Beyond the Grid Live: Women Travellers Who Dare
Every now and then, a conversation leaves you buzzing—like you’ve just sipped the strongest cup of masala chai at a roadside dhaba, heart racing and eyes wide open. That’s exactly what happened at Beyond the Grid Live, when two women—Shivalika, who swears that “solo travelling is a Nasha”, and Mouna, whose lifelong dream has been to “own a motorcycle and ride it the way I want”—joined the Alike community to share their raw, unfiltered travel stories.
From budget flights to Jaipur in peak May heat to an 8,000 km biking journey from Bangalore to Spiti during COVID, their journeys were less about postcards and more about grit. These weren’t just tales of destinations; they were manifestos of courage, chaos, and the quiet joy of finding yourself on the road.
And if you’re tuning in from India, the GCC, or Europe—whether you’re dreaming of a family holiday in Abu Dhabi, a romantic Bali trip, or a backpacker month through Europe—their stories hit home in ways guidebooks never could.
What is Beyond the Grid Live?
Beyond the Grid Live is Alike’s digital campfire—an ongoing series where travellers, creators, and everyday explorers gather to share tales that sit outside glossy brochures. Think of it as the messy, funny, and brave side of travel: where Google Maps misleads you into a forest in Jharkhand, where a Russian club in Phuket nearly turns into a nightmare, and where trust, intuition, and improvisation are your most important travel companions.
Earlier episodes featured stories like a dog who became an international traveller and a man who once slept inside a volcano in Indonesia. But the third episode? It was different. It was intimate, fierce, and resonant—because it was all about women who dare.
Shivalika: Solo travelling is a Nasha
When Shivalika first booked a flight to Jaipur, she didn’t imagine it would be the start of an addiction. The heat was unbearable, the trip wasn’t picture-perfect, but she returned knowing one thing:
“If I can do this, I should take another leap of faith.”
That leap took her to Goa—again and again. And Goa wasn’t about trance parties for her; it became a comfort zone where solo didn’t mean lonely. She’d arrive knowing no one, and leave with a dozen friends.
For Shivalika, solo travel is intoxicating—not because it’s easy, but because it forces you to trust strangers, yourself, and the universe. She told the live audience:
“Every time I went solo, every time I made new friends… it became a comfort zone for me. Solo travelling is a Nasha.”
Her rhythm today? Four to six domestic trips a year, with Goa in the monsoon as a ritual, plus one or two international escapes. From Christmas in Amsterdam to backpacking through six countries in Europe, her journey proves that solo doesn’t just open doors—it builds a whole new home.
Mouna: Riding into dreams
If Shivalika is the queen of spontaneous solos, Mouna is the high priestess of planning. A software engineer turned brand director, she doesn’t just ride—she maps.
Her first big biking leap came during COVID, when flights were grounded. With laptops packed, she and her partner rode 8,000 km from Bangalore to Spiti, working by day and riding by dusk. That journey cemented her truth:
“The only dream I’ve ever had is to own a motorcycle and to ride it the way I want.”
From Bhutan’s strict zebra-crossing rules to paying ₹2,500 (approx. INR) in Oman for going just 5 km/h over the speed limit, her tales weren’t about bravado. They were about responsibility.
When she reached Umling La, the highest motorable road in the world, she cried—not because of the altitude, but because of the realisation:
“We met at 21. At 34, we reached Umling La together on our own motorcycles. That moment was overwhelming.”
Sneha: The host
No live session becomes magical without a voice that knows when to ask, when to pause, and when to let silence do its work. At Beyond the Grid Live 3, that voice was Sneha.
When Shivalika spoke about the “nasha” of solo travel, Sneha nudged deeper—“But what about the first time you faced fear?” When Mouna recalled the 8,000 km ride, Sneha pulled the audience into that moment—“What was the one sound you heard on Umling La?”
She made us laugh when the stories got heavy, and she grounded us when the adventures sounded surreal. Most importantly, Sneha acted as the bridge between speakers and the global audience—from Indian families tuning in from Delhi, to GCC bikers listening from Muscat, to European backpackers catching the replay at midnight in Amsterdam.
By the end of the session, it wasn’t just two women sharing stories; it felt like a community of travellers, bonded by curiosity and courage—and Sneha was the glue holding us together.
When plans go wrong: funny, scary, unforgettable
Travel isn’t Instagram reels. It’s chaos.
