About

Hi, I’m Ladha – a traveler at heart, a storyteller by passion, and someone who deeply believes that travel has the power to heal, energize, and transform us.

I’m originally from Pondicherry (Puducherry), a charming coastal town in India once ruled by the French. With its colonial architecture, quiet beaches, and tree-lined boulevards, Pondicherry shaped my early love for culture, history, and slow travel even before I realized it.

Today, Seattle is my second home. Surrounded by mountains, water, and ever-changing skies, the Pacific Northwest has nurtured my love for nature, hiking, and scenic road trips. While many complain about the rain, I’ve learned to embrace the weather – it’s part of the adventure, and it has gifted me lifelong friendships and unforgettable experiences.

How My Travel Story Began

Travel was always a dream, but like many early-career professionals, life priorities often came first. My first job opened the door to international travel, starting with a business trip to the United States and that single trip changed everything. From there, travel slowly became an integral part of our lives.

As a family, we made it a rule to travel at least once every year. I’m the planner (months in advance!), the itinerary builder, and the memory keeper and my husband, Mani, has always been my biggest supporter in turning those plans into reality.

From Photos to Stories

For years, I captured moments through photographs and short notes shared with friends and on social media. But during our 10th wedding anniversary, something shifted. I felt a strong urge to preserve our travel memories in a more meaningful way.

The idea of a book felt overwhelming at the time, but a simple experience writing a one-day travel blog during a work trip to Shanghai sparked something powerful. That moment nudged me toward travel writing, and there was no turning back.

My Europe trip became my first complete travel blog series, and it gave me the confidence to keep going. Since then, I’ve traveled across multiple countries and continents, documenting everything from iconic cities and scenic road trips to rainforests, glaciers, wildlife encounters, and soul-stirring moments in nature.

Why LathaMani.com Exists

I created LathaMani.com to capture not just where I travel, but how travel makes me feel.

Here, you’ll find:

• Practical itineraries and trip planning guides
• Honest travel experiences (the good, the tiring, and the magical)
• Nature, wildlife, and scenic adventures
• Reflections on travel, balance, and personal growth

Hiking has become a big part of our family life, especially around the Seattle area. Whether it’s a quiet trail or a group hike with friends and relatives, being outdoors brings me immense joy  and many of those experiences find their way into this blog.

My Why

What truly motivates me is knowing that my blog has helped someone plan a trip, take a leap of faith, or feel encouraged to explore the world especially women who often put their dreams on hold.

My travel wish list keeps growing, and I genuinely hope to see as much of this beautiful world as I can in my lifetime.

Thank You for Being Here

Feedback is a gift, and I’m deeply grateful to my family, friends, and readers who’ve supported and encouraged me throughout this journey. Your messages, comments, and shared stories inspire me to keep writing and creating.

Feel free to explore, comment, and share your thoughts. If any part of this blog helps you or your family plan a trip, that means everything to me.

📸 All photos and content are copyrighted, but you’re welcome to share them with proper credit and a link back to this blog.

Welcome to my journey and I hope it inspires yours.