SOLO AND GLOBAL FOR ELEEA
Gold Coast muso, Eleea Navarro, spent four months travelling overseas last year – alone. As frightening as that may be for some, there are a few things you can do to make it a worry-free experience
TRAVELLING alone might seem daunting, but it has opened a world of opportunity and friendships for a Gold Coast local.
And it can be for anyone, says Eleea Navarro, a 23-yearold singer and Animal Welfare League of Queensland animal attendant.
Ms Navarro spent four months overseas last year and busked around 22 countries through Europe and the United Kingdom.
“I stayed with friends I’d previously met and couchsurfed,” she said.
“Everyone was so great, I didn’t feel unsafe.
“I had travelled before with family and with my boyfriend, but I just fell in love with solo travel.
“It just puts you outside of your comfort zone by having to have social interactions.
“You realise what you’re capable of.”
Ms Navarro said it was also easier to make friends and tag along on their adventures when travelling alone.
She said she met a woman in Slovenia who showed her the Alps and even went hot air ballooning in the Czech Republic with another person she had met.
But Ms Navarro said such a trip took a lot of organisation and she adhered to a strict budget.
“My budget was $12,000 and I spent $11,500,” she said.
“I still … had a few splurges though. I went to four Broadway shows in London.”
The singer also busked in some iconic spots, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland and throughout France, Portugal and Italy.
Ms Navarro said some of her top tips for travelling alone included: talking to strangers, not being deterred by other people’s bad experiences, learning as much about your destination as you can and going outside of your comfort zone.
“I have gotten nervous every time I’ve pressed ‘book now’ on my flights overseas,” she said. “But I’ve never regretted it.”