The Lone Traveller's Base / TSR Travel Society

Oh god, I've ended up at some awful hostel, probably my worst one yet - beds that creak so much if you move just a little bit, no barrier at the one side of the top bunk that's not facing the wall (wtf, like can I sue them if I fall off and injure myself?), a ridiculously loud fan that still leaves the room a bit warm anyway, hardly anywhere decent I can sit down to charge and use my laptop, bathrooms with tiny sinks and no hooks, and a too small kitchen. It's only redeeming factors are free pasta, rice, tea and coffee, and its convenient closeness to a music festival i'm going to at the weekend, which only slightly make up for all the negatives, but I'd still rather not stay here. But I'm stuck here for 5 more nights, and even if this place didn't have a no refund policy, no where else in this city has availability anyway. And what makes it worse is that I just left such an awesome hostel yesterday, perfect in nearly every way, and i only left due to lack of availability.

I hope you enjoyed my rant, lol. Anyone with tips with how to cope?

Which city are you in?

Melbourne, Australia. I'm definitely realizing how very popular this place is for tourists and backpackers! I've already now made sure to reserve some nights next week at my previous hostel as soon as I'm done in this one, but damn, being a backpacker does have its issues, as fun as it may otherwise be.

How has it been so far? Aside from the hostel problems

Have you found people to be quite sociable in the hostels you've stayed at? and have you done many things with people that you've met? Also, what kind of things have you been doing when on your own?

Yeah, Melbourne's been nice so far. It's quite a huge area, with lots to see and do, so I'd be happy staying here for a while.

When I first arrived in Australia, I did an arrival package that meant I was put into a big group with other young travellers to do lots of different organised activities, which was fun

As for the hostels in general, I'd say it's not too hard to find some people to chat with, though finding people to properly hang out with is a little harder, but I'm quite a shy person who doesn't make friends too easily so that might be partly why.

When alone, I walk around the city, go shopping, eat in restaurants and cafes, go to museums and galleries, lots of things really.

Melbourne, Australia. I'm definitely realizing how very popular this place is for tourists and backpackers! I've already now made sure to reserve some nights next week at my previous hostel as soon as I'm done in this one, but damn, being a backpacker does have its issues, as fun as it may otherwise be.

I saw you on TSR for a while debating what to do and stuff so I'm glad that you've managed to go, and glad to see you are enjoying yourself! I have a couple of questions if you don't mind?
1. How did you find your flight over there, where did you stop off?
2. Do you plan on road tripping anywhere?
3. Are you going to work?

Melbourne is definently known within Australia as one of the places to go when you are looking to have a good time. Are you still there, and if so how are you travelling around?

1. Hi. I flew to Hong Kong first, which is 12 hours from London! It was very long but bearable. The destination makes it worth it . I spent a few days in HK, cos breaking up the journey made it easier as well as just having an additional country to explore . Then I flew from HK to Sydney in 9 hours.

2. Well, I don't currently have a car or campervan or anyone to travel with, but I might do some organised tours through travel companies. I've been doing a few long coach trips and they're pretty good for getting where you want to go economically

3. Yeah, I'm gonna work, and I'm currently job hunting at the moment so fingers crossed

Helloo I'm just gonna stick my post in so I can get the thread updates... I really want to do some solo travelling next summer, thinking Marrakech in Morrocco as my parents have been and they loved in, and I would also love an opportunity to speak French in a different setting... anyone been before? Especially if you've done it solo, would love to hear experiences

Not done it solo but plenty of accommodation and its all very cheap. Personally I preferred my time in Fes because it was less touristy.

Helloo I'm just gonna stick my post in so I can get the thread updates... I really want to do some solo travelling next summer, thinking Marrakech in Morrocco as my parents have been and they loved in, and I would also love an opportunity to speak French in a different setting... anyone been before? Especially if you've done it solo, would love to hear experiences

Ooo snazzy. I was looking at volunteering out there for a month or so but the companies I've looked at are so expensive, I thought just staying in a hostel and exploring might be a better and cheaper way to experience it

Thanks for replying yeah I was thinking if I were to do it I would stop off at Changi, Singapore as my dad lived there whilst my grandad was in the RAF so I was thinking it would be cool to see where they lived and stuff.

Another random question that popped into my head, when you go out for the day, where do you keep all of your belongings? Do you carry your passport and stuff with you, or are hostels safe?

I really want to go travelling after my a levels and i don't think I'll have anyone to go with. I've been reading some if your msgs and some of you say you meet people on the way etc. And id love to meet new people but im kind of shy and not very confident sometimes, would you say travelling solo isn't for me? Orrrr do you have any tips? Thanks