Beyond the Grid: Meet Mahima and Vrinda—Real Travellers Shaping the Travel Landscape
It’s July, and while the country preps for Raksha Bandhan and Independence Day sales, there’s a quieter celebration stirring online—a celebration of travellers, storytellers, and those who dare to step beyond the grid.
Alike’s first-ever Beyond the Grid live session wasn’t your average Instagram scroll-past. It was raw, personal, unexpectedly funny, and oddly comforting—like finding a handwritten note in a library book. Franklin, your warm and witty host, was joined by two creators who aren’t just popular on the ‘Gram—they’re changing how we think about travel altogether: Mahima and Vrinda.
It wasn’t just a live—it felt like a living room chat
The live kicked off in a way that made you feel like you’d stumbled upon an intimate catch-up between friends. Mahima was at home, bags half-packed for a trip to Malaysia. Vrinda logged in from Manila, where she’s been living for the last few years.
The session was electric. So many people joined in, flooding the comments with questions about solo travel, cultural gems, and content creation. But instead of a presentation, it felt like a conversation. There were laughs, confessions, rapid-fire questions, and real talk about catfishing destinations, lost passports, and awkward queues at Disneyland.
Meet the women shaping India’s travel narrative
Vrinda, formerly at Google and now a full-time explorer, sees travel as the reward of her dreams. Raised by a single mother, she turned a childhood European trip into a life blueprint. Today, she’s visited over 30 countries and continues to live like a local wherever she goes.
Mahima, a spirited freelance social media consultant, discovered the magic of freedom through travel. Her vibe is spontaneous—less Google Sheet, more gut feeling. She travels to own a slice of life that’s hers alone. Travelling for her is a hobby.
If you missed the LIVE, watch it here.
Experience-based travel: beyond tourist traps and glossy edits
One of the best bits of the Live? Their shared distaste for over-edited, over-promised destinations. Mahima candidly called out how Instagram sometimes “catfishes” travellers. “You reach a spot and realise—this isn’t what I signed up for.”
Vrinda echoed that thought but from a planner’s perspective. She’s a self-proclaimed spreadsheet geek (yes, complete with columns for restaurants, opening hours, and toilet stops). But even her well-laid plans include time for surprise. Like the time she made her own perfume in Jakarta. Or when her dog – yes, her dog – experienced his first beach wave in the Philippines.
They both agreed: experience-based travel isn’t just about doing things. It’s about feeling them. Staying in a Goan homestay instead of a resort. Having adrak chai with a rickshaw uncle in Jaipur. Learning to make Gong Fu tea in Taiwan. That’s what sticks.
The real travel hacks (that nobody tells you)
Here’s where things got juicy—real tips you won’t find on “Top 10 Lists”:
- Hidden gems aren’t on Instagram anymore. Once it blows up, it’s not hidden. Ask locals, go slow, and walk the alleys.
- Snorkelling shoes are essential. Vrinda once got bitten by a fish in Palau, Malaysia. Since then, she doesn’t snorkel without her full suit and swim shoes.
- The best camera is a tripod. Mahima doesn’t rely on her partner or friends. “My tripod saves my relationship,” she laughed.
- Trust your fellow travellers. Both creators swear by community recommendations. Real people. Real places. No filters. But ChatGPT sure has found a way into people’s lives and travels.
Plan just enough. Then surrender. Leave room for spontaneity. The best stories usually aren’t in the itinerary.
More than just wanderers—they’re community builders
This isn’t just content for likes. Mahima and Vrinda deeply connect with their audience—DMs turn into honeymoon plans, and comment threads become mini counselling sessions. Vrinda has seen her audience shift to 80% women—proof that authenticity builds not just followers, but fellowship.
Mahima insists on being available. She invites questions, continues conversations, and shares like she’s speaking to a friend over coffee. That’s rare. And real.
Travel lessons that stick with you
When asked what advice they’d give their 18-year-old selves, Vrinda said: “Dream big. And don’t wait.” Mahima added, “Stop waiting for the group to say yes. Just go. One person is enough.”
They’ve both been scammed, missed ferries, stood hours in queues, and faced language barriers in Croatia. But they’ve also seen sunrises from volcanoes, danced in Spain’s cobbled streets, and planned weddings in Google Sheets. It’s not perfect. But it’s personal.
And that’s what Beyond the Grid is about.
Why Alike’s platform matters.
If you’ve ever returned from a holiday feeling like you didn’t really experience the place—you’re not alone. Alike was built to bridge that gap. More than just itineraries, Alike curates experience-based holidays currently for destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Bali. We don’t just want you to go somewhere—we want you to feel it.
Want a spice market walk in Ubud with a local grandma? Done. Prefer rooftop oud music in Abu Dhabi over rooftop cocktails? We’ve got that too. And with creators like Mahima and Vrinda leading the charge, you’re in good company.
Read more about shopping/flea markets in Bali.
If you missed the Live, don’t worry—there’ll be more. And next time, it might just be from a beach in Sri Lanka, a pottery barn in Manila, or somewhere you haven’t heard of yet.
Because that’s the joy of travelling Beyond the Grid.
