What makes a traveler who’s been to over 60 countries, keep returning to one place, year after year? For our guest today, Boyang Xue, the answer is simple: Japan.

In this episode, we dive into his unforgettable gap year in Japan—learning Japanese at the same university where Murakami once studied, biking for a week between Tokyo and Izu peninsula, camping under starlit skies, hopping slow trains all the way to Hokkaido, and hiking through landscapes that few tourists ever see.

Charming and full of stories, he shares not just adventures from Japan, but also tales from Colombia, Italy, Switzerland, and beyond. But no matter where he goes, Japan remains his true travel love.

Join us for an episode filled with adventures, mishaps, slow travel magic, and a whole lot of inspiration for anyone dreaming of exploring Japan differently.

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Like our work? Follow, Like & Subscribe to our podcast from wherever you are listening in. We would also love to hear from you, so do write to us at:

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠misadventuresofasneaker@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@misadventuresofasneaker⁠⁠⁠⁠

Blog: misadventuresofasneaker.substack.com

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00:00:00 Trailer

00:02:00 Episode & Guest intro

00:08:30 Early travel stories

00:11:30 A crazy trip to India

00:16:37 LATAM stories

00:25:05 What’s special about Japan

00:29:51 Spending a ‘gap’ year in Japan

00:40:37 Bike trip in Japan

00:54:01 Onsen experiences

00:59:04 Slow train trip in Japan

01:04:00 Volcano erupting during the trip

01:07:03 Train hack in Japan

01:12:56 Japanese food

01:16:03 Japanese culture imbibed

01:23:51 Lesser known places in Japan

01:37:45 Settling down – Japan?

01:47:23 Trip that went above and beyond

01:53:43 Toodles and see you again soon

What happens when your first-ever multi-day trek turns intoa full-blown adventure? In this episode, my guest, Prabal Chakraborty — a passionate traveller on a mission to do 50 countries before 50 — takes us through his dramatic, hilarious, and unforgettable journey to Roopkund in the Himalayas.

From sudden hailstorms to getting lost, scrapes and bruisesto endless bowls of Maggi, and strangers turning into lifelong friends — this trek had it all. Oh, and did I mention he was trekking with his then-girlfriend, now wife?

With his fantastic knack for storytelling, he makes Roopkundsound like more than just a tough Himalayan trail — it’s a tale of chaos, laughter, friendship, and love. If you’ve ever wondered what really happens behind those perfect trekking photos, this episode is for you.

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Follow Prabal on Instagram || LinkedIn

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To pick up copies of our journal - click here - India orders / International orders - DM here

Like our work? Follow, Like & Subscribe to our podcast from wherever you are listening in. We would also love to hear from you, so do write to us at:

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠misadventuresofasneaker@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@misadventuresofasneaker⁠⁠⁠⁠

Blog: misadventuresofasneaker.substack.com

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00:00:00 Trailer

00:03:21 Episode & Guest intro

00:07:18 Early travel stories

00:22:15 Legendry train stories

00:28:00 How did you choose Roopkund

00:21:24 Day0 – Kathgodam to Wan village

00:43:26 Day1 – Wan to Didna

00:45:03 Day2 – to Bedmi Bugyal

00:50:00 Accident at Great Lakes Trek

00:58:16 Ali Bugyal & Trishul view

01:07:37 Roopkund’s eerie stories

01:11:50 Day3 – to Patharnachni

01:08:31 Break

01:19:22 Day4 – to Bhagua Basa (base-camp)

01:30:45 Day5 – to Roopkund

01:37:45 Descent & getting lost

01:49:49 Bedmi to the end

01:55:00 Love for travel

01:57:11 Recalling the Kodai hike

02:00:33 Thanks & Toodles

What do you get when a management consultant turns fashion designer and lands on the red carpet at Cannes? A story you definitely won’t find on your Instagram explore page.

In this episode, I’m joined (again!) by my friend and a fashion boss, Smrutha Santhosh —the first British Indian fashion designer to showcase her fashion and walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival 2025. We chat about everything from outfit drama and red carpet jitters to random celebrity run-ins and what it really feels like to be at Cannes when you’re not a Bollywood superstar (but might be bumping into one).

If you’ve ever stared at Cannes photos and wondered, “But what’s it actually like?”, this one’s for you.

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• Follow Smrutha on Instagram || Facebook || LinkedIn || Website https://wowvastra.com/

• Smrutha’s episode on vacationing is Iceland – here S2 Ep15

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Click here to pick up a copy of the Travel Journal

(DM on our Instagram page or Email misadventuresofasneaker@gmail.com, for bulk order discounts)

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To support our team and donate generously, please click ⁠⁠⁠⁠SUPPORT ⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Like our work? Follow, Like & Subscribe to our podcast from wherever you are listening in. We would also love to hear from you, so do write to us at:

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠misadventuresofasneaker@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@misadventuresofasneaker⁠⁠⁠⁠

Blog: misadventuresofasneaker.substack.com

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00:00:00 Introduction

00:03:22 How and Why Cannes

00:15:39 Cannes Festival & celeb spotting

00:20:23 Experience in Cannes

00:24:11 Cannes is a Feel good event

00:25:41 Walking the Red Carpet

00:28:17 Making Sales at Cannes

00:30:00 Ensemble concept

00:39:39 Planning the ensemble

00:42:24 Logistics for Cannes

00:44:23 Other fashion events

00:45:47 History of Cannes festival

00:49:09 Fashion in Travel Q&A

00:58:20 Connect with Smrutha

01:01:00 Thanks & Toodles