1. What motto do you live by when travelling?
Explore the offbeat and touristy trails both in a responsible way.2. Out of the different destinations you have travelled in India, name a destination that was 1. Most fun 2. Most inspiring 3. Most challenging?
Most Fun - Meetings the last surviving tattooed Headhunters of Konyak tribe in Nagaland.Most inspiring - ALL of them! Because each trip helped me contributing a piece to fit my bigger puzzle called LIFE.
Most Challenging - Witnessing Theyyam ritual in Kerala - There are no blogs and information available on the internet about the performance date, time and place. I connected with a few people on Instagram and via those connects I could finally make this trip.
3. How do you manage your yearly trips while handling a full-time job? Have you ever felt problems while getting a leave?
Fortunately, my company believes in work-life balance. I thankfully have no or less trouble in getting my leaves approved is because -- I COMPLETE my targets every-time
- I take advantage of long weekends, long calendar leaves and paid leaves separately or combined.
4. As you are a proponent of sustainability, what are the ways in which you try to remain sustainable while travelling?
Out of the inexhaustible list here are a few baby steps that I take -- Carrying biodegradable cutlery along since carrying reusable cutlery is an issue because of cleaning it and putting it back without cleaning it. I found biodegradable spoons on Amazon which cost just Re 1 for 1 spoon! It is cost-effective, saves space and no hassle of cleaning it at the point or later.
- Replace the reusable bottle with Lifestraw. This company purifies ANY water to 99.99%. I had fallen sick in Bhutan by drinking unclean unbottled water. Thankfully, I learned about LifeStraw and there is no looking back now
- Packing light - The more the weight, more the fuel is required by your mode of transport to pull the same.
- Menstrual Cups - Most of the sanitary napkins are non-biodegradable and harmful for us, animals and the environment. Switching to cups not only saves us, animals, environment but also is cost-effective and YOU FORGET YOU ARE ON YOUR periods because they are SO COMFORTABLE - there is no tension of leakage and it allows you to swim, scuba, snorkel with ease too!
- Choosing land travel over air travel wherever possible. To make the land journey more bearable I choose nighttime to travel so as to spend travel time in sleeping away and hence making it easier and tolerable!
5. Will you recommend some spots in Goa which haven’t been overdone by tourists lately?
Many places around touristy spots in Goa are unheard of. Does anyone know of Divar Island in North Goa which is 15km away from Baga Panjim etc. Most of the South Goa is unexplored - Palolem, Quepem, Cola, Agonda etc6. Can you name any three destinations that are on your bucket list for 2020?
Australia, Africa and more of North East India7. As a female traveller in India, how do you decide on a place that you visit and what are the things that you research about?
I select a touristy place for my solo travel places. I have also visited offbeat paths in Meghalaya alone. The curiosity of travelling to that place helps me get over my fears (also the availability of public transport and sticking to it, trusting your guy wrt to any human who's trying to help/talk to you there goes a long way in solo travel.8. Do you think that travelling as a woman is harder in India compared to men?
OF COURSE! I cannot stress enough on this! I envy men just for this reason that they do not have the fearing of getting raped, groped, touched inappropriately in crowded places, "available" anywhere they're stuck or travelling alone!9. What are your thoughts on female solo trips in India? Have you ever tried one or would you like to?
I have travelled to 4 places solo - Singapore (my first international trip), Kodaikanal, Kochi and half of Meghalaya trip. I would prefer having at least a company with me during my travels to avoid boredom. However, I have met interesting people during my solo trips and are still in touch with them! It also gives you some solace and peace of mind - a break from all your thoughts and activities to ponder over things that you want and/or love.10. What are the 3 must-haves for a woman when they are travelling?
Internet / cellular connections, important number (family back home, hotel's numbers, local hospital and police numbers) in a dairy and cash in secret pocket/s.11. What has these three years of travelling taught you the most? Have there been any realisations which changed your thought?
Travelling has helped me leave a lot of my fears behind - heights, darkness, animals etc. It has taught me to trust my gut all the time and most importantly it has opened my eyes to a possibility of finding a zillion stories in the remotest of a place like Mon Village in Nagaland or in Divar Island, Goa and here I have the entire world waiting to be explored!12. How do you explore the culture of a particular place once you are there?
I try to take up local walk and heritage walking tours or tie-up with a local tour agency specializing in cultural immersion activities. Because this is the most important part of the trip for me - History and cultural immersion along with vibing with nature.Do checkout Parita's Website and her Instagram Page here!
