Tag: Solo travel

Gothenburg: Our Little Secret


July 28, 2024


I recently spent three weeks in Scandinavia. It was a sampler trip, my first visit to explore the region.
I have to say, I loved it! Beautiful scenery, water, islands, and history-filled cities—my kind of stuff. My time included a cruise from Copenhagen up the Norwegian coast and through the Geiranger Fjord. The scenery was stunning, and the town of Geiranger was charming. I also visited Oslo and Copenhagen.


But the highlight of my visit was Gothenburg, Sweden. I chose it over Stockholm, partly because it was in a more accessible location and partly because it was smaller.
Gothenburg is one of those “just right” European cities. It’s not too big, but there’s plenty to see and do. It’s mostly walkable, and you can also get around using the charming trams throughout the city.
I arrived from Copenhagen by train. Just steps away, I found the tram station, hopped on, and rode to my accommodation for the next few nights.


It was a change from the studio apartments I typically rent. I had a private room and bathroom, but the building had a shared kitchen. I figured it must have been student housing before the large, modern dorms were built.

My corner room had a high cozy factor; the bed was amazingly comfortable, and look at that cute vintage-style refrigerator! I didn’t mind walking down one flight of stairs to use the kitchen since the room had a full tea and coffee service.


The brick building was charming, with well-kept grounds. I had a corner room with views in two directions.


Gothenburg’s city center is walkable and has everything you could want. The public market is upscale, with shops and restaurants. Gluten-free people like myself will be happy to find several baked good options at Steinbrenner & Nyberg.
A walk through the historic Haga neighborhood is a must. There are cute shops selling Swedish products and cafés everywhere. Again, I found some yummy gluten-free treats at Café Husaren and enjoyed a gluten-free and vegan lunch at En Deli Haga.


If you love public gardens like I do, you’ll love Gothenburg. Tradgardsforeningen, or The Garden Society, is near the heart of the city. One thing I love is that it was created in the 1800s by the citizens (which also makes it one of the oldest public gardens in Europe). They sold memberships to create beautiful grounds for all to enjoy. I also visited the garden café and had an exquisite salmon lunch.


The Botanical Garden is a short distance from the city center, but you can easily reach it by tram. It is expansive, and you will get your steps in for the day. If you visit, take the short hike up to the viewpoint. You could spend a good part of a day wandering the grounds. It is one of the most exquisite botanical gardens I have ever visited.


You won’t pay an admission fee for either garden, but you can leave a donation.
In addition to the gardens, you will find numerous parks throughout the city, some with fantastic viewpoints. My favorite was Skansen Kronan, where you will see a historic fortress and enjoy a nice view of the city.

Then, there’s Slottsskogen, the massive park at the edge of the city near the Botanical Garden.


One day, I took tram #11 to the end of the line to catch a passenger ferry to Styrso Island. The islands in the archipelago generally don’t have cars. Most people get around on bicycles and golf carts. I enjoyed a wander around the island. If I were to return, I would definitely spend more time on the islands.


Another highlight was the newly constructed World of Volvo. I’m not generally a car museum person, but my family has a particular affinity for them. If you’re into architecture, it’s worth a visit to step inside the gorgeous five-story structure. The museum is on the third floor, but be sure to wander around the rest of the building. It is truly an architectural marvel!

Volvo’s 1976 electric car!


Amusement park fans will find Liseberg just a couple of blocks from the World of Volvo. It’s not my thing, but the hundred-year-old park is a favorite destination for many.
So, I say, let everyone else visit Oslo and Copenhagen, and we’ll keep Gothenburg our little secret.

Reflecting and Planning

January 4, 2024

As 2024 begins, I reflect on my first full year as a nomad.

The biggest question is, “Am I happy with the nomadic lifestyle?”

Yes! Absolutely. As the months pass, I can’t imagine returning to my former profession, teaching.

I never thought I would be so happy to be unemployed. (I still don’t believe I am retired.)

I wake up grateful every day for the sights I see, the people I meet, and a more relaxed lifestyle.

New Experiences in 2023:

  • House and pet sitting: From May to July, I mostly house-sat and pet-sat. My favorites have been the “one-dog sits.” Cats are easy, but dogs are good company, and at least one daily walk is guaranteed. It’s also a huge budget saver!
  • European National Parks: I visited Plitvice and Mljet in Croatia and Teide and Garajonay in the Canary Islands. The national parks in Croatia were stunning! Trails were well-marked and easy to navigate. Tiede, Spain’s highest peak, is located on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. I visited on a group tour that included star gazing. It was an unforgettable experience. I also spent a day on La Gomera in the Canaries, which is primarily a National Park. Absolutely gorgeous!
  • The Greek Islands: I spent about a month in Greece, starting in Athens and moving on to Crete, Karpathos, Rhodes, and Santorini. Each place had its unique character, and I enjoyed all of them. There are over 200 islands to explore in Greece, and I have plans to return this spring.
  • Reading: Okay, I have known how to read for a long time! I have always struggled with leisurely reading, though. I no longer feel guilty about spending the afternoon with my nose in a good book.

