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.
Our editors consistently review and update articles to ensure they're providing current, relevant, and useful information. Complete information on our editorial process is available here.
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Travel Guides
By Kayo Chang Black
Those who follow a meat-restricted diet should add this delicious destination to your travel bucket list, as it’s the most vegetarian country in the world.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Travel Guides
By Kayo Chang Black
When in Nashville, sample the local hot chicken at the restaurant that started the craze. After filling up on spicy goodness, explore all the city has to offer.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Destinations
By Kayo Chang Black
Central America's second-largest country is also its least-crowded, offering cheap hotels and meals and filled to the brim with unspoiled wilderness to explore.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Destinations
By Kayo Chang Black
One of the most famous, historic bazaars in all of Cairo is a bustling market street with gorgeous centuries-old architecture and plenty of merchants.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Travel Guides
By Kayo Chang Black
If you take a trip to the Faroe Islands, make sure you drive through the dreamy underground tunnel filled with art that connects Streymoy to Eysturoy.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Travel Guides
By Kayo Chang Black
This historical Memphis hotel is perfect for resting between sightseeing, spotting ducks (yep, really!), and reaching the city's top attractions.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Destinations
By Kayo Chang Black
Hiring a chauffeur might be expensive in some destinations, but in this South Asian country, you're much better off having a private driver.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Destinations
By Kayo Chang Black
A country in Central Asia boasts some of the most stunning historical architecture in the world, with Islam playing a significant role in its aesthetics.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Travel Guides
By Kayo Chang Black
For a cultural dive into South Korea’s scenic mountain landscape, head to the country’s second-largest city, boasting gorgeous beaches and bustling markets.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Destinations
By Kayo Chang Black
For a unique and authentic Louisiana experience, head to this critical wetland, where you can spot alligators and snap stunning pictures from your kayak.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Destinations
By Kayo Chang Black
Is it a sand dune or a sinkhole? One of the largest moving sand dunes in the U.S. is a mysterious phenomenon near Chicago, known for a child disappearing there.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Destinations
By Kayo Chang Black
Iceland's famous geothermal lagoons are worth a visit, but if you're a beer lover, you'll want to add this beer-bath spa to your travel itinerary.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Destinations
By Kayo Chang Black
In French Polynesia, explore an atoll lagoon that's a sanctuary for marine life and paradise for underwater explorers. See dolphins, sharks, and barracuda.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Destinations
By Kayo Chang Black
For a fun and memorable trip to Europe (or anywhere else in the world), Rick Steves has one important tip for Americans to avoid disappointment.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Travel Guides
By Kayo Chang Black
This January, take a trip in the United States and Canada to see the most festive Chinatowns celebrating the Year of the Snake and the Lunar New Year.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Destinations
By Kayo Chang Black
To stretch your yen and avoid the crowds of Tokyo and Kyoto, head to this picturesque bay, dotted with stunning islands and photo-worthy temples.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Travel Guides
By Kayo Chang Black
Packing for a trip can be stressful, but organization guru Marie Kondo's tips make the process smooth and simple so you can start your vacation with ease.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Destinations
By Kayo Chang Black
A charming town in Kentucky boasts fun downtown shopping experiences, delectable restaurants, outdoor activities, and a plethora of historical sites.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Travel Guides
By Kayo Chang Black
The Lunar New Year is one of the biggest holidays of the whole year across Asia. For the best celebrations, book a trip to one of these countries.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Travel Guides
By Kayo Chang Black
For a true taste of Kentucky history, head to the state's oldest city, known as "the Birthplace of the West," for outdoor fun, animal encounters, and more.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Travel Guides
By Kayo Chang Black
If you've read Dr. Seuss' books, you've only barely seen what the author is capable of. See his "secret" art in this colorful gallery in New Orleans.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Travel Guides
By Kayo Chang Black
Before your trip to Lake Cumberland, make a stop at this charming town known for its murals and theater performances, lively events, and history-rich parks.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Destinations
By Kayo Chang Black
Make the trek to Atlanta's Little Five Points neighborhood for an alternative, nostalgic store filled with '90s-inspired clothes, wacky home decor, and more.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Destinations
By Kayo Chang Black
If you want to try winter sports for the first time, you can hone your skills at this underrated, family-friendly Vancouver ski resort with amazing views.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Destinations
By Kayo Chang Black
For plenty of Southern cuisine, fantastic shopping, and historic architecture, visit this underrated small town on the Kentucky-Ohio border.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Travel Guides
By Kayo Chang Black
If you follow a gluten-free diet, traveling can be a challenge. Thankfully, this popular European country is known to be a safe haven for gluten-free foodies.
By Kayo Chang Black
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Destinations
By Kayo Chang Black
There are ghost stories and urban legends, but this spooky, chilling, and even tragic Kentucky setting is an infamous landmark for all the wrong reasons.
By Kayo Chang Black
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