Hi SHC members
I am interested in joining travel packages which cater for single travellers. As air and hotel packages cater to twin sharing, I’m wondering whether anyone is keen in setting up a sort of travel club to match people (same sex to share accomodation). This will help to cut down travelling costs.
I don’t mind helping to coordinate in this travel club, if someone is keen to work with me.
Joan
Hi Joan,
I actually read your post much earlier on and was hoping to see some response as I am also looking for a travelling companion.
I think there are very few people who are keen to share a room with someone they do not know well. I myself enjoy travelling but have often had to abandon my plans because of a lack of a travelling companion.
Cheers
Hi Mary
I’m glad that you share the same sentiment. True, I had let go of a few trips I was keen to make but could not find someone to go along with.
Earlier this year, I had wanted to see Japan in Springtime enroute to Michigan to visit my son but skipped it and just went on.
I hope we can travel together one day in a package group tour.There may be other singles like us who may share similar travel interests. Perhaps we can stay in touch and plan something for next year. I will be in S’pore from Apr-May next year.
Best wishes
Joan
Hi Joan,
I just did a tour of Western Europe so don’t think I’ll be spending more money travelling this year. Next year April -May sounds good.
In fact, I had been thinking of going to Perth last year but had to abort my plans as I couldn’t get anyone to go with me.
Yes, we’ll keep in touch and see how things turn out next year.
Perhaps you would like to write to me at my email address. It’s MeiliiX@gmail.com.
Cheers
I might be involved in a new set up in the later part of this year and would like to carry the idea one step further in not just sharing rooms but sharing GV2 (group of 2).The concept is very simple split the profits(savings) between the travelers and the travel agency oraganisation.I can try to help to clear waiting lists when flights are full.If you are good in I.T. and have time on your hands I can even do this on a personal basis with you.If you are not I will probably kick off this concept later this year with my new company(tentative name ACTON CONCIERGE TRAVEL) and could consider you as our Perth rep.If the saving is $100 we will give the customer 50% of the savings.The company will give $5 per person to Silverhairs Club or any hosting Club like Pleasant People or Facebook and the balance the company will keep for expenses and profit.If you need to discuss this further I have done a preliminary survey and for the furthest distance it could go up to as high SID$500 with savings of $250 each for the travellers.For short distances like Bangkok the gross savings are approx SID$*) to SID$100
with half of this figure for the pax.
As an added value service we could pin-point and request specific seat numbers and request these for our pax especially on Singapore Airlines’ flights.
If you wish to discuss this idea further you could email me at insiders111@yahoo.com.sg
Ref #4 CORRECTION
savings on short distances like Bangkok the gross savings are approx $80 to $100 with half of this figure for the pax.
Hi Joan and Mary,
I too am looking for traveling kaki. Sometimes it’s difficult to find a companion who shares the same interest. There are people who love to take photos wherever they go, and others who love shopping. And then there are those who are very messy in the toilet and in the room. And oh, don’t forget the snoring bit. Some people are early riser and others late. Some people like to watch television until very late. So, we have to be very accommodating if we are sharing room, even with somebody we know well.
Joan, I’m planning to visit my brother in Perth sometime in Mar-April or Apr-May next year, the first time I’m visiting him since he migrated 10 years ago. Perhaps we could meet when I’m there. He’s in Canterbury Drive, Willeton. Are you anywhere near there?
Warmest regards
Norhayati
Hi #3Mary
Yes, let’s see what comes up next year. I will be sourcing for some travel ideas, leaving from Singapore in Apr/May. Am also looking at travel plans from Perth.
Hope you can visit Perth next year. I will email you at your email address.
Regards
Joan
Hi #6 Norhayati
Sounds like you are in the same boat as Mary and me. think that a solution is if one travels alone, to connect with someone in the country we like to visit and perhaps have the person to arrange for accomodation and places of interest to visit.
Actually I’ve been thinking of doing something like this in Perth. So members who wish to visit Perth/Western Australia/Australia, perhaps I can assist them to find accmodation and in their travel plans.
Yes, Willetton is near to me.
