Modais siges and dreadmares Oh My!
I thought I had it tough with Higardi Cutpurses, Brigands and Crimson Poppies!
Hang in there, making the trip is well worth the trouble.
(I waited unti I was level 6 or 7 before leaving the monestary too.)
One thing I did notice, if you go back to the monestary and camp til the next day, there'll be a whole new set of monsters to replace the ones you were dealing with before...this saved my butt when a pack of venom crabs ambushed us on our way out. The next day they were gone.
So, if all else fails, do go back and camp until the next day and set your game on Novice before leaving. It may still be hard...this is no easy game but it is so worth it!