Start here (if you’re new, not sure where to begin, or just a little lost)
If you’re here because you want to try something new, travel somewhere unfamiliar, or say yes to an experience that quietly scares you, welcome.
If you feel stuck, anxious, or like everyone else got a rulebook you somehow missed, you’re not alone.
This blog exists for exactly that feeling.
You don’t need to be confident.
You don’t need to be fearless.
You certainly don’t need to have everything figured out.
You just need to be curious enough to keep reading.
What this blog is about
Ummi Goes Where? started as a bucket list.
In my early 20s, I was dealing with depression and a quarter-life crisis.
Making a list of things I wanted to try, places I was curious about, and experiences that scared me became a way for me to keep moving (you can read more about it on my About page).
That list turned into stories, and over time, evolved into a personal, experience-based travel blog that it is today.
It’s about going into unfamiliar situations, even when you feel scared and unprepared.
In this blog, you’ll find:
- Everything about solo travel — the good, the bad, the ugly
- Bucket list experiments
- Honest opinions about places, experiences, and ideas (including when something is overrated, not what I expected, or just not for me)
- Practical tips and guides for when you decide to do the same
- And occasionally, what not to do, so you won’t repeat silly mistakes I made
Who this blog is for
Well, I’m a woman in my 30s now, and I started doing this in my early 20s.
I do occasionally write about solo female travel and navigating experiences as a woman, simply because that’s what my life is about.
Because of that, this blog might resonate more with people of a similar demographic.
BUT if you’re going through a similar phase in your life, dealing with the same doubts, or curious about the same kinds of experiences I’m trying, then it doesn’t really matter how old young you are or what gender you identify with.
If you’ve ever thought:
“I want to try, but I don’t know how, or I’m scared.”
This blog is for you.
How to use this blog
Honestly, there’s no right or wrong order to read things here.
A few easy ways to start:
- If you want inspiration: browse the Bucket List
- If you want practical help to plan a trip: head to the Travel Toolkit
- If you want some entertainment: read the personal stories
- If you just want to wander: explore Destinations
Or browse through this map (works best on desktop):
Here are some of my latest posts:
- Learning to Surf in Bali: Best Beaches, Best Surf Schools & What to Expect
- Trying Kopi Luwak in Bali: Taste, Ethics, Authenticity, and Where to Find It
- Riding a Scooter in Bali as a Beginner: Risks, Lessons, and What to Expect
- Mud-Bathing in Nha Trang: Best Mud Spas, Benefits & What to Expect
- Staying at “Rumah Pohon” Tree House in Nusa Penida, Bali (What It’s Really Like)
- Traditional Balinese Costume Photoshoot in Bali: What to Expect & How to Do It
Practical help, when you’re ready
When you’re ready to plan your own adventures, the Travel Toolkit rounds things up to make the process less overwhelming.
Find planning systems, downloadable templates, packing lists, gear that I actually use, and resources I trust.
One last thing
I still get scared before new experiences. I still overthink and wonder if I’m doing things wrong.
The difference now is that I’ve learned you don’t need to feel ready to start. You just need enough information and maybe a bit of reassurance from someone who’s already gone first.
That’s what this blog is here for.
If you’re unsure about something, feel free to drop me a message. I can’t promise I’ll have all the answers, but I can promise I’ll be honest about what I know and what I don’t.
Take your time. And if you get stuck, you don’t have to figure it out alone.