The Global Travellers Interview Series | Richa | Light Travel Action
An Interview with Richa from Light Travel Action
#1 Who are you and How would you describe yourself?
Hello Readers! I am Lt Cdr Richa. After having served in India Navy for 7 years, I wrote a Movie for the popular Character “Chhota Bheem”, penned down a picture book for Pratham publications which has now been translated into 7 Indian and International languages. Now I am a full time Travel Curator at Light Travel Action
#2 What inspired you to travel?
With my sister and I on a two-wheeler (You can do that in India!!) or Sleeping in a Dharamshala or going on budget treks, my parents had perfected the art of traveling and adventuring on a shoestring budget. Every summer holiday we were heading to somewhere exciting!
Having inherited the travel streak from my parents I was lucky that my life partner shared my passion for travel. We have traveled as a family (with our children and our respective parents) and we have individually been on solo trips as well!
#3 What is the most rewarding part of being a Traveller?
The most rewarding part of being a traveller is that as a family we are exposed to such varied places and cultures that only are we enriched by this experience but it also had made us introspect our priorities as well. I am glad my children get to travel so much at such young age.
#4 What is your favorite destination in the world and why?
Even though it sounds cliched I would say Maldives. We have been to this place with children and stayed in water villas. This luxurious stay did cut a deep hole in our pockets but it was worth the money spent. Honeymoon or no honey moon, Maldives is a very romantic place. My kids would get delighted to see baby sharks come close to the shore. Since we were staying in water villas we could see full grown sharks and sting rays swim under our villa. I remember once while snorkeling with the kids, I noticed a jelly fish swim towards us. I think we swam the fastest that day 😛
#5 What sort of a traveller are you?
An Opportunist kind of traveller 😉 I like to travel whenever life gives me the opportunity to travel. I travel with children, parents, in general as a family. But I do go on Very High Altitude treks sans the family. We travel on budget as well as at times we indulge in luxury travel too. So I guess we are “Dhakkad Ghumakkads” – dauntless travelers!
#6 What’s your most memorable experience during your travels?
Our family trip to Meghalaya has been a very enriching experience. Meghalaya in India in general is a very beautiful place if visited post rains! There is this village where people don’t have names but only tunes for their names. Very intriguing and beautiful this place is. It is called Kongthong.
We also went on a hike with children to a Bamboo bridge in Wahkhen. There were hardly any tourists around and we felt like explorers in this very offbeat beautiful forest of Brooms.
#7 Your take on responsible travel…
Leave each and every place you visit cleaner than you found it! Be it your bedroom 😉 or mother nature’s creation!
#8 How do you fund your travel (savings/work whilst travelling/other)?
I travel Blog and I have decent readership which helps me get brand collaboration. I work as a freelance writer as well.
#9 How do you manage your budget during travel?
By doing more of window shopping than actual shopping! This helps me in traveling light, saving money and being a minimalist.
#10 What’s the best thing you have eaten and where?
There was a time when I was a non-vegetarian. So even though it is not the best but it certainly is the most weirdest thing that I have eaten – CRICKETS – fried crickets at Myanmar (Tamu). I was to run 75 kms from Tamu in Myanmar to Moreh which is in the Manipur state of India. A day before this cross country, cross border run I feasted on this high protein diet 😛
#11 Best and Worst Airport Stories!
None in particular. My kids and I love to browse through the candy shops and perhaps the only place we buy 😛
#12 Do you have any advice or tips for aspiring travellers?
“Don’t listen to what they say. Go see.”
You can even follow Richa from Light Travel Action on Instagram here
