Sam Lodge

How did you get involved in travel?

"I've been fortunate to travel to over 30 countries and 23 states in my life, but it was the loss of a loved one that really opened my eyes to travel as my life's passion, and the thing I wanted to build my life around. So in 2018, I started my own business so I could live and work remotely, meet amazing people around the world, and experience as many wonderful places as I can. Now, I get to call that passion my work with kimkim!"

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"While living in Australia in 2019, I flew to New Zealand for a spur-of-the-moment road trip. I spent 10-days exploring without a plan, stopping at small towns along the way to spend the night at whatever hotels had an open room. When I arrived in a town near Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo, all the hotels and hostels were full. Just when I was ready to head to a camping store to pick up a tent, a kind woman in a shop called her friend, who ran a B&B. She had a room for the night! She was so nice, and while we were chatting over dinner in her living room, she insisted I visit the Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve—one of the darkest night skies on earth, and the best place to take a star tour. I signed up, and our small group tour spent all night by a telescope, listening to our guide into the late hours and marveling at the most stunning night sky I’ve ever laid eyes on—and all because I rolled into town with nowhere to stay that night!"