• Varun Hegde

It’s the man himself, the first Soul Traveller. Varun tells us about what inspired him to start Soul Travelling and the road ahead. “Can't believe it's been a year already. I still remember that day on 12th November. The first ever Margao City Walk. I'd put in a lot of effort for curating it, but went easy on the promotions. Only 3 people turned up, but it was a lot of fun showing them around Margao. In the second walk, we focused more on promotions - and we had 26 people! This time we had to learn - about managing crowd. It's been a delightful journey since then. Born and brought up in Goa, it has a special place in my heart. I did my engineering, and then worked for 4 long years in the IT industry. My last job was in Frankfurt. I had an amazing time travelling the lengths and breaths of Europe, and realized that travel was a part of life in the European culture. People there don’t just travel for sightseeing. Exploring new cultures, traditions, cuisines, meeting new people are some of the reasons that drive European travellers. That is where the idea of Soul Travelling was born. In Goa, you have a very interesting Baga-Calangute model. You are bombarded with questions the moment you say you're from Goa - the stereotypes exist. So the time is ripe to break the stereotypes and provide an alternate model for Tourism - and that is what Soul Travelling intends to do - Change the way people perceive travel in Goa and rest of India.” ♥

• Dr Tanvi Kamat Bambolkar

o, We at Soul Travelling believe that Tanvi gets high when she speaks about Bandora and so to get into the insights we thought we would ask her about her experiences so far with Soul Travelling! Here is what she had to say , “I was introduced to Soul Travelling by Sawani Shetye. Spoke to Varun and shared my idea of curating Bandora walk and he agreed and that is how it all happened. Walking and talking in my own village was an amazing experience because I got to explore it the way I had never done before ♥ The experience of working with soul travelling has been great. It is very flexible, comforting and relaxing. I have found myself a new identity. I believe that this whole idea will grab the attention of people towards the unseen Goa. It will make them realise that Goa isnt just about beaches. Glad to be a part of the revolution!😍 “ Glad to have you with us

• Bhavesh Velingkar

After a busy day of building marketing strategies, he likes a quiet stroll through his village of Veling. Sometimes, over the weekends you can find him honing his Ghumot skills. Meet Bhavesh Velingkar, MBA, Music enthusiast, Soul Traveller. We reached out to Bhavesh after we saw the pictures that he had shared of his village of Veling. We jumped at the chance of getting to conduct a walk in this beautiful village, that too with a thorough bred “local boy”. Over time, not only has Bhavesh conducted the Veling walk, but also takes up Ponda walks. Reminiscing over his time with Soul Travelling, he says, “Taking up this challenge of conducting the walk in my village definitely helped me understand my own home better. It was a nice experience talking to elders and realising how this village has evolved over the past few decades, yet how it holds on to its cultural heritage. After having learned so many things about my own village, it gives me a sense of satisfaction that we are getting these hidden secrets before the world. I feel locals will enjoy this experience as much as tourists. Many a times, we are so busy in our work and lives that we miss out on the history, culture and heritage of our own cities. This will bring many fun surprises to even the locals as they learn about their own Goa. The whole team at Soul Travelling is so full of life and passion. It’s always so much fun to meet everyone and especially hear the many interesting stories and trivia they have to share. I’m glad to be a part of this team and look forward to bring the true Goa to the world.”

• Rujuta Borkar

Rujuta Borkar has been a member of our team for over 7 months, uncovering the Untold Mysteries of Comba. An assistant professor and literary expert by profession, we never realised when she turned from loyal customer to an ambassador. When asked about her journey so far, this is what she says, “Soul travelling happened after I attended the Margao Walk 4 times in a row and realised I really love the experience. Not just because I am highly interested in history, but also because of how much in love with Goa I am. When I learned they were looking to expand, it just seemed like the natural thing to do and spread the love, so to say. The walks are something that give you immense satisfaction. After taking all the efforts of designing a walk and giving it your all, when you hear comments like 'I've lived here my whole life and have never known this about the place', feels like all the sweat and grime has been worth it. It's also given me the ability to look at a place beyond its face value and find the secrets and history it proudly holds. Every place and space has a story to tell. It's been an amazing 7 months with Soul Travelling. One doesn't realise just exactly how much it teaches you--it's not the simple 'learning of some text', although there is that. But it's more to do with using all your skills--interviewing people, collecting stories, dealing with unwarranted situations and googlies from people--it's thrilling and adrenaline-inducing. There is finally something that breaks the myth of Goa being only about the beaches and booze. Personally, there have been so many people who have messaged me asking about the walks and trails to take their guests from out of town on. Perspectives about the state are changing and Soul Travelling has a major part to play in this.” ♥

• Sawani Shetye

"My most loving memory from the walking trails has been leading the Mapusa Night Food Walk for a visually challenged lady" Beams Sawani. All of 24, she has achieved something extraordinary with her own archaeology and heritage consultancy, Bhoomij. She oozes confidence and passion, to bring about a change in Goa. "I signed up for the Margao walk as I wanted to know more about the inside stories of Margao. It led to a discussion over coffee where we thought of starting a walk in Mapusa" The experience has been extraordinary, from taking a 2 Year Old around Mapusa to 90 Year old locals. They always get some inside stories with them, the veterans. You don't really need books then, listen to them and you have some amazing stories to take back. That is how the story of Mapusa Market as developed for our walk, now we have so many inside stories and secrets about the people to share! It has been a rewarding journey so far - exploring new places, learning about things to do and not to do, getting the stories right. I'm certain this will give a new perspective to tourism in Goa ♥