Backpacking in your 30s/40s

[Misty9]

I'm recently out of a longish marriage and, having always loved travelling, I'm considering going backpacking next year for around 3 weeks (can't go longer due to kids/work etc) maybe Thailand but not decided.

Has anyone else done this in their late 30s/40s? How was it? Tips? It will be 20 years since my travels in between uni and A levels next year so I thought it would be fitting

I started backpacking in my 40s. I highly recommend it.
I think the only difference between me and the other (usually much younger) backpackers is that I prefer a room in a hostel to myself, and rather than rush from one place to another I like to spend at least 2 days in each place.
Lonely planet is a good website for info and itineries.
I always book in advance a hostel for the first couple of nights, then wing it from there.
It's very easy to meet other people if you stay in hostels with communal spaces.
Take as little as possible. Most places have laundries. It's no fun lugging to much stuff around!

Me and partner started backpacking around Asia about 5 years ago bit 45 go for a month at a time try to spend 4-5 days in each place have a great time and for the last couple of years have managed to coincide it with both our birthdays.
Strangely enough on her birthday I’ll sort out a cake that the hotel staff bring out at breakfast singing happy birthday. And I get such delights as deep fried scorpion and rat poo coffee.

This year is a bit different still going for a month but different time of year. So far we have flights booked to Bali. Just waiting until I m completely bored at work one night and I’ll star filling in the days with things to do.

Depends what you want from holiday beaches? Culture? Lady boys?

We’ve done island hopping
Bangkok
Krabi
Koh lantra
Koh lipi (love this island)
langkowi (Malaysia)
Then flight back to Bangkok

Or head north from Bangkok to chang Mia and chang ria for more temples and elephants

Singapore then
To Borneo visit the , sun bears then down to senporna for diving

Travel is so cheep once you get there you can hop all over the place. Flights £20-40 ferries £10 buses are well cheap. Food is cheep if outside tourist areas

I agree pack lightly. You can always buy extras when you are there !

Been fortunate to have a month off work for a few years. Been traveling round
Thailand
Borneo
New Zealand (expensive)
Vietnam
Philippines

Thailand is my favourite so far
Royal palace
Temples
Chattatuk huge market
China town
Can fly or train or bus cheaply to Krabi & go island hopping or Chang Mai for temples

If you fly to a major airport like Bangkok or Singapore, local flights are cheap

Your money goes a long way in Asia

Book flights early for cheapest & avoid bank holidays

Buy travel insurance

Beware there are 2 airports in Bangkok

No but want a companion 😁 I'm looking at different ideas. Same circumstances except my kids are adults so no issues there

Stucnoe. If you wait for a companion you'll never go!! This was me. Bite the bullet, do a shit load of research and go!
I can't help with the Thailand bit. Have only been working my way through Latin America so far. But it's been an amazing experience.

Stuck - if you don't want to go on your own. Try an escorted tour first, then decide from there
Perhaps start on your own somewhere more locally first