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Updated: My Travel Gear & Photography Kit    My Patagonia Gear    1st Phorm Supplements Review    Aloha from Maui, Hawaii    New: 1st Phorm Supplements Review    Aloha from Maui, Hawaii    Tokyo to Kyoto, Japan    Living in Centennial Hills, Las Vegas
Vermillion torii gates at Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto, Japan
Destinations
Tokyo to Kyoto:
A Complete Japan Guide
By Melvin  ·  July 14, 2026  ·  Asia

Destinations

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Vermillion torii gates at Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto, Japan
Destinations
Tokyo to Kyoto: A Complete Japan Travel Guide
When to go, the JR Pass math, cherry blossoms, temples, food, etiquette, and a 10-day itinerary.
Jul 14, 2026 · Japan
Black-sand cove at Waianapanapa on Maui's Road to Hana, Hawaii
Destinations
Aloha from Maui: A Guide to Hawaii's Magic Isle
Molokini snorkeling, the Road to Hana, the Haleakala sunrise, hidden beaches, and luau culture.
Jul 14, 2026 · Hawaii
Red Rock Canyon sandstone and desert near Centennial Hills, Las Vegas
Destinations
Living in Centennial Hills, Las Vegas
300 days of sun, Red Rock and Mount Charleston at your door, and the full-remote tech life in NW Vegas.
Jul 13, 2026 · Las Vegas
The Vancouver skyline reflected in the water at Coal Harbour
Destinations
The Beauty of Vancouver, Canada
One of North America's most naturally stunning cities. Here's why Vancouver is worth every mile.
Jan 8, 2024  ·  North America

Reviews & Gear

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A Hydro Flask 32 oz Wide Mouth insulated stainless steel water bottle in a pale blue finish
Gear & Reviews
Hydro Flask 32 oz Wide Mouth Review
How long it really holds temperature, the weight problem, and the trips where a Nalgene is the smarter bottle.
Aug 17, 2026 · Review
A Samsonite two piece hardside luggage set in navy blue, a carry-on spinner beside a larger checked spinner
Gear & Reviews
Samsonite 2-Piece Luggage Set Review
What around $150 actually buys in hardside luggage, where the corners were cut, and who it suits.
Aug 17, 2026 · Review
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack in crimson red, a boxy carry-on sized travel backpack
Gear & Reviews
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Review
The clamshell opening, the mesh compartment system, the harness limits, and whether 35 litres is enough.
Aug 17, 2026 · Review
An airport terminal lounge with seating and large windows, where travellers wait between flights
Gear & Reviews
Airalo vs AirHub: Which Travel eSIM Wins?
Coverage, pricing, what happens to your phone number, and which travel eSIM to buy for your trip.
Aug 17, 2026 · Review
A quiet cafe interior with wooden tables and chairs, the kind of public wifi spot travellers work from
Gear & Reviews
Is a VPN Worth It for Travel? NordVPN Reviewed
What a VPN genuinely protects on hotel and airport wifi, what it does not, and who can skip it.
Aug 17, 2026 · Review
A covered shopping street in Hiroshima at night, lined with illuminated Japanese signage
Gear & Reviews
Babbel Review: Will It Help on the Trip?
What ten minutes a day realistically gets you before a trip, and where Babbel falls short.
Aug 17, 2026 · Review
A metal trail marker fixed to a tree beside a footpath through woodland
Gear & Reviews
AllTrails Review: Is AllTrails+ Worth It?
What the free version does, whether AllTrails+ is worth it, and where crowd-sourced data misleads.
Aug 17, 2026 · Review
The Osprey Arcane Duffel Pack in Stargazer Blue
Gear & Reviews
Osprey Arcane Duffel Pack Review: 30L That Carries Two Ways
A 30L duffel that converts to a real backpack. What it gets right, the three things it does not, and who should buy it.
Aug 17, 2026 · Review
An open notebook and pencil resting on an old map beside a film camera and glasses
Travel Tips
How to Plan a Trip: The System We Actually Use
Book early, stack the points, research what you want to see, build the agenda together, and plan for the day it goes sideways.
Aug 17, 2026 · Guide
A large airport departure board of flights and times
Travel Tips
How to Find Cheap Flights: My Real Playbook
The truth about when to book, the cheapest days to fly, fare alerts, budget carriers, and the tools I actually use.
Jul 24, 2026 · Guide
Travel tech and photography gear laid out on a table
Gear & Reviews
Best Travel Gear & Photography Equipment
My ever-growing kit — the Sony A7 IV, M1 MacBook Pro, tomtoc 28L carry-on, Logitech MX Master 2S, Yeti bottle, and more.
Updated Jul 18, 2026 · Gear
A trail runner in outdoor apparel on a mountain path
Gear & Reviews
My Patagonia Gear: The Pieces I Travel & Live In
The Better Sweater, Torrentshell, Capilene layers, Atom Sling, and more — the Patagonia I actually own and use.
Jul 15, 2026 · Gear
An athlete setting up a barbell deadlift in a gym
Gear & Reviews
1st Phorm: The Supplements That Fuel My Active Life
The creatine, whey protein, and collagen I actually use — and why they're worth it for an active life.
Jul 15, 2026 · Gear
The Las Vegas Sphere lit up at night
Experiences
The Sphere: Las Vegas Just Changed the Game
The most immersive venue ever built — an honest first-hand look at what to expect inside.
2024 · Reviews
A contactless card payment terminal
Reviews
Why the Capital One Venture X Is the Card Every Traveler Needs
The premium travel card that earns its keep — lounge access, credits, and miles that add up fast.
2026 · Reviews
Contactless transit fare gates
Reviews
The Must Have Venture Credit Card
The simplest travel rewards card out there — 2x miles on everything, no categories to track.
Jan 6, 2024 · Reviews
El Morro fortress in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Guide
How to Get Your Puerto Rican Citizenship Certificate
A complete step-by-step guide to the Certificado de Ciudadanía Puertorriqueña — from stamps to mailing.
Dec 7, 2025 · Guide

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