I didn’t tell my parents I was solo traveling until the plane took off. I sent a quick selfie to the family group chat, said goodbye and turned off my phone. Suffice to say, they weren’t thrilled.
The day I booked the tickets, my mind wasn’t working right. I had been crying, worried, angry at myself. It could’ve been anywhere. I had been looking at Oslo the night before but the tickets to Venice were cheap - a return from Bristol was only £24. That Saturday morning, I booked the flights and the following Monday, I left.
I never thought solo traveling was for me, I imagined someone else tagging along but this was a trip I had to do myself. It was a necessity. Four short days in Venice, Italy left me better than ever.
Here’s why.
1. It’s terrifying.
The first thing I did when the plane landed in Venice that late evening was break my portable charger. I had tripped on my way to Immigration, which took so long I almost missed my bus to the hostel.
Not a great start to my trip.
When traveling alone, there is an underlying tone of fear. I clutched my backpack, had no valuables in my pocket, and printed copies of my passport. I always returned to the accommodation before 8pm. These small precautions made my trip feel safer, I wouldn’t have done if I traveled in a group.
This fear heightens your awareness of your surroundings. You’re focused on new people and the places you go. Solo traveling makes the fear just a slightly bit more real (in a good way, I promise).
2. Time for self-reflection
I spent more time writing notes in cafes and streets in those 3 days than I did in the past 6 months.
I was able to do what I want when I wanted. Whether to see landmarks or sitting down at a cafe just to write my thoughts on said-landmarks. Being alone in a new city provided me space to think, at a time when I was incredibly lost. I had no direction, no reason, no feelings left to comprehend anything.
If I didn’t leave the UK, I don’t think I would have made it.
You’re forced to grow. When I felt empty, I left to develop a new sense of self. The change of scenery and time away makes you think. I definitely needed that.
3. Being alone is okay
I struggled with being alone, I always needed to be with someone - friend or otherwise. My mornings and nights spent attached to the point it had become exhausting. I had forgotten who I was by being another. For someone like me, supposedly so sure of myself, that was destroying.
Taking time to be alone meant I started enjoying myself.
I realized my love for writing again, typing out feelings and research in one article or more. Taking photos without keeping others waiting. I even missed sitting down just to take in the scenery. I hadn't done that in so long.
4. You're a freaking BADASS.
Seriously. Going to a new place without anyone, feeling afraid but doing it anyway is bravery to me. At the moment of my first solo trip, I was having a meltdown and didn't think about the wild adventure I was about to go on.
I walked around Venice streets alone and heartbroken. Instead of sulking, I wrote about it instead. Badassery can be as small as picking up a pen and writing, or as big as traveling. It's all subjective.
I walked around Venice streets alone and heartbroken. Instead of sulking, I wrote about it instead. Badassery can be as small as picking up a pen and writing, or as big as traveling. It's all subjective.
who will never read what I wrote.
Unless they see these blog posts, which I'm hoping they don't.
Going through old notebooks from a few years ago, I found a few snippets of prose and poetry. They're sketched and inked onto old papers but I like to think they still have some sentimental value. They remind me of better times when I was a little bit happier during the holidays.
Here are some Words in Books I'll Never Write.
0 1. goodnight
His head on my chest,
and my fingers in his hair.
Eyes closed,
and still fully clothed.
We’re gently rocked to sleep
by the rhythm of our heartbeats.
Neither of us were particularly good dancers, but he put jazz on the speakers and took my hand. A foot in front of the other, I followed in pursuit. Our bodies swayed across the room, taking wild twirls in turn. He dipped down low and spun and pulled me back in.
We both laughed, dizzy from nightcaps. We danced, even after the song ended. Moving to a beat we played differently in our heads. How madly in love we looked that Christmas Eve.
He was mad, and I was in love.
and my fingers in his hair.
Eyes closed,
and still fully clothed.
We’re gently rocked to sleep
by the rhythm of our heartbeats.
- 29th November 2017, 00:20AM
0 2. christmas eve
Neither of us were particularly good dancers, but he put jazz on the speakers and took my hand. A foot in front of the other, I followed in pursuit. Our bodies swayed across the room, taking wild twirls in turn. He dipped down low and spun and pulled me back in.
