Hoi An at night

The Highlights of Hoi An

Have you ever been someplace that you have never previously heard of and then been pleasantly surprised?  Hoi An was just that for me.  All I can say is…WOW!  This city was my favorite during my ten-day G-Adventure tour of Vietnam that took us to Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Ha Long Bay, Mai Chau, and Hanoi.

This former trading port is a living museum of architectural fusion, where ornate Chinese assembly halls, weathered Japanese bridges, and mustard-yellow French colonial villas line the banks of the Thu Bon River. As night falls, the town sheds its quiet morning charm for a surreal, lantern-lit brilliance.  Whether you’re navigating the bustling central market or floating a paper candle down the river, Hoi An’s special heritage is delightful.  As a photographer, I couldn’t enough of this vibrant city!

EXPLORE!
travel with your tech without compromising adventure

How to Travel with Your Tech Without Compromising on Adventure

Travel photography sits at the intersection of exploration and equipment. The same devices that allow you to document remote landscapes and fleeting street scenes can also weigh you down if you are not intentional about how you carry and manage them.

Adventure demands movement, flexibility, and resilience. The key is not to travel with less technology at all costs, but to travel with the right systems so your gear supports your creativity instead of restricting it.

GEAR UP!
hot air balloons in cappadocia

How to Keep a Travel Journal That Tells a Story


“Travelling—it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta.

For some, the magic of travel isn’t only about the places visited but also about the stories you bring back. However, it’s easy to forget the finer details of these stories, so it’s a good idea to keep a travel journal. Documenting your travel experiences ensures those fleeting moments become lasting memories.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to create a travel journey that tells a captivating story. From capturing authentic moments to weaving a narrative and enhancing it with photography, these tips will help you craft a narrative that resonates for years to come. Get ready to transform your travels into stories worth sharing!

WRITE IT DOWN!

Around Apia

About Samoa

Samoa, once part of a larger island chain, was given to the Germans during the Tripartite Convention of 1899. At this time it became known as Western Samoa, though “Western” was dropped in 1997.

The archipelago is made up of ten islands though half are uninhabited. Savai’i is the largest island while Upolu is the most populated. The aforementioned are the most visited and four of the uninhabited islands are situated off the east coast of Upolu and comprise the Aleipata Islands which may be visited by boat.

LET’S GO

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

Having been on the Big Island for four days now, I finally set foot in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, one of the biggest reasons for me visiting the Big Island. Though I researched the park before coming to make sure it was accessible due to the eruption of Kīlauea Volcano that damaged countless homes, I still wasn’t sure what to expect.

I learned 90% of the park is open, though a few popular places such as the Jagger Museum and the Thurston Lava tube are still closed due to instability. I was also surprised to learn that the lava flow was mostly northeast of the park in Leilani Estates.

In addition, the eruption drained the lava from the collapsed Pu’u ‘O’o Crater, so hiking at night to see the lava glow wasn’t an option. Though slightly disappointed by this, it made the logistics of when and where to go a lot easier!

LET’S GO

Kona and It’s Southern Coast

Kona

For my third day and final day in Kona, not quite long enough, I strolled the downtown and then headed south along the Kona Coast. The downtown is basically one street that travels about a mile along the coast. It is complete with old Royal Palaces, churches, cafes, shops and a few unappealing, tiny beaches.

LET’S GO

Hawaii’s Kohala Coast

The Kohala Coast

After a full 12 hour day driving the Hamakua Coast from Kona yesterday, I opted for the closer Kohala Coast today. It still felt like a lot of driving, and if I had it to do over again, I’d probably just stay in Waikoloa Village at one of the resorts and relax a little more given my short time here. That said I have a problem with FOMO, fear of missing out, so I had to see everything!

LET’S GO

Hawaii’s Hamakua Coast

The Big Island

My first stop on my six-week adventure of island hopping was to the Big Island of Hawaii. I only allotted a week of time, and I quickly learned this was not enough. Each side of the island, Kona on the west coast and Hilo on the east coast each deserve a week with all the optional side trips and a few days of relaxation.

During my time in Kona, I spent a day exploring the Hamakua Coast. While I saw many places, each stop was very brief, and it was a very full day of driving. If I had to do it over again, I’d limit my stops to about three places at which to spend more time rather than feeling like I was always in the car. Anyway, these are the places I visited.

EXPLORE!

Hikes in Little Cottonwood Canyon

Little Cottonwood Canyon

Little Cottonwood Canyon is located in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest approximately 15 miles east of Salt Lake City.  It was created by a glacier many years ago.  Its quartz and granite, mined by the Latter Day Saint pioneers, was used to construct the Salt Lake Temple. There are several excellent trails in Little Cottonwood Canyon, though my favorites are quite long.

GO HIKING …