The Rustik Travel Podcast

This episode is an introduction to trekking together as a family. It is about the experiences of the mother-son duo of Neelima and Nikhil for whom the mountains were literally love at first sight and how age is never a barrier when it comes to following your passions in life. Neelima was introduced to the Himalayas when she was nearly 40 years old and Nikhil at the age 9 years when they did the Dayara Bugyal trek. They have never looked back since then and have made it a point to explore new hikes every few months. They have some fabulous stories to tell about their travel and trekking journey including their encounter with wild ponies during a trek in the Himalayas, how Neelima introduced her father to the Himalayas when he did his first trek at the young age 70 years and how a little bit of brandy in the cold there turned him into Super Man. :)

Neelima Koneru is a programmer currently working from home. She loves the outdoors and is a volunteer adult lead- boy scouts. She is very passionate about camping, covid gardening, dragon boat racing, cycling, swimming and throwball.

Nikhil is first year student in the University of Florida, studying to be a rocket scientist. He is a certified advanced open water scuba diver and a boy scout who loves tutoring and teaches Calculus to high school students in his free time.

They join us from Florida, US, where they are presently based to narrate their amazing stories along with a trekkers perspective on how to begin one’s journey into the Himalayas.

In this episode titled “Trekking with the Mother-Son Duo of Neelima & Nikhil” of the show Travel Conversations (TC) on The Rustik Travel Podcast we would trek with them in the Himalayas through their stories and experiences.

Podcast Summary: Trekking with the Mother-Son Duo of Neelima & Nikhil.

00:00:00 - 00:06:30: Introduction. Favourite places traveled to.

00:06:30 - 01:03:30: Trekking in the the Himalayas.

- How and why it all started?

- First trek: Dayara Bugyal in the Garhwal Himalayas.

- How and what to prepare for a trek esp. the first one ever?

- Stories and anecdotes: Playing cricket, carrying live chicken to the top, taking a bath vs not taking,

- Why should one trek in the Himalayas?

- Har Ki Doon Trek (00:27:15): Pristine beauty like Mt. Kailash.

- Beas Kund Trek (00:28:37): Watching avalanche up and close. Finding the way. First trek for Neelima’s father a 70 year old. Keeping warm with Brandy. Cooking “saucener”.

- Spiti Trip (00:36:37)

- Creating memories. Meeting different people. Experiencing life through travel.

- Improving mental strength through trekking and being in the outdoors.

- Conservation, Awareness of issues such as global warming, receding of glaciers like Gaumukh.

- Spiti Trip contd. (00:49:22)

- Tips for first time trekkers

- Food during the treks

01:03:30 - 01:10:00: What next? Concluding remarks.

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Keya is a published author, a poet laureate, an academic scholar, a robotics programmer, an award winning artist and a traveler.

She started traveling outside of visiting family at the age of 10 months, going to China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Ever since she has been to 88 countries.

And she is only 12 years old.

She published her first book, One Way Ticket, through a scholarship from the Young Authors Academy of Dubai. https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Way-Ticket-Keya-Srinivas/dp/B086PLBY8N/. The book was inspired by her travels and interests, combining travel memories with robotics.

She loves traveling with Darwin, her dog and making friends with other dogs and animals at different places in her travels.

Her motto in life is “Why wait to grow up to be something when you can be it today”

She joins us from Sevenoaks, England, where she lives with her family, to talk about her journey so far and give us a glimpse of the journey she wants to take in the time to come.

In this episode titled “The Adventures of Keya Srinivas” of the show Travel Conversations (TC) on The Rustik Travel Podcast we would be following her adventures as she narrates them to us.

Podcast Summary: The Adventures of Keya Srinivas

00:00:00 - 00:04:28: Introduction. About painting, writing and publishing a novel. How the love for travel started.

00:04:28 - 00:24:10: Adventures with animals.

Adventures with Darwin, Keya’s dog - trip to Austria, Italy.

Encounters with other dogs and animals while traveling - dogs in Kazakhstan and Philippines. Capybaras, Caymans, Sloth, Boa Constrictor and Tarantula in the Amazon Rain forest in Peru. Lemurs in Madagascar. Elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Wildlife safaris in Masai Mara and Serengeti - chased by a Hippopotamus.

