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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
The Adventurer’s Guide To Wing Walking In 2026
Update: Mason Wing Walking Academy has moved from to a new location in California at the Santa Paula Airport. This is an accompanying piece to my story about That Time I Walked The Wings Of A Moving Plane.
Is It Worth It To Ride A Gondola In Venice?
One of the questions I get a lot is whether some activities are worth the cost. Case in the point is whether it’s worth visiting the Blue Lagoon thermal pools in Iceland for $90.
Noboribetsu Onsen: The 2026 Bather’s Guide To Hokkaido’s Hell Valley
On my latest trip to Japan, I traveled to Hokkaido and the northernmost parts of Honshu, in search of unique onsen (“hot springs”) bathing experiences.
Hiking The Narrows Bottom Up Trail + Tips 2026 Edition
The Narrows isn’t just any hike – it’s a journey through one of America’s most spectacular slot canyons. Carved over millions of years by the relentless forces of water and time, this 16-mile-long canyon offers one of the most unique hiking experiences in all the national parks.
Bucket List: Sleeping In A Burmese Monastery In Hsipaw
Once upon a time, I flew to Myanmar on a whim to travel with a girl I hung out for a day on an island in Thailand.
Falling In Love With Taylor Swift Again At The Rose Bowl
I am an unapologetic and unabashed fan of Taylor Swift and her music. Before she became a global pop icon, she was a 16-year-old country singer-songwriter that wrote about her heartbreaks and some guy named Drew.
Travel Guides & Tips
Albania’s Well-Kept Secret: 8 Things To Do In Ksamil and Butrint 2026 Edition
On our epic road trip through the Balkan countries, my friend Lovisa and I saved one of the best spots for last –
Bored In Istanbul: 17 Unique Things To Do In 2026
If it’s your first time to Istanbul, you gotta visit the wonders that are the Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar.
Tsugaru Railways Winter Stove Train: Step-By-Step Guide From Aomori and Hirosaki 2026
For me, the Tsugaru Railways train near Aomori, Japan, is one of those beautiful relics of a bygone era whose continued operation is something any traveler can appreciate.
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.
Sunrise Hike To Lago di Sorapis In The Dolomites (2026 Update)
If you’re looking for a very manageable sunrise hike, without the crowds, while staying in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Lago di Sorapis is an exceptional choice.
8 Unique Experiences To Do In Aomori + Day Trips In 2026
Aomori was only supposed to be a short stop at the end of winter adventure in Hokkaido where I’d catch my flight back to Tokyo.
Chania and Rethymno Base: The Complete Guide For 2026
When it comes to deciding between two major travel towns in a region, I usually know where I stand. But between Chania and Rethymno, I’m genuinely torn.
24 Hours In Yufuin: The 2026 Traveler’s Guide To What To Do, Eat, and See
Yufuin was stop two of my back-to-back-to-back onsen escapade in Kyushu. After taking the overnight Sunflower Ferry from Osaka to Beppu, which technically would be a 4th ‘back‘
Noboribetsu Onsen: The 2026 Bather’s Guide To Hokkaido’s Hell Valley
On my latest trip to Japan, I traveled to Hokkaido and the northernmost parts of Honshu, in search of unique onsen (“hot springs”) bathing experiences.
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.
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.
When Is The JR Rail Pass Still Worth Buying In 2026?
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.
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