Hello, and welcome. I’m Vaishali, and I am so delighted that you’ve found your way to my little corner of the internet.
Before this was a travel blog, it was just a feeling—a deep, quiet longing in my heart. I bet you’ve felt it too. It’s that whisper that says, “There has to be more than this.” It’s the curiosity about what lies beyond the next hill, the next city, the next ocean. For me, that whisper grew into a roar I couldn’t ignore.
This page is the story of how I learned to listen to that roar, and how it led me here. So please, grab a cup of chai, get comfortable, and let me tell you how Voxplor came to be.
The Dream That Wouldn’t Go Away
For years, I lived a pretty normal life. I had a good job, friends, and a routine. But my daydreams were always somewhere else. I would look at the map of my own country, India, and feel a powerful pull. It was a land of a thousand colors, a million stories, and countless dialects, and I, who had been born and raised there, had barely seen any of it.
I didn’t just want to visit the Taj Mahal or the beaches of Goa. I wanted to understand the soul of my country. I wanted to know what the mountains whispered in the north, what songs the rivers sang in the south, and what stories were baked into the desert sands of the west.
So, I made a decision that sounded completely crazy to everyone I knew. I quit my job, packed a single backpack, and set off on a journey with a simple, massive goal: to travel all of India. I wanted to see every state, to live in the rhythm of its villages and cities, and to truly understand what it meant to be a part of this incredible, chaotic, beautiful land.
My Journey Across India: The Greatest Teacher
That journey wasn’t a vacation; it was my education. It stripped me of my comfort zones and taught me more about life, humanity, and myself than any school ever could. It wasn’t always glamorous. There were dusty bus rides that lasted for days, nights spent in basic guesthouses, moments of feeling utterly lost and alone. But those were the moments where the real magic happened.
Listening to the Mountains in the North…
My journey began in the mighty Himalayas. In places like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, I learned the meaning of silence. I remember sitting by the Ganges in Rishikesh, not surrounded by tourists, but in a quiet spot, watching the river flow. I didn’t just see the river; I felt its ancient, calming energy. I trekked to tiny villages where the homes were made of stone and wood, and the people’s smiles were warmer than any fireplace. I learned from them that happiness doesn’t come from having a lot, but from appreciating the simple things: a hot cup of tea, a clear sky full of stars, a kind conversation. The mountains taught me to slow down and breathe.
Finding Colour and Courage in the West…
Then, I traveled through the deserts of Rajasthan and the vibrant lands of Gujarat. Here, life was loud, colourful, and full of history. In Rajasthan, every fort and palace told a story of kings, queens, courage, and sacrifice. But the real stories I found were in the bustling markets. I learned to bargain for spices, sat with artisans as they block-printed fabrics, and shared meals with families who treated me like one of their own. They taught me that our history is not just in monuments; it lives within the people and their traditions. It was in the west that I learned to be bold, to talk to strangers, and to see every conversation as a doorway to another world.
Feeling the Calm and Connection in the South…
As my journey took me south to Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the entire landscape and rhythm of life changed. In the backwaters of Kerala, I lived on a houseboat, drifting through quiet canals lined with coconut trees. Life there was gentle and flowed as peacefully as the water. It taught me the beauty of a simple existence. I ate food served on banana leaves, learned about spices that healed the body, and watched generations of families living in harmony with nature. The south taught me about connection—to nature, to family, and to the quiet wisdom that comes from a life lived in balance.
Discovering the Unseen in the East and Northeast…
Finally, I ventured into the lesser-traveled lands of the east and northeast. This part of India was a true exploration. It was wild, untouched, and full of surprises. I saw rhinos in the grasslands of Assam, met tribes in Nagaland who have lived the same way for centuries, and stood in awe of the living root bridges in Meghalaya. This part of my journey taught me humility. It showed me how much of the world is still mysterious and beautiful, hidden away from the main tourist trails. It taught me that the greatest adventures often lie on the roads that people don’t take.
