A Londoner in Lombok… A solo trip to this affordable-luxe hotel was life-affirming

As I wait on the dock at Padang Bai ferry port in east Bali to board one of the notoriously choppy rides to Lombok, I have a sinking feeling. It’s not because I am anticipating the sea sickness (the bucket of free tablets at check-in ensured I won’t be suffering). Nor is it an episode of the Bali belly everyone bar me had experienced on the group trip I’ve just been on for a week — somehow that has passed me by. No, it’s the fact I am about to spend three days alone.

I am an extrovert. This was confirmed by the fact that spending those seven days with 15 total strangers left me feeling uplifted and energised. So the idea of being alone for 72 hours — in spite of the gorgeous ocean-view villa that awaits me at The Oberoi Beach Resort — is enough to make me panic. Especially as, according to a Human Design reading (a form of pseudo science that tells you about your innate personality) at my retreat I feel “unsafe alone” and seek the company of others at all costs. Uh oh.