Holidaying… Alone {And Some Wales Adventures}
Holidaying… Alone
Now some of you may know but a few weeks ago, I went on a spontaneous holiday to Wales. I saw a brilliant bargain and I just decided that I would go for it. I haven’t been on holiday since July 2015 and I just felt like I really, really needed a break. So… why not?
What some people have since found strange is that I went alone. But for me, this wasn’t actually that unusual. In fact, the last holiday I went on in July 2015 was also a holiday I took on my own. And while I love holidaying with friends and family, there is something infinitely wonderful about going on holiday alone. If I didn’t feel like going out, I didn’t go out. If I wanted to go somewhere, I went there with no arguments. If I wanted an early dinner, I had early dinner. But really, what was truly wonderful about the holiday being spent alone was that I got to spend some quality alone time with me, myself and I. I let my thoughts rush me, I read, I watched DVDs and I just was. There was no guilt about wasting my time or worrying about work or stressing about work. It was just… everything that I needed it to be. An escape.
And, because I enjoyed it so much. I am already itching to go on another holiday alone. To spend some quality me time which I apparently don’t do enough on a day to day basis!
So if you’ve never holiday-ed alone and are in a position to do so, I say go for it. It’s so enlightening, refreshing and relaxing. I promise you most likely won’t regret it…
But because this post will be short and boring if I end it here… I thought I’d discuss some things I did while away on my own! (With photos of course because who doesn’t love photos?)
Wales Adventures
Go Below
This was potentially my favourite part of the holiday, not going to lie. I almost didn’t go because I was feeling too worried about the whole thing but essentially because I had paid and couldn’t get a refund, I got off my ass and made my way to the cafe where it was all starting and I cannot tell you how glad I am that I did.
Go Below is an underground adventure in the mines. It starts with an incredibly long and difficult climb up to the entrance of the mine – at which point I was almost certain I wasn’t fit enough to continue the adventure but I wasn’t about to give up again! So I persisted and I soon found that the climb up was actually the only part where I felt unfit, which is pretty awesome.
Once inside the mine, we were taking through a set of challenges to get from the bottom to the top. This included a boat ride in an inflatable raft, a zip wire across a very deep bit of water, walking through the mines and not hitting our heads (I hit my helmet ten times, oops), rock climbling, climbing up a few waterfalls, abseiling, and lastly climbing up a very steep shaft that used to be the air vent with metal ladder bits… and battling a downpour of water while we did.
It was intense, insane, and so much fun.
I’m not 100% sure I’d do it again but I am incredibly glad I did it in the first place. It is a memory that I am certain I will keep with me for years to come.
Horse Riding
I have always loved horses. As a young girl they were my favourite animal ever. While they’re not exactly my favourite animal anymore, they do still hold a very close place in my heart. That being said, the last time I went horse-riding I was 13, maybe 14 – I actually can’t remember exactly when it was!
With that in mind, the minute I found out about Snowdonia Horse Riding, I practically jumped at the chance to have a go. I ended up booking for the wrong day and only realised the day before I wanted to go and did a little panic that I’d miss my chance but fortunately the stables were really nice and able to fit me in the next day!
Thus I ended up on a horse for the first time in over ten years and it was both scary and exhilarating all at the same time. I was helped onto my horse, Blossom, and then asked if I remembered how to steer, – I remembered a little – and then we were walking to a little enclosure to test our skills and combatibility with the horses.
Not going to lie, I was feeling pretty terrified at this point. My brain suddenly realising it was very high up on a horse who could rear out of control at any time. But, fortunately, I was able to get the hang of the steering of Blossom quite quickly and she seemed quite receptive to my commands. And then we started our trail ride.
And it was wonderful. Just being able to look at all the scenery on the mountain, the nature of cows, sheep and other horses. As well as peacocks and one very daring kitten too. We got to trot a few times too and had to do a few u-turns to let traffic go past as well. It was a brilliant hour that I’m really glad I decided to go and do!
Exploring Wales
On the same day that I did the horse riding, I decided that I would also do a little bit of exploring. I ended up in Caernarfon and one of the first things I saw was the castle, and upon moving closer realised it was also free to have a look around so I did just that. On my own I was able to spend as much or as little time as I wanted looking at everything and it was wonderful. I did spend quite a bit of time just enjoying the view from different angles because it was beautiful.
I then explored the town and had some coffee and food. All very lovely and the harbor was really beautiful too with interesting statues lining the walkways too. It was all really quaint and lovely and I would have loved to have spent a little more time there but alas my car parking ticket ran out!
The other place I visited while there was Bangor. I wasn’t in Bangor for a long time, more just a little stop to get some much needed coffee before the long drive home but I did have a little wander around and found it also to be a very interesting place. A mix between quaint Wales and mainstream Britain. I quite liked it and would probably visit again, mostly just to have a longer look around!
Steam Train to the Summit
On the last day of my trip I decided that I wanted to visit the Summit of Snowdon and while I may have been able to trek it a year or so ago, I didn’t feel comfortable doing so this time around – and certainly not alone. So I booked to take the train up. This was a very odd sensation for me as the views were stunning and it was so interesting to see how it all changed the further up you went. Sadly, however, when we got to the top, the mist was too thick to see anything but what was in front of you so I missed out on the views from the summit which I can imagine were absolutely stunning.
While I am sad that I didn’t feel physically capable to climb Snowdon, I am glad that I didn’t let that stop me from reaching the summit. I do plan to go back one day to climb it – maybe in the summer when it’s not as misty and cold!
Have you ever been on holiday alone? What are your favourite holiday memories?
