How often do you look at a photo on Instagram of a dreamy location somewhere far away, wishing you were there? And then there are photos of travelers who seem to tick off every place on your bucket list, while you’re sitting at work wondering how they do it! How does one become a fulltime nomad? Is it as romantic as it appears? In this new series called The Vagabonds, we speak with our favorite travel addicts to know more about what got them traveling, what goes into being a year-round wanderer, and lot more so that you can find inspiration in their journeys to step out and fulfill your travel goals.
In 2014, Abhinav Singh, like most MBA graduates, was busy crunching numbers at a leading bank in Mumbai. But his heart lay elsewhere. It was in the mountains in Uttarakhand, on the beaches of Pondicherry, in the colorful festivities of the Pushkar mela, and in countless other places he had traveled over the years. His frequent globetrotting even got him fired from his job! Instead of looking for another corporate job that would tie him down, Abhinav did what only a passionate traveler could do; he booked the Everest Base Camp Trek and he hasn’t looked back since. Read on to know more about his incredible journey!
What made you start your own travel blog?
I have been traveling since 2008. In fact, January 2018 marks my 10 years of travel. Most of my trips have been solo and budget ones. For years, I was writing my travelogues in a word document in my laptop. It never occurred to me that I should share my stories with everyone. After every trip, I used to share my travel photos with detailed captions on my Facebook, and they always received great response. In 2014, when I was fired from my corporate job of 7 years, I was desperately looking for what I can do next. One of the reasons I was fired was for traveling too much. I wanted to do something in travel. I spent lot of time reading online about how to start a travel blog and make a living out of it. Luckily for me, people loved my content, that too within the first few months of launching my blog. There has been no looking back since then. As they say, the rest is history.
What is the first trip you remember taking and how old were you?
My first independent trip was to Rishikesh and Haridwar with my close friend Jeetendra Sharma. It was in January 2008, when I was coping with a personal tragedy. That trip changed many things for me. I was barely 25 then. However, my first solo trip was to Chennai, Mamallapuram and Pondicherry in 2010. This trip changed my life. I grew up in a very protective environment. This trip gave me the confidence to travel solo.
There is so much out there to see that we can imagine why you wouldn’t want to visit the same place twice. But if you absolutely had to make a choice, what would it be?
I am impressed with your research. Yes, I avoid going to the same place twice since there are so many places to see and so little time and money. That said, I do make annual trips to Goa. I have traveled to Goa over 10 times. Now that I have left my beloved Mumbai, I make at least one trip to Mumbai every year because I miss it badly. But then, Mumbai is not a destination, it is still home for me. I also have many close friends in Mumbai who host me and pamper me silly.
Which country stands high on your bucket list at the moment?
I definitely want to visit Turkmenistan to experience its odd culture and twisted democracy. Galapagos Island and Antarctica are also on top of my wish list.
What do you think are the reasons for your success as a travel blogger that keeps your followers hooked?
I never analyzed that, but most people tell me they like the honesty in my writing and photography. I personally try to balance each and every word that I write. I aim to not glorify any destination falsely and neither do I trash any destination unnecessarily. At the risk of sounding immodest, most people love my personal anecdotes and the soulful touches I give to my writing.
What are some of the mistakes you’ve learnt from (while traveling and / or in your journey as a blogger)?
While traveling I have taken some life-threatening risks. I was once hanging on to just a rope while navigating a rocky patch in Dhak Bahiri trek, Maharashtra. It was dangerous because if I had slipped I would have fallen in the deep valley, never to be found again.
I have made many mistakes while blogging. When I started blogging, I used to think it’s a La La land, a utopian world where everything is hunky dory and everyone is nice. To my horror, in my early days I ended up interacting with some people whose negativity impacted my blogging. That broke my spirit temporarily but I bounced back soon enough and now I know how to handle it. It’s all a part of the game.
How do you prepare for a trip?
I read a lot about the destination before I travel. I don’t fuss much about packing since I am a light traveler. If it’s a high-altitude trek like Roopkund Trek and Everest Base Camp I am aiming at, then I do physical training. Otherwise, I don’t do much preparation wise.
What is the one thing that you find most annoying or frustrating (or both!) about planning a trip?
I hate to pack. Everyone does! In international travel, I hate the visa process. Again, everyone does!
What is the one innovation in the trip planning / travel industry you’d like to see or have been waiting for to help you plan easily?
There is a lot of confusion regarding visa procedures of various countries. Maybe an app which helps make this easier.
How much time do you spend on planning a trip? Do you plan out all details or are you a spontaneous traveler? Why?
I am not much of a planner. Except the reading bit and making a list of places I want to see for sure, I am mostly spontaneous. I even book hotels once I reach the destination.
Do you have a good travel planning tip you would like to share with us?
Carry a bag for the soiled clothes. That way you will not mix fresh clothes with soiled ones. Also, I always compartmentalize my clothes, electronics, food etc.
What determines your next destination – your mood, time of year, company or something else?
I mostly choose the destination as per the season. E.g. I would go to turtle festival of Velas (Maharashta) in March or South India in cooler months or hills in summer.
What is your favorite mode of transport (plane/train/boat/car) and why?
I love long distance trains any day because it gives me an excuse to shut my phone, enjoy local food en route, read a book or see rapidly changing sceneries from the window. I find planes very boring. Off late, I have a newfound appreciation for road trips with close friends and family.
Where do you get your travel inspiration from – books, magazines, blogs, travel shows, travelogues, social media or somewhere else?
Mostly from credible travel magazines and online content.
What are your suggestions to newbies who are looking at building a career in travel blogging?
It is not easy to earn money from blogging. It is possible but you can’t depend on it as your only income, at least initially. I suggest start blogging while retaining your desk job. Only once you feel confident, jump into it full time. And professional travel blogging is not just pictures and stories. That’s what I thought it was when I started. A professional travel blogger is also a marketer, film-maker, writer, photographer, proof reader, SEO expert, editor and more rolled into one. It’s a one-man army and it ain’t easy.
Finally, some rapid-fire questions –
Favorite airline? I loved business class of Singapore Airlines recently.
Favorite country? India
Favorite city? Mumbai
Favorite beach? Tarkarli beach
Favorite food? Food of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Favorite language? Bhojpuri and Marathi.
And one last question, what’s your next travel destination? If you haven’t planned one yet, where would you like to go next?
I have no plans yet, but for 2018 I am eyeing the 7 sisters of North East India, Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. I have never been to these places. Internationally, I hope I can travel to some countries in Europe and Asia.
Follow Abhinav’s travels on Website – Twitter – Facebook Page – Instagram – YouTube
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the blogger.
