Mary Ann is a travel blogger & travel writer who has written for publications like Lonely Planet, Travel & Leisure, The Hindu, & more. She writes about her travel experiences and the people she meets along the way who have left a lasting impact on her.


One of your most memorable journeys so far and why?

I’ve loved all my trips, but one trip that feels incomplete is my trip to Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh. It was quite the whirlwind of a trip, with a lot of road blockages, and delays, which meant that I had very little time in Spiti. But even through all the hassles, I loved Spiti, and I’m left wanting more. So, I hope to go back some time next year to explore it on my own, at a slow pace, to experience all that Spiti has to offer.

What are the various things you keep in mind, when you decide for a trip?

When I initially started traveling on my own, I used to look for places that were popular with tourists, so I would have company, and I wouldn’t feel ‘alone’, but now I tend to look for more offbeat destinations, as I’ve learnt that wherever I go, people will always be welcoming of a traveller, and I prefer not being in a place crowded with tourists. I also keep a close tab on the budget for my trips. 

I travel solo a lot, and I feel safe whilst doing so. Through Instagram page StoriesFromMyBackpack, blog page and all the other content I create, I hope to inspire more women to travel solo, and let go of their fears.


What kind of food/snacks you have during your trip and music on your travel playlist?

I carry a lot of snacks because I love snacking, it usually is a lot of biscuits & chocolate. I also buy local food along the way from street vendors and pack the leftovers in a box which I have as a snack later. I don’t carry music with me on my solo trips. It might seem odd, but I like to sit with my thoughts, (which mind you, are very entertaining!), and if I get a window seat on whichever mode of transport-I am as happy as can be!


How has your lockdown been?

The lockdown has been good for me. I started off with experimenting with a lot of cooking like almost everyone! But then I put all my energy back into updating my blog, which was therapeutic in a way, since I was reliving my travels. I started a travel talk series on my Instagram, which is a series of Live sessions that happen every Saturday at 4PM, where I talk to hoteliers, homestay owners, & travel service providers, and discuss sustainable & mindful travel. It is a way for my audience to stay connected with the travel industry at a time when travel is on everyone’s minds, though physical travel is restricted. I also recently launched my YouTube channel to share my travel experiences in a more engaging format. So, in a way, the lockdown has been a blessing in disguise, because I finally got around to doing things that otherwise would have remained unexecuted plans.


Your first trip post COVID 19?

I want to do a long trip in my home state of Kerala and explore the length and breadth of the state. There is so much to see & experience in Kerala, and I’m really excited to get on a train & travel across the state. Train rides in Kerala are through stunning routes of lush greenery and the state’s infamous backwaters, and I feel a trip to Kerala is incomplete without experiencing it through train travel!  I was planning to travel in Kerala this summer, but now, it’s been pushed off to whenever it is safe to travel!


5 tips for travel enthusiasts?

  • Be a responsible traveller, and be mindful of the place, its people, & culture. We are all guests in someone’s hometown and that’s how we should behave. 
  • Leave no trace-especially if you are going to rural parts of the world. A waste management system will not be in place, and all the plastic waste that we create will be dumped into the valleys or in the forests. So, when you visit such places, don’t generate plastic waste, and if you do, please take it back to the city with you and dispose it off there.
  • Don’t buy bottled water when you travel-carry your own bottle which you can refill from your accommodation or from the restaurants. If you are unsure of the water in the destination, carry with you a bottle that has an inbuilt filter that filters up to 99.99% of all bacteria. (LifeStraw is a good brand)
  • Shop local handicrafts, or locally made things as souvenirs versus the Chinese imports. When you shop local, you are supporting the livelihood of local artisans, and helping them continue in their craft, versus having to resort to manual labour in the cities to support their families.
  • Eat local food from locally run restaurants, this helps the local economy, and gives you a taste of the food and culture of the place you are in!

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