The Mandatory Traveler
@mandatory-traveler.bsky.social
Forced to travel by both impulse and profession.
This world is a beautiful place. I'm here to share all the amazing things I’m privileged to see as I travel the world as a 747 pilot.
This world is a beautiful place. I'm here to share all the amazing things I’m privileged to see as I travel the world as a 747 pilot.
From the morning sniff tour. I love where I live.
September 22, 2025 at 2:50 AM
From the morning sniff tour. I love where I live.
I struggle on layovers with balancing my desire to explore and my desire to not be tired anymore. Long haul is not good for our health, but if you aren't exploring the world, hours spent on the plane are for nothing
#travel #travelblog #crewlife #layover #seoul #korea #dongdaemundesignplaza #jetlag
#travel #travelblog #crewlife #layover #seoul #korea #dongdaemundesignplaza #jetlag
September 15, 2025 at 5:54 AM
I struggle on layovers with balancing my desire to explore and my desire to not be tired anymore. Long haul is not good for our health, but if you aren't exploring the world, hours spent on the plane are for nothing
#travel #travelblog #crewlife #layover #seoul #korea #dongdaemundesignplaza #jetlag
#travel #travelblog #crewlife #layover #seoul #korea #dongdaemundesignplaza #jetlag
The theme of the day for me was trying to find interesting shadows. The Dongdaemon Design Plaza was great for that. #travel #travelphotography #seoul #korea #dongdaemundesignplaza #design #architecture #streetphotography #sonya7iv #sonyalpha
September 14, 2025 at 6:31 PM
The theme of the day for me was trying to find interesting shadows. The Dongdaemon Design Plaza was great for that. #travel #travelphotography #seoul #korea #dongdaemundesignplaza #design #architecture #streetphotography #sonya7iv #sonyalpha
The YouTube video I watched to plan my day trip made the Cheonggyecheon Stream seem like an amazing oasis in the middle of Seoul. While it was ok, it did seem to me like a concrete canal in the middle of the city. At least this Egret was cool. #travel #traveladdict #seoul #korea #sonyalpha
September 13, 2025 at 9:49 PM
The YouTube video I watched to plan my day trip made the Cheonggyecheon Stream seem like an amazing oasis in the middle of Seoul. While it was ok, it did seem to me like a concrete canal in the middle of the city. At least this Egret was cool. #travel #traveladdict #seoul #korea #sonyalpha
Most places in Asia seem to master the blending of old and new in a way that they complement each other. That said, I found a lot of the “old” in Korea to seem recently constructed leading to a “Disney fake” feeling. #travel #traveladdict #seoul #korea #streetphotography
September 12, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Most places in Asia seem to master the blending of old and new in a way that they complement each other. That said, I found a lot of the “old” in Korea to seem recently constructed leading to a “Disney fake” feeling. #travel #traveladdict #seoul #korea #streetphotography
I’ve found Korea to have some of the more interesting store fronts. From small buildings covered with signs and…whatever the hell is going on in the second picture, there’s always something to see. #travel #traveladdict #seoul #korea #streetphotography
September 12, 2025 at 9:05 PM
I’ve found Korea to have some of the more interesting store fronts. From small buildings covered with signs and…whatever the hell is going on in the second picture, there’s always something to see. #travel #traveladdict #seoul #korea #streetphotography
Some more busy street photos from Seoul. I’ll never get tired of photographing chaotic alleys in Asia. #travel #traveladdict #streetphotography #seoul #korea #sonyalpha #sonya7iv
September 11, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Some more busy street photos from Seoul. I’ll never get tired of photographing chaotic alleys in Asia. #travel #traveladdict #streetphotography #seoul #korea #sonyalpha #sonya7iv
One of my favorite things is wandering a city aimlessly, so I hopped off the train a few stops early in Yongsan. Didn’t see much that I desperately wanted to photograph, so I decided to play with some harsh shadows. #travel #traveladdict #seoul #streetphotography
September 11, 2025 at 10:07 AM
One of my favorite things is wandering a city aimlessly, so I hopped off the train a few stops early in Yongsan. Didn’t see much that I desperately wanted to photograph, so I decided to play with some harsh shadows. #travel #traveladdict #seoul #streetphotography
Jet lag decided I should wake up early this morning, so I decided to take the long train ride into Seoul. #travel #traveladdict #korea #incheon #songdo #streetphotography
September 11, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Jet lag decided I should wake up early this morning, so I decided to take the long train ride into Seoul. #travel #traveladdict #korea #incheon #songdo #streetphotography
What is your unique thing when you travel? For me it’s wandering around a city at night. Whether I’m traveling with my wife or alone on a layover, wandering aimlessly after dark is my favorite way to get to know a city. #travel #travelblog #traveladdict #streetphotography #citystreets
September 8, 2025 at 12:44 AM
What is your unique thing when you travel? For me it’s wandering around a city at night. Whether I’m traveling with my wife or alone on a layover, wandering aimlessly after dark is my favorite way to get to know a city. #travel #travelblog #traveladdict #streetphotography #citystreets
What are the top three sunsets that you’ve seen while traveling? Mine are 1) Bryson City, NC 2) Rigi, Switzerland, 3) Grand Canyon. I’d love to see your favorites and hear your stories! #travel #traveladdict #travelblog #sunset #travelphotos
September 6, 2025 at 6:27 PM
What are the top three sunsets that you’ve seen while traveling? Mine are 1) Bryson City, NC 2) Rigi, Switzerland, 3) Grand Canyon. I’d love to see your favorites and hear your stories! #travel #traveladdict #travelblog #sunset #travelphotos
Picked up a new toy! Here’s a quick time lapse of a crosswalk in Hong Kong with my Insta360 Go Ultra. Lots to learn, but I love it so far! #travel #insta360 #insta360goultra #hongkong #timelapse #mongkok #streetphotography
September 5, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Picked up a new toy! Here’s a quick time lapse of a crosswalk in Hong Kong with my Insta360 Go Ultra. Lots to learn, but I love it so far! #travel #insta360 #insta360goultra #hongkong #timelapse #mongkok #streetphotography
Boredom and a concerted attempt to use my time more productively have lead to me creating a website for my photos! It is very much a work in progress, but feel free to take a look and let me know what you think. mandatorytraveler.smugmug.com
#travel #traveladdict #photography #travelphotos
#travel #traveladdict #photography #travelphotos
The Mandatory Traveler
Travel photos posted by a cargo pilot as he travels the world.
