Last month went by quickly! And it had a bright spotlight on Hawaii. Reflecting on the three-week trip I took across the Aloha State was a sweet escape from the last hint winter in Manhattan. I spent my time in the islands learning to relax in Oahu, hiking volcanoes on Big Island, and kayaking with whales in Maui.

Last month, I also killed my portfolio website and replaced it with a photo-blogging platform as my main creative outlet. Big changes are sweeping through the blogging industry and I spent the tail-end of March pondering whether blogs are truly dead, or have simply continued to evolve in the ever-changing media landscape. Now, tracyzhang.com is a photo-oriented destination, filled with stories that highlights my images front and center.

I also took this art direction change as an opportunity to launch a new project: Just-in-Time now offers a monthly newsletter, each month adopts a travel theme and explores a travel destination in-depth. The most recent newsletter highlighted Hawaii. If you enjoy the written content on this website, and want to see more in-depth photo stories from my travels, the newsletter is the perfect way to upgrade your inbox.

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My love for images began at age 16, when I dug up my dad's film point-and-shoot camera because I'd enrolled myself in a photography class to fulfill my Arts credit requirement in order to graduate. Since then, I've photographed models, actors, and musicians. I've taken my camera with me from Paris to Tokyo to document my travels and the interesting people I've met along the way.

I've upgraded to DSLRs and tried mirrorless cameras. I'm always keen on using different camera phones, including documenting 3-weeks in Japan using my Moto X. Heck I've even photographed an entire trip using Google Glass.

The tools of the trade keep evolving. But the images, they still keep me going. Lately, I've been sharing in-depth photo stories on my website, tracyzhang.com. Powered by the good folks at Exposure, I'm finally able to share large frame stories without having to worry about the way they are displayed.

My latest stories are from the beautiful coast of Hawaii, where I spent three weeks hiking around Big Island, Oahu, and Maui. The hiking was amazing, as well as the snorkeling. Click on over to check out my images below.

A much belated aloha from the sunny shores of Oahu. My month long stay in Hawaii in the beginning of the year was an exciting getaway for me; it was a great way to hit refresh as we ring in 2016, and a relaxing escape at its core.

I embarked on my island-bound flight with grandeur goals of (finally) learning how to surf and scuba dive. What I got out of the trip was much more - as I pack up my things for home, I am leaving the islands with the aloha spirit.

Many people know “aloha” as the common greeting in Hawaii. But for the true definition of the word, look no further than Hawaii State Law. While there are no penalties for this provision of the state law per se, the aloha spirit is the coordination of mind and heart within each person.

"Akahai," means kindness, to be expressed with tenderness
"Lokahi," means unity, to be expressed with harmony
"Oluolu," means agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness
"Haahaa," means humility, to be expressed with modesty
"Ahonui," means patience, to be expressed with perseverance



As the state code would tell us, these are traits of character that express the charm, warmth and sincerity of Hawaii's people. Although the state code is originally directed at government officials as a reminder to treat the people they serve with respect, I think we could all use a little bit of aloha spirit in our lives.

My favorite section of the code says: “Aloha" means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return. "Aloha" is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for collective existence. "Aloha" means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable.

Our time in Hawaii gave me a lot of time to reflect: about the past and the path that lays ahead. I thought a lot about Just-in-Time and the future of the site. I reflected on photography and my creative journey. I thought about my insatiable thirst to see the world yet my abundance of love for New York City.

Take any trip of this length and it’s inevitable that something will go wrong. But for each instance of misstep, I was met with some aloha spirit that helped smooth the journey. And the more aloha spirit I put out there to the world, the more it seemed to return to me.

So I’m writing this post to extend this spirit of love and kindness to you, dear readers. Thank you for following my creative journey. And aloha.

// All images: iPhone 6. For daily snaps, follow me on Instagram //

After a long and stressful day of 8am-8pm classes and running errands in between, the only way to redeem the day was a trip to Top of the Rock. Top of the Rock has long been my favorite spot in New York. For anyone who hasn’t ascended the tower for a visit at the Observation Deck, you’ll want to add this stop to your itinerary ASAP.