00:24:10 - 00:33:00: Other Adventures.

Hiking up on the steps of Petra, Jordan. Exploring Machu Picchu. Looking for the lost teddy bear in Prague.

Food adventures apart from pasta, her favourite. Local cuisine in Peru. Pasta in Russia at Pushkin’s favourite restaurant. Boiled eggs in Armenia.

Art & Cultural Adventures: Discovering Evita in Argentina. Watching water puppet theatre in Vietnam.

Participating in a theatre in Baku, Azerbaijan. Attending a theatre in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

00:33:00 - 00:40:25: Scary and awkward adventures.

Being falsely accused and getting lost In Italy. Unwell in Myanmar.

00:40:25 - 00:44:45: Adventures with new friends.

Attending a school in Masai Mara. Playing with other kids in Cuba and Philippines.

Looking for Nanuk in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Husky ride in Finland.

00:44:45 - 00:48:34: Where next? Concluding remarks.

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We have Poorvi Daxini, our guest from last week’s episode continuing to enthral us with her offbeat travels. And this time with a journey on the Trans Siberian Rail.

Poorvi is a senior executive working with a global corporation. However, inspite of her extremely busy work schedule she has ensured that she finds time to pursue her passions and explore new experiences and skills. Every year she tries something new – from music, dance, theatre, painting, tennis, swimming, blogging, podcasting, astronomy, trekking, adventure sports to riding a motorcycle, and many more. The list is endless. She has done it all.

This quest for exploring new has prompted her to travel extensively in India and to more than 35 countries across the globe. Each time exploring new destinations, flavours, cultures and experiences.

One such unique experience is the Trans Siberian Railway journey she took with her friends. We are going to talk more about that among many of her other adventures and travels.

In this episode titled “Riding the Trans Siberian Rail across Russia, Mongolia and China with Poorvi Daxini” of the show Travel Conversations (TC) on The Rustik Travel Podcast we would be taking a ride on the Trans Siberian Rail with Poorvi and her friends.

You could also read about this experience on her blog https://poorvismusings.wordpress.com/2016/07/10/the-mythical-trans-siberian-rail-journey/

Podcast Summary: Riding the Trans Siberian Railway across Russia, Mongolia and China with Poorvi Daxini

00:00:00 - 00:04:28: Introduction.

00:04:28 - 00:19:05: Tran Siberian Rail Journey:

- How it all started?

00:19:05 - 00:33:55: Russia:

Moscow:

Siberia:

00:33:55 - 00:50:57: India - Bollywood Connection. Language and communication. Various routes and flexibility. Stations along the route across the three countries. The train and the coaches. Broad gauge to narrow gauge.

00:50:57 - 00:55:37: Mongolia:

00:55:37 - 01:00:26: China:

01:00:26 - 01:05:15: Experiences. Stories. Guides. Locals. People. Tips and advise.

01:05:15 - 01:10:23: Concluding remarks. Tips and advise.

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To read a detailed account of all the shows and episodes please visit https://rustiktravel.com/podcast

Please do leave your feedback as comments in the website so that we could improve with each episode.

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Poorvi is a senior executive working with a global corporation. However, inspite of her extremely busy work schedule she has ensured that she finds time to pursue her passions and explore new experiences and skills. Every year she tries something new – from music, dance, theatre, painting, tennis, swimming, blogging, podcasting, astronomy, trekking, adventure sports to riding a motorcycle, and many more. The list is endless. She has done it all.

This quest for exploring new has prompted her to travel extensively in India and to more than 30 countries across the globe. Each time exploring new destinations, flavours, cultures and experiences.

One such unique experience is her trip to Iceland, The Land of Fire and Ice. We are going to talk more about that among many of her other adventures and travels.

In this episode titled “Exploring Iceland, the Land of Fire and Ice with Poorvi Daxini” of the show Travel Conversations (TC) on The Rustik Travel Podcast we would be exploring this beautiful country, Iceland.

You could also read about this experience on her blog https://poorvismusings.wordpress.com/2017/07/15/iceland-the-land-of-fire-and-ice/

Podcast Summary: Exploring Iceland, the Land of Fire and Ice with Poorvi Daxini

00:00:00 - 00:10:00: Introduction. Poorvi’s experiences, travels and other passions. How the love for travel started.

