A jumping shot of us on a beach in Darwin, Australia.

AThe Arnhem Escarpment that borders the land of the Aborigines in the Kakadu National Park - Northern Territory, Australia.

As an occasional solo traveler, picking the right destination to explore is not quite as easy as one would imagine. Since our move to Spain, Alberto has settled into his new job so that leaves me and my backpack, out to see the world alone. As much as I enjoy the prospects of meeting more people and having the freedom to do whatever I want, solo travel can be a little daunting at times. Especially for a solo female traveler, it’s wise not to be wary of your surroundings. In this post, I share with you some of my suggestions for the best adventurous destinations for solo travelers.

1. Australia

For the ultimate adventurous holidays, Australia definitely wouldn’t disappoint. Few places in the world can beat Australia’s myriad of natural spots and adventurous activities – scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef, then skydive in Sydney, and go bush-walking in the outback – Kakadu National Park. Besides world-class infrastructure and some of the friendliest people in the world, Austalia makes for a safe and easy destination for solo travelers.

2. Tanzania

Although African capitals can be slightly intimidating, venture out to the savannahs and wild lands and you’ll find the warmest people who are more curious about you than anything else. This East African nation is bursting with thrilling outdoors opportunities ideal for the solo traveler. Sign yourself up for an adventure tour – from the Kilimanjaro trek to a wildlife safari or scuba-diving trip on Zanzibar island – you’re sure to meet fellow travelers and have a wild time. Unlike the usual stereotype view, Tanzania is relatively safe to travel alone, just try to avoid dodgy areas in the capital city.

3.  Malaysia

Being a Muslim country, Malaysia is often misunderstood by many as conservative and unwelcoming. But adventure travelers who have given it a shot all leave with a big smile  – Malaysia is packed to the brim with raw, unexplored natural spots and bewitchingly beautiful terrain. Explore its acres of dense rainforest and mingle with orang utans or live with ancient tribes, then emerge out of the forest to find clear, turquoise waters, home to some of the world’s best dive sites. And its people – you can hardly find such genuine and hospitable people elsewhere.

Photo by whoa adventures

4. Ecuador

A small nation chocked full of rare and endemic wildlife and nature, Ecuador is a country only worthy of superlative descriptions. With natural wonders that hit the right sensory glands, you can feed your craving for all things natural here in one small country. Swim with sea lions, sharks and penguins on the Galapagos Islands, hike through the culturally-rich Amazon Rainforest or climb the Cotopaxi Mountain – you could easily do all that in one week. What’s more, Ecuador is one of the better-off countries in South America, equipped with better tourism infrastructure than its neighboring nations.

5. Jordan

Amongst the Arabic nations, Jordan is tops on my list – especially in terms of ease of travel, security and sights to see. Float in the Dead Sea in the north and then head down south to explore the archaeological sites of Petra and then hop on a camel safari through Wadi Rum desert. Unlike neighboring Egypt or Israel, the country is not overrun with tourism and dominated by foreigners. To see a real peek into the Middle Eastern world, Jordan would be a great start.

6. Macedonia

During my recent solo jaunt in the Balkans, Macedonia definitely left a deep impression on me: Not only were the locals helpful and forthcoming, the country is also shaped perfectly for intrepid adventure travelers looking to get off the beaten path. Composing of a multitude of mountains and emerald lakes, Macedonia is favored by outdoor lovers who enjoy hiking, climbing and boating. Be sure to check out Lake Ohrid and the Bitola Mountains.

*All the photos above are my own, they cannot be used without my permission.

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Gorgeous secluded waterfalls, rough rocky landscape and unspoiled greenery are spread through out the huge Kakadu National Park. This part of Australia is casually known as the ‘Top End’, where the proximity to the Equator gives it a humid Tropical weather. Our adventure tour through Kakadu was thrilling and exciting – getting down and dirty through bushes and rocky mountains, to unveil purely isolated falls.