The Birth of Voxplor
When I finally finished my journey across all the states of India, I came back as a different person. My backpack was worn out, but my heart was full. It was overflowing with stories, with the faces of people I’d met, with the tastes of food I’d shared, and with the profound lessons I had learned.
I tried to go back to a “normal” life, but I couldn’t. I’d see my friends scrolling through perfect-looking travel photos on social media that felt… empty. I’d read travel blogs that gave lists of “10 Best Photo Spots” but said nothing about the soul of a place.
I realized what was missing. They were showing people what to see, but not how to feel.
That’s when the idea for Voxplor was born. I wanted to create a space that went deeper. A place that was about connecting with the world, not just collecting destinations.
The name is simple. ‘Vox’ is the Latin word for ‘voice’. For me, every single place on Earth has its own unique voice. You can hear it in the chatter of a local market, in the rustle of leaves in an old forest, in the rhythm of the local music, and in the stories of the people who call it home.
Voxplor is my life’s mission: to explore our world by learning to listen to its voice.
Our Travel Philosophy: The Voxplor Way
My experiences in India shaped a very simple travel philosophy that is the foundation of everything I write about here.
- Travel Slower. The world isn’t a checklist. You don’t win a prize for seeing the most countries. The real joy comes from sinking into a place. Spend a week in one city instead of rushing through three. Take the local train instead of a flight. Sit in a café for hours and just watch life go by. The magic is in the moments in between.
- Listen More. We travel with our eyes wide open, but we often forget to use our ears. Listen to the stories of the taxi driver, the guesthouse owner, the old woman selling fruit on the street. Ask questions. Be genuinely curious about other people’s lives. This is how you find the true heart of a place.
- Connect Deeper. Step outside your comfort zone. Eat at the small, family-run restaurant where the menu isn’t in English. Try to learn a few words of the local language. Put your phone away. Make eye contact and smile. The most memorable travel experiences come from human connection, not sightseeing.
- Tread Lighter. We are guests in the places we visit. Our goal should be to leave them a little better than we found them. This means respecting local customs, supporting local businesses instead of big international chains, being mindful of our environmental impact, and traveling with a spirit of gratitude and kindness.
Who Is This Blog For?
I built this space for a certain kind of traveler. Maybe you’re one of them.
This is your home if:
- You believe that travel is more about personal growth than it is about getting likes on a photo.
- You are more interested in a meaningful conversation with a local than in finding a famous tourist spot.
- You get more excited about discovering a hidden alleyway than a crowded monument.
- You believe that the best travel memories are often unplanned, unexpected, and perfectly imperfect.
- You want to see the world, but you also want to do it in a way that is kind, respectful, and sustainable.
If this sounds like you, then I’m so happy you’re here. You are part of the Voxplor tribe.
What You Can Expect to Find Here
Think of me as your friend who has just come back from a trip and is bursting to tell you everything—not just the highlights, but the real, honest story.
- Stories from the Road: These are my personal essays and reflections from my travels. I’ll share the beautiful moments, the funny mishaps, the lessons learned, and the people who changed my perspective.
- Guides with a Soul: My travel guides are different. They focus on how to connect with a place authentically. I’ll tell you where to find the best local food, how to support small businesses, and how to have experiences that go beyond the typical tourist trail.
- Practical Tips for Meaningful Travel: I’ll share my best advice on everything from packing light to traveling safely as a solo female, to finding meaningful volunteer opportunities and traveling on a budget without sacrificing experiences.
This blog is a living, breathing journal of my journey, and I want to share it all with you. My travels started with India, a country that will always have my heart, and now I’m slowly and curiously making my way around the rest of our beautiful world, carrying the lessons it taught me everywhere I go.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being here. This journey is so much better when it’s shared. I hope the stories and guides you find here inspire you to pack your bags, open your heart, and go listen to what the world is waiting to tell you.
With warmth and wanderlust,
Vaishali