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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
Beneath The Mist: Sukayu Onsen And The Timeless Tradition of Konyoku
I have a fascination with bathing cultures around the world. The Scandinavians have their invigorating saunas and polar plunges and the Middle East, its fragrant and decadent Hammams.
Bucket List: Diving The Outer Great Barrier Reef Live Aboard
The famous Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the world’s largest coral reef system composed of over 2900 reefs, 900 islands and stretching 2600 kilometres.
Bucket List: Barcelona Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight
Once upon a time, I was asked by a client if I could fly to Barcelona to shoot a short film.
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.
Noboribetsu Onsen: The 2025 Companion 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.
Silfra Snorkeling In Iceland 2026 Guide + Everything To Know Beforehand
In the middle of Iceland is a deep fissure filled with some of the clearest water in the world. On one side is European tectonic plate and the other is North American tectonic plate, separated by just a few meters.
Travel Guides & Tips
Kurokawa Onsen: The Complete 2026 Guide + Ryokan and Bathhouse Recommendations
To kick off my first trip to Kyushu, the southwestern most of Japan’s main islands, I did to do a back-to-back-to-back onsen-hopping trip stopping at Beppu, Yufuin, and Kurokawa –
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.
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.
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.
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 –
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.
Bored In Istanbul: 17 Different Things To Do In 2025
A first time visit to Istanbul would not be complete with seeing the wonders that are the Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar.
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.
The Ultimate Guide: Hiking The Annapurna Circuit Trek 2025
If you’re planning a trip to Nepal, you’re most likely here to do some trekking. And there’s no trek grander than the Annapurna Circuit that takes you up 5416m (17769 ft) and across 220 km (~137 mi) of remote mountains and villages, beginning in Besisahar and ending in Pokhara.
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.
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 –
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‘
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