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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.
Food
Reviews
What's On Your Bucket List
Bucket List: Skydiving At A Place That’s Had 16 Deaths
This is how my first skydive happened. Friend: So the Pho here is actually pretty good. I’ve been craving Vietnamese food lately.
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.
The Complete 2026 Guide For Visiting Hobbiton In New Zealand
“Will you follow me one last time?” If you are a fan of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, I don’t need to convince you to put a visit to the The Hobbit movie set at the top of your must-do list when visiting New Zealand’s North Island.
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.
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.
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.
Travel Guides & Tips
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.
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.
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.
Demystifying The Dolomites: The 2026 Planning Guide For 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 –
Conquering Angkor Wat: The Cheat Sheet Guide To Cambodia’s Ancient City
Angkor Wat, the crown jewel of Cambodia’s ancient Khmer Empire, and the country’s main draw for millions of visitors each year.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Istanbul Foodie Must Eats 2026: 16 Things To Try And Where To Eat Them
When you get to Istanbul, the ubiqutous kebab and decadent baklava will be waiting for you – but that should just be the start of your culinary adventure.
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.
How You Can Help
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