You can email me for further discussions at my email address: joanwong2002@hotmail.com
Regards
Joan
Hi Patrick
Thanks for your comments. I shall take a bit of time to consider the business idea of yours.I’m not a very I.T. person and to me it sounds like it involves ticketting and I’m not keen on this aspect of travel.
Regards
Joan
Dear Joan, Mary and Norhayati,
Like all of you, I love to travel and sometimes it’s not easy to find a travelling companion.
Joan, I’m glad you posted this as I’ve been looking for something like this for some time. Generally, it’s all right if companions learn to give and take a little and it’ll be alright.
Not sure if i can help in any way in this but I support the idea.
Cheers,
Vivien Ler
Hi Vivien, Mary, Norhayati and others
Vivien, I appreciate your comment and am glad that we belong to the same “club”. I’m pretty certain that there are others like us.
I’m wondering if the idea of a travel club for solo travellers can be started by creating a list of accomodation places (B & Bs) in different countries which we can tap. If the owners can then assist with arranging for sightseeing, transportation, that will certainly help. As for flights, that can be easily done on our own via internet/travel agent.
I don’t mind helping out over at Perth side. I can offer my place and also have friends who are taking in visitors. How about you all eg Malaysia, Thailand especially if you have friends/relatives there who don’t mind doing a holiday home small business.
Regards
Joan
Hi Joan
I belong to the same “club”. I love travel, before I decide to go for any tour, I have to find a partner first. Kindly get me posted for any travelling.
Cheers
Annie
Hi Everyone,
Greetings from Sydney. I have been toying with the idea of “house swapping” for family or “room swapping” for single traveller. This idea is not new. It involves you staying in someone’s house and them in yours at no rental cost to either. The main worry is that we are nervous about allowing a stranger to move into your home and of course, that we are moving into theirs. Since we are not extending this invitation to a “complete stranger” but to another fellow silverhair club member. The trust is mutual. Any taker?
Hi All,
I came across a website a few months back and it was based around renting out people’s couches all over the world. Basically it’s like an alternate to a hostel. You have people on this website who are willing to lend you a space in their home so you can sleep overnight in various cities. These “couch renters” had ratings and people who stayed wrote reviews. Can’t remember what was the website URL. Does anyone know of this website? It was a really interesting concept and perhaps SHCians can use this as a basic framework to overcome the issue of Single Traveller.
Hi All,
The website could be: http://www.couchsurfing.com/
But I am not sure, looks kind of different from the last time…. any way happy couch surfing, sleeping, snorring, khunning….
Hi Joan, Norhayati, Vivienne and Annie.
This is a good start. Now we have 5 single travellers. Perhaps we could start with Perth, haha.
Next year
April should be a good time, since you, Joan, will be coming to Singapore. We could meet up with you when you are here and then travel over to Perth with you. Just a suggestion.
I’m afraid I don’t know of anyone who is interested in offering their homes for travellers like us, except you, Joan, of course.
Philip Wong and Ivan Lim
Um, I don’t think I want to sleep on someone’s couch. When I travel, I prefer to have a certain level of comfort. There must at least be a decent room and bed, proper toilet facilities and hot water, hehe. So, what you have suggested is not quite what I’m looking for, but thanks anyway.
Mary Chan,
We live in a modest home that’s close to the city. It may not have a 5 stars rating but it is a home and not a house. We do have ducted heating throughout the whole house during the winter months so dont worry mah. With a teen son it may be bit a bit messy but but he has put up a “Enter at your on risk” sign on his room. Basically, his room is out of bound. Neither we would put you up with Rusty (our blue heeler.) He is confined in the backyard. If you come visiting, we won’t bring out best china to use. They are soley for display only in the cupboard. But we can only share and offer our humble home with you.
I was referring to the concept/idea rather than just couches……..; when I travel, I too prefer to stay in a villa with complimentary chauffeured driven JagXJ6 plus 24hrs butler service etc…….huh..hmmm; I was only day-dreaming…….lah!
