<p>I met today’s guest, Katey, while backpacking through Vietnam. We crossed paths on the infamous Ha Giang Loop and ended up travelling together for a while — sharing countless special moments and thought-provoking conversations. It didn’t take long for me to know I had to bring her onto the podcast to share some of those wonderful insights, reminisce on our adventures, and document the experience.</p><p>In this episode, we explore the <em>real</em> side of solo travel — from the expectations and reasons we set off in the first place, to surrendering to spontaneity, embracing solitude, and navigating the not-so-glamorous realities of budget backpacking.</p><p>We dive into the emotional load of long-term travel, the lessons in resilience and adaptability, and how adventures abroad can completely reshape your values and priorities. We also talk about the often-overlooked “post-travel come down” — that bittersweet return home where the world feels unchanged, but you know you’re not the same.</p><p>Overall, it’s a wholesome, giggly conversation where we reflect on our highlights, those magical unplanned moments, how we’ve grown and evolved, and the relief we feel at having taken that leap to book a one-way ticket. Our hope is that it inspires you to take yours too.</p><p><br></p>