Introduce Yourself — June 2025

[SholaIB]

Hello @Yulochka

It’s great to read your introduction topic. Nevertheless please kindly note that I’ll merge it into our Introduce yourself June monthly topic.
Just to keep connect tidy.

Happy guiding
Cheers

[NahidHossain]

It gives me goosebumps to see someone from Bangladesh featured here! I’m also from Bangladesh. Great to see you here, @Nurul_Hasnat, you’ve created a feel-good moment for everyone. Proud of you!

[dbasulto]

1. Name: David Basulto

2. Location: Berlin, Germany

3. What I love about being a Local Guide: As I have the opportunity to travel a lot, it allows me to share my passion for urban exploration with others. It motivates me to share new places, to hopefully motivate others to go outside more.

4. My favorite thing to explore: Architectural landmarks, cultural institutions, restaurants

5. Fun fact about me: I am an architect (not so fun, actually)

[Nurul_Hasnat]

Thanks brother @NahidHossain for the encouragement—it really lifted me.

Also thanks to everyone @MdEmranulHoque @Aslam_hossain @Maximilianozalazar @marcorp @sumanbd @MehediHasanTanvir @MehediMozumdar @Soykot_azam @rashedul-alam @Najrin_Akter

@MrFreez Yeah brother, Nice to meet you too

[MehmetERTUNC]

Mehmet A Passionate Local Guide from Van, Türkiye

1. Name: Mehmet ERTUNÇ

2. Location: Van, Türkiye

3. What I love about being a Local Guide:
   Being a Local Guide allows me to contribute meaningfully to my community and help travelers and locals alike discover the hidden gems of Van. I love sharing honest reviews about places I visit—especially when it comes to food! Whether it’s a tiny street vendor or a newly opened café, I want people to know what to expect. Helping small businesses get discovered and knowing that my contributions make someone’s day easier—this is what drives me.

4. My favorite thing to explore:
   Van is full of history, culture, and unique flavors. My favorite thing is to explore lesser-known restaurants, tea shops, and local attractions. I also love finding beautiful scenic spots by the lake and sharing photos and tips on how to get there. I especially enjoy visiting small family-owned places that don’t get much attention but offer incredible service and delicious food.

5. Fun fact about me:
   Whenever I visit a new place, I always ask the staff: “What’s your personal favorite on the menu?” It often leads to surprising and delightful dishes I might not have ordered otherwise—and sometimes even a great conversation!

[ZenVikram]

(1)Name: Vikram Bhatt

(2)Location: Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India

(3)What I love about being a Local Guide:
Hello fellow Local Guides!
My passion for exploration goes hand in hand with my commitment to providing accurate, helpful information for everyone who uses Google Maps.

I believe that every review should be a reliable resource for travelers and locals alike. That’s why I always focus on sharing factual details about the places I visit—helping people make informed decisions about whether a spot is truly worth their time. In my reviews, you’ll find not only practical information—such as how to reach the location—but also insights into the historical, geographical, and cultural significance of each place. I take great care to verify my facts from authentic sources, ensuring that my contributions are trustworthy and insightful.

To make my reviews even more engaging, I include beautiful photos that capture the essence of each destination, giving readers a glimpse of what they can expect.

I’m excited to connect with other Local Guides who share my passion for discovery and dedication to accuracy. Let’s continue making Google Maps a valuable tool for explorers everywhere.

(4) My Favorite Things to Explore:

Hello, fellow Local Guides! I’m passionate about discovering hidden gems, unique eateries, scenic trails, and vibrant neighborhoods. Exploring new places and sharing honest reviews helps me connect with the community and inspire others to embark on their own adventures. Whether it’s a cozy café or a breathtaking viewpoint, these are the things I love to explore and share with you all!

(5) Fun fact about me:

Here’s something fun about me: I’m a passionate landscape photographer with a love for capturing the world’s natural beauty. During my travels, I’ve explored almost three-quarters of New Zealand, snapping over 3,000 photos and videos of its breathtaking scenery in just six months! My adventures have also taken me across the UK for two and a half years, and my camera was always by my side.

Altogether, I’ve built a personal archive of more than 30,000 photos and videos from India, the UK, and New Zealand — all neatly organized by date on my computer. Each folder is a time capsule of memories and discoveries!

And when I’m not behind the lens, you’ll find me sampling local vegetarian cuisine wherever I go. I believe every new place has a unique flavor to offer, and I love sharing those tasty finds with fellow explorers.

