The comical chronicles of an introverted solo traveller over 50
Zander Kane
Who am I, you ask? Well, I’m a tea-drinking, map-misreading, adventure-seeking Brit with a knack for finding the scenic route. If there’s a wrong turn to be made, you can bet I’ll find it – but hey, getting lost is just another opportunity for unexpected discoveries, right? Welcome to my about me page.
Zander Kane
Last Updated: 1st October 2024
Tales from a Technologically Challenged Solo Traveller
Hello, fellow explorer! You’ve stumbled upon my digital treehouse (yes, it’s as shaky as it sounds). This is where I attempt to chronicle my solo travel escapades without causing a digital apocalypse.
Consider this a warning: I’m a blogging novice who’s more likely to trip over a digital cable than find the on/off switch.
Originally, this was meant to be a high-tech diary of my globe-trotting blunders, cultural faux pas, and encounters with people too polite to escape my company.
But, how did I get here?
The Prequel
Wanderlust skipped a generation in my family, possibly due to the small matter of my parents’ plane experiencing engine issues mid-flight on their return from their honeymoon in Paris in the 1960s.
As a result of their terrifying ordeal, flying would become something of a myth to my siblings and me.
So, my parents became rather adept at convincing us that a ferry ride from mainland UK to the Isle of Wight was indeed an exotic foreign adventure.
I was 16 when I embarked on my inaugural flight, to spend New Year’s with friends in Germany.
Upon landing back home, the allure of travel captivated me completely, sparking a fervent desire for a future intertwined with exploration and adventure.
About My Wanderlust Journey
Instead of diving straight into the academic abyss of college, I opted for a detour. I took on the role of Children’s Outdoor Instructor. I spent my spring herding children through forests in the UK, and my summers, canoeing down the Ardeche River in France. Come winter, I chauffeured skiers in the frosty French Alps.
The Allure of a Degree and Teletubbies
Eventually, I succumbed to the allure of a degree in Video Production. My first gig? A glorified gofer in children’s television. Yes, folks, I had the privilege of cavorting with those iconic Teletubbies.
I dabbled in contractual work, flitting from one fleeting engagement to another in TV and film. Then, I stumbled upon the static charm of still photography.
Shipbound Adventures and Maritime Merriment
My lens then found itself shipbound, capturing the maritime merriment of cruise ship life for the next three years.
But alas, all good contracts must come to an end, and it was a chum from my college days who roped me into the wily world of freelance travel photography.
Divorce and Self Discovery
Alas, my divorce in 2012 brought a seismic shift. Thrust into the solitary embrace of self-discovery, I found new paths. After much soul-searching and procrastination—naturally—I mustered the courage to embark on my inaugural semi-solo sojourn to India. Immersed in the tranquil realms of yoga and meditation, my solo odyssey began. Thus began my solo odyssey, a journey I vow to continue until I’ve surpassed my Aunty’s record of gallivanting through over 120 countries alone.
The Birth of a Travel Blogger
And then, like a bolt from the blue, a fellow wayfarer suggested I venture into the treacherous terrain of travel blogging. Me? The anti-selfie enthusiast? Oh, the irony.
Yet, the prospect of financing my escapades through the blogosphere beckoned irresistibly. So here I am, navigating the murky waters of memory lane and tirelessly researching the longevity of my recommendations.
Embarking on Solo Adventures: A Comedy of Errors
So here we are: I’ve got a mixed bag of stories, from the enlightening to the face-palm-worthy. My goal? To entertain and inspire you with my haphazard adventures, proving if I can navigate the world’s oddities, anyone can.
If you’ve ever wondered how to survive travel’s unexpected twists or simply how to pack, you’re in the right place. So, dear reader, welcome aboard this whimsical expedition. May you find inspiration amidst my ramblings and, who knows, perhaps forge your own path of discovery.