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Heena Shah Explore with me
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Explore with Heena

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Explore with Heena

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explore with heena
Hey there!

I, Heena was born and raised in Mumbai but grew up in Sikkim, Manipal, Montenegro, Japan and all over the world. I enjoy exploring cultures, foods, sights, languages and meeting people. I have travelled through all union territories and most states of India. I have experienced about 20 countries including 45 of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Apart from blogging, I spend my time looking for greener alternatives in daily life, working out, collecting and writing postcards.

At the moment, I work remotely as a mechanical engineer, help SMEs in operating better, own a postcard shop, write a weekly column on sustainable travel and lifestyle for the Gomantak Times and write about Goa on LBB. I also teach Japanese language, do interpretations and translations.

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Welcome to Sikkim sign outside Pakyong airport and Heena
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Modern Sustainable Postcards

I make postcards on recycled paper with photos from my travels.

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Japanese language

I tutor, translate and interpret in Japanese and English languages.

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Anjuna Beyond the Touristy Façade: A Guide to Must-Try Experiences
  • Backpack Tales

Anjuna Beyond the Touristy Façade: A Guide to Must-Try Experiences

By Heena / March 5, 2023
Anjuna is a beautiful town in Goa known for its picturesque beaches, bustling flea markets, and vibrant nightlife. But beyond...
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Instagram-Worthy Spots in Goa to Add to Your Travel List
  • Backpack Tales

Instagram-Worthy Spots in Goa to Add to Your Travel List

By Heena / March 5, 2023
Are you planning a trip to Goa and looking for the best spots to capture some amazing photos for your...
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Panjim Uncovered: 8 Lesser-Known Experiences and Local Favorites
  • Backpack Tales

Panjim Uncovered: 8 Lesser-Known Experiences and Local Favorites

By Heena / March 4, 2023
If you are looking for local favourites and lesser-known incredible experiences in Panjim, the capital city of Goa, these are...
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The Outpost – A restaurant worth visiting in Panjim, Goa
  • Favourite Things

The Outpost – A restaurant worth visiting in Panjim, Goa

By Heena / November 3, 2022
The Outpost is a new restaurant in the heart of Goa worth visiting while you are in Panjim. Whether it...
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Eco-friendly hostel in Goa
  • Backpack Tales

Eco-friendly hostel in Goa

By Heena / June 13, 2022
Sustainability is the act of living while keeping future generations in mind and the ecological balance at a constant level....
Read More
Matcha Warabi Mochi Recipe
  • Experience Japan

Matcha Warabi Mochi Recipe

By Heena / August 9, 2021
Matcha Warabi Mochi is a traditional Japanese sweet great for summer. This is a favourite of mine as well as...
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Is English language easy to learn?
  • Musings

Is English language easy to learn?

By Heena / May 31, 2021
Yes, English language is easy to learn as we tend to hear it more often that we think. English language...
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6 ways to learn Japanese at home
  • Experience Japan

6 ways to learn Japanese at home

By Heena / May 30, 2021
Here are different ways to learn Japanese language at home while the pandemic halted your offline class plans or may...
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Zero Waste Living
  • Musings

Zero Waste Living

By Heena / May 24, 2021
Zero waste living is the need of the hour especially in Covid times with the inevitable waste piling up in...
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Covid vaccination experience in Mumbai
  • Musings

Covid vaccination experience in Mumbai

By Heena / May 3, 2021
Started my covid vaccination experience in Mumbai on Monday making me one step closer to beating the Covid-19 blues. I...
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explorer.heena

🤤 Found the butteriest prawns and the yummiest 🤤 Found the butteriest prawns and the yummiest spinach green apple mocktail.

🍹 Btw their cocktail meany is disinvestment by india’s best!

💫 Ample parking, prompt service and a place you must check out!

✨ Follow @explorer.Heena and check out Heenas.in

#goa #goablogger #collab #heenaexploresgoa
♥️ Thank you @feira.goa and @beach.bazaar.goa ♥️ Thank you @feira.goa and @beach.bazaar.goa for having me at the launch of @sevenriversbrewing at @tajholidayvillage !!

✉️ Ps: if you’re new here! I make postcards on 100% recycled paper with photos I click on @explorer.heena ! I also help you send out postcards. Just hit me up!

✨ Follow @explorer.heena and check heenas.in

#goa #goablogger #heenaexploresgoa
☀️ Wondering where to get Sunday right? 🍱 ☀️ Wondering where to get Sunday right?

🍱 @rose.assagao at @isabellasgoa noon it is!

🌞 Unlimited refreshing Froze and delicious Mezze, amazing French music, quaint swimming pool, nostalgic carousel, fantastic hospitality and Euro-Mediterranean vibes.

