Welcome! I’m Sonya and as you can tell by the name of this site, I love to travel and explore new places. I’m a daydreamer, planner, dreamer, creator, explorer (and not always in that exact order). For me travel is all about exploring new places, learning about different cultures, meeting new people, getting lost, exploring new cuisines, walking everywhere (hello, blisters!), buying as many magnets as I can! Travel is an adventure. Travel can be about visiting historical sites, climbing mountains, driving or walking through a scenic route, meeting locals or eating all day long. Travel is to understand society. To observe and learn from others with an upbringing and culture very different from our own.
I’m a lifelong traveler. I made many trips to Canada, South Asia, South America and United States as a child and teenager to visit grandparents and extended family members. Time spent with my late grandparents is time to be cherished life long. I remember my Naniji (late materal grandmother) making ladoos (South Asian sweet balls) for me by hand when she wasn’t in the best physical condition so I would gain more weight as a skinny 18 year old. I remember sitting next to my Dadiji (late paternal grandmother) discussing events impacting our community in the 80s and how we lost our aunt (her youngest daughter) in those sad events. I remember watching entertaining (and somewhat unbelievable and detached from reality) dramas with my cousins, aunts and grandmother. I also visited Canada as a child and teenager. Growing up we did the majority of our vacations in South Asia, North America, South America or within the USA. Minus a trip here or there to Europe. Since 2012 and as of July 2024, I have traveled to over 25 countries and counting. The pandemic interrupted some of my travels but in the spirit of safety and health, it was the best decision to protect those around us at that time. Now I am back to my travel plans and plan to add to my travel list each year. Fun fact is my travel style mimics my father. We both like to carry back bags, cameras and like to see everything when we travel. Its called maximizing the amount of time you spend in one place or city. I’ve slowly learned that relaxing on vacation is okay and its not necessary to visit every single museum or every sight or building in town. My family and friends certainly appreciate the gradual change in my travel approach.
The goal is simple. To travel as much I can with an eye out for sustainability since our planet dearly needs it. I’m a full-time software engineer by profession and truly love all things technology and programming. My career choice affords the financial freedom and independence to travel comfortably and explore the world every year. Like most professions, my career choice also somewhat limits the amount of time I can spend traveling. Typical Catch 22 scenario.
In addition to travel, I also love long distance running. I’ve completed two “destination” half marathons in Iceland and Disney World and hope to finish many more in the future. I truly love running tourism, another travel dimension.
I’m also identify as a Sikh and enjoy visiting international Gurdwaras (Sikh Temple) globally. I like to combine all facets of my life with travel – my profession, my culture, my heritage, my hobbies. Travel shouldn’t be an isolated part of your life. Instead it should enrich life and be very much immersed in it.
While the world is physically large, its small enough for us to be friends. It is my opinion that the joy of travel bridges gaps and conflict. In the end, it helps to appreciate and embrace our differences.
Thanks for visiting my blog. Feel free to reach out with your comments, questions and personal travel or adventure experiences. I would love to learn more. Please sit back and enjoy my blog. And don’t forget to share your feedback.