00:10:00 - 00:28:55: Iceland and the adventures therein - Whale Watching, Inside Lava Cave, Standing on Tectonic Plates, Exploring Geysers, Hot Springs and Fjords, Trekking on the glacier, Driving through the country. Food, culture, people.

00:28:55- 00:33:18: Excerpt of the next episode on Trans Siberian Rail journey. Concluding remarks.

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To read a detailed account of all the shows and episodes please visit https://rustiktravel.com/podcast

Please do leave your feedback as comments in the website so that we could improve with each episode.

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Lakshmi is a story teller, travel blogger, writer, digital influencer, content specialist, media professional  and photographer. And at the core of it a true passionate traveler.

After working with various media organisations for a decade and a half, inside an office, behind a desk, she decided to head out, travel and see the world.

And in the process, she traveled extensively in India and across the world visiting multiple countries, and emerged as one of the top travel bloggers and social media influencers in India. Her travel blog lakshmisharath.com has a huge following and has won several awards.

She continues to do what she loves the most, that is travel and tell stories.

In this episode titled “The Art of Storytelling by Lakshmi Sharath” of the show Travel Conversations (TC) on The Rustik Travel Podcast we would be hearing one particular story from Lakshmi. Her own.

Podcast Summary: The Art of Storytelling by Lakshmi Sharath

00:00:00 - 00:11:15: Introduction. How the love for travel started. Inspiration and influences while growing up. First international trip.

00:11:15 - 00:30:12: Corporate career and moving away from it. Traveling within India. Exploring Hoysala dynasty, researching, storytelling and venturing into the travel domain.

00:30:12- 00:46:40: The art of storytelling. How it all started. Pursuing it as a profession. Evolving storytelling with new formats, social media platforms et. al.

00:46:40- 00:57:05: Favourite stories and experiences. Spontaneous trips. Unplanned road trips, watching hundreds of Flamingos, camping at Pangong Tso, Ladakh, adventurous trip from Rameshwaram to Dhanushkodi, and many more.

00:57:05- 01:02:12: Branching out professionally - Content Writing, Content Marketing and Personal Branding Workshops.

01:02:12- 01:17:22: The business of travel blogging. Advise and tips.

01:17:23- 01:23:59: What next - travel and work? Concluding remarks.

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To read a detailed account of all the shows and episodes please visit https://rustiktravel.com/podcast

Please do leave your feedback as comments in the website so that we could improve with each episode.

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Rajeev Bhattathiripad is an avid traveller, quizzer and a story teller par excellence, who with his Wodehousian humour and John Le Carre style of suspense will keep you hooked to the last words when he writes.

As a traveler, Rajeev is a railway enthusiast and has made some of the most interesting train journeys in India, on fascinating routes, some unheard of, on all the three gauges of Indian Railway, that is, Broad, Meter and Narrow.

His stories that bind travel into making it possibly one the of the most cherished memories for all of us is what we will listen from Rajeev in this Podcast.

In this episode titled “Reminiscing Train Journeys with Rajeev Bhattathiripad” of the show Travel Conversations (TC) on The Rustik Travel Podcast Rajeev takes us on a nostalgic train journey with the Indian Railways.

Podcast Summary: Reminiscing Train Journeys

00:00:00 - 00:09:22: Introduction. How the fascination for the railways started. Early train journeys. Maharashtra to Kerala route.

00:09:23 - 00:17:20: Nostalgic moments of a train ride. Comics, books, drinking water from clay surahis, khus khus curtains, TTEs and ticket reservations, fellow passengers, holdalls.

00:17:21- 00:30:15: Planning trips to specifically learn, explore and experience the different aspects of the railways.

Broad vs Meter vs Narrow Gauge:

Meter Gauge: Pallakkad, Rameshwaram, Rajasthan - Udaipur, Chittorgarh. Omkareswar (from Akola). Dhulghat spiral. Agartala - Lumding.

Narrow Gauge: Matheran. Satpura lines - Nagpur-Chindwara-Jabalpur. Himachal Pradesh - Kalka, Shimla. Darjeeling. Coonoor-Ooty.