📑 Check out their pizzas and desserts, especially the baileys strawberry tiramisu off their a la carte menu.

🤤 My favourite dip was the smoked labneh that I still can’t stop thinking about!

💭 Which one from the last slide excites you the most?

😵 Also didja know? They serve all day breakfast, they are pet friendly and have ample parking!

✨ Follow @explorer.heena and check out heenas.in

#goa #goablogger #heenaexploresgoa #collab
💭 How to do Goa right? ♥️ Screw that insta 💭 How to do Goa right?

♥️ Screw that insta worthy checklist and follow your heart!

💃 Immerse yourself in this amazing culture because why else would you travel this far.

💰 Some places can truly burn a hole in your pocket so don’t fret, search and you will find those are incredible and value for money places.

📸 Forget creating content for once and live in the moment.

✍️ Plan your trip to here and let that be plan B. Figure on the go but at least you won’t be stuck in the middle of the an empty street, scrambling for network and even worse if it’s the night.

⤵️ Send this to someone who needs to hear this now.

✨ For more Goa secrets, follow @explorer.heena and check out my blog heenas.in

🌞 Thank you @msocialin for having me at @purplemartinigoa 

#goa #goablogger #heenaexploresgoa
🎂 Pi day & here and there ♥️ Slide 1 : Did 🎂 Pi day & here and there ♥️

Slide 1 : Did something new - explored the Indian Customs and Central Excise museum!

Slide 2 : creamiest @caramel.by.neela . 🤫 New flavour incoming 😍

Slide 3 : Best time of the year is here. IYKYK

Slide 4 : Slow down, stop and stare @bombilgoa ceilings.

Slide 5 : ground @ainmane coffee beans after so long

Slide 6 : Portuguese custard tarts. Only if @padaria_prazeres came before lays, no one can eat just one would have been apt here.

Slide 7 : the only way I like my eggs 🇹🇷 and pesto FTW

Slide 8 : ahhh dreamt of having this on my birthday and @beanmeup.goa being an hour away, my dreams did come true 🥲

Slide 9 : have been meaning to return to @versus.goa for months and finally! Best damn veg Croquettes ever!

Slide 10 : my new favourite fish goujons at my favourite @petiscogoa 

✨ Follow @explorer.heena and check out Heenas.in

#goa #goablogger #piday #heenaexploresgoa #birthday
🪴 Thank you @reddysameera for sharing your thou 🪴 Thank you @reddysameera for sharing your thoughts on composting!

🤩 My favourite bit was ‘you can’t be icked out by it!’ Because it reminded me of a year ago when. I had just started out!

🤔 What are your thoughts on Composting?

✨ Follow @explorer.heena and check out www.heenas.in

#goa #goablogger #gomantaktimes #sustainability #heenaexploresgoa
🎊 GIVEAWAY WINNER : @hiral_pandya 💫 Whethe 🎊 GIVEAWAY WINNER : @hiral_pandya 

💫 Whether you want to explore an old Fontainhas House in the Latin Quarters or feel the lives of the Nobles lives in Campal, @makeithappen.co.in can #MakeItHappen for you and your plus one!

All you have to do is,
💫 Follow @makeithappen.co.in and @explorer.heena .
💫 Comment which tour you would like to go on and tag someone you will take along.
🌟 Bonus: Add this post to your story tagging both @makeithappen.co.in and @explorer.heena 

💃 One winner gets one complimentary tour from Make It Happen for themself and a plus one, anytime before 31/12/2023.
The winner can pick the Campal Heritage Walk, Fontainhas Heritage Walk, Old Goa Heritage Walk, Fort Aguada Port & Jail Heritage Walk or Chandor Heritage Walk; subject to availability.

✨ Check out Heenas.in

#goa #goablogger #collaboration #heenaexploresgoa #fontainhas #exploregoa #sheexplores 

🙅🏽‍♀️ This contest has no relation with Instagram.
👀 Women travelling solo has always been a conce 👀 Women travelling solo has always been a concern.

🤷‍♀️ And for Goa every other parent goes like na baba na!

🧳 On the occasion of #internationalwomensday here’s a guide to travelling solo as a female to Goa! 

✨ Follow @explorer.heena and check out www.heenas.in

#goa #goablogger #gomantaktimes #sustainability #heenaexploresgoa
🌊 Experience the ultimate Goa getaway with my i 🌊 Experience the ultimate Goa getaway with my insider tips and must dos.

😍 For the best of food, drinks and experiences that you simply cannot miss,

✨ Follow @explorer.heena and read up on Heenas.in

♥️ and follow your stupid heart!