Our adventure tour started in the North end of Kakadu. As we clambered over rocks, hiking up to the point where Crocodile Dundee peered out into the Kakadu rainforest, I felt dizzy for a moment there as my sweat was seemingly flooding up my vision. Not the height, nor the heat was making me shudder– the view was making me dizzy, with excitement.

Ubirr lookout

On our way to Ubirr lookout, there were several Aboriginal Rock Art sites that were more pretty impressive, having been drawn hundreds of years ago. According to Aboriginal culture, these rock art have educational purposes – to pass down stories and lessons from one generation to the next. Stories of how the Tasmanian tiger went extinct, and how many other wildlife species have also disappeared for the same reason were told one after another.

Camping out in the outback was exciting to say the least. Although not exactly roughing it out, (after all, we had beds in the tents), it was still refreshingly down-to-earth with no electricity and waking up to wild horses. Every meal was over-the-top thou, with our all-rounded guide  dishing up grilled kangaroo steaks, salads and wraps.

Gubana Pools / the Castle

The highlight of the hiking tour was perhaps the rough and challenging way up steeply entangled rocks enroute the Castle, past the Gubana pools. Most hikers only get to the pools. Technically, it’s against the park rules to ascend that way, but to hell with it, it was just 4 of us on our adventure quest, and we were ready for the ride. The way up, and the view at the top, was all worth it.

Wilderness Adventures (co-owned by Adventure tours) did a great job- our guide was amazing with her funny anecdotes and expertise, bringing us off the beaten track. We barely saw any other travelers and we were genuinely in the wild, enjoying every single moment of it!

At the end of the hike, back at the foot of the Castle, we dipped right into the fresh Gubana pools. A rewarding way to cool off the heat after our steep hike.

The tumbling sounds of the waterfalls deep in the rainforests excited me endlessly. At Gubana pools, we were exhilarated to have some private time in a little waterfall off a sandy pathway.

Motorcar Creek Falls / Boulder Falls

But not until the discovery of the Motorcar Creek Falls at Southern Kakadu, did we uncover the allure in the crumbling waters.

Formed phenomenally by tectonic plate movements, the creek was created thousands of years ago. It only gets filled with water in the wet season. (November to March) Luck must have on our side, since we went there right in the middle of the wet season, and we didn’t get hit by any rain!

Another 2km away, was the 3-layered Boulder Creek Falls. Clear shallow waters fill up the lowest level, where huge boulders create an aesthetic natural  escarpment.

Venturing into the Kakadu would not have been so fulfilling and eventful without our fellow travel mates and guide from Wilderness Adventures. A genuinely independent way of traveling and getting in touch with nature. The Top End is definitely one of its kind, in stark contrast with the rest of Australia.

Wilderness Adventures offers 3-day adventure tours to Kakadu National Parks for AU$495 (US$320). I would recommend booking in person, only when you’re there in Darwin as you might just get a last-minute discount. Most of these tours depart daily.

Oh yes, the Aussies sure have their unique slang, which still baffles me and other travelers alike. In some parts of Australia, their accent mixed with the Aussie slang make understanding them a tad bit difficult. But yet, you can’t seem to get enough of it. At least it cracked me up when we were trying to carry out a conversation with this surfer dude, where I had to keep going,  ‘ermm say it again?’.

Australia Slang, Aussie Slang, or Strine as it is sometimes called, is a reflection of the harsh Australian land, and the no-nonsense “lets get on with it” attitude of the Australian people. So a lot of corners are cut both with what we say and how we say it.

From ‘G’day mate!’ to ‘Onya’, the Aussie style of English is made up of colloquial expressions and slang phrases. So, to not look like a complete drongo, we’d better pick up some Aussie slang to get by in this land down under!

G’day is hullo, pronounced Gidday which is a shortened form of Good Day, and used mostly in informal situations.

Hooroo is Goodbye, pronounced as ‘ooroo’ and is used among friends.

Mate is Friend, mainly for males. Everyone in Australia is a mate, so they would often say “G’day mate” or “Thanks mate”.

Onya means Well Done, a shortened form of Good On You. The best “Aussieism” some say.

Adam’s ale means Water! Wonder who came up with that?!