We both laughed, dizzy from nightcaps. We danced, even after the song ended. Moving to a beat we played differently in our heads. How madly in love we looked that Christmas Eve.
He was mad, and I was in love.
- 22nd December 2017, 00:13AM
0 3. new years
I looked up at the sky, illuminated with lights crackling up in the air. Loud cheers from the pub two minutes away, singing and laughing. I look back at you as if this new year would be alright. You take my hand, covered in a mitten, and kiss it gently.
"Happy 2018."
You walk too fast for me, I run faster. I call out to you and you stop by a street light. You look at me behind your shoulder, your lips suppress a smile.
"Hurry up, it's freezing," you gesture to the road. Huddled in a coat much too big, and that blue scarf I liked so much. You look happy, content with life as it is right then and there.
"Forgive my little legs." We both chuckle as I catch up to you, fireworks sprung out.
I looked up at the sky, illuminated with lights crackling up in the air. Loud cheers from the pub two minutes away, singing and laughing. I look back at you as if this new year would be alright. You take my hand, covered in a mitten, and kiss it gently.
"Happy 2018."
- 4th January 2018, 5:21PM
I would like to preface this post by saying all of this writing is purely fictional. Maybe. Perhaps inspired by true events but written by someone who, at the time of writing, had been wearing rose-tinted glasses.
I have literally no ideas.
Often times, my brain is blank when it comes to writing new blog posts. My fingers never get around to typing more than a 'The' every other day. To compensate, I decided to sit and write out 25 Blog Post Ideas in under 5 minutes.
And I did it! Here are 25 Blog Post Ideas (when you can't think of anything else)
BEAUTY
1. Makeup Product Review
2. What's in My Makeup Bag?
3. Skincare Routine
4. Makeup of the Day
5. Monthly Favourites
FASHION
7. How to Style [blank]
8. # Ways to Wear [blank]
9. Brand Review
10. Celebrity Outfit Inspirations
LIFESTYLE
11. A Day in My Life
12. House/Flat/Room Tour
13. Travel With Me
14. DIY Projects
15. Journal With Me
PERSONAL
17. # Things About Me
18. Dear Diary
19. My Thoughts on [blank]
20. Monthly Roundup
MISCELLANEOUS
22. Guest Post
23. Restaurant Review
24. Blogger Help & Advice
25. Tips & Tricks to Improve Your [blank]
Do you have any favourite blog post ideas?
with love,
Bash Harry
Busan is a treasure hidden in South Korea, the second-largest city in South Korea. Bigger than Seoul but quiet in its character. The weather at 6 degrees greeting us with a cool breeze. I ran out in just a t-shirt, I missed this kind of air. Cold but welcoming.
We spent 4 days in Busan, exploring what it had to offer so here is our little Travel Guide to Busan!
DAY 0.5
- Chinatown, Texas Town, Russian Town
DAY 1
- Mayor’s Residence
- Hauendae Beach
- Haedong Yonggung Temple
DAY 2
- Gamcheon Culture Village
- Busan International Film Festival Square
- Jagalchi Fish Market
- Busan Traditional Arts Centre
- Shinsegae Centum City
DAY 3
- Busan Cooking Class
- Cafe 38.5
- Seomyeon Street
- Bay 101
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIP
HAUENDAE BEACH
Haeundae Beach is Busan's most famous beach with its white sands reaching far that stretches 1.5km long. The shallow bay and city skyline reminds me of Singapore, if not bigger. We went when it was quiet, the sun and wind hitting our skin.
Our tour guide, Hailey told us it was better in the Summer, filled with locals ready to swim when the cultural events and festivals happen frequently. I didn't mind though. I think I just in awe how silky the sand felt between my fingertips.
Our tour guide, Hailey told us it was better in the Summer, filled with locals ready to swim when the cultural events and festivals happen frequently. I didn't mind though. I think I just in awe how silky the sand felt between my fingertips.
HAEDONG YONGGUNG TEMPLE
Described as 'The Most Beautiful Temple in Korea' and I agree.
