Solo Travel but Never Alone

Mum met Susan on a Rhine River cruise. Photo by Peter Derrett

My aunty and mother have been travel buddies for decades.

A few years ago they went on a Rhine River cruise. On the first night -- while sitting at a table in the Crystal Dining room -- they noticed an elegantly dressed woman enter the room on her own. My mum's heart went out to her. How brave of this woman to walk into a room full of strangers. Mum waved her hands in the air gesturing for this lady to come and sit at their table.

The woman's name was Susan and she was travelling solo. She was a retired librarian from Melbourne with a passion for architecture and history.

Not only did Susan enjoy breakfast and dinner with my mum and aunt for the duration of the trip, they became good friends and have kept in contact to this day.

I too have come to know Susan and am in awe of her beauty, intelligence and gentle demeanour, not to mention her 'sense of style'.

Our lives are all the richer for having met her.

Mum's Travel Tip

Never be afraid to invite strangers to your table. She loves William Butler Yeats's quote. " There are no strangers here; only friends you haven't yet met."

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