RITZ speaks to Sankara Subramanian to on travel, blogging & life on the road
These travel bloggers aim to give you the most updated info and tips on major travel destinations across the world. Their job might seem like the one you desperately want, but travelling to earn a living is not as rosy or picturesque as it may seem. RITZ speaks to four of South India’s most visible travel bloggers to understand how their life is not just one endless holiday.
Sankara Subramanian
www.beontheroad.com
Facebook followers; 19,341
Twitter followers: 3,209
One place you call home
Bengaluru
How do you manage to fund your travels?
Through money generated by my blog and my consulting business.
The first trip that you remember and how old were you?
I started traveling as a suckling baby, but unfortunately I can’t remember that. I see those pictures of me smiling in Colombo along with my parents. The earliest one I do remember is a road trip with family to Puri, Konark and Bhubaneshwar when I was 7 years old.
The best trip you’ve take so far?
There have been quite a few, but if I were to pick one, it would have to be my solo motorcycle ride across India as it really helped connect with my inner self and helped me change my life forever.
Funny travel anecdotes
I love the ones mentioned on the road signs in the high roads of the Indian Himalayas. For example, “Don’t be gama in the land of the lama”. Honestly, I don’t remember any funny travel anecdotes.
What’s on your bucket list?
The whole world. I hope life is kind to me and allows me to live this dream.
The one country you’d want to visit?
There are many such countries – Burkina Faso, Togo, Ghana, Yemen, Somalia, Afghanistan. I love to explore countries that are off the radar of the regular person.
Explain the choice of your blog name
That is simple. I am on the road most of the while, I love it and it is my way of living and hence the name ‘be on the road’.
Why do you write?
This is kind of a tricky question. I started writing because my family and friends wanted to hear my experiences. I continued writing because I started liking it. Then, I wrote to make money and to help the world live their travel dream. Today, I write for all of the above.
How lucrative is travel blogging?
It is lucrative enough to fund all your travel needs if you are patient, hardworking and treat it like a full time job or business. In my case, it was the money from travel blogging that gave me the comfort to quit my corporate career and start my own business.
What has been your most liked blog post till date?
Hmmm! I am not too sure as there are quite a few. Top 11 Motorcycling Holidays in India, Top 10 Budget Honeymoon Destinations in South East Asia and Top 10 Traditional Food Joints of South Bengaluru would be the top 3.
Favourite mode of transportation
Motorcycling as that is how it all began and trains as the inner traveller in me finds it the most romantic.
Most creative thing you have done to save money on a travel?
Bucking the trend – be it travelling on a week day, staying home during the holidays, visiting countries during their lean seasons, doing things that have gone out of favour or creating my own unique memories, I have always loved to buck the trend. Surprisingly, this is a sure shot method to save money.
How often do you travel?
About 200 to 300 days every year!
Rapid fire
Favourite food: Masaman curry, Red Rice and a glass of Thai Iced Tea
Favourite language: Tamil
Favourite city: Istanbul
Favourite country: India
Travel music playlist: Don’t have one specific to travel. My choice of music remains the same irrespective of the activity that I am doing.
Most overrated city: Singapore