Galoot refers to a foolish person – you don’t wanna hear people call you that!

Razoo is a fictitious coin made from brass. The term is usually used to indicate that someone has no money. “I haven’t got a brass razoo!”

Veg out is to relax and thing of, er, nothing.

Last but not least,

Drongo means a stupid, inept, awkward or embarrassing person, a dimwit or slow-witted person.

*Several slangs I’d found online are similar to the British, such as ‘bloke’, ‘back in a tic’, ‘I kid you not’ etc. The above slangs are usually used only by the Aussies.

So anyone knows any other Aussie slangs that might just make us chuckle?

We’re here in Darwin, the Capital of Northern Territory – on the Northern tip of Australia that had been bombed during World War II but have rapidly grown into a vibrant city. Heading to the famous Kakadu National Park down South tomorrow, we’re all geared up to trek through the floodplains and climb rocky hills, on our 4WD adventure trip. Let’s find out more about Kakadu before exploring the sprawling outback.

Almost the same size as Slovenia, Kakadu National Park stretches over 20,000 kilometres, with a landscape ranging from mangrove-fringed plains to lowland hills and sandstone cliffs. The unique biodiversity and exceptional beauty in landscape and wildlife earn Kakadu its World Heritage Status. With more than 5000 listed Aboriginal art sites and a diversity of wildlife second only to the Amazon, Kakadu has every little right to claim itself a World-Class Nature Reserve.

Diverse Wildlife

Home to 1600 plant species and thousands of different species of animals, many of them are found nowhere else in the world, while some are yet to be discovered.   The Blue-Winged Kookaburra is just one of the many kingfisher species that add a splash of colour to the forests and waterways of Kakadu. Kookaburras are best known for their unmistakable call, which is uncannily like loud, echoing human laughter.

Crocodiles are a way of life in the Top End. Freshwater crocs are smaller and shy, but this fully grown saltwater croc is afraid of nothing and earns the respect of local communities. Every year the big rains wash hundreds of crocs downstream into Kakadu and many remain in billabongs and lagoons. Indigenous people call the saltwater crocs “Ginga”, and follow them for days in the early dry season to discover their nests.

Buffalo, wallaby and goanna also roam freely in the wild plains of Kakadu. Wildlife safaris can also be arranged when animal experts will point out to you sightings of wildlife in the Park.

Aboriginal Rock Art

Traditionally owned by the Aboriginal owners, the name ‘Kakadu’ comes from an Aboriginal floodplain language called Gagudju which was one of the languages spoken at the beginning of the twentieth century. Kakadu has been home to Aboriginal people for more than 50,000 years, and during that time the land and their culture have become intertwined. Looking after and living off country is an important part of Aboriginal culture, a culture they are happy to share.

The sandstone blocks of Kakadu and Arnhem Land house a supreme collection of rock art. Kakadu itself contains one of the greatest concentrations of rock art sites in the world. The rock art sites are concentrated along the escarpment, in gorges, and on rock outliers; many of these sites are large and contain many layers of paintings. The paintings, estimated to range in age from 20,000 years to the recent present, constitute one of the longest historical records of any group of people in the world.

Jim Jim Falls

The Park boasts of several waterholes, billabongs and waterfalls. Out of the many, Jim Jim Falls is the most stunning, and have been voted as No.1 in the Top 10 Falls in Australia. The walk through Jim Jim area takes you through monsoon forest and over boulders to a deep plunge pool surrounded by spectacular 150 metre high cliffs.  In the dry season, when access is possible via a 60 km dirt road (the last 11 km are really suitable for 4WD only), the water dries up and the falls often don’t fall. In the wet season, when the falls are at their most spectacular, it is impossible to drive any vehicle into the area. The best way to see the Falls is by light plane or helicopter. Across the Twin Falls Gorge Plateau, and you’ll be enthralled by the majestic views on the way to the top of the gorge and pools can be found along the creek above the falls. You’ll need a 4wd vehicle with a snorkel to cross the often-deep Jim Jim Creek, and from there, the only way is to raft or canoe your way upstream to the beach by the gorgeous falls. However, swimming is strongly discouraged as saltwater crocs have been known to roam the areas from time to time. A rough trek up to the top of the Twin Falls offers stunning views and even pools to frolic in.

