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A solo female traveller has issued a warning to her fellow globetrotters by highlighting three crucial mistakes she made during her travels.
Cherlynn Ng, Assistant Digital Editor, Singapore Newspaper The new newspaperShe recently wrote an article titled “Things I (Shouldn’t) Have Done as a Solo Female Traveler,” where she candidly reflects on her experiences and lessons learned.
Having spent most of her life in Singapore, Cherlynn began travelling independently at the age of 22 and has since explored several countries including Greece, Turkey, Japan, Nepal, Vietnam and Thailand.
Although she describes her solo adventures as liberating, a recent tragedy involving a Singaporean travel companion prompted her to reevaluate the safety measures she employs while abroad.
The case of Audrey Fang Dirou, a 39-year-old Singaporean tourist found murdered in the Murcia region of Spain earlier this year, has particularly resonated with Cherlynn.
Audrey’s death, which included 30 stab wounds, led to the arrest of Mitchell Ong, a 43-year-old tourist from Singapore, who is now awaiting trial, the statement said. Asia Channel News.
In her article, Cherlynn details three major mistakes she made that could have jeopardized her safety, along with the strategies she now uses to protect herself.
Cherlynn Ng, assistant digital editor of Singaporean newspaper The New Times, recently wrote an article titled “Things I (Shouldn’t) Have Done as a Solo Female Traveler.”
Cherlynn admits that her desire for privacy often leads her to keep her whereabouts a secret, even from her closest family members.
She writes: ‘The consensus is that you should share your itinerary with your loved ones back home or periodically update them on your location.’
However, he explains: “I am a private person and that includes a tendency not to inform anyone of my whereabouts when I am abroad.”
This practice has led her to avoid posting her real-time location on social media.
In 2019, Cherlynn even went so far as to mislead her mother about the true nature of her trip, claiming she was going on a leisurely vacation when she was actually planning to climb Everest Base Camp.
“It wasn’t my wisest decision,” he admits, adding that his mother had already been aware of his plans anyway.
The experience has made Cherlynn reconsider the importance of keeping her loved ones informed for their safety.
In 2019, Cherlynn misled her mother about the true nature of her trip to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, but has since warned her fellow solo trekkers to share the location with their loved ones.
2. Walking alone in the streets at night
As someone who enjoys making the most of her time on the road, Cherlynn often stays out later than she probably should.
She writes: “This seems like something clearly forbidden, but hear me out.”
Growing up in Singapore, which she insists is one of the safest and most walkable countries in the world, may have contributed to her sense of complacency, she admits.
Despite her habit of researching areas ahead of time and avoiding places with higher crime rates, Cherlynn recognizes the risks inherent in walking alone at night in unfamiliar cities.
“So far, I haven’t had any unpleasant encounters,” she notes, stressing the importance of ignoring unwanted attention from resellers or harassers.
However, her love of exploring on foot has taught her to be more cautious in unfamiliar surroundings.
As someone who enjoys making the most of her time on trips, Cherlynn often stays out later than she probably should, like here in Greece, but she warns solo travelers to remain vigilant.
3. Meeting strangers
While some people might consider it risky to meet strangers while traveling alone, Cherlynn sees it as an opportunity to experience a destination more authentically.
Cherlynn emphasizes that while she would never travel specifically to meet someone for the first time, she remains open to making new friends abroad.
She recounts a time when she accepted an invitation from an Istanbul local, which led to a memorable evening exploring parts of the city she might not have otherwise discovered.
She writes: ‘A local asked me out when I was in Istanbul last September and I said yes because I thought it would be a fun way to spend my last night in Turkey.
‘Not only did I get to see a side of the city I wouldn’t have otherwise seen, but I also had experiences that aren’t usually found on any tourist map.
“It was a nice evening and I made a new friend,” she reflects, although she admits that her mother might not approve of her decision.
Her experience underscores the importance of exercising caution, trusting your instincts and setting clear boundaries when interacting with strangers.
While some people might consider it risky to meet strangers while traveling alone, Cherlynn sees it as an opportunity to experience a destination, like Turkey, more authentically.
