Location
Taichung, Taiwan
School
Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), Bournemouth University, University of Alberta, Simon Fraser University
Expertise
Expat Lifestyle, Culture & History in Travel, Getting Lost Running in Foreign Countries
- As a newbie expat, Kayo took a Fly Dubai flight to Baku, Azerbaijan, for a visa run and landed in the middle of an April snowstorm wearing flip-flops.
- Before becoming a professional writer, she aspired to be a dive instructor in the Philippines, always looking for thresher sharks, octopuses, and pygmy seahorses.
- She spent a year in Sri Lanka, where she and her type designer/photographer husband traveled by train to the northern city of Jaffna to document all the hand-painted signs they could find.
Experience
Kayo is a travel writer and an essayist who makes home wherever she is. Born in Japan to Taiwanese parents, she grew up on the west coast of Canada and worked as a librarian and writer in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka. Her work has been published in various international lifestyle platforms and literary magazines. She is currently based in her ancestral homeland of Taiwan, where she spends her weekends temple hopping, river tracing, and hanging out in vintage markets.
Education
Kayo holds a B.A. (Hons.) in communication and sociology from Simon Fraser University, an M.A. in creative media practice from Bournemouth University, an MFA in writing from Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), and an MLIS specializing in academic librarianship from the University of Alberta.
Islands content is created by a team of veteran writers and editors passionate about travel. Outside experts with deep field knowledge sometimes inform our work with additional context and perspectives by way of exclusive commentary. Our goal is to offer readers well-rounded and diverse articles that inform, entertain, and inspire.
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Canada
By Kayo Chang Black July 7th, 2025
Banff National Park is home to soaring peaks and picturesque landscapes. But it's also home to an abandoned mining town that's open to the public.
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Louisiana
By Kayo Chang Black July 5th, 2025
This amusement park located in the popular tourist destination of New Orleans is a charming part of a city park that has existed for over 100 years.
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North Carolina
By Kayo Chang Black June 27th, 2025
This beachy destination in North Carolina is famous for its incredible seafood and it's excellent places to swim, sunbathe, and check out marine life.
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Illinois
By Kayo Chang Black 2 months ago
This abandoned area in Illinois once had a particular use that made it easier for people to make calls globally. Now, it's an interesting outdoorsy destination.
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North Carolina
By Kayo Chang Black June 25th, 2025
Experience the thrill of line dancing in this thriving college town, famous for its beautiful campus, outdoor recreation, and cultural diversity.
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Ohio
By Kayo Chang Black June 12th, 2025
This nature preserve in Ohio is a wonderland of lakes, streams, forests, and amazing hiking trails for travelers to get their fill of the great outdoors.
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New Mexico
By Kayo Chang Black June 12th, 2025
Take a trip back to the neon age in this Albuquerque neighborhood that boasts plenty of fine local flavors and walkable streets lined with unique architecture.
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Nebraska
By Kayo Chang Black June 3rd, 2025
Embrace your inner cowboy in an under-the-radar Midwest town that will transport you back to the times of pioneers and traders who built up the area.
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Indiana
By Kayo Chang Black June 3rd, 2025
Indiana's "Parlor City," a city that got its name for the room that is kept pretty and neat for guests, is a destination for small-town and historic charm.
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New Jersey
By Kayo Chang Black May 31st, 2025
This neighborhood in New Jersey is home to the largest enclave of Turkish American immigrants, earning it the moniker of "Little Istanbul." Find out more.
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Mississippi
By Kayo Chang Black May 29th, 2025
Venture into a storied city in the Appalachian foothills. Found in the Magnolia State, this one-of-a-kind destination wows with a vibrant downtown district.
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Canada
By Kayo Chang Black May 21st, 2025
One of North America's oldest towns is this coastal beauty in Canada, with a rich history and distinctive architecture that can still be explored today.
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Nevada
By Kayo Chang Black May 20th, 2025
Nevada may be known for Las Vegas, but the state is also home to wilderness, including a remote hot spring secluded in the mountains near a ghost town.
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Kentucky
By Kayo Chang Black May 12th, 2025
Take the adventure underground and paddle through the calm waters of the abandoned limestone mines hidden beneath the strikingly beautiful Red River Gorge.
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Tennessee
By Kayo Chang Black May 9th, 2025
Looking for a laid-back place with small town charm and beauty? This Tennessee town offers gorgeous waterfalls and delicious food for after your hike.
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Europe
By Kayo Chang Black May 1st, 2025
Just outside of Rome and Naples sits an underrated city full of historic charm that will fill the days you're not busy enjoying the nearby beaches.
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Canada
By Kayo Chang Black April 22nd, 2025
You don't have to cross the Pacific for top-notch Asian food. Hit up the Dumpling Trail in this vibrant Canadian city and sample a range of delicious flavors.
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Tennessee
By Kayo Chang Black April 22nd, 2025
Get a taste of France without a passport in this Tennessee city that captures the charm of its namesake, complete with appropriate cuisine and attractions.
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Alabama
By Kayo Chang Black April 14th, 2025
Tucked away in Alabama sits the state's former capital city and most famous ghost town brimming with mysteries, unique sites, and relics of a bygone era.
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Hawaii
By Kayo Chang Black April 13th, 2025
This hidden gem on the north shore of Kauai is teeming with thrilling trails lined with vibrant greenery, breathtaking gardens, and unforgettable views.
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Europe
By Kayo Chang Black April 13th, 2025
Within the rolling green hills of Tuscany, you can stroll through the historic medieval streets of the town where Italy’s oldest known pasta was first created.
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Festivals
By Kayo Chang Black April 6th, 2025
This small Indiana town on the Ohio River offers a unique view into a key period of United States history and a number of fun-filled festivals.
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Indiana
By Kayo Chang Black April 3rd, 2025
This Indiana city is bustling with small town charm. There's something to do here for everyone, but one of the main draws is its cinematic history.
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Kentucky
By Kayo Chang Black March 31st, 2025
One of the Bluegrass State's most important cities is also one of its best to visit, as guests can enjoy a combination of history and local creativity.
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Asia
By Kayo Chang Black March 26th, 2025
If you're up for a challenge, hike to the top of this tall mountain in Japan for stunning views of Mount Fuji, serene nature, and the morning sunrise.
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Montana
By Kayo Chang Black March 25th, 2025
Feel as though you've stepped back in time at this gold rush-era town that was once desolate but is now home to preserved shops, a train, and other attractions.
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Ohio
By Kayo Chang Black March 25th, 2025
Wine lovers will be delighted by this Ohio vineyard's incredible offerings, which they'll enjoy while basking in its unique tasting area - a repurposed church.
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