Travels, Tales and Takes with Preethi

The larger part of my favourite travel memories is defined by interactions with people. Of these, chance encounters take the top spot, and in this #PepTale, join me for a short conversation with a stranger over breakfast in Tainan. Some stories don't really end. They're just.. left hanging for the listener to imagine as they wish, and this is one. If you're reading this, drop me a line on my Instagram www.instagram.com/peppytravelgirl and tell me how you wish this story would end. If it does at all :) Happy listening!

Also, please forgive the audio quality. I recorded this on the go in a very remote destination when I went down memory lane and felt the story was coming out at its best. Thank you!

Follow me on www.instagram.com/peppytravelgirl.

Feedback always welcome at www.peppytravelgirl.com!

Music created by Pranav Chadha.

Few sense an opportunity when presented, and fewer actually reach out and grab it with both hands. Japleen Kaur is one such human, who saw what she had dreamed of her whole life in front of her life, and without a second thought, leapt at it. She's a Mumbai girl who moved to Bir in Himachal Pradesh to live the life of her dreams. Her love for travel showed her the place where she would build her life as it is today, and in this episode, we talk all about moving to the mountains, calling them home, exploring Bir, and uncovering some secrets that go beyond paragliding.

Lots of stories, dialogue, and laughs in this one! Watch out for a fun segment where Japleen and I spin a yarn together ON THE SPOT with no prior preparation.

Japleen is a travel content creator and a master storyteller who also conducts writing workshops every week. Catch up with what she does at www.instagram.com/millennialladki.

Drop me your feedback at www.instagram.com/peppytravelgirl and www.peppytravelgirl.com. As always, I love to hear from you!

Travelling solo ain't always a cakewalk. While it's always a lot of fun and never fails to entertain, it does, sometimes, serve up its own moments that can terrify, that can cause your stomach to sink, and sometimes leave you thanking your lucky stars. As a girl travelling alone, there are far too many of those, let's face it. Today's #PepTale is a story from a time which could've gotten really, really bad. The episode opens with a few thoughts on what the internet has been looking like recently and why I'm talking about this story and then goes into a tale that I don't want to give away much of. Listen in! It opens up another glorious angle to solo travel and everything that makes a part of it. ESPECIALLY that beautiful thing known as 'gut-instinct'!

I'd love to hear from you! Follow me on www.instagram.com/peppytravelgirl, check out my website www.peppytravelgirl.com, and feel free to drop me a message at either. Happy listening!

Music by Pranav Chadha.

Living in a body that's not "conventionally attractive" can mean a ton of self-sabotage, as I realised on multiple occasions when I denied myself experiences when I was travelling. Thinking back, it hurts, but also begs the question - WHY? Why do we self-sabotage? Why is acceptance of one's body so difficult? Why do we live with so much shame and where did it come from?

Anushka Kelkar joins me on this #PepTake to delve into the topic of bodies, shame, and acceptance. We talk about where body image issues come from and its impact on our life, how capitalism has its part to play, and how we can set out on a journey of befriending something that's going to be with us for the rest of our life.

Anushka fosters an online community called Brown Girl Gazing which opens its doors for women to meet at a common platform, share their journeys with their bodies and unlearn shame together. Follow her work on www.instagram.com/browngirlgazin.

Music by Pranav Chadha.

Visiting Africa is a dream for many, and Tanya Khanijow made hers come true on her solo trip to Namibia. It was her first time in the continent, and she drove across the country in a 4x4. She describes her journey as 'life-changing', and in this conversation, we find out why. This #PepTalk opens up with Tanya talking about how this trip actually happened. She goes on to tell us about her 4x4 vehicle, or as we now call it, the 'wonder car'.

Head to 11:11 for details on arriving in the country and the route she took. At 16:00, she details her experience and interactions with animals and seeing 3 out of the Big 5. She went out of her way to interact with the Himba tribe, a tribe that is living in present-day Africa but still holds on to its traditions. Listen to her talk about this at 20:00. At 26:40, she tells us how we can be a little more responsible as travellers. 