Our Adventure tour

We’ve booked ourselves on an 3-Day Kakadu Adventure tour with Wilderness Adventures. Here’s our Itinerary:

You’ll get to see Crocodiles leaping out of the water, visit beautiful waterholes for swimming and relaxing, visit highly significant Aboriginal art sites as well as enjoying fantastic views over the surrounding Park and across to Arnhem Land from many of the lookouts we frequent. We’ll visit Gubara with its lovely rainforest shaded, cascading waterfalls and plunge pools to swim in. If you’re interested in finding out more on Aboriginal history and art then a visit to Ubirr Rock will get you going. Ubirr Rock has probably the best and most detailed rock art within Kakadu, not to mention the view afforded from the top of the rock.

Read on to see how the Adventure tour went!

Resources:

http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Jim_Falls

So, every other traveler would kill or sell their passports for a chance to go Down Under. Most would fly from one end of the Earth to the other, just to experience the Outback.   But what makes Australia so special? I hear you say. Bet you’ve never been there, because once you step foot on that unique piece of continent – you’ll see its extraordinary unique magnetism.

Let’s take a look at what’s unique to Australia (that you can’t find anywhere else in the World)!

Koalas, Kangaroos and Tasmanian Devil

These unique animals are endemic to Australia – originally found here and cannot be found anywhere else. And what a coincidence how adorable these Aussie Indigenous creatures are!

The name Koala comes from an Aboriginal word. It means “no drink”, as Koalas get enough fluids through the eucalyptus leaves they feed on. Did you know that Koalas are actually not bears, despite the common saying?

The Devil is alive and kickin’ in Tasmania and will still raid farms to kill and make off with hens. Despite how Warner Brothers has made it look, it is a fierce looking little creature, solidly built and with white bars across its dark body.

Boomerangs

The Boomerang might not be only found in Australia, but is definitely the most commonly seen in the land of the Aborigines. Believed to be used as a weapon for the stone age hunters, boomerangs can take down a kangaroo on impact to its legs, or break the neck of an emu. Boomerangs can be variously used as hunting weapons, percussive musical instruments, battle clubs, fire-starters, decoys for hunting waterfowl, and as recreational play toys. Tribal boomerangs are usually inscribed with aboriginal art these days, for tourist purposes.

Nowadays, although no one really uses the Boomerang for any practical purpose, it still works as a souvenir to bring back home!

Billabongs and waterfalls

As though God had not blessed Australia with enough charm, there are thousands of stunning billabongs and thundering waterfalls dotting the Aussie wilderness. A Billabong is a stagnant lake attached to a waterway. As an Australian English word, ‘billa’ refers to an Indigenous Australian creek, while ‘bong’ means dead. Might not be as exotic as its name sounds – but whilst cruising along a billabong and listening to the birds and the tranquility of the lake, you might just understand how it lives up to its name.

Waterfalls in Australia are like Fat people in America, they’re everywhere! (No offence!) Of course, voted as No. 1 Waterfall of Australia is the Jim Jim Falls in Kakadu National Park (We’re on our way there right this minute! – Watch out for my next post. )

A Barbie (BBQ) for Xmas

The Aussies, with everything of their own, even gave BBQ a slang word of their own – they call it ‘Barbie’. (no, not the doll.) The Aussie Barbie is symbolically representative of Australian’s relaxed, casual culture and their love of the outdoors. It is a great social event, with snags (sausages), chops, steak and fried onions smoking on the grill, and endless flow of ice cold beer.

Granted, not only the Aussies experience Summer during X’mas, so do the Argentinians and Kiwis… but who else makes the BEST Barbies in the world AND enjoy them on the beach at X’mas?!

Head down to Sydney’s Bondi Beach over the Christmas season, and sure enough, you’ll find loads of Aussies gathered around the smokin’ Barbies, enjoying a steak or two.