The Solo Traveller
Your independence, passion, and lifelong memories.
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Friska Wirya pictured on an almost submerged boardwalk at high tide near a hidden Airbnb in Gozo, Malta’s sister island.
Travels with a ‘borderless multihyphenate’
Friska Wirya, who calls Bali and Melbourne home, is a self-described “borderless multihyphenate” – and while you could be forgiven for thinking that this term might perfectly describe a character from ‘Blade Runner’, a ‘borderless multihyphenate’ is a person with multiple skills and professions, and whose work intentionally blurs the lines between different fields and disciplines. Modern, non-traditional, innovative, and entirely transformational.
“My consulting clients are usually large multinational organisations,” Friska tells The Solo Traveller, “and while my day to day may be done online, I fly in for high impact touch points such as group training, and to steer co-meetings or roadshows. When my second book was published earlier this year, I had several book launch events in Singapore, Jakarta, Bali, and Hong Kong. I keynote regularly and this year has seen me headline Europe Business Transformation and Change in London, Asia Carriers Conference in Cebu, Philippines, World Family Office Summit in Hong Kong, and Digital Stratosphere in Denver, Colorado.”
Participating in a forum during the ASANA’s Work Innovation Tour in the Philippines.
How do you balance the demands of work with the opportunities for personal exploration?
I always fly in at least a full day earlier to acclimatise, explore, and get my head and body in the zone. I also love Airbnb experiences for ideas of fun short things to do in the city that I’m in. Some hotel concierges are more helpful than others, as are their guidebooks. The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong, for example, has a handy walking map of their area, folding out into a larger map of the island. These are helpful when you simply want to stretch your legs and stroll for an hour in between meetings.
Are there habits or rituals that keep you grounded, healthy, and well when you're travelling for work?
My number 1 non-negotiable is sleep. I always bring my own eye mask on the plane (the airline ones are terrible!), noise blocking ear buds, and breathable soft pyjamas (the Emirates ones are the best I’ve tried so far!). I’ve been plant-based for over two decades, so I don’t eat much on the plane, and not having a full stomach helps me sleep better. Also, if I’m arriving during the day, as soon as I check into the hotel, I’ll shower then go for a walk to explore. If time permits, I’ll also stream a yoga workout on YouTube. If I arrive late in the evening, I’ll take something herbal that makes me sleepy and set my alarm early, so I have time in the morning to do at least 45 minutes of cardio yoga.
I also have at least two days’ worth of healthy snacks on me, such as Chia pudding cups, vegan protein powder, roasted nuts, dried fruit, and bliss balls. Preparation is key. Oh, and I try to book hotels with wellness facilities – a good spa, sauna or steam room. I often use these after a day full of meetings.
Exploring Petra, the famed archaeological site, in Jordan.
What are the greatest advantages of travelling for work on your own?
I have full autonomy over my day, I choose what time to get up, where to go for dinner, what to do in my spare time … oh, and no one hogs the bed!
… and the biggest challenges?
Limited where to go for dinner, because some places just do not make portions for one person. Safety can also be a big concern. I felt very unsafe in Rio de Janeiro, and I saw a guy get mugged in broad daylight right opposite my hotel. I was frustrated staying in the hotel, but it wasn’t worth the risk.
Is there a city or destination that surprised you, either personally or professionally?
St Moritz. It looked even better in real life and was more affordable than I thought it would be. Dining out was cheaper (and better quality) than Lucerne or Zermatt. Go figure!
On the India–Bhutan border.
How has solo work travel changed your perspective on your personal and professional life?
I love solo work travel. I’m introverted by nature and appreciate having no one to please but myself from time to time! I am more grateful and appreciative of my life as travelling for work. When it’s your own business is very different to travelling for work when you’re in a big corporate.
What advice would you give to someone just starting to travel solo for work?
1. Back up everything! Google Cloud is your friend.
2. What looks great on the laptop in Sydney could be a complete mess in Singapore – test and retest before presenting to clients, always!
3. Always have emergency numbers of the country you’re going to programmed into your phone and know how to get help if something happens.
4. Don’t schedule back-to-back meetings – make sure you get some ‘me time’ throughout the day. It will help with concentration, even a 15-minute walk round the block.
5. Follow up, and follow follow up – write who you meet, what their pain points and requests/ requirements are, send ‘Thank you’ notes for their time the next day … and schedule in follow up reminders!
Left: Presenting at the World Family Office Forum 2025 in Hong Kong; and snowmobiling in a thunderstorm in Kiruna, Sweden.
Can you share your top 3 tips for solo travelling success?
1. Make sure you know your transport options, costs, and duration. Some ultra-modern cities do not accept cash still (Japan, Philippines taxis), so do your research so you don’t get stuck somewhere unable to get back to your hotel.
2. Bring something that reminds you of home, whether it’s a linen scarf, a scent you usually burn in your home, or a favourite sleeping mask to help you feel grounded no matter where you are.
3. If you have dietary requirements – and for my vegan requirements I’ve learned not to rely on hotel concierge – do your own research. I use HappyCow or type ‘Vegan’ into Google Maps.
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