'At least one of your wishes will be answered here through sincere prayers' is Haedong Yonggung Temple's motto - and maybe it rings true. I know prayer brings peace, and seeing people pray in this holy temple gives me hope.
The Buddhist temple is nestled along the shoreline, a rarity since most temples are up in the mountains. It's a far walk to its main temple, but every step taken shows you a view you've never expected. Even if you might get lost like I did.
'At least one of your wishes will be answered here through sincere prayers' is Haedong Yonggung Temple's motto - and maybe it rings true. I know prayer brings peace, and seeing people pray in this holy temple gives me hope.
The Buddhist temple is nestled along the shoreline, a rarity since most temples are up in the mountains. It's a far walk to its main temple, but every step taken shows you a view you've never expected. Even if you might get lost like I did.
GAMCHEON CULTURAL VILLAGE
I have never been to a place like the Gamcheon Cultural Village.
Known as the Santorini or the Machu Picchu of Korea, the houses are built in staircase-fashion on the foothills. Paintings and murals cover the village in vibrant colors to catch our eye. The government, village, and artists collaborated to renovate it in 2009 to become a tourist attraction.
They certainly succeeded.
BUSAN TRADITIONAL ARTS CENTRE
The Busan Traditional Arts Centre recently opened in April 2019. It's a base for local traditional arts, cultural exhibitions, and cultural properties. We met the artists of the trade like a shoemaker of Korean slippers and the Buddhist monk who specialized in calligraphy.
It was a short visit but showed us the importance of cultural tradition for Busan. I always admired classic art forms, only they could do so well.
CAFE 38.5
Photos by
Danial Aldani
When I say this is the coolest cafe ever, I say it is the coolest. Cafe 38.5 is located somewhere in Yeongdo-gu, four floors of floor to ceiling windows with a scenic view of the coastline. Let me just say it was absolutely magical.
We had gone when the weather was perfect at 16 degrees. On the fourth floor, we accessed the slanting rooftop and sat there as we ate the amazing pastries. The sky clear and seaport close by, it felt like I was in a K-Drama and my leading man was going to show up any minute.
He still hasn't.
The media trip was sponsored by
Busan Tourism Organisation
Busan Tourism Organisation
If you'd rather watch instead, I do have the trip in two videos! Even though it was three days, it felt like one loooooooong day filled with walking, food and good company. I'd love to go back again with my family next time.
I spent last month reflecting on how my 2010s began and how it ended. In 2010, I was likely asleep, considering I was 12 and tired of life already. In 2019, I was in the living room, watching HBO with my family. When the clock struck midnight, we cheered, 'Happy New Year' and went to bed. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
In just 10 short years, I've learned a few things - mostly through a lot of embarrassment and failure. Here are 10 Things I Learned in the 2010s.
1. Teenagehood is a witch with a capital B
2. You'll lose friends but gain better ones
3. The people you love don't dictate who you are
4. The world is too big to stay in one place forever
8. Destiny may not be real, but you can manifest
9. Everyone is figuring it out
10. Home is not a place, it is a feeling.
What is something you learned in the 2010s?
with love,
Bash Harry
Five years ago, I wrote about my 2015 Resolutions.
Not much has changed yet so much has.
My 2015 Resolutions are different but they came true. Eventually within the next five years. Keeping that in mind, I'd like to do a Goals list for the next decade instead of the usual resolutions list. After all, the 2020s is the perfect start for this kind of post.
Here are my 5 goals for the decade.
1. 30 COUNTRIES BY 30
I'm 22 now and just developed the travel bug. Why did I wait till my final year of Uni to start solo traveling?
As of writing this, I have been to 15 different countries - 6 of them from last year alone. Thinking about it both excites and scares me. I've always wanted to travel more and maybe in 8 short years, I will visit 15 new countries. Here's hoping for an EU Rail trip and an Asian adventure.
2. HAVE A SCREENPLAY PRODUCED
This will be kept open and broad - cause it's already happened.
The Bungsu Story premiered in 2018, and under the poster said 'Screenplay by Bash Harry.' It showed in local cinemas, and in 2019, was nominated for Best Asian Drama at the First Asian Content Awards. That's pretty freaking cool.