Although One World Trade has got a prime view of the Financial District and Brooklyn, there is nothing more iconically New York than the Empire State building standing tall in the thick of midtown. The Empire State Building is one of the coolest buildings in the city, and from the Top of the Rockefeller Center, you are treated to a clear view of this gem.

For a romantic night out in the city, look no further than an escalator ride to the Top of the Rock this weekend. Plan to get to the top at the Golden Hour - the minutes right before and after sunset - for the most beautiful view of the city. As the red and gold colors wash over the buildings, the midtown giants glisten right in front of your eyes. On a clear night, stay at the Observation Deck until the building lights come on. The transition of the city from day to night is truly a sight. Talk about love on top.

Before my parents sent us off on the trip, my mom told me that I need to learn to relax. Well, there is no better place to do that than on the sunny shores of Hawaii.

The Modern Honolulu was a gentle introduction to Hawaii. Alex and I woke up early each day to enjoy Waikiki before all the other tourists woke up. Everything in sight adorned a fresh coat of aqua. I fell in love with the pristine waters of the Hawaiian coast.

If it’s possible to love the scent of a hotel, then my search for the Modern’s lobby scent affirms it. We spent too many hours at the sunrise pool, and when we grew tired of that, we strolled over to the sunset pool. With each day that passed, I grew more eager to get out of the hotel and discover Honolulu. Alex, echoing my mother’s sentiment, kept reminding me to slow down. We have 3 weeks to spend on the beautiful islands of Hawaii, and we are just getting started.

• Aveda Inner Light Mineral tinted moisturizer with SPF
• Avene Eau Thermale Mattifying Cleansing Foam
• Simple Revitalizing eye roll-on (for my many flights)
• Netrogena makeup remover cleansing towelettes: the refill pack because it's easy to travel with

Aside from fitness goals, another popular new year's resolution is to travel more. There's no time better than the present to check off a few things off of your bucket list and if you're goal is to do more traveling in 2016, here are 7 epic trips worth taking this year.




1. Roadtrip across the country in a camper van
A camper van trip is the mother of all road-trips. This year, take that cross-country roadtrip you’ve been day-dreaming about. Imagine this: three weeks in a camper van that’s both home and your method of transportation, blasting 80’s music on loop, driving into the sunset, and waking up next to a new place every morning. Stop for beautiful hikes along the way, or jump in the lake whenever you want a refreshing rinse. Feel free to channel your inner Jack Kerouac throughout.

2. Take a trip to Cuba
As Cuba opens up more and more, you can bet a lot of tourists will flock to the Caribbean country. Your time to go is now, before all the influx of tourism changes the cityscape completely over the next decade. Start your trip in Havana, the beautiful capital of this exotic island country that looks like it was frozen in time.

3. Solo travel through Central Europe
Everyone needs to go on a solo trip at least once in their life. It will teach you a lot about yourself: how to spend time alone, how to entertain yourself, how to dine alone at a restaurant, and give you an excellent mental break. For me, the epic solo trip took place in Central Europe where I backpacked Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria. These places are the perfect destinations for solo travel: walkable cities, accessible by train, and plenty of cultural activities fit for a solo traveler.



4. Take the train across Japan
My favorite method of transportation is train travel. The shinkansen travel up to 200 miles per hour, taking you all over Japan in a matter of hours. Visit Japan in 2016 and hopscotch from one place to another from the comfortable of the shinkansen. Train travel allows you to fill in all the blanks from one Hiroshima to Kyoto, and give you another glimpse into Japanese daily life.



5. Canyon hop the 5 national parks in Utah
My favorite national parks in the United States are clustered in Utah and Arizona. 2016 marks the 100th year of the National Parks Service in the US, and there is no better way to celebrate than to embark on a 5-day 5-park adventure in Utah. The Utah Mighty 5, as it is so popularly dubbed, is a thrilling hiking adventure through the changing landscapes of Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon, Arches National Park, Capitol Reef, and the Canyonlands. You will not regret this.