[BudionoS]

hello @ZenVikram welcome to Local Guides Connect

[MortenCopenhagen]

Welcome. Nice to meet you.

I’m moving your post to the monthly intro discussion to keep Connect organized

[dfivajp]

Hello everyone, I’m dfivajp and I’m from Sapporo in Japan. I’m here on Connect and I recently signed up for the Top 100 Local Guides Leaderboards and I’m excited to be part of this Community!

[Vit_Ale]

1. Name: Alessandro Vitale

2. Location: Zürich, Switzerland

3. What I love about being part of this community:
I enjoy connecting with people who are passionate about discovering new things and sharing information and pictures of places. It’s great to be part of a space where curiosity and exploration are encouraged.

4. My favorite thing to explore or learn about:
I love finding hidden gems—especially when it comes to great food spots or scenic outdoor locations. Mapping lesser-known places and supporting small businesses gives me real satisfaction, especially when others find those tips useful. My other goal is to review and take pictures of the most scenic peaks in Switzerland. My photospheres have millions of views and helped a lot of people prepare for a hike or trip.

5. Fun fact about me:
I visited and shared pictures of 39 different countries amounting to a total of 80 Million photo views. Furthermore, I speak 5 languages and in some cases use my hands or google translate to connect with local people.

[Rohit_Pal]

World Wide Data RHT by Rohit Pal.
Level 8.

[AngieYC]

Hi @Rohit_Pal,

Welcome to Connect!

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.

Visit our Community Guidelines page, to get to know our community!

[Maria1595]

Aprendiendo de los mejores locales guide parq poder brindar un buen servicio en el futuro

[christophesubilia]

Bienvenue @Maria1595 !

[ShreyaMusings]

We learn from each other

[Shabuj_Ahmmed]

Welcome to our local guide connect @Maria1595
we learn for each other.

[AngieYC]

Hi @Maria1595,

Welcome to Connect!

It will be great if you can share more about yourself! To keep Connect organized and for you to meet other Local Guides, I will merge your post with this month’s Introduce Yourself series.

Visit our Community Guidelines page, to get to know our community!

[Shabuj_Ahmmed]

Welcome @Nurul_Hasnat

[SharmaK]

Hi @Nandana, @NaughtyAnil, @Golden, @Kiana, @Taoussi, @Yulochka, @yogesh_10, @molarni, @rahmanzubair1, @quoccuong79dolar, @Nava, @Eth4n, @Rajan, @Jo2d3sign, @Mdbarkatkt, @princethr, @FuadFaisal, @mani0706, @Anastasiia, @rioteknik, @matyoko, @widypratiwi, @Luq.Hendra, @yuniarinukti, and @straadm a warm welcome to Local Guides Connect!

Congratulations to everyone on your badge reward! A special shoutout to @Nandana, @Kiana, @Yulochka, @yogesh_10, @quoccuong79dolar, @Nava, and @straadm for the reward of 3 badges ‘New Friend’, ‘Newly Popular’ and ‘New Writer’.

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:

Want to know how to write your post? Check out this helpful guide: New to Connect? Try Using # for Headings
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 — June 2025
Attend Meetups Connect with fellow Local Guides
Take Part in Ongoing Activities This Month's Challenges at a Glance
If you’re from India, don’t forget to subscribe to the Local Guides WhatsApp Channel—link in the post!

You’re welcome to explore the tutorial available on the tutorial on the Community Guidelines page.

Let’s get to know you!

How did you discover Local Guides Connect?

• After receiving an email
• I discovered Local Guides Connect in a different way

Keep exploring, keep sharing, and keep guiding!

[SharmaK]

Welcome Back and Congratulations!

Hello @latallo, @Mamacorn, @Ning_Fuadah, @EvanSeigels, @MatheusSteffens, and @Guilherme_Matsushita a big shoutout to each of you for the reward of ‘New Friend’ badge on Local Guides Connect!

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:

1. Introduce Yourself: If you haven’t introduced yourself yet, jump into the June, 2025 ‘Introduce Yourself’ thread.
2. Attend Meetups: Find or host virtual/in-person events to connect with other LGs.
3. Join Challenges: Check out This Month’s Challenges and take part in the celebration!
4. Explore the Photo Booth: Add your smile to the Local Guides anniversary photo booth.

If you’re from India, don’t forget to subscribe to the Local Guides WhatsApp Channel—link in the post!

Welcome back, and here’s to more milestones ahead!
Let’s keep guiding, keep connecting, and keep the spirit alive!