This is the most diplomatic answer but trust me I cannot choose one. I fell in love with my now wife in Kenya, Cuba and its people gave me a new perspective towards life, Japan taught me how you can be different from the entire world and still thrive, Bolivia showed me how living in extreme feels like.
1. Tell us something about your background and journey.
My love for travel started at a very young age and my first ever destination was Nainital when I was 7 years old, it was a school trip. Kids from 2nd Standard were not allowed on that trip but I made sure I was selected on the trip as an exception.
I moved to Dubai in 2010 and before that, I didn't even have a Passport, I used to backpack around India, I traveled with my first salary, I went on solo vacations when I was 12, my mum never stopped me, she always encouraged me to travel. From 2010 to 2019 I visited about 80 countries.
2. When and how did you develop your interest in traveling?
My dad used to take us on a lot of road trips and vacations before he passed away, I still remember him walking into a hotel somewhere in Mandu (MP) and negotiating for the price, yes kids! Those days there was no option to book hotels online. Every time I traveled, I felt different, I gained a new perspective.
People ask me - 'why do you travel?' and I can never give a satisfying answer for that unless you do it yourself, not for Instagram, not because a friend went there, not because you want to be at an exotic place, do it without any agenda and mark my words it will be your most memorable trip.
3. How did traveling change your perspective towards things?
The day you realize what a tiny space you occupy in the world, you will know that there are so many things bigger than your ego. How do we meet the world? Books, Documentaries? Internet? I always wanted to experience all of it firsthand.
Traveling the world and meeting people living in different conditions and treating life differently is what really teaches you about the world. Once you actually go and visit, you may even challenge your own opinion about less known places and cultures.
4. Which is your most memorable trip and why?
This is the most diplomatic answer but trust me I cannot choose one. I fell in love with my now wife in Kenya, Cuba and its people gave me a new perspective towards life, Japan taught me how you can be different from the entire world and still thrive, Bolivia showed me how living in extreme feels like.
Here's something I do which I suggest everyone do as well - I never plan my trip, I book my flights and hotels and then let the trip take its own shape. I never google to see what most tourist attractions look like, land at your destination, and ask locals what to do and 90% of the time it's going to be epic.
Avoid group tours as much as possible, I can't do a tour in a bus full of people and the guide giving me 20 mins to explore the place. Do everything at your own pace and at your will.
5. Who do you admire the most and why?
In the past one and a half years, I've realized to appreciate small things, and now traveling like I used to feel like a luxury. I once met a retired couple from Australia in Venice, they saved up all their life so they can travel after retiring, I asked them was it worth it?
The answer was no, they told me they saved up all their lives to be able to travel but they would have rather traveled while they were young to be able to enjoy it even more. I might not have much money in my bank account, but I am grateful that I have experiences and memories.
7. What tips and advice would you give to aspiring travelers?
You don't need a lot of money to travel, you don't need to take a long time off from work to travel and traveling doesn't mean only going to exotic places and taking pictures for Instagram.
Do it for the culture, do it for the experience, I spent my first ever salary of 3000 Rupees on a trip to Mount Abu. I recently made a trip to Nepal and stayed in a hostel for 300 Rupees a night and the last thing I urge you to do is - don't plan your trip to the T, always leave some room for impromptu plans and surprises.
Interviewed By - Serene Ingle
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