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Most people wait for the “right time” to take their first solo trip when they’ve saved enough money, when the timing feels right, or when they’re finally brave enough.
But for Shahida Sakeri, also known as Shad, it was never about being fearless, but about being ready to learn.
Today, the 35-year-old GayaTravel writer has visited more than 30 countries entirely on her own and learned how to read people, navigate chaos, and find comfort in the unfamiliar along the way.
Her stories aren’t filled with bragging rights or checklists, but quiet, grounded moments that shaped her into someone who travels not to escape, but to connect.
The moment she realised beauty could make one gasp
For many travellers, there’s one place that becomes the emotional centre of everything. For Shad, that place was Queenstown, New Zealand.
“I’ve never gasped so much at landscapes in my life. It was just astonishingly beautiful,” she said with the kind of breathlessness one has over a place that leaves them speechless even after being on the road for years.
But it wasn’t just the views that left an indelible mark.
It was also the moment where she found herself riding in a helicopter with Alfie Speight, one of New Zealand’s most renowned aerial filming pilots and the same person who worked on iconic films such as Mission Impossible 6: Fallout, The Lord of the Rings, King Kong, Wolverine, and The Chronicles of Narnia.
“I got to hear amazing insights about some of my favourite movies while enjoying the gorgeous views, it’s pretty special in my book,” she said. Even now, whenever she thinks about it, it still feels like a dream.
Laughs over a rookie mistake
While some lessons come with the passing of time, others hit you like a train or in Shad’s case, a sprint through the Istanbul Airport.
“I once booked a flight that landed later than expected at the Istanbul Airport and had a connecting flight with less than a two-hour window,” she recounted. “I sprinted through that airport like my life depended on it.”
It was one of those hectic moments that seasoned travellers commonly face, the kind where everything feels like it’s falling apart in fast-forward. And while Shad made it for the flight in the end, it was nevertheless a wake-up call for her.
“It was a rookie mistake. I nearly missed the flight and definitely learned an important lesson: always allow buffer time, especially for busy airports.”
Taking it slow
In her younger years, Shad did what many would do when they first start travelling, that is try to see as much as possible in the shortest time.
“I was too obsessed with checking off my bucket list,” she said. “I’d squeeze four cities into a week and sometimes multiple countries into a two-week itinerary.”
Looking back, she realises how much that approach cost her not only in money, but in meaning too.
“It’s exhausting, and honestly, you miss the soul of a place.”
These days, Shad doesn’t travel like that anymore.
“Now, I go slow. One country at a time.” Her pace is gentler and more intentional.
And if there’s one thing she wishes she’d done more of, it’s road trips.
“I wish I had taken more self-driving journeys. It’s way more flexible, and there’s just something magical about pulling over whenever the mood strikes and finding hidden gems that aren’t on any itinerary.”
Hits and misses
Everyone has that one destination that didn’t live up to the hype. For Shad, that place was Dubai.
“It’s glitzy, it’s glamorous…but it didn’t quite click with me,” she admitted. “Maybe it’s due to the excessive opulence.”
That being said, Shad isn’t ruling out a return visit in the future, saying, “I’m open to giving it another shot and proving myself wrong.”
As for the destination that left a deep impression on her, it was Uzbekistan, where she expected it to be a place where she could blend in naturally, given the fact that it was a predominantly Muslim country.
“I later realised their Hanafi practices were quite different from what we’re used to in Malaysia,” she explains. “It wasn’t alienating, but it did shift my perspective.
“It was a gentle reminder for myself that even within shared beliefs, cultures can vary wildly. It was eye-opening in the best way.”
On safety, gut instincts, and trusting yourself
Shad is often asked about the challenges of being a solo female traveller. And while she’s never experienced direct discrimination, she’s always prepared to protect her peace.
To date, I’ve been quite lucky as I’ve not personally experienced an event where I was discriminated against. However, I always follow the golden trio: stay alert of your surroundings, be respectful, and keep an open mind. And so far, it has worked like a charm.”
But there were moments where she had to draw boundaries, just like what happened during her travels to Egypt.
Some men can be a bit too ‘friendly,’ and while most are harmless, it gets uncomfortable fast. I kept my distance, trusted my gut, and didn’t hesitate to remove myself from awkward situations. If something feels off, it probably is. Leave.”
An unforgettable moment
Not all life-changing travel moments involve mountains or monuments. Some happen in the quiet panic of a train station, when everything feels uncertain until someone shows up.
“There was this lovely Swiss woman I met on a train en route to Salzburg,” Shad recalled. “Halfway through, the train stopped and an announcement was made that someone had jumped onto the tracks.”
The delay meant Shad would miss her connecting train and in that moment, she felt overwhelmed, helpless, and was on the verge of tears.
“The Swiss woman noticed my distress and spoke to the staff on my behalf before guiding me through an entirely new route. She was an absolute angel.
“While I never had the chance to get her name, I still remember the warmth of that moment even until now.”
Accommodation & essentials hack
One of Shad’s favourite travel hacks is choosing to stay away from tourist-heavy centres.
“I always book my stays on the outskirts of major tourist hotspots, like a few train stops away or a 20-minute walk from the centre,” she said.
“It’s cheaper, quieter, and I often find the food’s way better where the locals actually live. Plus, you get to see the ‘real’ side of a place.”
As for travel essentials, Shad has one that she carries around like a lifeline: bed bug spray.
“That tiny bottle has been my hero from budget hostels to swanky boutique stays,” she said. “Never underestimate those creepy crawlies.”
And when it comes to staying fresh during long travel days? “Keep a small bag of travel-sized essentials like face mist, perfume, and sanitising wipes on hand to help you feel refreshed anytime.”
Even the best get scammed sometimes
Despite her wealth of experience, Shad admitted she’s not immune to travel mishaps, especially when it comes to online hype.
“I once bought what I thought was a viral chocolate in Dubai. Turned out it was a knock-off which was sold at a local market at a high price,” she reminisced.
To help others not to repeat the same mistake, Shad’s advice is this:
“Do your homework and don’t let FOMO (fear of missing out) cloud your common sense.”
‘Priceless in every way possible’
When asked how much she’s invested in her travels, Shad declined to give an exact figure as she believed there isn’t a need for it.
“I’d say that it was priceless.I honestly believe the experiences, lessons, and stories I’ve collected are worth every cent and more.”
Shad knows there are women out there who scroll through travel reels and think, ‘I wish I could, but I’m not ready’ and to them, she has this to say:
There’s a saying that I like so much which applies in this situation: ‘Stop waiting to feel ready. Readiness is not a feeling. Readiness is a decision.’
“The perfect moment might never come. But if you make the choice to go, plan well, and stay open you’ll discover strength you didn’t know you had.”
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