Hi Ivan and all,
There is actually a very good respectable site that hosts travellers single or couple. You actually will get to know the profile of the person who is going to visit before their intended stay. So you can actually get to know quite a bit about them to be comfortable about their lifestyles and requirements and also their expectations.
You can then decide if you can accommodate them and arrange whatever else you want, ex. like venues to visit, friends to meet them ,etc. I actually got to know one lady, Sharon from Germany who however was an ex Singaporean 30 years ago.
Though I did not provide her any accommodation we did meet to have that steamboat with other SHC members.
She has since re-visit me again, and Mary that is this Sharon that we met for dinner at the Lau Pa Sat just last month.
So the other party on her part will do whatever you have done for her when she visited you, provide the same accommodation etc, All the details can be worked out way before your visit, so you will actually get to know the person quite well by then.
You can also reject anyone if you find there are not suitable for whatever reasons. I get about a request once in two months or so.
The website is here and it is free and you can easily sign up with no obligations at all. I recommend you try it and it is quite fun to get a request which means you also have a chance to visit that person wherever they are. I almost did visit a couple in Adelaide but ran out of time to visit them , as they were ready to meet for tea, etc.
http://www.globalfreeloaders.com
Cheers
Hi Ronald,
Thanks for the website. Is’nt that a great concept. I enjoyed reading some of the members’ testimonials and could’nt agree better. Michael Southern of Fort Worth, Tarrant USA wrote “Happiness is not destination but a way of travel…and that there is joy in the journey”.
Cheers
Philip Wong.
No criticism or offence meant. I’m sure SHC members appreciate your opening your home to us single travellers. This arrangement is good provided both parties can host. I personally can’t, so I prefer to pay for my board and lodging.
Thank you for offering your home.
Ivan
I don’t presume to even think about butler services and Jags even though I have stayed in 5 star hotels and villas before (hehe, in N Z, Bali and India lah).
I was referring to simple amenities like a proper bed and hot water mah. That’s not too much to ask for is it?
Hi Mary,
Looks like you have been to India.
I will be going there soon. Like to hear more from you.
If I can get in touch with you – my email address is pristine6699@hotmail.com.
Hi Mary, Joan, Vivienne and Annie
As I mentioned to Joan at #6, I’m planning to visit my brother in Perth sometime in Mar / Apr; Apr / May next year. As my mum will be coming along I’m thinking of staying with my brother for a week or so and then proceed to other places without them and then go back to his place before leaving for Singapore with mum.
Mary and the rest if you all are keen, perhaps we could arrange to meet there and travel together? We may get to know each other in Singapore first before we decide whether to travel together or not. Sekali, we all cannot adapt to each other’s idiosyncrasy.
FYI, my brother sometimes rents out room to student/s whenever there’s opportunity.
Regards
Norhayati
Hi Mary #16 and All
Great if we can meet up and see if we share common interests in travelling. Yes, those interested – yourself, Norhayati #25, Vivien #10 and Annie #12 and others, we can meet up in Apr when I’m in S’pore. I will let you know my S’pore mobile no later on. I will be in S’pore till end of May. So if you wish you wish to follow me back, it will be in May.
Just to clarify, I’m not thinking so much of a room/house swap but rather something like a bed & breakfast arrangement but with activities arranged. Depending on how long and what’s in the itinerary, accomodation with breakfast and transport the cost can be worked out and discussed. It may sound like it’s a business venture but I think that the charges may still be more reasonable than that of a travel agency and may help the “host” cover expenses to a small extent. After all, nothing in this world is really for free. I don’t mind, as Mary #22 says, paying for accomodation and board but travelling with single members or alone, knowing that it’s through SHC that I made the contact. It is not only the single supplement but also not knowing anyone initially. Meeting up as a group or just knowing that it’s a member’s house that you are going to stay in helps.
I went on a self-drive trip with my family to Ireland – booked flights to and from London, rented a car in Shannon and drove around, staying at B & Bs. We had a wonderful time. The activities were mainly things we wanted to do while we were there.