Driving with the locomotive driver.

00:30:18- 00:32:55: Nostalgic, funny moments and stories.

Sleeping through the journey and missing the station.

Traveling without a ticket.

00:32:55- 00:42:08: Broad vs Meter vs Narrow Gauge (contd.). Role of the guard. Exchange of tokens. Books and authors of train related. Meeting with Bill Aitken and Ruskin Bond.

Indian railways vs. trains in other countries.

00:42:08- 00:54:12: RailFanning. Indian Railways Fan Club (IRFCA). Early trains (pre-independence days). Rail museums. Railway terminology. Electric, Diesel and Steam Engines. IRCTC, ticketing manual vs computerisation.

00:54:13- 01:00:50: Scary moments and stories (contd.). “Patient cured, snake dead.”

01:00:51- 01:06:20: Food and delicacies on the platforms. Stations design and architecture.

01:06:20- 01:07:31: Concluding remarks.

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To read a detailed account of all the shows and episodes please visit https://rustiktravel.com/podcast

Please do leave your feedback as comments in the website so that we could improve with each episode.

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We have all heard of the famous Kohinoor diamond, which is currently housed in the Tower of London. But did you know that there is another diamond, double the size of the Kohinoor, still in India? This diamond belonged to the Nizam of Hyderabad, who was also once the richest man in the world. But what makes the diamond even more interesting is how it was found - it was discovered in a shoe - and the man it was named after, a very mysterious Mr. Jacob. How did all this happen? Listen in to find out. Narrated by Rajesh Nair. Welcome to the show Stories in Monologue (SIM) by The Rustik Travel Podcast. In this show we will narrate the most unique, interesting and unheard of stories, that we have picked up from our travels. These stories are bound to tickle your curiosity and inspire you to travel to see or experience first-hand. This episode's story is a riveting tale of a diamond. Narrated by Rajesh Nair. This podcast is owned and produced by Rustik Travel, which will air only neutral and unbiased content relevant to travelers. 

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To read a detailed account of all the shows and episodes please visit https://rustiktravel.com/podcast

Please do leave your feedback as comments in the website so that we could improve with each episode.

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This episode titled “Rajkumar’s Motorcycle Diaries II” of the show Travel Conversations (TC) on The Rustik Travel Podcast is the second part of the two-part series. Rajkumar talks about his accident, his philosophy of riding, traveling and living and his exciting motorcycle trips across the world, the stories and experiences.

Rajkumar Koodali Tazathveetil is from Kozhikode in North Kerala where he was born and raised. After graduating as an Electronics and Telecommunication engineer he joined the IAF - Indian Air Force. After serving for eight and a half years with the IAF he retired voluntarily in 1997 as a Squadron Leader. Since then he has been working as a Telecommunications systems expert engineer in the Oil and Gas sector with various companies in the middle east in countries such as Syria, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, where he is presently lives now along with his family comprising of his wife and two daughters. He will be retiring in 2023. He is eagerly looking forward so that he could travel more around the world on his motorcycle.

Podcast Summary: Rajkumar’s Motorcycle Diaries II

00:00:00 - 00:05:40: Introduction and Recap from Rajkumar’s Motorcycle Diaries I.

00:05:40 - 00:21:21: The accident. The philosophy.

00:21:21- 00:42:33: The motorcycle rides and tours:

The software - the genesis, dynamics, logistics and experience.

The Hardware - the gear, equipment and the bikes.

00:42:34- 00:49:45: Motorcycling, a lifestyle. Family. Safety. Responsible riding.

00:49:45- 00:56:07: Rajkumar’s bikes and tips.

00:56:08- 01:00:00: Adventure motorcycling:

The concept. Central Asia. Ewan McGregor - Charley Boorman rides.

01:00:00- 01:12:10: Motorcycle riding trips across the world.

- Ride for Tolerance: New Zealand. Europe: Croatia-Hungary-Bosnia.

- US West Coast.

- Spain.

01:12:10- 01:15:15: Responsible riding.

01:15:15- 01:19:50: Concluding remarks. Simple riding and traveling. Simplifying life.