Tanya goes on to talk about her experience camping in the desert at 28:50. All things food come in at 35:15, followed by an incredible helicopter ride and some tailored experiences at 43:35. A little bit of mysticism comes in at 45:50, and then a little bit of Bollywood at 48:16. Listen to her highlights from the trip at 52:00.

To round off this #PepTalk, Tanya talks about the logistical aspect of traversing through Namibia and gives us a quick 10-day plan to explore the country.

Tanya is a travel filmmaker extraordinaire, and her work will transport you to wherever she goes through brilliant cinematography, editing and narration. Hop over to www.youtube.com/tanyakhanijow to see what she does. You can also follow her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/tanyakhanijow.

Follow me at www.instagram.com/peppytravelgirl. You can also reach out to me at www.peppytravelgirl.com.

Music by Pranav Chadha.

How do you earn while travelling? Is it possible to work on the go? Can I actually work while sipping cocktails by the pool? Is this for real?

A location-independent lifestyle sure sounds glamorous. With good reason, because living life on your terms, living anywhere in the world and making money while at it sounds like a dream, doesn't it?

Kaushal Karkhanis is a graphic designer, a content creator and a community-fiend who's been living the location independent lifestyle since 12 years and joins me on this episode to tell us all about how he does what he does and how we can design a life we probably dream of.

You'll hear about how his tryst with travel blogging started at 05:00, how he managed to bounce back from zero at 08:00, and what enabled his location-independent lifestyle at 10:30. He tells us how he started work as a digital nomad at 13:12 and how he manages to balance work and travel at 16:57. The pros and cons of the lifestyle come out at 19:26, and you'll also hear about the different ways you can pursue this at 21:11. Learn about the concept of geo-arbitrage and why it's something you need to know about at 22:15. Kaushal even tells us about the mistakes he's made on this journey and what you can do to avoid them at 23:38.

We discuss the future of the gig economy and what the future might hold at 26:05. Take advantage of some valuable life lessons Kaushal doles out at 29:47, after which he gives us all a glimpse into what his journey has been like at 31:35.

Skip to 34:15 to listen to what you need to know before jumping into this life, and then move on to tips and tricks at 39:09. Transition options pop up at 41:09 and listen in at 45:54 for resources that will help you out.

Hop over to Kaushal's travel blog - www.exoticgringo.com - to see where he's been. Head to www.kaushal.page/nomad for a full list of resources that can help you get started on a location-independent lifestyle.

I welcome comments, compliments and feedback! Drop me a message at www.instagram.com/peppytravelgirl, and check out my website www.peppytravelgirl.com.

Music by Pranav Chadha.

India. This country that we live in does NOT fail to surprise, with SO much diversity and distinct changes in its landscapes, cultures, languages, food, and heritage every few kilometres. There's so much to see and explore here, and some people manage to delve deep into its heart and uncover some of its most endearing secrets.

In this episode, I speak to Divyakshi Gupta from The Quirky Wanderer about the time she spent exploring Odisha. Divsi, as she is known, is among India's top travel bloggers and has been doing it since before blogging became a thing. She enjoys immersive experiences and believes the real essence of travel lies with living like the locals do.

Hear her talk about Odisha's diverse handicrafts at 16:50. She tells us what we can also do to support local artists and artisans at 22:00. Hop over to 26:00 if you want to hear about a very new, very distinct dance form called 'Gotipua'. Divsi talks about the incredible temples and architecture of the state at 31:00 and moves on to birding, something for nature lovers at 45:30. Of course, one can't miss talking about food, and she does so at 57:45, after which she tells us about her highlights from the trip.

Follow Divyakshi's work at www.quirkywanderer.com and www.instagram.com/divsigupta.

