Introduction:
Get ready for takeoff, Local Guides, because it’s time for our seventh exciting chapter in the “Spotlight on Local Guide” series! This month, we’re zooming in on a truly global powerhouse: a seasoned traveler whose professional life has literally taken her around the world, giving her a fascinating perspective on mapping, culture, and communication.
Hailing from Lampung, Indonesia, please welcome the incredible Indah Nuria Savitri! A Level 10 Local Guide and fellow Connect Moderator who officially joined while living in New York, Indah brings the precision of a diplomat and the engaging voice of a former radio announcer to her contributions. Her message is simple: HAVE FUN and prioritize honest quality. So, pack your bags and get ready to dive into the world of this global citizen who has used her smartphone to capture the beauty of more than 100 countries. Let’s find out what ignites Indah’s passion for mapping the world!
The Interview:
1 - Where on Earth do you call home?
“Though I’ve lived on almost every continent, my heart belongs to Lampung, Indonesia—my cherished hometown. It’s where my roots are, no matter how far my passport takes me!”
2. What do you do when you’re not rocking the Local Guides world?
“I currently serve as a diplomat with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of Indonesia—a career I’ve passionately pursued for the last 23 years. Before that, I spent nearly eight years enjoying life behind the mic as a radio announcer, starting right back in high school. So, whether it’s through official channels or through my Local Guide reviews, communication is definitely my calling!”
3. How and when did you dive into the Local Guides adventure?
“I officially joined the Local Guides community on April 21st, 2017, while I was stationed in New York. I’d been using Google Maps since 2000, but living abroad made me realize the immense value of quality local information, and I never looked back.”
4. What gets you fired up about being a Local Guide?
“My two biggest loves are traveling and exploration, especially discovering new restaurants, cafes, and bars! Since I’ve been on the road since 2000—and even blogging since 2007—I have a massive archive of photos and stories just waiting to be reflected on Google Maps. It’s a reciprocal relationship: I share my new updates to help others, and I constantly rely on Maps for everything from a great meal choice to finding necessary health services. It’s a fantastic privilege.”
5. What epic message would you love to share with your fellow Local Guides?
“Above all else: HAVE FUN exploring the world and contributing to Google Maps! It’s easy to get tunnel vision chasing levels, badges, and points, and forget the original joy of the journey. Goals are great, but never pursue them at the expense of honest, high-quality contributions. Remember that!”
6. What’s your absolute favorite type of contribution and why does it rock?
“I adore capturing great photos and videos, coupled with writing genuinely honest reviews. This content is often the first thing people look for when making a decision, so I aim to be thorough! Lately, I’ve also focused on cleaning up the map by reporting fake or misleading Points of Interest (POI), particularly those related to scams or fraud. I’m also part of the TRAC team and, despite many of my road submissions still being under review, that doesn’t dampen my spirit to keep submitting new roads!”
7. Which is your favourite all time contribution and why do you like it?
“It has to be Photos! I’m a visual person; photos speak a thousand words and instantly convey the vibe of a place. Thankfully, I have loads of high-quality shots captured along my global journeys to share with Google Maps users.”
8. Spill the beans! What gear do you use to create your amazing media contributions?
“Just my smartphones! Though my husband has lots of professional photography gear, I now prefer the simplicity and convenience of using what my iPhones offer. I often carry at least two phones, just in case. They’re smart, efficient, and the results are consistently satisfying.”
9. What do you like most about the Local Guides Community, Connect?
“It’s all about the people and the stories! Connect feels like a true family. I love the global network—I constantly learn new things, we support one another, and while we might have friendly debates over certain issues, the quality and variety of interesting things submitted daily are fantastic.”
10. Which particular Top 100 Local Guides Leaderboard do you like most and why?
“I love the Movers and Shakers leaderboards, as well as the ones clustered by countries! These initiatives spark so much enthusiasm and extra energy, motivating us to contribute more, not just to Maps and Connect, but ultimately to our communities and the global world.”
11. Are there any new Leaderboards or features that you’d like to see?
“I would absolutely love to see a leaderboard dedicated to women Local Guides! Having statistics and recognition specifically for the female contributors would be a great feature.”
12. What is your favorite holiday destination and what do you like about it?
“Anywhere I can dive! 
It requires specific locations and preparation, so I don’t get to do it often, but nothing beats that feeling of underwater exploration. Otherwise, whether I’m traveling alone or with my beloved family and favorite people (which definitely includes my LG family 
), I always find a way to enjoy the trip.”
13. What destination in the world would you just love to one day visit?
“Oh, my bucket list is super long! Iceland, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Syria, Lebanon, Croatia, Tibet, and Mongolia are high on the list! I hope to visit them one day, hopefully soon. Of course, my beautiful homeland, Indonesia, is still waiting for me and my family to explore even further.”
14. What’s a super fun fact about you that might surprise us?
“I collect classic tea cups! I now have around 150 trios (the cup, saucer, and small plate), which I’ve collected from different corners of the world during my travels. It’s a wonderful, tangible reminder of the places I’ve been.”
Wrapping up:
What a truly captivating journey into the world of Indah Nuria Savitri! From leveraging the precision of a diplomat to advocating for high-quality contributions and collecting teacups from around the world, Indah truly embodies the global spirit of the Local Guides program. Her passion for exploring, sharing, and making every contribution count is wonderfully inspiring.
And with that, we’re wrapping up another unforgettable “Spotlight on Local Guide” feature! As we continue to celebrate the diverse talents and incredible backstories of our community members, we’re already buzzing with excitement about who we’ll feature next. Which amazing Top 100 Local Guide will step into the limelight and share their unique journey in our next edition? You’ll just have to keep your eyes peeled for our next post to find out! Until then, keep exploring, keep contributing, and keep being the amazing Local Guides you are!
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and then confirm a lot of saids up to which " the world is full of kind people, but if you can’t find one then be one! " ..and all is about that here!