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To read a detailed account of all the shows and episodes please visit https://rustiktravel.com/podcast

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Rajkumar Koodali Tazathveetil is from Kozhikode in North Kerala where he was born and raised. After graduating as an Electronics and Telecommunication engineer he joined the IAF - Indian Air Force. After serving for eight and a half years with the IAF he retired voluntarily in 1997 as a Squadron Leader. Since then he has been working as a Telecommunications systems expert engineer in the Oil and Gas sector with various companies in the middle east in countries such as Syria, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, where he is presently lives now along with his family comprising of his wife and two daughters. He will be retiring in 2023. He is eagerly looking forward so that he could travel more around the world on his motorcycle.

In this episode titled “Rajkumar’s Motorcycle Diaries I” of the show Travel Conversations (TC) on The Rustik Travel Podcast we are going to hear from Rajkumar about his biking trips across the world, the stories and experiences. This episode is in a two-part series. We are releasing the first part this week. The second part will be released next weekend on Saturday, 9th January, 2021.

Podcast Summary: Rajkumar’s Motorcycle Diaries I

00:00:00 - 00:29:06: Introduction. Growing up. Career in Air Force. How passion for traveling started? Early days of traveling - in the Air Force, trekking in the Nepal Himalayas (Annapurna Base Camp).

Working and traveling in the Middle-East - Syria, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Jordan. India connection.

Traveling to 40-45 countries. Philippines - eternal favourite.

00:29:07 - 01:11:05: Motorcycles: passion, philosophy. First bikes and rides. Recreational biking and overseas biking tours. Mapping routes. Planning and organising biking tours.

- Solo ride in the US.

- Riding through the Stelvio Pass (Italian Alps).

- Ride in the Alps, to the Balkans.

01:11:06 - 01:12:18: Conclusion. The accident…. To be continued.

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To read a detailed account of all the shows and episodes please visit https://rustiktravel.com/podcast

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Srinivas Kasturi (or Srini as he is fondly called) is a multi-talented person in as diverse fields as technology, art, writing, film-making and many more yet to be uncovered.

He is an alumnus of IIM-Bangalore and a Senior Banking Professional based in London. His work has taken him to many places around the world over the years fueling his passion for travel.

According to the United Nations, there are 195 countries in the world. Well, Srini has already visited more than 100 of them, but he’s not counting. What counts is not the checklist of places visited but the experience gained through the cultural discovery that has made him take a soulful inner journey transforming and growing with each travel.

In this episode titled “One Hundred and Counting” of the show Travel Conversations (TC) on The Rustik Travel Podcast we are going to hear from Srini about his experiences and stories from his travels around the world.

Podcast Summary: One Hundred and Counting

00:00:00 - 00:07:20: Introduction. How passion for traveling started? What traveling means? The Philosophy. Transformations of self and cultures discovered over time while traveling.

00:07:22 - 00:15:01: Growing up. Early motivations. First overseas travel as a student after winning an essay competition - Europe - Frankfurt, Paris, Zurich. Traveling in the 90s without internet and knowledge of local language - China.

Pre vs post Internet era of travel.

00:15:03 - 00:22:32: Work and travel. Planning travel around work trips. Trips across continents around the world.

00:22:33 - 00:29:30: Pakistan: food, flavours and familiarity.

00:29:32 - 00:34:00 : Traveling with family - as a couple and with a child. South-East Asia - Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos. Portugal, Stockholm, Germany.

00:34:01 - 00:39:38 : The Cuban experience.

00:39:40 - 00:43:55 : Nigeria: Remember me. China: Lost in translation.

00:44:00 - 00:43:35 : Africa - South Africa, North Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar.

00:45:10 - 00:49:10 : What makes me travel? Cultural discovery.

00:49:13 - 00:55:22 : The Indian connection. Bollywood. Samosa. Similarities in dissimilar cultures. Silk route.

00:55:25 - 01:02:00 : Central Asia - Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan. Societies in transition.

01:02:00 - 01:05:04 : Stuck in protests, clashes and strikes in a foreign land.

01:05:05 - 01:11:54 : Conclusion. Places to visit in the future. Concluding remarks.

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To read a detailed account of all the shows and episodes please visit https://rustiktravel.com/podcast

Please do leave your feedback as comments in the website so that we could improve with each episode.

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