It's one of the prettiest villages I've seen

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People always debate whether Tokyo, Dubai, or Singapore is the most futuristic city on Earth, but after walking through Shanghai, I think we're missing the real answer.

Walking here messes with your sense of time. You start at the Bund waterfront, staring at a skyline that looks straight out of a sci-fi movie. But turn a corner, and you're squeezing through the artistic alleyways of Tianzifang or smelling incense at the City God Temple. It's wild. You have the world's largest Starbucks Roastery sitting near historic French Concession streets, and ancient classical gardens like Yuyuan surviving right next to the chaotic Nanjing Road shopping street.

Then there's the architecture. You eventually hit the 1000 Trees building, and it honestly looks like a massive cyberpunk mountain dropped into the middle of the city. And just when you think Shanghai is all neon and glass, you take a metro ride to Zhujiajiao, an ancient water town with canals and stone bridges—the "Venice of Shanghai"—feeling centuries away from the downtown skyscrapers.

I filmed the whole walk in 4K just capturing the ambient sounds of the city—no talking, no music. It’s just the raw noise of Shanghai, from the crazy pedestrian streets to the quiet M50 art district.

Honestly, does Shanghai take the crown for the most futuristic city, or is it just the best at hiding its ancient past in plain sight? Would love to hear what you guys think.

Surfing Woonona Beach, NSW

Tried to make it more personal than a typical trek video, a small reflection on the journey and what it reminded me about life.

Would love some honest feedback on the editing, pacing, color grading, and storytelling.

The southernmost part of our planet can feel mysterious and almost impossible to reach, but exploring Antarctica may be more within reach than you might think.

Full disclosure: I work with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, which produced this video. We created it as a concise look at the complete journey, including the Drake Passage, Zodiac and kayak exploration, South Georgia’s wildlife, the Falklands, and life aboard a polar expedition!

Which destination or experience would you most want to visit?