Congratulations to everyone on your badge reward!A special shoutout to @Andrea1975, and @ManufacturedFear for achieving not just the ‘New Friend’ badge but also the ‘Newly Popular’ and ‘New Writer’ badges.
Since January 2025, we have been celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Local Guides Program and the 20th anniversary of Google Maps. You have joined Connect at a significant milestone!
So let us celebrate together! Get started with these exciting activities:
Introduce yourself I recommend reviewing the guidelines in the main ‘Introduce Yourself’ post if you’d like a chance to be featured in an upcoming months main post Introduce Yourself — April 2025
Please share your introduction as below: 1.Name: 2.Location: 3.What I love about being a Local Guide: 4.My favorite thing to explore: 5.Fun Fact about me:
**1.Name: Joyanne Thorne
**2.Location: Montreal Candada
**3.What I love about being a Local Guide: Showing the world the amazing restaurants and cafes in Montreal
**4.My favorite thing to explore: I love to discover new places, travel and nature
**5.Fun Fact about me: I love to try new foods from different cultures
Always be yourself and smile
Please share your introduction as below: 1.Name: 2.Location: 3.What I love about being a Local Guide: 4.My favorite thing to explore: 5.Fun Fact about me:
Hey Local Guides Community!
I’m Krishan Kant Chura — originally from Bikaner, Rajasthan, but currently living in Ahmedabad, Gujarat for work opportunities.
A fun fact about me:
I once traveled 36 hours straight from Bikaner to Kolkata in a general coach, sitting the entire way! It was one of the most raw, real, and unforgettable experiences of my life.
Why I love being a Local Guide:
I genuinely enjoy helping people through my authentic and objective reviews. Sharing real experiences about places and services makes a huge difference, and it feels great to know that my insights can help someone have a better journey or make a smarter choice.
Dream destinations:
I’m absolutely fascinated by the chilled vibes of Moscow City, the breathtaking beauty of Sweden, and the unique culture and discipline of Japan — definitely on my bucket list!
Hey Local Guides Community!
I’m Krishan Kant Chura — originally from Bikaner, Rajasthan, but currently living in Ahmedabad, Gujarat for work opportunities.
A fun fact about me:
I once traveled 36 hours straight from Bikaner to Kolkata in a general coach, sitting the entire way! It was one of the most raw, real, and unforgettable experiences of my life.
Why I love being a Local Guide:
I genuinely enjoy helping people through my authentic and objective reviews. Sharing real experiences about places and services makes a huge difference, and it feels great to know that my insights can help someone have a better journey or make a smarter choice.
Dream destinations:
I’m absolutely fascinated by the chilled vibes of Moscow City, the breathtaking beauty of Sweden, and the unique culture and discipline of Japan — definitely on my bucket list!
Since January 2025, we have been celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Local Guides Program and the 20th anniversary of Google Maps. You have joined Connect at a significant milestone!
So let us celebrate together! Get started with these exciting activities:
Introduce yourself I recommend reviewing the guidelines in the main ‘Introduce Yourself’ post if you’d like a chance to be featured in an upcoming months main post Introduce Yourself — April 2025
Even if you’ve been part of Connect earlier, it’s always a joy to see you engaging—your first like is a small step that makes a big impact!
Whether you’ve just returned after a break or are exploring Connect more deeply now, we’re glad to have you here. Connect is not just a platform—it’s a community, and every interaction counts.
Since 2025 marks a double celebration— 10 years of the Local Guides Program and 20 years of Google Maps —your renewed engagement couldn’t have come at a better time!
Here are some ways to keep the momentum going:
Introduce Yourself: If you haven’t introduced yourself yet, jump into the April 2025 ‘Introduce Yourself’ thread.
Hi everyone!
I’m Karuna Babu, originally from Andhra Pradesh and currently based in Bangalore. I’m an Email Marketing Specialist by profession, but beyond the desk, I’m someone who’s truly passionate about exploring new places, meeting new people, and discovering different cultures around the world.
Joining Local Guide Connect is an exciting step for me, as I love sharing my travel experiences and learning from fellow explorers. Looking forward to connecting with you all and contributing to this amazing community!
Thank you for the great introduction! To keep Connect organized and for you to meet other Local Guides, I will merge your post with this month’s Introduce Yourself series.
3. What I love about being a Local Guide: As someone who travels frequently, I rely heavily on Google Maps to find amenities wherever I go. Knowing that, just like me, many others are searching for reliable place details inspires me to contribute actively. Every time I receive a notification showing how many people have read my reviews or viewed my contributions, it fills me with immense satisfaction. It’s rewarding to know that my authentic experiences are helping both travelers and local business owners. In my reviews, I make sure to share both the positive and negative aspects of my experiences, aiming to provide honest, useful insights for others.
4. My favorite thing to explore: I am a deeply religious person, and as a Sanatani (Hindu), my favorite places to explore are religious sites. Whenever I travel, the first thing I do is search for famous temples or pilgrimage spots in the area. Visiting these sacred places brings a deep sense of peace and fulfillment to my journeys. Also, in my country, India, most pilgrimage sites and temples are decades or even centuries old, so visiting them feels like experiencing a part of history as well. I take great joy in sharing my experiences and contributions through authentic reviews and photos, hoping to guide and inspire others on their spiritual and travel journeys.
5. Fun fact about me: You know how some people always planning about any trip. Yeah, I am one of them. In fact, I’m pretty sure my brain has a dedicated ‘Upcoming Adventures’ tab that’s constantly open, even during spreadsheets. And thanks to living in approximately one-fifth of India’s major cities, I have a lot of potential itineraries swirling around up there. It’s like my mind is constantly running a travel agency, just without any actual bookings happening… yet!
I’m Om Prakash, and I’m thrilled to be stepping into the world of Local Guides!
From wandering through colorful streets to discovering the best mom-and-pop shops, every journey has a story — and I’m here to share mine!
A few fun facts about me:
I believe every small alley hides a big adventure.
My camera roll is 90% food, sunsets, and hidden murals.
I consider trying street food a mandatory ritual while traveling.
I love writing short reviews that feel like tiny postcards.
Joining Connect to:
Meet fellow explorers
Share stories that inspire
Help travelers find those magical little spots locals love
If you have any must-visit tips or secret spots to share, I’m all ears!
Can’t wait to swap experiences and make some awesome memories together.
Welcome to Connect @Miracleom , it is a pleasure to meet you.
My name is Ermes, from Italy. I want to inform you that, to keep Connect Organized and to give you the opportunity to meet other Local Guides, I am merging your two Topics on our monthly topic: Introduce Yourself — April 2025