#goa #goablogger #heenaexploresgoa #goagetaway #exploregoa #goamustdos #ultimategoa #goaexperience #goahiddengems
💥 Happy Holi you guys! Here is how to make sure 💥 Happy Holi you guys! Here is how to make sure that everyone is happy about it! 🙂

💭 Who are you celebrating Holi with this year?

✨ Follow @explorer.heena and check out www.heenas.in

#goa #goablogger #gomantaktimes #sustainability #heenaexploresgoa
🏖️ Anjuna beyond the touristy façade! 🤩 🏖️ Anjuna beyond the touristy façade!

🤩 Swipe through for the things you can leaving without doing!

💭 Do you like Anjuna?

💫 Tag someone who loves Anjuna! 

✨ Follow @explorer.heena and read more on Heenas.in

#Goa #GoaBlogger #HeenaExploresGoa #TravelPhotography #TravelInspiration #TravelGoals #ExploreMore #Anjuna #sustainability
📸 Save this list of insta worthy spots in Goa! 📸 Save this list of insta worthy spots in Goa!

🤩 Swipe through for the insta-inspiration you have been waiting for and show it off on your IG!

💭 Who will you take here as your photographer?

💫 Send this to that photographer!

✨ Follow @explorer.heena and read more on Heenas.in

#Goa #GoaBlogger #HeenaExploresGoa #TravelPhotography #TravelInspiration #TravelGoals #ExploreMore
🏝️ Don’t miss out on the local favourites a 🏝️ Don’t miss out on the local favourites and lesser known incredible experiences while in Panjim! 

🤩 Swipe through to indulge in the best that Panjim has to offer and for more deets, get on to www.Heenas.in!

💭 How many of these have you been to and which is your favourite?

🌟 PS: This also makes an excellent day plan for when you’re in the city!

💫 Send this to someone you’d like to explore Panjim with!

✨ Follow @explorer.heena and read more on Heenas.in

#Goa #GoaBlogger #HeenaExploresGoa #PanjimDiaries #MustDo #travelgoals
🎎 From when I dressed up as a Japanese doll on 🎎 From when I dressed up as a Japanese doll on Hina Matsuri!

🙋‍♀️ Hina means girl or doll and today March 3 is the festival of it!

💫 and now I consider it as my day 😉

✨ Follow @explorer.heena and check out heenas.in

#goablogger #heenaexploresjapan #hinamatsuri
💫 Hi March! ✨ Follow @explorer.heena and che 💫 Hi March!

✨ Follow @explorer.heena and check out heenas.in

#goa #goablogger #heenaexploresgoa
@makeithappen.co.in added the Viva to my Carnival @makeithappen.co.in added the Viva to my Carnival this year as I joined the specially curated Fontainhas Carnival experience. 

🎭 Masks in the form of face painting
🍹 Home made drinks in glass glasses
🥪 Local snacks that didn’t need disposable crockery
🎸 Live carnaval music
💃 Mini Samba workshop
🗣️ Carnaval stories from the past

♻️ @makeithappen.co.in had it all sustainably put together.

❗️ This evening is the last day to experience the tour this year so head to my stories for the link and have the tour booked!

PC @amreenshaikh09 

✨ Follow @explorer.heena and check out www.heenas.in

#goa #goablogger #heenaexploresgoa #collaboration #walkingtour #makeithappen #vivacarnival
💫 That’s not it! I carried steel cutlery, a c 💫 That’s not it! I carried steel cutlery, a container and my bottle to reduce my waste at the @panajicarnival 

🌟 As a bonus I found the coffee mug to be sturdier and easier to hold while making my way through the crowds.

💭 How are you reducing you waste this carnival?

✨ Follow @explorer.heena and check out www.heenas.in

#goa #goablogger #gomantaktimes #sustainability #heenaexploresgoa
🚶‍♀️ Walk the streets of Campal, home to 🚶‍♀️ Walk the streets of Campal, home to the nobles and learn about its history on the Campal Heritage Walk curated by @makeithappen.co.in 

♻️ Sustainably experience the best things in life: music, food and architecture with your story teller.

🎟️ Book this incredible experience on Makeithappen.co.in

✨ Follow @explorer.Heena and check out Heenas.in

#goa #goablogger #heenaexploresgoa #campal #panjim #makeithappen #sustainabletravel #walkingtours
✈️ Airport thoughts. 💭 Let me know your th ✈️ Airport thoughts.

💭 Let me know your thoughts in the comments?

✨ Follow @explorer.heena and check out www.heenas.in

#heenaexploresgoa #goa #goablogger
🤯 Sassoon docks art fest by @startindia ✨ F 🤯 Sassoon docks art fest by @startindia 

✨ Follow @explorer.heena and check out www.heenas.in

#mumbai #heenaexploresmumbai #mumbaiblogger #goa #goablogger #artfestival #sassoondockartproject
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