While many of us have travelled alone at one stage or another, not so many make a career or life out of it.
This is the case for Melbourne-born travel and lifestyle blogger, Aubrey Daquinag, who several years ago took her love of photography and travel into the unknown and launched a blog, The Love Assembly.
Now, full-time ‘digital nomad’, Aubrey, is on the brink of publishing a new book – Wander Love – Lessons, Tips and Inspiration from a Solo Traveller.
The 29-year-old caught up with FEMAIL about how you too can travel alone and make friends, sharing the wisdom she’s picked up along the way.
Melbourne-born travel and lifestyle blogger, Aubrey Daquinag (pictured), quit her full-time job several years ago in order to travel around the world and turn her love of travel and photography into a full-time job
Aubrey now blogs under The Love Assembly and is on the brink of releasing a book sharing the lessons she’s learned as a solo traveller
According to Aubrey (pictured), her decision to quit her full-time job came around five years ago, when she realised she wanted to ‘follow my dreams without having a concrete idea of how I would do this’
Wander Love (pictured) will be released on April 1
According to Aubrey, her decision to quit her full-time job came around five years ago, when she realised she wanted to ‘follow my dreams without having a concrete idea of how I would do it’.
‘We’re told that if we do what we love then we will never work a day in our lives,’ she writes in Wander Love, published by Hardie Grant on 1 April 2018.
‘I’ve frequently forgotten what day it is ever since I took that leap, because living for the weekends doesn’t exist any more.’
Five years ago, she handed in her notice, booked flights to India and never looked back.
Aubrey launched her blog around the same time – and now runs it as a full-time job – spending her days exploring the likes of India, Mexico, Europe and Columbia and her nights editing photos, writing up detailed posts and tips:
‘I have always had a curious and creative mind,’ Aubrey told FEMAIL.
‘I’m open and aware when I travel solo, but I’ve been pretty fortunate to not have anything severely bad happen to me.’
Speaking about her tips for other solo travellers, Aubrey (pictured) revealed it’s a good idea to check into hostels over hotels, because they are often better environments for meeting people
‘When you join a class that’s of interest to you, then at least you know you’ll be meeting people who also have the same interest. This also easily breaks down the initial boundaries,’ she explained to FEMAIL
Aubrey also said it helps to be open to anyone and anything – admitting ‘some of my closest friends I still have were made on the road purely from being open and curious’
Speaking about her tips for other solo travellers, Aubrey revealed it’s all about being open to meeting new people, wherever they may be:
‘You’ll be more likely to meet new people and make friends when you choose a hostel or B&B guesthouse style of accommodation, rather than a fancy hotel,’ she explained.
Additionally, the 29-year-old recommends you sign up for classes and tours that interest you:
‘When you join a class that’s of interest to you, then at least you know you’ll be meeting people who also have the same interest. This also easily breaks down the initial boundaries, as you know you already have something in common in your new-found friendship.’
Aubrey also said it pays to be open, to anyone and anything:
‘Some of my closest friends I still have were made on the road purely from being open and curious,’ she said.
‘Smile and be friendly.’
Aubrey launched her blog five years ago – and now runs it as a full-time job – spending her days exploring the likes of India, Mexico, Europe and Columbia and her nights editing photos, writing up detailed posts and tips
Her favourite place that she’s visited above all is Tulum (pictured)
When it comes to her own personal travel, things like downloading Google maps offline has been instrumental in giving her ‘peace of mind’ while in unknown territories
When it comes to her own personal travel, things like downloading Google maps offline has been instrumental in giving Aubrey ‘peace of mind’ while in unknown territories:
‘Even if I don’t follow it, it gives me peace of mind while I wander,’ she said.
She has also learned to replace ‘fear with curiosity’.
‘Learn the language, taste the food, respect the culture, interact with the locals and embrace every moment,’ she said.
‘No growth ever happens within your comfort zone.’
Aubrey will also make sure she ‘updates my loved ones often’, wherever she is – be it Tulum or Timbuktu.
‘Learn the language, taste the food, respect the culture, interact with the locals and embrace every moment,’ Aubrey said. ‘No growth ever happens within your comfort zone’
She said it’s a good idea to ‘replace fear with curiosity’ when travelling
Speaking of her favourite destination, Aubrey explained that Tulum, a town in Mexico, has been a highlight:
‘Yoga and fresh juices in the morning, scooter rides with the wind blowing in your hair, dancing barefoot all night in the jungle paradise and discovering the magic of cenotes [natural pits that come from the collapse of limestone bedrock]… all of this was fuel for the soul,’ she said.
‘It was a place that had long been on my radar and it didn’t disappoint,’ she added.
Elsewhere, Aubrey has loved visiting Marrakesh, the Philippines and London.
Aubrey’s (pictured) number one take-home for aspiring photographers is that they ‘look at the rule of thirds when framing a photograph’
She said it’s always important to think about lighting, and to shoot in natural lighting where possible
In her new book, released on 1 April, Aubrey shares helpful travel advice for solo travellers, style advice and photography tips.
Aubrey’s number one take-home for aspiring photographers is that they ‘look at the rule of thirds when framing a photograph’.
‘I value composition and it’s so pleasing to see how creative one can get with framing and when elements align,’ she said.
Aubrey also recommends shooting in natural light where possible, and said you should ‘take self-portraits rather than selfies’.
‘Don’t forget to style your photo either,’ she said.
‘There are so many elements that go into the perfect photo, but styling with props really tops it off. Think hair, accessories, cars – anything that can set the scene.
‘For example, a travel photograph on an island in the Philippines looks a lot more pleasing when the subject is in island attire like a flowy dress, natural makeup and bright nails.’
This is an edited extract from Wander Love by Aubrey Daquinag published by Hardie Grant Travel RRP $35.00 and is available in stores nationally and online. Photographer: © Aubrey Daquinag