Arun Sastry
He/Him
Based in Palo Alto, California
English, Hindi, Kannada, French, Spanish
Trip budgets start at $400/night
Arun Sastry
Ask me about
My Story
A traveler who believes that a travel spot should leave the traveler with more questions after the trip than before, so it stimulates curiosity!
Travel Style
When planning travel, I believe in doing my own homework rather than going with conventional wisdom about the destination, obviously keeping in mind – and assessing – about the risks. For example, when I told my friends I was going to Rwanda, everyone thought I was crazy going to a country that was going through "genocide", not knowing that that event happened 30 years ago! The fact of the matter is that Rwanda is not only safe, but a very tourist-friendly country that offers a lot, including visits to the mountain gorillas!
Having said that, I am a sucker for luxury, so I do like to stay in comfortable accommodations, preferably boutique hotels (more character), and eat at fine dining spots (where available), keeping budget in mind.
I think outside the box when it comes to travel – this is how you get to experience you otherwise would not get to enjoy!
Stay connected
Travel ideas (3)
One Week in Oman, Starting at the Al Bustan Palace in Muscat!
A lovely place that is unpretentious and makes you feel like an honored guest. The staff is a who's who of the United Nations, so just chatting with the staff who hail from places as far away as Kenya, Vietnam, Philippines, Spain is itself a learning experience!
One Week in Oman, Starting at the Al Bustan Palace in Muscat!
A lovely place that is unpretentious and makes you feel like an honored guest. The staff is a who's who of the United Nations, so just chatting with the staff who hail from places as far away as Kenya, Vietnam, Philippines, Spain is itself a learning experience!
Get Off the Traditional Path in Ghana
Most people's idea of "Africa" centers around East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) or southern Africa (Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe). However, there is an entire part of Africa in the western part of the continent that is different from the "Africa" that people know, that showcases the history of the slave trade and how it shaped the destiny of the Americas as we know them today. Throw in a thriving music (Afrobeats, anyone?) and a food and shopping scene, and you can see why this part of the continent is a must-visit! One country in this region is Ghana, by the Atlantic Ocean. The country offers a mix of history — former castles and European-built forts — and a thriving club scene. Come join me for a trip to its capital, Accra, as well as sights outside the city, like the slave castles of Cape Coast, Kakum National Forest and Aburi Gardens!
Get Off the Traditional Path in Ghana
Most people's idea of "Africa" centers around East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) or southern Africa (Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe). However, there is an entire part of Africa in the western part of the continent that is different from the "Africa" that people know, that showcases the history of the slave trade and how it shaped the destiny of the Americas as we know them today. Throw in a thriving music (Afrobeats, anyone?) and a food and shopping scene, and you can see why this part of the continent is a must-visit! One country in this region is Ghana, by the Atlantic Ocean. The country offers a mix of history — former castles and European-built forts — and a thriving club scene. Come join me for a trip to its capital, Accra, as well as sights outside the city, like the slave castles of Cape Coast, Kakum National Forest and Aburi Gardens!
Rwanda: Mountain Gorillas, Coffee, Gorgeous Landscapes and More
Mention Rwanda to people, and most of the resulting responses contain the word "genocide." The reality is that that event happened over 30 years ago, and Rwanda is now one of the safest places in Africa, with excellent infrastructure – think roads, internet connectivity even in national parks and excellent hillside restaurants! The hilly terrain and the mist that comes with it makes for lovely vistas throughout the country, and are the habitat for the majestic mountain gorillas – see the movie "Gorillas In The Mist" for more on this.
Rwanda is also one of the cleanest countries in the world, thanks to a sense of civic pride, where all citizens - whether a prince or pauper - are expected to take part in community cleaning activities every week.
Finally, Rwanda grows coffee and so it takes its coffee seriously. If you are a coffee snob, you'd be seriously remiss if you skipped this ritual while in Rwanda!
Rwanda: Mountain Gorillas, Coffee, Gorgeous Landscapes and More
Mention Rwanda to people, and most of the resulting responses contain the word "genocide." The reality is that that event happened over 30 years ago, and Rwanda is now one of the safest places in Africa, with excellent infrastructure – think roads, internet connectivity even in national parks and excellent hillside restaurants! The hilly terrain and the mist that comes with it makes for lovely vistas throughout the country, and are the habitat for the majestic mountain gorillas – see the movie "Gorillas In The Mist" for more on this.