Reach out to me at www.instagram.com/peppytravelgirl.com and www.peppytravelgirl.com if you would like to share something - comments, compliments, feedback, maybe?

Happy listening!

The Mumbai rains have me feeling all cosy and have made me delve into my memories of rainy days. Today's #PepTale brings you a story from one such day, where the rains weren't exactly a friend!

I went to Bhutan solo in July 2019, and the famous hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery in Paro - or Taktsang Monastery - was very, very high on my list. It's a steep climb to a stunning monastery which takes around 2 hours one way, and I had an extra level of difficulty - the rains. Added to that, my guide ditched me at the start of the hike and left me to my own devices.

Once again, we see the beauty of solo travel unravel here, with the kindness of fellow humans, an experience defined more by its journey, and an ending that can only be termed unexpected. If you're wondering whether or not the power of the Universe is real, listen to this one and you'll find out!

Oh, and there's a little extra here :) I had asked a question on my Instagram. I asked you how the rains make you feel, and my, what answers I got! If you replied to me there, you'll find your answer here!

Connect with me at www.instagram.com/peppytravelgirl and www.peppytravelgirl.com.

Adventure and nature await on this dreamy trip to the land of Pura Vida in Central America! Anindita Chatterjee takes us on a journey straight into the rainforests, waterfalls, volcanoes and beaches of Costa Rica as she relives her experience there with me in this #PepTalk.

Jump to what you want to listen - All things nature at 9:53, volcanoes at 11:51, jumping off waterfalls at 15:00, soaking in hot springs at 24:40, seeing sloths and exploring rainforests at 28:20, gorgeous waters and sandy beaches at 31:45, and all about Costa Rican food at 35:15.

Listen to Anindita talk about Pura Vida at 38:30. She also gives us some useful tips to plan our budget at 41:00 and rounds it off with her highlights at 42:15. If there's one thing you HAVE TO DO in Costa Rica, it's jumping off a 35 ft roaring waterfall, and Anindita tells us how we can. Travel goals MAX in this episode.

Sure, we're in lockdown, but let this episode transport you to a land far, far away.

Catch Anindita's adventures at www.instagram.com/travel.chatter and on her blog at www.travelchatter.in.

I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! Send in your feedback, comments, compliments, love at www.instagram.com/peppytravelgirl or on my blog www.peppytravelgirl.com

Music by Pranav Chadha.

We're transporting ourselves to someplace surreal in today's episode! Kritika Goel joins me in this #PepTalk as we explore Iceland through her eyes. Iceland is gorgeous - astounding landscapes dotted with gushing waterfalls, black sands, volcanic rock, even diamond ice! A land where the sun sets at 12 in the middle of the night in summers. A land which hosts the unbelievable northern lights in winters.  Kritika aptly describes Iceland as unreal as she regales stories from her visit and tells us what made it so unforgettable.

Kritika is a travel vlogger and you can check out her work at www.youtube.com/kritikagoel, and www.instagram.com/kritika_goel.

I'd love to hear from you! Hit me up at www.instagram.com/peppytravelgirl and www.peppytravelgirl.com.

Music created by Pranav Chadha.

Sometimes, while travelling, even the best-laid plans can go completely awry and leave you in a bit of a lurch. I wanted to visit the Punkva Caves in the Moravian Karst region of the Czech Republic, which could be accessed from the city of Brno. My entire journey to the caves and back was a bit of a misadventure, and in this #PepTale, I'm telling you a story about a day when everything that could go wrong, did. Seriously. Imagine getting hopelessly lost in a place where there's nothing and no one around, you don't know the language, you don't have internet, and just when you think it can't get crazier, it does. We're talking solo travel, dubious transport systems, things going out of control and moments that leave you wondering whether to laugh or cry, so go ahead and listen in!

I'd love to hear what you think! Hit me up on my Instagram www.instagram.com/peppytravelgirl, or through my website www.peppytravelgirl.com.

Music created by Pranav Chadha.