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My name is Kien and I’m an international photographer and filmmaker. Over the last 15 years, I’ve traveled to 80+ countries to find the most unique experiences to check off my bucket list. This is where I share my recommendations and what I’ve learned to help you do the same.
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What's On Your Bucket List
Toyosu Fish Market: The 2026 Traveler’s Guide To The Tuna Auction
The first tuna auction of 2026 brought in a new record as a 243 kg (535 lb) bluefin told sold for ¥510 million, roughly $3.2 million.
Behind The Video: Burning // Inside Burning Man
This is my second Burning Man film. It’s not from a different year. It’s not a remix of the original film.
Bucket List: Yankee Doodle Canyoning In Zion
1. Brick It: verb \ ‘brik it \ : To “Brick it” is to “sh*t a brick”, where one is scared to the point that one not only loses control of their bowels, they lose control epically, resulting in something akin to a brick being dispelled and left behind.
Japanese Snow Monkeys: A Complete Guide To Jigokudani Monkey Park
You’ve probably seen the photograph – a fluffy monkey, half submerged in water, eyes closed like its meditating while a swirl of steam rises around its thick coat of fur.
The Complete Guide To Shibu Onsen And The Nine Bathhouses
In March, I spent two days relaxing in a small village called Shiba Onsen. There, I completed a local tradition of visiting all nine public bathhouses and getting a stamp at each one on a special towel.
The Foodie’s Guide To Build The Perfect Nokke-Don In Aomori
If you are a true foodie traveling to Japan, you know the best food experiences are rarely found on TikTok. Leave those long lines for the masses.
Travel Guides & Tips
Lanterns and Teahouses: Day Trip To Both Jiufen and Shifen 2025
Between the rush of Taipei’s morning traffic and the trundling of stalls that signal the night markets coming to life, there’s hardly a moment to breathe in Taiwan’s cornerstone capital.
Trastevere: Where Locals Escape The Crowds In Rome
There are few modern cities in the world that rival Rome as far as culture and history. Despite being a thriving urban capital, I find it mind-blowing that structures like the Pantheon, the Coliseum, and the Roman Forum still exist right in the middle of the city.
26 Must-Know Tips + First Timer Guide To Santorini 2026
Santorini was long on my bucket list. So long, that I worried I’d be disappointed when the time came, especially hearing about the crowds at sunset and the number of daily cruise visitors.
Is Iceland Blue Lagoon Still Worth Visiting 2026?
Before my trip to Iceland, I asked, in a travel forum, whether the Blue Lagoon was worth visiting. The result was a passionate but divided debate with great arguments on both sides.
When Is The JR Rail Pass Still Worth Buying In 2025?
For many years, the JR Rail Pass was one way to save money and experience the efficiency of Shinkansen (bullet train travel) traveling around Japan.
Seville’s Most Authentic Flamenco Shows 2026 Edition
From my personal journal. I went to a flamenco show tonight by the river in a small bar with enough seats for maybe 20 people.
A 54-Page Guide To Better Travel Photography
You’ve booked your flight and packed your bags for that big trip. Passport. Check. Travel towel. Check. Camera. Check. That last one is important.
10 Free Ways To Experience Porto Like A Local
For the last few years, Porto has been one of my bases, where I return to between long trips. It’s where I can settle into a routine and explore this incredible city slowly, like a local, with my friends here.
11 Beautiful Luxury Hotels With Pools In Seville 2026
For me, the defining draw of Seville is the confluence of cultures over its vibrant history creating a unique culinary scene within Spain, and an architectural style that draws from both the European and Arab world.
Demystifying The Dolomites: The 2026 Handbook To Planning Your First Trip
For the longest time, I confused the Dolomites with the Annamites in Vietnam. I’ve forgiven myself because, truthfully, outside of Europe and the skiing community, most people didn’t know much about this picturesque mountain range in the Northeastern Alps of Italy –
Bored In Antalya: 13 Activities For Friends and Family
While Istanbul is the first city that people think of in Turkey, sun seekers in the know head down to Antalya, the gateway to the country’s southern Turquoise Coast along the Mediterranean Sea.
Tokyo Cherry Blossom: 2026 Strategy Guide + 7 Best Viewing Spots (Ranked)
For years, I always planned my visits to Tokyo and Japan outside the cherry blossom season window that happens between late March and April.
How You Can Help
If you’ve found the content useful, you can help support this site by using these links when you plan and book your trip. There’s no difference for you, just click on a link before you book and this site will earn a small commission that helps to keep it running. These are the trusted sites I use when I travel and to get the best prices.
| Booking | Expedia |
| Amazon | Klook |
| DiscoverCars | GetYourGuide |


































