Backpacking Part 7 Closing Reflections (Around The Globe 2012-13)

Shital & Shiv Patel

Shital and Shiv were both 31 when they set off on a year-long backpacking journey in 2012—newly married, curious, and ready to see the world beyond comfort zones and fixed plans. What began as a single trip quickly evolved into a life-shaping adventure across continents, cultures, and landscapes. Traveling with backpacks, open minds, and an unshakable belief that experiences matter more than possessions, they explored the world slowly and intentionally—by bus, train, campervan, and countless winding roads. From African safaris and South American ruins to campervan life in New Zealand and the sensory intensity of India, each place added a new layer to their shared story. Wanderlove Chronicles was born from this journey—not as a guidebook, but as a reflection on travel as a way of living: rooted in curiosity, connection, and the simple joy of discovering the world together. Their stories celebrate meaningful moments over milestones, human connection over itineraries, and the idea that the greatest journeys don’t just change where you’ve been—but who you become.