6. Plan a last minute weekend trip to Greece
For the bold and adventurous, I dare you to take an unplanned last minute weekend trip abroad. I went to Athens Greece for a weekend and it was one of my favorite trips. I loved being transported to another place on short notice, with no obligation and no set schedule, but an open heart and a curious mind to soak up everything about my destination.



7. Visit the last matriarch tribe in remote China
It’s always a pleasure to get swept away to another place, but there is something especially magical about going to a far, far-flung place. I’ve never felt more immersed in another culture than on my visit to the Musuo Tribe in the south of China. With each year, the tribe gets more visitors as the Chinese government replaces windy mountain dirt roads with paved highways. On my visit in 2011, the tribe told me that they had begun to accept and use real currency a few years prior, abandoning their long history of the barter system. In 2016, I challenge you to visit a far-flung place that remains largely undisturbed by tourism to experience a piece of history. Each year, more technology, infrastructure, and overall economic improvement bring increased tourism to truly remote places like the lakefront settlement of the Musuo tribe. Although I have no doubt that visitors help promote a destination, they also alter it - forever changing it.

Despite the unseasonably warm weather we've been having in December, the holidays are in full swing. There's plenty to do in New York all year around, but one of my favorite things to do during this time of the year is to hit up as many Christmas / Holiday Markets in the city as possible.

Bryant Park Bank of America Winter Village | Opens until January 3, 2016
Bryant Park is one of my favorite New York hangouts, and it's exciting to see the park transformed into a winter village during the holidays. The outdoor rink draws in many guests, and after you've practiced your skating game, warm up with a hot cup of chocolate at the vendors and shops lined up around the park.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market | Open until December 24, 2015
Columbus Circle is my go-to holiday market, not only because it's right down the street from me, but also because of the local artisans and vendors that are featured in this holiday bazaar. My favorite vendors there include Raaka Chocolate, Macaron Parlour, and Black Lamb Brooklyn.

Union Square Holiday Market | Open until December 24, 2015
This European-style winter market at Union Square is probably the biggest in Manhattan. The impressive selection of vendors and is worth the visit. Some notable vendors include Strand Book Store, 5th & Madison, and Doughnuttery.

True to its name, the West Village is a quaint part of New York City that feels entirely different from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. “The village”, for short, is a prime eating and dining destination and perfect for some potential celebrity-spotting. As an uptown resident, a weekend in the West Village is a unique opportunity to experience a bohemian part of town and dine in the presence of some historic landmarks.

The Spotted Pig | 314 W 11th St, New York, NY 10014
If there’s a “best time” to visit The Spotted Pig to avoid a line, I haven’t found it. This gastropub is always busy, serving seasonal British and Italian cuisine. The most popular dish on the menu is the Chargrilled Burger with Roquefort Cheese and don’t forget the shoestring fires.

Buvette | 42 Grove St, New York, NY 10014
Burette, yet another brunch spot that has a line-up out the door before the restaurant event opens. At, this ever-popular bistro, everything on the well-curated menu comes in small plates.

Murray’s Cheese | 254 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
Enough of the restaurants and let’s move on to the unique offering of specialty shops in the Village. Murray’s Cheese is always my favorite stop, even if I don’t pick up anything, the store is always worth a look. This cheese mecca has a great selection of fine cheeses, cured meets, and a myriad of deli items.

Boise Tea Parlor | 10 Morton St, New York, NY 10014
Modeled after a French teahouse, Boise Tea Parlor boasts over 100 loss-leaf teas. If you have the time, definitely try afternoon tea with pastries and sandwich platters at this no-frill, laid-back tea house.

Grounded | 28 Jane St, New York, NY 10014
One look at the wide selection on the roasting menu and I was sold. Grounded is an organic coffee and tea house in the heart of West Village. Like most West Village hot spots on this list, Grounded is usually filled with people reading books or working on their laptops. If you’re lucky enough to snag a seat, enjoy a delicious latte here in the relaxed atmosphere.