Kickflipping an Ice Block

This photo was taken in 2008 at Century Square in Jilin, China. Skateboarding was introduced in China in the late 1980's and has gained popularity in bigger cities like Beijing and Shanghai. It is estimated that there are 50,000 skateboarders in the country of 1.4 billion. Shanghai is home to SMP Skatepark, which is the world's largest skatepark. SMP is 12,000 square meters in size and contains the world's largest vert ramp and the world's largest concrete skating bowl. China is also the birthplace of the popular skate brands Fly Streetwear and The People's Republic of Skateboarding.

Airplane Over Fukuoka

This photo was taken in 2007 in Fukuoka, Japan. Fukuoka Airport was established in 1943 for the Imperial Japanese Air Force. After World War II, the U.S. used Fukuoka Airport as Itazuke Air Base. The U.S. Air Force was stationed in Itazake until 1972. Fukuoka Airport is the fourth busiest airport in Japan behind Haneda(Tokyo), Narita(Tokyo), and Itami(Osaka). International flights from Fukuoka are available to South Korea, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore.

Sagano Bamboo Forest

This photo was taken by Cris Cordio in 2007. On the western outskirts of Kyoto, Japan lies Mount Arashiyama which contains Sagano Bamboo Forest. In the 1870s when Thomas Edison was searching for a high quality bamboo as a material for filament in his early light bulb, the governor of Kyoto recommended two sources of bamboo, one of which was Sagano bamboo. Bamboo has a higher tensile strength than many alloys of steel and can withstand earthquakes with magnitudes as high as 9.0.

Xingcheng Beach

This photo was taken in 2009 at Xingcheng Beach in Xingcheng, China. Xingcheng contains one of 4 cities left over from the Ming Dynasty and is considered to be the most well-preserved. The city walls are still in tact despite being constructed in 1428. Despite China's rich history, it is sometimes difficult to get a glimpse of authentic relics. The reason being that during The Cultural Revolution(1966-1976), it is estimated that 70% of China's historical relics and buildings were destroyed, damaged beyond repair, or sold abroad.

Waving at Neighboring Trains

This photo was taken by Rosie O'Neill in 2008. On our 18 hour train ride from Harbin to Manzhouli, our train stopped in Inner Mongolia and we waved at the neighboring trains. Chinese children are always excited to say hello to foreigners and their parents usually want them to practice the English they have been learning in school. While trains are not commonly used for transportation in America, they are a common way for people to travel long distances in China.

Home Sweet Home

This picture was taken in 2010 from Harbor Island in Tampa, Florida. Tampa was discovered by Spanish explorers in 1524. Tampa is home to some of the world's best fishing as over 200 species of fish call Tampa Bay home. Tampa is also home to the 7th largest port in the United States and is one of the world's leading phosphate exporters.

Anonymous Woman on a Bicycle

This picture was taken in 2009 near the Perfume River in Hue, Vietnam. Hue (pronounced, Whey) was Vietnam's Imperial Capital from 1802 to 1945. During the Vietnam War, Hue was dealt major damage by Northern Vietnamese forces, who also perpetrated the Hue Massacre. Hue's historic monuments have resulted in it being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Matryoshka Square

This photo was taken in 2008 in Matryoshka Square in Manzhouli, China. Manzhouli is a small city near the Russian and Mongolian borders that serves as China's busiest land port. 60% of all of Eastern Europe's exports to China pass through Manzhouli. Manzhouli is also a main stop on the Trans-Siberian railway.

Dangerously Close to North Korea

This photo was taken in 2008 in a creek that forms part of the border between North Korea and China. The Chinese city of Dandong is separated from the North Korean city of Sinuiju by the Yalu River. This creek is patrolled by guards from both countries and if you get too close to the North Korean shore, the Chinese guards take your picture and you can face consequences.

Abandoned Bike

This photo was taken in the Bin Jiang Hua Yuan neighborhood of Jilin, China after the first snow of winter in 2008. In China, it's quite unusual to see an abandoned bicycle as it will probably not be there very long. Bicycle theft is common and even if you lock your bike to a tree and leave it overnight, it likely will be gone in the morning.

Woman Praying in Fukuoka

This photo was taken in downtown Fukuoka, Japan near the Hakata district in 2007. Fukuoka is a fascinating city of 2.5 million people. This temple is nestled into downtown seamlessly despite being surrounded by large buildings. Old meeting new is a particularly interesting part of enigmatic Japan as a thousand years of culture and tradition meshes with the hustle and bustle of modern times.