The Reality of Travel Vloggers: How they may be Misleading You?

I want to bring your attention to the shocking truth about travel vloggers and the potentially misleading portrayal of their experiences. 

As we scroll through our social media feeds and watch travel vlogs, it’s easy to be swept up in the allure of beautiful, secluded destinations. These vloggers make it look like they have the place to themselves, with no crowds or distractions to mar the experience. But is this portrayal of secluded, exclusive travel destinations realistic, or are we being misled by a highly curated and selective portrayal of these places?

As travel vloggers have become increasingly popular in recent years, it’s easy to get caught up in the allure of their seemingly carefree and adventurous lifestyles. They take us along on their travels, showing us breathtaking views and exciting experiences as they go. But are these vloggers presenting a realistic and genuine portrayal of travel, or are they simply showcasing a highly curated and potentially misleading version of their experiences?

It’s important to remember that many travel vloggers make a living by creating and sharing content. They may have sponsorships and partnerships that help to fund their travels, and they may be motivated by the desire to attract more views and subscribers to their channels. This means that they may be more inclined to focus on the highlights of their travels and downplay any challenges or difficulties they encounter. They may focus on showcasing the most picturesque and idyllic aspects of their travels, while conveniently skipping over the crowds, the chaos, and the mundane realities of travel. They may also selectively edit their footage to present a more polished and idealized version of their experiences.

But the truth is, many of the most popular travel destinations are often crowded and touristy, and it can be difficult to find true exclusivity and seclusion. Even in more remote locations, there may be other travelers, locals, or logistical challenges that can impact the experience. It’s important to approach the portrayal of travel destinations on social media and in vlogs with a healthy dose of skepticism, and to remember that these images and experiences may not always accurately reflect the realities of the place.

It’s also worth considering that not all travel is created equal. Some people may find great joy in roughing it in remote locations and seeking out off-the-beaten-path experiences, while others may prefer a more luxurious or relaxing vacation. The type of travel depicted in vlogs may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and it’s important to remember that just because someone else is having a great time doing something, it doesn’t mean that it’s the right fit for you.

Instead of trying to emulate the lifestyles of these vloggers, it’s important to find what works for you and to create your own meaningful travel experiences.

Offbeat Home Stay in Kodi Bengre Island Village of Udupi – Delta Beach, Kayaking in Backwaters & Kemmannu Hanging Bridge

We wanted to just enjoy the sea views while working remotely, and chose to go to Udupi instead of Goa as it is the closest city to Bengaluru which has got amazing untouched sea beaches, less touristy vibes and incredible food.

I have created a travel vlog in Hindi, and have split it into 2 videos:

  1. Drive from Bengaluru to Udupi, Review of Hoode Beach in Udupi, Beautiful Sunset/Sunrise View, and glimpses of the beachfront homestay

2. Kemmannu Hanging Bridge – Kayaking – Around Thonse – Best Place to Stay in Udupi – Beautiful Backwaters – Woodland Restaurant

We were looking for alternatives to beaches other than Goa as we were planning for a road trip, driving from Bengaluru, and we wanted to reach to the Bech without much hassle. Though I did not leave with great expectations, the trip to Udupi was the most satisfying trips of the recent times. There was refreshing breeze and freshness in the air which was so reviving, healing and rejuvenating.

The first homestay was booked through airbnb and was located in Gujjarbettu area at Hoode beach while the second one was located on Kodi Bengre Hoode Beach Road, right next to Aruna Todi Shop.

Brihaspati Kund – A Natural Waterfall Near Satna & Panna

Below is a video from my recent trip to Brihaspati Kund – my first trip post covid-19. This place is a visual treat.

Brihaspati Kund is situated about 70kms away from Satna and 38 kms from Panna. It is one of the best places to visit near Satna for a day outing, picnic or some trekking and visual treat. 

It also has religious significance as it is said that DevGuru Brihaspati established his ashram here and did Yagnas to please gods, as a result of which this place was blessed with enormous wealth. And almost everyone would know that Panna is well known for its diamond mines and natural reserves. 

It is best to go to this place using your own vehicle as you may not find public transport options easily. The terrain is rocky and there is no well laid out trek so it’s best to wear good sports or trekking shoes. Also, you may not find water or food, so carry something from your home itself. 

Moving to other Platforms

Hi Friends,

Just to keep up with the changing times, I have moved to Instagram and youtube, and am not active here much 🙈. So, let’s keep in touch there?

Here is my youtube channel link:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TravelforPeaceIndia

Please look at some of the videos and let me know what can I do better to get a grip. It is still a very new and challenging platform for me.

& Here is my Instagram handle

https://www.instagram.com/travel4peace_/

Thank you so much for your love & support.

Cheers,
Gaurav

Getting a Malaysia Tourist e Visa Online in 24 Hours – Fees & Requirements For Indian Citizens 

Getting a Malaysian visa turned out to be way easier than we initially thought – we completed a 20 days long trip to Malaysia this month itself (Feb 2017), and are very satisfied with the e Visa for Malaysia service.

Malaysia Visa for Indians

The idea of going through any agent always makes us little uncomfortable, however, once we found that a Single entry e-Visa for Malaysia could be obtained through a direct online portal operated by Malaysian Embassy, we were quite relaxed.

The e-Visa facility for Indians is available through a portal called WINDOW MALAYSIA, and the fact that they have quite an easy process makes it very encouraging. In most cases, e-Visa is issued within 24 hours, however, in certain situations, it might take up to 48 hours. Therefore, I would recommend that you start the process at least 1 week in advance to have enough margin to accommodate any last moment goof ups.

Visa for Malaysia for Indians - Without any Agent - Directly through Malaysian Embassy

The e-Visa is issued for a period of 30 days, and is valid for 3 months – which I think is good enough for most tourists.

Requirements for e-Visa 

  1. Scanned Copy of Passport
  2. Return flight tickets
  3. Passport Size Photo – their system is very particular about the specifications of passport photo – so try your best to adhere to the specifications
  4. Accommodation Bookings – optional

e-Visa Fees

Indians need to pay 25$ as Visa fee and Rs. 1050/- as convenience charge – not sure if it was called convenience charge or something else.

Note: If the address on your passport and the current address filled by you in the form do not match, the processing team might ask you to submit another document as a proof of your current residence.

Also, if you need multiple entry visa, you will have to go through a different channel.

Once it gets processed successfully, you will get an email notification. Subsequently, you can just go to the window Malaysia website, login to your account, and take a printout of your e-Visa – as simple as that!