Zoeb Khan - Appreciating The Tiny Blessings Of Life, I Forget All That Has Been Happening Around Me And Spend Some Time By Myself (Travel Blogger, India)

An epic 3 month drive in an 4 x 4 from Paris to Turkey sojourning 24 European countries passing thru the French Alps and the Dolomites covering central and eastern Europe to Greece, finally culminating the road trip in Bodrum, Turkey

1. Tell us about your upbringing & journey.

Early Twenties, young and motivated just out of college, I was introduced to the world of travelling thru my first job – working at an event agency- travelling to different countries and seeing the best of places.

But all I did on those trips were to see the airport, Hotels and night clubs . It work all day and party all night. This was a different kind of travelling, Sightseeing was a rarity with these being work trips.

As I matured and life became more serious. I started to grow professionally, financially and spiritually. Started my own media & entertainment agency.

The agency was doing fantastically well since catering to biggest clients from financial and Entertainment sectors from year one itself. Life was all about work and growing the business.

2. When did you start travelling and how did you decide to start your Instagram page?

After successfully running the agency for 5 years, Media and event industry being such a cut throat industry, it was a high pressure job. I was almost close to a burnout. When in 2014 I decided to take a 3 month sabbatical- the first real holiday in a decade. Those 3 months became 6 months which turned into 6 years of travelling and 90 odd countries.

Being from the media background I had a lot of people from Television and advertising background on my social media accounts and they loved the content I was sharing and slowly I began to get paid for my content. It was a slow process but also a golden age to try something unconventional with the social media boom.

3. What are the best road trips have you ever came across?

Of course Ladakh road trips ranks right up there but the snow leopard expedition during the peak winters is just unparalleled. Bike trip between Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia spending almost 2.5 months in Central Asia was just a dream come true. These road trips allowed me to experience places through local eyes experience their culture and way of living 1st hand.

Following the Great Migration in the African savannah, driving from Serengeti to Masai Mara watching natures marvel unfold right in front me was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

4. How social media validation is important in your profession?

Happiness is only real when shared”… That’s what Christopher McCandless wrote before his death in the Alaskan wilderness at the age of 24. Thou we can debate this statement, it’s a fact that in today’s world social media validation is relevant personally & professionally.

Instagram used to have chronological feed. That meant I will get to see posts of all the people I’m following. We never had control over who would like your post. But you had some degree of control over who will see your post. Not anymore.

Thanks to the algorithm. There is a large number of your followers who don’t get your posts in their feed. So social media validation is important so that the content is reached to our desired audiences, that’s why engagements on posts are necessary. As its true, Likes- The Illusion of Validation.

5. Which is your favourite travel destination in India and the world?

Before my visit to Iceland I would be never able to pick my favourite destination. It is one of the most curious and mysterious destinations on my list. Experience the camper van life, driving in Iceland is like being in a Trance state. Every turn and corner is mesmerising , Huge expanse of mountains, ocean, waterfalls and volcanic rock formations.

The eerie wreckage of a crashed aircraft on an abandoned on an Icelandic beach. Not a single human in sights for kilometres at a stretch. Its just you and Nature. Chasing Northern Lights Being up all night driving in sub-zero weather. Visiting Iceland surely feels like Space travelling.

6. Are you someone who likes to take control of the wheel or stay back whilst enjoying the scenic vistas?

Unfortunately travelling solo I never had that option of not taking the wheel. Thou I prefer being the passenger – because that’s where the magic happens just sit with my thoughts, taking down notes of things that I am experiencing along the trip.

It helps me take into observation the little things of my daily life That’s how I started appreciating the tiny blessings of life. Forget all that has been happening around me and spend some time by myself. A road trip gives that freedom. Love it!

7. How can one become a successful social media influencer?

To be successful as an influencer, you need to first select your Niche. Find out something that you are passionate about and love spending your time doing that thing. You should also have some level of expertise in the field. Choose a platform that you want your content to be seen on.

Create post relevant to your niche, don’t mix posts about their personal lives in with their niche posts and keep their content focused only on your niche. Be regular and consistent with your posts. Keep churning out regular relevant content and tag other influencer and brands. The important thing is to just enjoy the process and journey.

8. From where do you find inspiration to churn out content?

For someone who has had a lot of fears growing up. Aquaphobia, Vertigo or just the fear of getting myself out of my comfort zone. Travelling did give me chance to get over my fears. Getting certified in Skydiving or becoming an advanced Scuba diver, acquiring a paragliding licence.

Thanks to the flair of doing adventure activities on my trip, they take me to some of the gorgeous and farthest locations on the globe. Visiting such places in itself is such a huge motivation. I want people around me to experience things that I have seen, this wish motivates me to show them the world thru my lenses.

- Zoeb Khan