I'd like to do that all over again. Write a new screenplay to be produced in the next decade, maybe even premiere globally. Right now, it's wishful thinking but that's where everything starts.
3. PUBLISH A NOVEL
There are murmurs of exciting things going on - that I can't quite talk about yet. This relates to it, kind of. I'd like to write a straight forward young adult fiction to be put on paper. A super cheesy love story of a girl meets boy to somehow finds herself along the way. That, or a story about Death.
I haven't decided yet.
4. LIVE IN A DIFFERENT COUNTRY
I've done this already. Three short years in Great Britain, a town called Exeter where it's too quiet for me. In the next decade, I don't want to live somewhere too quiet. Not for the foreseeable future at least. I'd like to live in, or somewhere close to, a city. Whether Singapore or London for a few years or more, just to experience city life for a change.
5. BE HAPPY
Happiness is such a fickle thing - so asking for a feeling to be constant is an immediate failure.
That being said, I'd rather have the long term mindset of being okay, accepting that life is a constant rollercoaster but to prepare my feelings for it. Rather than succumb to the depressive episodes I get, I'd rather accept and move on. Grieve and carry forward. Happiness isn't supposed to be constant, but it is good to feel okay most days.
What are your goals for the 2020s?
with love,
Bash Harry
I haven't done one of these in a while.
My last Year in Review was in 2017, as I had finished up the first term of my second year. I think back and realize how much I missed in 2017. It was lackluster in comparison to the next two years, but I was surrounded by good friends and felt good about myself.
Earlier this year, I posted an overview of my January - August. It's a gentle reminder that less than five months ago, life felt emotional, reckless and terrifying. Now, looking back at the past four months, it has been nothing like that. It's better.
How did it go?
How did it go?
SEPTEMBER
- Kuala Lumpur with Tourism Malaysia
I found out Tourism Malaysia was taking me and Amirul Adli to Kuala Lumpur two days before the flight. Five days in a familiar city, with different people. I had grown to love Kuala Lumpur as a second home, and it still feels like it. Just a little bit louder, wilder and friendlier.
My favorite part of the trip was the quietest. I left the hotel for an old friend's flat where we stayed outside at the balcony, just chatting the night away. It's the little things like this that make me feel alive.
OCTOBER
- Joined an internship program for Climate Change
I feel like such an adult ever since I started my internship. An 8-hour workday at a fancy office, that I'm glad to spend with old friends. We spend most mornings finishing work as we chat about the future then go for lunch and bubble tea afterward. It's amazing.
NOVEMBER
- Busan, South Korea with the Busan Tourism Organisation
I went to South Korea and to be honest, I still can't believe it. It felt like a whirlwind of three/four days and the only recollection that I have is in film. As if the whole thing was a narcissistic surrealist's dream but it wasn't It was amazing, beautiful and cold - in a good way.
- One day in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
We had a 10-hour layover in Saigon before our next flight to South Korea, so I took the chance to get out. Saigon still rings in my ear - the honks and screeches of the traffic outside. One day in Ho Chi Minh is definitely not enough, but I'm still thankful I got to visit this city.
DECEMBER
- Performed as Madame Giry for Seeds Brunei's 10th Anniversary Show in Mystery of The Opera
I haven't been on stage for over five years but Seeds Brunei was celebrating its 10th Anniversary. It was the first home I ever made so I auditioned and was cast as Madame Giry - and I had to sing. It was terrifying, and it wasn't. All because of the amazing people in it.
Every weeknight spent singing and practicing with the family I missed so much. I've known most of them since I was 14, and now, we're older and much better.
- Performed spoken word at the launch of the Tiny Lit Festival
It was the first time I performed in spoken word since March, and the first time I performed in Brunei in over two years. The Real Word invited me as one of the speakers for the launch. It's inspiring to be surrounded by creative people flourishing, pouring hearts in poems and songs. Also, meeting some old friends that night. Quite nice.
And that was my 2019.
It felt like two different phases in my life, one absolutely horrible and the other quite good. I like to think it balanced out to a productive but dissociative year. What 2020 has in store the world can only wait. Good things perhaps but I can only hope.
How was your 2019?
with love,
Bash Harry
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