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My name is Kien and I’m an international photographer and filmmaker. Over the last 10 years, I’ve traveled to 70+ countries to find the most wonderful things to check off my bucket list. I hope to share that experience and what I’ve learned to help you do the same.
Guides
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Let's Be Adventurers
Bucket List: Actually Stopping By Stonehenge
Ask any English person if they’ve been to Stonehenge and 9 out of 10 times, they’ll tell you that they “driven by it”.
Bucket List: Exploring The Lost City Of Petra
Many of us know of Petra from the scene in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” where Indy rides through a narrow passageway surrounded by stone only to arrive at an ancient building carved right into the mountains.
A Virgin Guide To Surviving Your First Burning Man 2024 Edition
It’s been exactly a decade since my first trip to Black Rock City and I’m pretty sure that I’m no longer carrying any playa dust on my body.
SISU IRON 2018: 44 Hours Of Suck And Pork Buns
48 hours after this year’s SISU Iron, my feet are still swollen from the 60+ miles of running, climbing, jumping, bushwhacking, ass-dragging that I put it through.
Must Read Guide For The 2024 Holi Festival In Pushkar
The Holi Festival, also known as the Festival of Color, is celebrated throughout India, but the traditions and festivities vary from region to region.
Bucket List: 48 Hours In San Pedro De Atacama
The town of San Pedro de Atacama sits by the border of Argentina and Bolivia in Chile and is a popular gateway for those looking to see the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia.
The World’s Best Luxury Train Trips: Portugal’s The Presidential Train
Like the famous Orient Express, Portugal’s own The Presidential Train is a perennial member on the exclusive list of the world’s most luxurious train trips.
Bucket List: Midnight Hike Up Egypt’s Mount Sinai
Food always taste best when you’re hungry. After hiking to the top of Mount Sinai and waiting for the sun to rise, I’ll add that it tastes even better when you’re not only hungry but cold.
Travel Thoughts & Tips
Everything To Know BEFORE Hiking The Annapurna Circuit Trek
If you’re in Nepal, you’re most likely here to do some trekking and there’s no trek more grand than the Annapurna Circuit that takes you up 5416m (17769 ft) and across 220 km (~137 mi) of mountains and villages in a circuit that begins in Besisahar and ends in Pokhara.
13 Tips and Hacks For Booking A Hostel In 2024
The first time I stayed in a hostel, I opened the door to my room to find three beautiful Swedish girls walking around in their underwear.
How To Get To Lago di Sorapis In The Dolomites
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.
9 Common Travel Scams To Avoid When Traveling In Europe and Asia
There are scams almost everywhere there are hordes of tourists. Your chances of encountering it comes down to just where you are and how many other tourists are around.
How To Take Better Travel Photos: People and Portraits
This is the second in my series of write-ups on “How To Take Better Travel Photos”. In this series, I’ll explain my philosophy and etiquette for how to take better shots of people you encounter on your travels, whether they are locals in their natural environment or just interesting looking people.
My 10 Year Search For The Perfect Camera Brought Me Back To APS-C
In 2015, I fully committed to switching from my Nikon DSLR system to a Sony mirrorless system starting with the Sony A7II.
Traveling Is Exhausting As Hell
I clean my room and make my bed before I leave for a trip, because there’s no better feeling than arriving home to a clean room and made bed and plopping down for a good 12 hours of sleep.
Couchsurfing Horror Stories And 7 Tips To Avoid Them
This is not a click-bait article. I have plenty of reasons why you SHOULD couchsurf, but these are my legitimate thoughts and some reasons why you SHOULDN’T couchsurf.
Bucket List: Shooting An AK-47 Kalashnikov in Bratislava
The last time I came to Bratislava, I tied up my hair in a top knot and painted my face to look like a kabuki samurai.
Ultimate Guide To Sayulita: Mexico’s Hidden Gem Surf Town
Sayulita is one of my favorite places in the world. While I have quite a list of favorite places, I find myself returning to Sayulita more often than I’d expect –
Review: Onsen SF Brings Japanese Bath House To San Francisco
I’m so deeply traumatized by the cold in San Francisco that when there was mention of a new Japanese style spa opening up here, I had to try it for myself.
Visiting Cortina d’Ampezzo Summer/Fall: Read This First
Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of the premier destinations in the Dolomites and an ideal home base for some of the best climbing and hiking in the Dolomites.
10 Day Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary
If you are planning a trip to do the Annapurna Circuit, check out my full companion guide for Annapurna Circuit trek, with information on costs, applying for all the right permits, whether you need a guide, as well as all the teahouses on the trail.
LOCAL TRIBE DE MEXICO: Reviewing Sayulita’s Newest Boutique Hotel
For my 3 month stay in Sayulita, I rented an apartment right in the heart of the town next to Yolanda’s chicken.
Review: Norse Atlantic Inaugural Flight Non-Stop Los Angeles to Berlin LAX – BER Boeing 787-9
August 18, 2022, I took off on Norse Atlantic Airways‘ inaugural non-stop route from Los Angeles to Berlin. 10.5 hours later, I was picking up my bag and heading to see my sister and nephew –
Why I Love To Travel Alone
I’ll start off by saying that there are two sides to every coin. For all the reasons I love to travel alone, there are just as many reasons why I hate it.
27 Essential Things To Pack For Traveling In 2022
I spend 6-10 months out of the year on the road, so while I have the option of buying things when I need them, I generally carry everything I need with me on my travels.
Lost Luggage And Spanish Deodorant: A Guide To Staying Calm When You Lose Your Shit
Shit happens. On the road, there’s enough going on that small things going awry can cause more damage than it should.
33 Things To Pack For Iceland In The Winter 2022
Iceland, in all its isolation, has been one of the countries that has fared pretty well with the pandemic. For those who are looking for a winter adventure in 2022, Iceland should be high on your list.
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.