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I spent more than a month traveling alone in Southeast Asia this year, and there are 5 easy things I always do in new cities to keep myself feeling safe
I spent more than a month traveling alone in Southeast Asia this year, and there are 5 easy things I always do in new cities to keep myself feeling safe
Marielle DescalsotaDec 23, 2022, 07:11 IST
The author traveling around Southeast Asia.Marielle Descalsota/Insider
I spent over 30 days traveling to five countries around Asia this year.
While I have lived in the region all my life, it was my first time traveling solo.
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I've been covering regional travel for Insider all year, and that involved lots of nights spent on the road alone.
Me on a GrabBike in Chiang Mai.Marielle Descalsota/Insider
1. Order two sets of food if you feel unsafe eating alone.
Traveling from Chiang Mai to Bangkok via sleeper train.Marielle Descalsota/Insider
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2. Don't just read tour guides before you travel — watch some vlogs to pick up regional nuances.
Me trying frog porridge in Singapore's red-light district for the first time.Marielle Descalsota/Insider
3. Watch the small talk — it's easy to accidentally tell a stranger more than you should.
In a "haunted" hotel in Genting, Malaysia.Marielle Descalsota/Insider
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4. If you're unsure what clothes are appropriate, mirror what the locals are wearing.
Flying with Philippine Airlines via business class from Ninoy Aquino International Airport.Marielle Descalsota/Insider
5. Connect with a local tour guide or a women-only networking group.
The author in Indonesia in October.Marielle Descalsota/Insider