Hope to meet up in 2009
Regards
Joan
Hi Mary, Joan, Norhayati, Vivienne, Annie and others
I would like to join the “club”, love to travel but at times find it difficult to get a travelling partner. Keep me posted and my email is thiethie@pacific.net.sg.
Thanks
Hi everyone,
I have a suggestion. Why don’t we all meet up for a coffee/tea one day, to “get to know each other”, for a start. I can make it on a weekday as my teaching schedule allows it. What about you others? It can be on a weekend if preferred.
Hi Pauline, Mary and All
Pauline, welcome to the club – not formed yet but hope that with the many comments, something gets started.
I think it’s a great idea to meet up. Sorry I can’t join you all just yet but only in 2009. I will email you all so that you can keep me in the loop of your discussions. Also, we can share our plans for 2009 and ideas thro our emails.
Regards
Joan
Joan,
We’ll keep in touch even though you can’t be here till 2009.
Cheers
Pauline.
Good that you have ‘found’ us.
Cheers
Thank you Mary.
Cheers
Hi Joan,
Nice going, see that you have started the ball rolling. Pleas include me to the club.
Cheers
Hi Ella
Welcome to the club. I will direct my replies to SHC members who express that they want to join the travel club thro emails to them rather than posting on the SHC website. This may help us to plan our activities better and bounce off ideas.
Hope that we can meet up when I’m in S’pore next year.
Regards
Joan
Hi All
When I put up my post I was thinking of my own difficulties in travelling alone but this post can also cover those travelling with family or friends but wish to have assistance with accomodation or activities while on a free and easy sort of holiday. It may be that one is looking for a more lesiurely pace or perhaps some special interest focus.
I met with Mary (Perth) and I think we will asist SHC members who come to Perth.
Merry Chrsitmas and A Happy New Year 2009
Joan
Hi would-be Single SHC lady travellers, it is good to have a club for singles like us. I too have problem finding travel kakis.
In fact Joan was faster than me putting up this post.
I would like to visit Japan next Spring (cherry blossom time) and would like very much to experience staying at a Ryokan or Japanese Inn with hot-spring bath (outside the city). This has been my dream for the last 20years. Wonder if it will be my dream come true with you all in the Singles SHC travel club?
Or, sightsee Japan from south to north by train. Apparently, besides the changing scenery, the kind of Bento meals change from one perfecture to another.
Travel Europe and stay at their Pensions near train stations. These homes are family run B&Bs. Most have lovely gardens.
Or see Australia and stay in the Youth Hostels which are usually centrally located, cook your own meals, do your laundry and can book your local trips from the Hostel desks. Also, you may pay to join as member to enjoy discounts.
Wala so interesting if you are able to meet your travel mates at this club.Try travelling foursome. It’ll be easy on the purse, cabs and discounts for meals, trains and buses as Senior citizens in some countries and can proudly name one country – Malaysia.
Some pre-requisite virtues, able to give and take plenty plenty.
To all Single SHC Travellers, Happy planning. Please keep me in your loop.
Geok Suan.
You like the above examples?
Hi Geok Suan,
Hope to join you in one of your adventure trips around the globe. Have you been to Tibet? Am thinking of going there in September.
Hope to meet you one of these days.
Regards,
Hi Geok Suan and Jasssmine
I still do travel single though accomodation is solved when I return to S’pore. Geok Suan, if you are thinking of visiting Japan next year and looking for a companion, I’m keen also.
I notice a lot of cheap fares and pkages from S’pore. Staying in the Japanese inns will be fun and cheaper too.I will be in S’pore from Dec – Mar 2010.
In Aug, I will be doing a self-drive from Perth to South Australia and Victoria. There may be 2 cars, with my car full with 3 people.
Regards
Joan
Dear Joan and Jassmine,
I am pleased to know that there are many single travellers looking for companions to travel the world.
Looks like my travelling will be put on hold for a while as family needs me around abit. Perhaps can squeeze short trips now and again.
Besides, being a healthcare worker, I am not encouraged to visit countries affected by AH1N1 infection for now until MOH lifts the ALERT.
I am sure I’ll continue to enjoy all that you write of your adventures.
Cheers,
Geok Suan.