Rwanda is also one of the cleanest countries in the world, thanks to a sense of civic pride, where all citizens - whether a prince or pauper - are expected to take part in community cleaning activities every week.
Finally, Rwanda grows coffee and so it takes its coffee seriously. If you are a coffee snob, you'd be seriously remiss if you skipped this ritual while in Rwanda!
One Week in Oman, Starting at the Al Bustan Palace in Muscat!
A lovely place that is unpretentious and makes you feel like an honored guest. The staff is a who's who of the United Nations, so just chatting with the staff who hail from places as far away as Kenya, Vietnam, Philippines, Spain is itself a learning experience!
One Week in Oman, Starting at the Al Bustan Palace in Muscat!
A lovely place that is unpretentious and makes you feel like an honored guest. The staff is a who's who of the United Nations, so just chatting with the staff who hail from places as far away as Kenya, Vietnam, Philippines, Spain is itself a learning experience!
Get Off the Traditional Path in Ghana
Most people's idea of "Africa" centers around East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) or southern Africa (Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe). However, there is an entire part of Africa in the western part of the continent that is different from the "Africa" that people know, that showcases the history of the slave trade and how it shaped the destiny of the Americas as we know them today. Throw in a thriving music (Afrobeats, anyone?) and a food and shopping scene, and you can see why this part of the continent is a must-visit! One country in this region is Ghana, by the Atlantic Ocean. The country offers a mix of history — former castles and European-built forts — and a thriving club scene. Come join me for a trip to its capital, Accra, as well as sights outside the city, like the slave castles of Cape Coast, Kakum National Forest and Aburi Gardens!
Get Off the Traditional Path in Ghana
Most people's idea of "Africa" centers around East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) or southern Africa (Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe). However, there is an entire part of Africa in the western part of the continent that is different from the "Africa" that people know, that showcases the history of the slave trade and how it shaped the destiny of the Americas as we know them today. Throw in a thriving music (Afrobeats, anyone?) and a food and shopping scene, and you can see why this part of the continent is a must-visit! One country in this region is Ghana, by the Atlantic Ocean. The country offers a mix of history — former castles and European-built forts — and a thriving club scene. Come join me for a trip to its capital, Accra, as well as sights outside the city, like the slave castles of Cape Coast, Kakum National Forest and Aburi Gardens!
Rwanda: Mountain Gorillas, Coffee, Gorgeous Landscapes and More
Mention Rwanda to people, and most of the resulting responses contain the word "genocide." The reality is that that event happened over 30 years ago, and Rwanda is now one of the safest places in Africa, with excellent infrastructure – think roads, internet connectivity even in national parks and excellent hillside restaurants! The hilly terrain and the mist that comes with it makes for lovely vistas throughout the country, and are the habitat for the majestic mountain gorillas – see the movie "Gorillas In The Mist" for more on this.
Rwanda is also one of the cleanest countries in the world, thanks to a sense of civic pride, where all citizens - whether a prince or pauper - are expected to take part in community cleaning activities every week.
Finally, Rwanda grows coffee and so it takes its coffee seriously. If you are a coffee snob, you'd be seriously remiss if you skipped this ritual while in Rwanda!
Rwanda: Mountain Gorillas, Coffee, Gorgeous Landscapes and More
Mention Rwanda to people, and most of the resulting responses contain the word "genocide." The reality is that that event happened over 30 years ago, and Rwanda is now one of the safest places in Africa, with excellent infrastructure – think roads, internet connectivity even in national parks and excellent hillside restaurants! The hilly terrain and the mist that comes with it makes for lovely vistas throughout the country, and are the habitat for the majestic mountain gorillas – see the movie "Gorillas In The Mist" for more on this.
Rwanda is also one of the cleanest countries in the world, thanks to a sense of civic pride, where all citizens - whether a prince or pauper - are expected to take part in community cleaning activities every week.
Finally, Rwanda grows coffee and so it takes its coffee seriously. If you are a coffee snob, you'd be seriously remiss if you skipped this ritual while in Rwanda!
Travel photos