- Mouna’s near-miss in Jharkhand forests: Google Maps led them to a half-built flyover that ended mid-air, dumping them by a river at sunset. The night that followed was pure adrenaline, with strangers guiding them through dark villages.
- Shivalika’s Russian mafia club in Phuket: A song request turned ugly, her phone got snatched, and she found herself facing down aggressive bouncers. She escaped, shaken but wiser: “You have to be alert at all times abroad.”
- Amsterdam’s Cinderella rule: Shivalika tried to return before midnight, but ended up losing her bag on a late-night tube ride. Luckily, kindness prevailed—her bag was returned with everything intact.
These weren’t deterrents. They were lessons. And as both agreed:
“The first thing you learn as a traveller is to let go of control. Balance doesn’t exist. You just flow.”
Travel friendships & serendipity
Some of the most touching moments weren’t about landscapes, but people.
- In Goa, Shivalika once befriended a group of strangers from Mumbai. Years later, she landed in Hong Kong, exhausted, craving dal-chawal. One of those “Goa friends” was now married there. She welcomed Shivalika home, served her dal-rice, and reminded her why travel friendships last lifetimes.
- For Mouna, it was the 2013 Kedarkantha trek, where she met someone who remains her best friend to this day.
For both women, the road isn’t just about destinations—it’s about building families across continents.
Balancing careers, families, and travel
How do you juggle meetings, family dinners, and sudden trips to Bhutan? Their answer: you don’t juggle.
- Mouna: “There is no balance. Sometimes family comes first, sometimes work. But if your intent is clear, it never feels like sacrifice.”
- Shivalika: “I save smartly with an RD account. I don’t splurge on things; I spend on experiences. Budget planning is my backbone.”
A golden hack she shared: “Plan your leaves carefully—use paid, casual, and sick leaves. Save, then travel.”
Sustainability & respect for culture
Both women hammered home one truth: travel isn’t entitlement.
- Don’t litter. Carry a pouch for waste, even on a bike.
- Respect local customs, from Bhutan’s temples to Amsterdam’s streets.
- Don’t blast music on treks—it disturbs both locals and nature.
As Mouna explained, when tourists disrespected Bhutan’s sacred chortens, bikers were banned for three years. Small actions, big consequences.
Bucket lists & future dreams
- Shivalika: “I want to see the Northern Lights. I’ve been manifesting it for a decade.”
- Mouna: “I don’t have a dream bike, I have dream rides. New Zealand road trip. Iceland. Anywhere I can ride with my partner.”
Their wanderlust isn’t about ticking boxes—it’s about living slowly, deeply, and courageously.
Takeaways for Indian, GCC, and European travellers
| Traveller Group | Key Inspiration | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Indians | Solo Goa trips, budget planning with RDs, spontaneous bus journeys | Use domestic solos as practice runs before Europe or SE Asia |
| GCC travellers | Motorbiking culture (Oman, Bhutan), family-friendly Sri Lanka escapes | Always check visa-free access & strict traffic rules |
| Europeans | Long-stay backpacking, Amsterdam nightlife tales | Blend hostel culture with respect for local laws & cultures |
Photography & travel tips
- Best shots: Monsoon beaches in Goa, Spiti valley bends, Amsterdam’s canals at Christmas.
- Safety with photos: Avoid flashing phones in Paris or Phuket clubs.
- Secret hack: Petrol pumps at night are safest for bikers to rest and shoot.
At the heart of Beyond the Grid Live, Shivalika and Mouna reminded us: travel is less about filters, more about freedom. And planning it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Use Eia – Alike’s AI Trip Planner to map your solos, rides, or honeymoons smarter. From family holidays in Dubai to romantic Bali escapes, Eia helps you plan like a pro, while still leaving room for serendipity.
FAQs
Is solo travel safe for Indian women abroad?
Is solo travel safe for Indian women abroad?
How much does a biking trip to Spiti or Bhutan cost from India?
How much does a biking trip to Spiti or Bhutan cost from India?
Are biking holidays popular for GCC travellers?
Are biking holidays popular for GCC travellers?
How can Europeans adapt to long-stay backpacking in Asia?
How can Europeans adapt to long-stay backpacking in Asia?
What’s the best way to finance frequent travel?
What’s the best way to finance frequent travel?
