For most of my life, I’ve always found safety in numbers. Never brave enough to venture alone in a foreign land, it’s only during the recent years that I plucked up enough courage to be a lone wanderer. Perhaps it’s after years of travelling with the wolf pack which have given me the experience and drive to explore the world on my own. So when a friend asked me if I wanted to tag along for a trip to Japan in the autumn, I was a little hesitant.

Once you’ve tasted the liberating nature of going solo, it’s difficult to turn your back on it. But not wanting to be a wet blanket, I agreed. Moreover, I had never been to Japan; so with this trip, I could tick a country off my bucket list. And with a fun-loving, global-trotting friend like him, it’d probably be twice the fun than going alone. Or at the very least, there’ll be somebody to share your memories with.

I’m glad I wasn’t wrong. I was shown a different side of travelling where the people you meet are more important than the place itself. It was something refreshing as travelling by myself is a little prosaic because I tend not to stray too far from the well-trodden path. But in the right company with the right connections, especially in a place where language is a barrier, I got to experience the hidden sights and delectable bites of Japan.

Of course, travelling with a companion has its downsides. I guess the main difference with travelling solo is pandering to each other’s needs and that’s something that I admit I don’t do very well. For years when I’m on trips with friends, I’m pretty adamant about the itinerary that I usually end up dictating the pace of travel, and I’m thankful and appreciative of the fact that they have been accommodating in this respect.

After all, travelling is experiential and multi-faceted. Sometimes it’s the place and culture while at others, it’s the company. Through this trip, I’ve been blessed enough to have taken away all three and once again appreciate the virtues of travelling in a group. One way or another, travelling has always been a privilege for me. To have travelled to some of the most beautiful cities in the world, especially when many others around the world may be unable to do so due to circumstances or otherwise, makes me treasure these experiences more.