Plans and Changes for 2024:

  • More weeks of house sitting and pet sitting: I have been pet sitting since the middle of December when I arrived home from an extended trip to Europe. (I was able to schedule the sits around family Christmas celebrations.) And I will spend most of my days on sits through April. Requests have come my way, and I can be picky about pets and locations. I’m currently enjoying a gorgeous view of Puget Sound.
  • Volunteer Work: I’m researching options for volunteer positions both here in my home state and overseas. I’m hoping to make this part of my lifestyle.
  • Travel farther from home: I am going “Down Under” for the first time. After spending September in the Hawaiian Islands, I will head to Sydney, Australia, in October. I still need to plan the rest of the trip, including New Zealand.
  • No big US road trip: The past two years, I took off on extended road trips around the Western US (seven and ten weeks). Although I enjoyed those trips, which included visits with friends and family, I don’t have an open block of time this year. I will make some shorter trips instead.
  • Cruises: I haven’t been on a cruise ship in several years. I have mixed feelings about cruising, but incredible deals are out there as the cruise lines recover from the pandemic. And most cruise companies are responding to solo travelers with single rooms. It’s definitely worth checking out.

Two years ago, I never imagined that I would be living this lifestyle. I get a kick out of telling people that I am a nomad. Their reactions are almost always positive, and I enjoy answering their questions. Some people can’t believe that I no longer have a physical home. I have adapted and find it easy to make myself “at home” almost anywhere.

I have always enjoyed home renovation shows (I have remodeled one home and partially remodeled another.), and I love to see how people decorate. I now have a routine when I arrive for a sit. I take in the surroundings and appreciate their sense of style and the fact that they are entrusting me with their home and pets.

One of the best things about this lifestyle is that I see more of my adult kids now than I did in previous years. I schedule enough sits in the Seattle area that we get together quite often throughout the year. And Mom isn’t asking for their help with projects around the house. We just enjoy each other’s company.

Here’s to the year ahead! I wish you peace and happiness.

No Apologies for My Solo Nomad Lifestyle

August 13, 2023

I have been here in Hawaii (aka The Big Island) for a week—by myself. You are probably wondering what is wrong with me. Does she smell awful? Why doesn’t she have any friends? Seriously, who would go to Hawaii alone??

Well, it just didn’t work out this time. I had been holding a place for my older son, and he had to bow out due to other commitments. Then I tried a couple of friends. One had too many things scheduled in August, and another may be able to join me for a few days at the end of the trip. A single guy friend figured it wouldn’t go over too well with his new girlfriend. Fair enough.

So here I am, by myself.

The trip got off to a rocky start. My flight was delayed, and I was lucky enough to get a loud, kicking preschooler in the seat behind me.

By the time I checked in and got settled for bed, it was 3:00 AM back home.

My first full day in Hawaii consisted of sleeping in, exchanging my malfunctioning rental car, grocery shopping, and a late afternoon swim before dinner. Ah, paradise!

While driving around that first day, I heard the high wind warnings on the car radio. Hurricane Dora was passing south of the Hawaiian Islands.

In case you’ve been living in a cave, I’ll tell you what happened next. Dry conditions and high winds caused devastating wildfires on Maui and some smaller fires here on the Big Island.

I took a nice long beach walk Tuesday morning before the winds kicked up. I then spent the afternoon and evening safely in my condo, watching the trees sway, palm fronds and branches dropping to the ground.

The news the next day was heartbreaking. Beautiful, historic Lahaina had been devastated by the fires. As of today, we know that more than 100 people lost their lives.

Hearing that news about the neighboring island put a damper on the joy of my visit. I stayed close to my accommodations on Wednesday since a section of the highway was closed due to the fires.

I went out to attempt a hike on Thursday morning, hoping that the winds had calmed. Nope. Still super windy. Instead, I opted to shop at the health food store and Foodland in Waimea. At this point, I clearly was not going to starve. In my defense, I rarely eat out.

Finally, on Friday morning, I headed way up to Pololu on the north end of the island to hike the short but steep trail down to the black sand beach. Now I could start fully enjoying my time on the islands. This was the Hawaii I knew and loved.

Yesterday, I went to three farmers’ markets up in Waimea, all unique and lively. Hawaiian farmers markets make me so happy. I love seeing the exotic fruits and vegetables and meeting the people who grow them.

I enjoyed a leisurely shoreline walk in the afternoon and went for my pre-dinner swim, which has become part of my daily routine.

This is my first time alone in Hawaii, but I have visited a few times in the past. I’m doing what I want and settling into the pace of my days. I have the luxury of being here for more than two weeks, so the typical must-see tourist urgency is lacking. I sit out on the patio after lunch most days and read in the shade. This morning, I lingered on the beach and watched turtles for an hour.

From this day forward, I will never apologize for my solo travels. (Although, I’m happy when friends can join me, and I won’t complain if Mr. Wonderful shows up to accompany me.)

In a couple of days, I’m heading to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I’ve arranged a two-night stay in the area to fully explore the park. Not a screaming deal this time but worth it for the location.

I got online today to make a dinner reservation at The Rim restaurant in the park. Even though I prepare most of my own food, I occasionally go out to eat. This restaurant has been on my “to do” list for a while along with some hikes in the park. I’ll burn the calories and enjoy the splurge.

For the first time, I had the option of making a reservation for ONE. (Usually, the dropdown options start at two.)

I feel like it’s a good sign.