I am excited to announce “TheIndia traveller interview” series in which I will talk with amazing travellers from India and will share his / her journey with our readers. The very first interview from this TheIndia traveller series is going to release today with Mr. Manish Lakhani.
The person who spend most of his time in Himalayas staying with nomads. He left his corporate job for traveling and did solo cycling trip around India in 6 months. He is one of those few adventure and travel photographers from India whose work has been featured on international magazines and documentaries. He has explored many hidden and least explore region of Leh-Ladakh & Spiti region of India. This is just a small introduction of this great personality who think “Every day is travel and travel itself is home”. It was great experience listening his amazing travel stories during our last meeting at Solo travellers meetup in Ahmedabad. Lets learn more about Manish Lakhani.
1. Thank you for taking time for interview, will you please tell us something about yourself (your brief bio)?
I am a Travel Photographer and Adventurer chaser from the western part of India. Born to love mountains. I love camera and traveling on bicycle into remote areas. Earlier worked as computer network engineer.
2. What does traveling mean to you?
For me every day is travel and travel itself is home, more I travel more I feel more I’m at home.
3. We heard that you traveled across India on Bicycle after leaving your lucrative corporate job. What inspired you to take this decision? How your life was changed after this trip?
In other words, I quit my job for traveling, when I decided to travel, first question was how, where and when? All put together I narrowed down on cycle and our own country to see culture and experience life on road.
More I traveled, I realized, if you what to learn what is life is all about, travel is must in life and no university can teach these lessons of life. After 6 months of solo cycling, I realized it not possible for me to go back to work on 3×3 desk.
4. How do you manage your fitness to adjust in tough travel situations?
When I am not traveling, I have regular lifestyle, nothing much. I sleep around 9:45 pm and wake up my 4:45am. I do regular cycling around 40-50 kms. Before I travel to any place, I do study the place, weather, culture and much more. And yes one must be fit physically but more important is to be mental fit to handle any tough conditions. I believe it’s better to be prepared well rather feel sorry later and understand your limits.
5. Biggest cultural shock you have experienced while traveling in India?
No not at all, everyone, every place has different culture, which is built based on need and reasons. I always pay respect to local culture and try to understand reason behind.
6. We found that Ladakh & Spiti are your second home and you keep visiting it multiple times. What motivates you to keep staying in such high-altitude locations in minus temperature?
Actually not only Ladakh and Spiti, but I love mountains, Forest, Desert, Sea, almost everything and every place has it’s own challenge. It’s not all about geographic location, more a place in the heart.
7. Change you want to see in the way people travel?
When you travel, you must pack big smile, sense of humor, respect to local culture and change your definition of comfort zone, you are there to learn good things from them/there.
8. What is your next mission or aim in life?
If I had no such aim or mission, if that was the case, I might be working in corporate office. More important to keep life simple, learn more from others and obvious travel more. That does not mean you don’t need money, I try to balance.
9. Which is your best click till date? (I know it is difficult to choose one) Share with TheIndia users.
It’s like you are asking mother, which kid you love the most. I love every image I click, but best one is yet to come.
10. Say few words for TheIndia users.
Travel more whatever and wherever you can, try to balance work, family and yourself which is more important not only money.
:: Some Quick Fire Questions ::
1. three Places from your travel bucket list?
I don’t have bucket list, as travel to one place more, I release I don’t know anything about place.
2. Which is your favorite travel quote?
Quite few
“My life is driven by journey not by destination.”
“Every day is travel and travel itself is home.”
“And it’s better to die in mountains than hospital bed.”
3. Which is your favorite movie or book based on travel?
Oh it’s difficult to choose but I love all books and movies based on adventure or explorations.
4. One word to describe your desire of traveling?
I want to be at home every day; as every day is travel and travel itself is home.
5. If anyone create movie based on your life then what would be the movie title? And actor?
(Laughs) I don’t think so I can inspire anyone. Generally I tell people don’t follow me you will be lost !