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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
Beef Cheeks and Vegan Bigos: A 2026 Foodie’s Guide To Lunch In Warsaw
Ostrich Tartare and Tagliatelles Pancakes: A 2026 Foodie’s Guide To Lodz
Polish Omakase and Konspira: A 2026 Foodie’s Guide To Wroclaw
The Foodie’s Guide To Build The Perfect Nokke-Don In Aomori
Curry & Chili: Surviving Berlin’s Spiciest Currywurst
Reviews
What's On Your Bucket List
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 –
Kinosaki Onsen: The 2026 Curated Guide To Japan’s Tattoo-Friendly Hot Springs Town
Most first-time visitors to Japan build their itineraries around Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, with maybe an added stop to Hiroshima or Himeji to check off the famous castle.
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.
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.
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 –
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.
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 |