mandatorytraveler.smugmug.com
September 5, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Boredom and a concerted attempt to use my time more productively have lead to me creating a website for my photos! It is very much a work in progress, but feel free to take a look and let me know what you think. mandatorytraveler.smugmug.com
#travel #traveladdict #photography #travelphotos
#travel #traveladdict #photography #travelphotos
My favorite thing on earth is exploring the world with my person. I don’t often purposefully include others in my travel photos, but I liked this one. #travel #traveladdict #victoriaharbour #hongkong #streetphotography
September 5, 2025 at 3:09 PM
My favorite thing on earth is exploring the world with my person. I don’t often purposefully include others in my travel photos, but I liked this one. #travel #traveladdict #victoriaharbour #hongkong #streetphotography
Glad I dragged myself out of bed to explore a bit. Hong Kong is such an amazing city. #travel #traveladdict #hongkong #mongkok #streetphotography
September 4, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Glad I dragged myself out of bed to explore a bit. Hong Kong is such an amazing city. #travel #traveladdict #hongkong #mongkok #streetphotography
This morning’s sunrise after flying all night to Hong Kong. Just woke up from a nap and I’m trying to caffeinate myself into wanting to go explore. I always enjoy it when I get out, but finding the energy is hard sometimes. #hongkong #sunrise #mongkok #redeye #cargopilot #traveladdict
September 3, 2025 at 7:32 AM
This morning’s sunrise after flying all night to Hong Kong. Just woke up from a nap and I’m trying to caffeinate myself into wanting to go explore. I always enjoy it when I get out, but finding the energy is hard sometimes. #hongkong #sunrise #mongkok #redeye #cargopilot #traveladdict
Sunset on Lake Nantahala.
#travel #traveladdict #nantahala #nantahalalake #northcarolina #maconcountync #smokymountains #sunset #lake
#travel #traveladdict #nantahala #nantahalalake #northcarolina #maconcountync #smokymountains #sunset #lake
August 30, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Sunset on Lake Nantahala.
#travel #traveladdict #nantahala #nantahalalake #northcarolina #maconcountync #smokymountains #sunset #lake
#travel #traveladdict #nantahala #nantahalalake #northcarolina #maconcountync #smokymountains #sunset #lake
A couple of Hong Kong mini busses tucked away for the night. #travel #traveladdict #hongkong #mongkok #streetphotography #citystreets
August 29, 2025 at 1:20 PM
A couple of Hong Kong mini busses tucked away for the night. #travel #traveladdict #hongkong #mongkok #streetphotography #citystreets
I don’t know if cable car spotting is a thing, but I could have enjoyed this view all day. #travel #traveladdict #switzerland #leukerbad #alps #mountain #cablecar
August 28, 2025 at 12:16 PM
I don’t know if cable car spotting is a thing, but I could have enjoyed this view all day. #travel #traveladdict #switzerland #leukerbad #alps #mountain #cablecar
Reposted by The Mandatory Traveler
Whatever country I visit in the world I see so many dog lovers.
“If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man.”
Mark Twain
“If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man.”
Mark Twain
August 28, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Whatever country I visit in the world I see so many dog lovers.
“If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man.”
Mark Twain
“If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man.”
Mark Twain
After breakfast on Mount Rigi we saw a couple hotel workers having a beer after work. One of them asked “can you do me a favor. Just around sunset walk 10 minutes down that path.” Seemed like an odd request at the time, but he knew what he was doing. #travel #switzerland #rigi #traveladdict
August 27, 2025 at 8:23 PM
After breakfast on Mount Rigi we saw a couple hotel workers having a beer after work. One of them asked “can you do me a favor. Just around sunset walk 10 minutes down that path.” Seemed like an odd request at the time, but he knew what he was doing. #travel #switzerland #rigi #traveladdict
If you don’t look back at your car as you walk away from it, you’re driving the wrong car. Cars can be so much more than just a transportation appliance. Despite being mechanical, they can seem to have a soul #travel #cars #automobile #blueridgeparkway #alfaromeo #giulia #quadrifoglio
August 26, 2025 at 1:06 PM
If you don’t look back at your car as you walk away from it, you’re driving the wrong car. Cars can be so much more than just a transportation appliance. Despite being mechanical, they can seem to have a soul #travel #cars #automobile #blueridgeparkway #alfaromeo #giulia #quadrifoglio
Supposed to have both a Hong Kong and Taipei layover on my next trip. Fingers crossed that they stick.
#travel #traveladdict #layovershenanigans #hongkong #streetphotography
#travel #traveladdict #layovershenanigans #hongkong #streetphotography
August 25, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Supposed to have both a Hong Kong and Taipei layover on my next trip. Fingers crossed that they stick.
#travel #traveladdict #layovershenanigans #hongkong #streetphotography
#travel #traveladdict #layovershenanigans #hongkong #streetphotography
