About Us
ABOUT THE THIRD CULTURE TRAVELS
The Story Behind the Name
We’re Clyde and Mridula, a Dubai-born couple who have spent our lives navigating cultures, languages, and identities. While our passports say India, our home, our memories, and our lives are deeply rooted in the UAE. This in-between space is where The Third Culture Travels was born.
“A third culture kid is someone raised in a culture different from their parents’, growing up between worlds and creating a unique identity of their own.”
That’s us.
Growing up in Dubai’s mix of cultures meant celebrating every festival and having friends from all over the world. Along the way, we learned to look for little pieces of “home” wherever we go, curious about how others live and experience the world.
We travel not to tick off destinations but to understand cultures in the way only a third culture kid can — with an open heart and a curious mind. This blog is not just about fast travel or luxury stays. It is about exploring places slowly and meaningfully, with the kind of layered perspective that comes from living between worlds. It is a love letter to the nomadic, multicultural, rootless yet grounded way we see the world.
And we are glad you are here to explore it with us.
Who we are
Like many people, we dream of visiting every country in the world someday. But early on, we realised that we don’t travel like most people we know. We’re not drawn to fixed itineraries or tour packages. Instead, we prefer crafting our own journeys, researching places to stay, finding local food spots, and exploring not just cities but also the quiet towns and villages.
Here’s what we’re up to when we’re not travelling, and how we shape this blog together.
Clyde Arsenio Aguiar
Clyde is a mechanical engineer by qualification but made the leap into photography during COVID, turning his passion into a full-time freelance career.
Today, he works across weddings, corporate events, fashion shoots, real estate, and more. He also offers destination photography for anyone visiting Dubai or planning a shoot abroad.
All the visuals on this blog are captured and edited by Clyde.
View Portfolio: www.clydeaguiar.com
Mridula Muraleedharan
Mridula has a background in marketing and finance, with over eight years of experience across industries including arts and culture, luxury fashion, and ecommerce. She currently works full-time in marketing and also holds a master’s degree in Food, Health and Nutrition, a field she is equally passionate about. So, if you come across content on the blog related to food and wellness while travelling, you’ll know why.
Everything you read here is written by her, based on real experiences and supported by research, with useful links credited.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
Travel, Culture & everything in between
At The Third Culture Travels, we share destination guides, self-planned itineraries, and travel tips shaped by our real experiences. Since most of our journeys begin in the UAE, you’ll find practical visa and flight information, stories from quiet towns and villages, budget travel ideas (even under $30 a day for two), and wellness and nutrition tips for the road. We also explore cultural insights and local experiences that go beyond the usual tourist path.
In a world when AI can help plan trips, we aim go a step further by sharing the most useful prompts, curated packing lists, and thoughtful content to help you create more meaningful and personal adventures.
If you’re interested in collaborating, we’re always happy to connect with brands and partners who share our values. Reach out through our contact page, we’d love to hear from you.
