I grew up in the bustling city of Bombay (now Mumbai) in a family of avid travellers, who seized the smallest opportunity to set off on holiday. By the age of ten, I’d been horse riding in Kashmir, palace hopping in Rajasthan, spent weekends in the family farm harvesting grapes and seen a fair bit of Southern India as well. On my first overseas trip, I was enamoured by the azure waters of Mauritius, the scenic mountain railway in Switzerland, the thundering Niagara waterfalls and the vibrant markets of Bangkok. All these early experiences instilled an interest and love for travel from an early age.
A year after graduating, I had my first job in travel, arranging tailor-made holidays for clients from around the world. And to get some practical experience, a few years later, I became a tour leader, leading groups of Indian travellers to Western Europe allowing me to expand on my experience of organising travel from behind the desk.
Over the years, I’ve lived in Europe and the American Southwest, settling in London, a city I’ve grown to love as home away from home. I have visited numerous European cities, explored Canada and the Pacific Northwest and more recently Egypt and Zanzibar as well as the Caribbean and Sri Lanka. Each journey and experience has been awe inspiring in its own way. Near or far, I have always found it fascinating to see how people live; to learn about their history, aspects of culture and tradition that shape lives be it urban or rural. One of my more recent trips has been through Bhutan - for a country of its size, it packs in a wonderful combination of pristine nature, hilltop monasteries, colourful festivals, a variety of walks and treks, spiritual experiences and amazing mountain views. The warm friendly people are ever eager for a chat over butter tea, or something stronger.
And I remain passionate as ever about all things India and take every opportunity to visit a new part of the country.
Holidays for me are like ‘bhelpuri’ a tantalising street snack from Mumbai; a medley of a little bit of everything: sweet and sour, spicy and bitter, crisp and soft, and always leaving you wanting for more. And this is a mantra that I use not only on personal trips but also in designing unforgettable holidays.
BEST TRAVEL MOMENTS
Q: Best travel moments
A: Having to choose one, is akin to picking your favourite child! I’ve always had an affinity for the water. On a languid, summer afternoon in Kerala, on an exploratory trip, I found myself on a traditional rice barge called kettuvallom; these boats were once used to bring rice and spices from the Western Ghats to the coast, from where they were shipped around the world. The scenery was stunning: a bright blue sky, fields of rice and coconut trees, birds and butterflies, fishermen at work. Watching the world go by while sipping a chilled beer is one of my many favourite travel moments.
Q: Favourite country
A: India. For all the vibrant colours, whatever the season. It an interesting time for the country where tradition and development vie for prominence. The subcontinent really has everything to offer from desert landscapes to the mighty Himalaya, hip urban centres and cool walking tours, a plethora of archaeological treasures rich with history and rich traditions of textile, cuisine, art and architecture.
Q: Favourite meal
A: I love a good Gujarati thali. It’s akin to a tasting platter of a myriad of vegetable and lentil based dishes of varying textures and temperatures with crispy accompaniments, fresh flatbreads and mouth watering chutneys and pickles as well as deserts. A nap is essential after this culinary extravaganza!
Q: Most memorable journey
A: Journeying through Ladakh was hands down one of my most recent wow experiences. Returning to Leh from the remote Nubra valley, we drove through the Wari-la pass. The landscape was breath-taking and at times unbelievably beautiful, making me wonder if I was dreaming in my light headed state. As the road winds through mountains, I saw yak, frisky marmots and soaring birds of prey in a stunning backdrop of black and white as well as small village communities. The road, in places is so narrow that you can reach out and touch the glacier. There's a photo op at every turn and I came away captivated .
Q: Favourite travel advice
A: Less is More. The Indian subcontinent can hit you all senses all at once, and it’s important to pace yourself especially in the first few days. And always pack an umbrella/all-weather jacket. With weather patterns changing around the world, unexpected rain showers are becoming increasingly common.
Q: Next on must see list
A: I am always planning my next trip. I’m dreaming of birdwatching and snorkelling in Costa Rica, traversing the rugged landscapes of Oman and delving deeper into the Northeast of India. The Andaman Islands, Georgia and Nepal are also vying for a higher spot on the wish list.