When Carly joined us in Serbia this month, she was a complete newbie to adventure travel having only ever taken beach holidays and city breaks.
For those considering their first adventure holiday or joining an organised tour as a solo traveller, we asked her to guest blog for us this week and share her experience.
Over to Carly…
My typical holiday involves relaxing on the beach and feeding myself with lots of nice things. I work hard and my annual leave is precious, so when I go away it’s to switch off and unwind. Never had I imagined taking a week off to work even harder, climbing mountains, abseiling down waterfalls and wild swimming. But do you know what? It’s the best trip I’ve had in a long time and just days after getting home, I’m raring to go again.
As I approach 40, I made a promise to myself this year to step outside my comfort zone. So when my friend, Dawn, asked if I wanted to join her on this small group adventure in Serbia, I jumped at the chance.
But then I started to think about it. As the departure date neared, I began seriously doubting my abilities and questioning whether I had made a huge mistake. My stomach sank as I studied the itinerary and I stared at my empty suitcase. ‘What am I doing?’ I asked myself.
Imposter syndrome
There were so many uncertainties. First, the packing. This wasn’t a case of tossing a few bikinis and dresses in my bag. Walking boots, active wear and water shoes were among the required items on the packing list provided. That in itself made me question what I had let myself in for.
Another foreign concept to me was a holiday without guaranteed sunshine. Usually, I board a plane and land on a beach where rain would be a distant memory. But with it being May and in the mountains (which are almost impossible to forecast), I had to prepare for all eventualities.
Then there was the thought of holidaying with a group of strangers. I had only travelled with friends and family until now. What if we don’t get along? Would it be too full on? What if I slow the group down?. Despite having a friend with me, the imposter syndrome set in.
It turns out I had nothing to worry about. My nerves settled when I met half of the group at the airport, who were all lovely. It just so happened that everybody else was a solo female traveller, all of different ages and experience levels, so I was in good company. One woman was in her sixties and very well travelled. Another was in her late twenties, again a seasoned adventure traveller, but it was her first time doing some of the activities on this trip too.
When I told them this was my first adventure holiday, they were really excited for me and supportive. It wasn’t long before we were like old friends, laughing, making memories and giggling like school girls.
Related
‘If I could bottle that feeling, I would’
I think Dawn was worried she had broken me at one point. We were about halfway through the week and already we had completed a mountain trek, a river hike and canyoning (abseiling and jumping off waterfalls).
During the mountain hike, I began to tire and trailed behind the others, but one of the guides kept me company and reminded me it wasn’t a race. At the end of that day, soaked through because a storm came in, me, Dawn and two of the other ladies poured some rakija and dealt a deck of cards as our clothes hung over a makeshift washing line above our log fire in the cabin. I laughed so much that night, more than I had in ages. It was a sweet reminder that simple things can create great memories.
But the defining moment for me had to be when we went canyoning. I’d never done anything like this before and I very nearly backed out. Looking back now, I’m so glad I didn’t. My stomach did backflips as I waited at the top of the first waterfall to abseil down, Dawn already at the bottom. I could feel the tears building up in my eyes but I managed to hold them back. When I reached the bottom, those tears of fear turned into tears of happiness. Dawn and I laughed and cried simultaneously. It was the ultimate adrenaline rush and if I could bottle that feeling, I would. I think that was the moment I became hooked on adventure travel.
It’s never too late
My advice? If you’re considering an adventure holiday but worried you’re not young, fit, brave or outgoing enough, just do it. It might be the best thing you’ve ever done. I loved every minute of this trip, even the moments when I felt defeated and worn out. Those parts fade and you’re left with incredible memories and new friendships. Dawn and I are now planning to visit one of the women we met on this trip in Croatia later this year. And of course, we have a WhatsApp group to keep the memories alive.
Going on an organised small group holiday with a guide is definitely the way forward if you really want to grasp an understanding and appreciation of a destination. Our guides Aleks and Philomena’s passion for Serbia is inspiring and without their knowledge, I don’t think I would have seen half the people and places that I did.
Feeling inspired? Check out our Serbia adventure holiday or get in touch to make an inquiry.
Comments