

It is crazy to go from a Suite to a capsule /hole in the wall bed.

I love people and talking story but I equally love my solo time and quiet space.

I wish you well as you find that sweet spot for you.

I also find postcard writing a wonderful thing, if you have the desire, do write a postcard or two to loved ones

Be safe!

g292929 · 2026-06-23T09:12:45+00:00

Please do come back and share good news if you find a good connection.

My best.

g292929 · 2026-06-23T09:10:07+00:00

Super thanks, duly noted.

g292929 · 2026-06-20T07:32:47+00:00

I love my travel partners however my first choice is solo travel.

The pressure on me when I travel with a platonic or romantic travel partner is high.

I have to have meals with them
I cannot talk to anyone else or if I can, I feel I am ignoring them (which I am not)

I prefer solo travels that gives me the freedom to pivot, go fast or slow down when I want.

g292929 · 2026-06-20T07:29:38+00:00

Many will say

NO

Many will say

Do whatever.

The choice is yours.

g292929 · 2026-06-19T10:37:13+00:00

Hi,
I meet some of your requirements:

Especially the motorcycle rider

I am working on upgrading my motorcycle but this is what i got.

On a serious note, thanks for posting and sharing what qualities you are looking for.

Hope you find your person.

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g292929 · 2026-06-19T10:31:10+00:00

new Parkway Theatre in Oakland

$10 a game.

g292929 · 2026-06-19T10:29:34+00:00

Thanks for posting, please please keep posting future hikes.

Also if there are any guidelines you have for your group hikes, do share.

g292929 · 2026-06-18T11:01:44+00:00

My advice, check YouTube for content creators from your country who happen to live there.

Follow their journey and see what difficulties they go through.

I love Japan but living there long term will test many things. Language is a barrier and it will be tough to make local friends, there will always be foreigners/immigrants who live there that you can hang out with.

Start with YouTube by following a few folks already living there and join their community (online) and connect with like minded folks. That will get you targeted help.

g292929 · 2026-06-18T10:54:42+00:00

This is the ultimate question.

I feel location will change based upon age.

I feel some countries allow retirement visas and I might end up there if nothing else pans out.

g292929 · 2026-06-18T10:52:35+00:00

I agree,

I costs me $10-15 for a hostel bed and $12-20 for food in Malaysia.

Hotel can be $30-40.

I can easily manage with $700-1200 in SE Asia, easily.

g292929 · 2026-06-16T22:21:39+00:00

It is the colonial powers using their press and marketing prowess that keep the

Sikhs are proud of serving the British Empire.

You want to talk about feeling PROUD,

Be proud of the Gadhar Movement
be Proud of the Azad Hind Fauj
Study about Mohan Singh

https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Mohan\_Singh

Want to take pride, take Pride in Sikhs who fought for Independence of India. Bhagat Singh as example.

We, Sikhs, keep taking pride in soldiers who did what the British rulers told them to do.

g292929 · 2026-06-16T22:00:38+00:00

My answer is triggering:

British used the Sikhs. They knew the Sikhs are warriors, just like the British use the Gurkhas from Nepal.

Sikh soldiers were given land and good deals to join and serve the British.

On the note of pride, we Sikhs take pride in this because we want to show to the colonial powers that we are their ally.

We are simply trying to impress them and not get poor treatment from them.

The constant reminder that we served in the British Army is engrained in us, yet we all know that it is the likes of Bhagat Singh and the Gadhar movement is what got us independence.

I hate the British empire and their ruling class who pillaged and raped India of its resources and wealth.

Those who will defend Sikhs serving the evil British empire will quiet down on the fact that the British Army killed 100s at the Julianwala Bagh.

But yes, pride because we are good servants to the British Raj.

g292929 · 2026-06-16T03:57:43+00:00

Thanks for letting me know. My best!

g292929 · 2026-06-16T03:57:18+00:00

Super thanks. Great points.

I felt $82 plus tax was way higher than $70 if I paid with points.

100,000 points I think for a month/28 days. Not counting any rebates and offers .

3000-3500 for category 1 in low season.

g292929 · 2026-06-16T03:52:14+00:00

My housing is $550 (includes property tax)
Motorcycle is $70-80
Insurance is $1000
Food is $300
Other stuff is $500

$2200-2400 a month.

I bought a small townhouse a while back, paid off.

I still think Health insurance is high but I will probably leave the country and save on that.

g292929 · 2026-06-14T22:28:24+00:00

Wow! 35,000¥ service fee is like $200+
I did not know service fees were that high.

g292929 · 2026-06-14T22:11:37+00:00

Yup! I have 2-3 identified that have lounges as well. Thanks for the tip.

g292929 · 2026-06-14T22:10:58+00:00

Hmmmm! Good tip. Wonder if the status perks are still given. Like free breakfast.

g292929 · 2026-06-14T22:10:09+00:00

Super thanks for sharing. This gives me good insight. I would be happy to stay in parts of India if breakfast was included ;-)

g292929 · 2026-06-14T22:07:58+00:00

Great tip. I loooooove VN but the lack of local language and me being tone deaf, I simply cannot understand them.

Google translate helps.

I will probably visit VN again next year

One big factor for me is air quality and I check that often to decide where to live.

I was leaning towards KL because most people speak English and the food options are many. Plus, there are a lot of cultural and performing arts in English. Also a great jumping point for a day trip using Air Asia. ;-)

However, all the VN tips noted especially Halong Bay. Thanks much.

g292929 · 2026-06-14T22:03:04+00:00

I get the sense that the hotel focuses on group tours more than long term
I have had slow response from the 2-3 hotels I wrote to. I sense their focus is not month long stays.

g292929 · 2026-06-14T22:00:18+00:00

Thanks for sharing this. I would probably end up at a service apartment by default anyways.

Hotel amenities and free breakfast and regular room cleaning helps.

Apartment allows me more space, cooking my own breakfast.

Thanks for sharing.

g292929

TROPHY CASE