Preface
Hey, dear travel enthusiasts. Today I want to share with you those awe-inspiring natural exploration routes I've traveled over the years. Honestly, every time I think back to standing in front of the Machu Picchu ruins, or gazing up at the world's highest peak from Everest Base Camp, my heart still fills with indescribable excitement. These unforgettable experiences have not only enriched my life but also given me a completely new understanding of this world.
Mountains and Forests
Machu Picchu, this mysterious ancient site known as the "Lost City of the Incas," is truly worth flying halfway around the globe to visit. From landing at Lima Airport to Cusco, I felt the discomfort of altitude sickness. However, once I boarded the scenic train to Machu Picchu, the breathtaking views of the Andes Mountains along the way made me forget all discomfort. The train slowly wound through the valleys, with the rushing Urubamba River outside the window, and steep cliffs and lush tropical vegetation on both riverbanks.
I remember the first time I stood at the Sun Gate, watching the morning mist slowly dissipate and the ancient stone walls gradually reveal their contours in the sunlight - it felt like traveling back 500 years to the Inca Empire. The local guide told me that the entire city was built with precisely cut giant stones, so precise that not even a piece of paper could fit between them. Imagine how the ancients managed to complete such an architectural miracle at 2,430 meters above sea level without modern tools?
At Machu Picchu, I spent two full days exploring the ancient city. From the agricultural terraces to the royal sector, from the Temple of the Sun to the Temple of the Moon, every structure was awe-inspiring. In the morning, I purposely got up early to climb to the viewpoint and wait for sunrise. When the first rays of sunlight fell on the Inca city, the entire site seemed to be gilded. In the distance, Huayna Picchu mountain stood like a silent guardian, quietly watching over this ancient city.
The trek to Mount Everest Base Camp was a completely different experience. Starting from Lukla Airport, hiking along the ancient Himalayan valleys, we could see snow-capped peaks all along the way. This trek lasted eight full days, walking 6-7 hours each day. Though tough, the scenery along the way was absolutely worth it. We passed through many Tibetan villages and saw how local people lived. In a village below Nanga Parbat, I was once invited by an elderly Tibetan woman into her home for butter tea, and that rich milky fragrance remains unforgettable.
I remember at Base Camp, at 5,364 meters, I met mountain enthusiasts from around the world. Though we couldn't communicate through language, everyone showed the same look of awe gazing at Everest's peak. Here, I witnessed the "golden summit" phenomenon at sunset: the last rays of the setting sun turned Everest's peak golden while darkness had already fallen below. At that moment, I truly felt nature's magnificent craftsmanship.
The nights at Base Camp were most memorable. Far from city light pollution, the entire Milky Way was clearly visible, like a brilliant river of stars across the sky. Though the wind howled at minus teen degrees outside the tent, sitting around the campfire at camp, listening to mountaineers from around the world tell their stories, that warmth and emotion was indescribable.
Natural Wonders
Speaking of natural wonders, I must mention the Northern Lights in Iceland. I waited for three whole nights in the outskirts of Reykjavik, and finally on the last night saw the breathtaking dance of the aurora. Those green bands of light flowing in the pitch-black sky were like a silent symphony performed by heaven. To photograph the aurora, I specially rented a 4WD and drove to a black sand beach far from the city. There was no interference from artificial light sources, making it an ideal spot for viewing the aurora.
While waiting for the aurora, I met a group of photographers equally obsessed with aurora photography. We set up our tripods in the sub-zero wind, adjusted camera parameters, and exchanged shooting tips. When the aurora finally appeared, everyone held their breath. The green bands danced in the night sky, sometimes flowing like silk, sometimes leaping like flames, the entire scene was surreally beautiful.
In Iceland, besides the aurora, I visited many natural wonders. The geothermal springs in the geyser area, huge glaciers and waterfalls, black sand beaches and basalt columns - each site made one marvel at nature's wonders. I once hiked on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and saw the famous Kirkjufell. This black basalt mountain stands like a Gothic cathedral amidst the desolate volcanic landscape, giving one an otherworldly feeling.
The Maldives beaches gave me a completely different experience. I remember renting an overwater bungalow on a small atoll in Male. Waking up in the morning, I could see tropical fish swimming in the clear water just by opening the window. At night, lying on the beach watching stars, the entire Milky Way seemed within reach. Here, I tried diving for the first time. The instructor took us down to a coral reef area dozens of meters deep, where the colorful corals and various tropical fish made me feel like I was in an underwater fairy tale.
Particularly memorable was a night diving experience. In the pitch-black water, only the flashlight beam illuminated the way forward. Suddenly, a group of bioluminescent plankton swam past us, the entire scene like a dream. On my last day in the Maldives, I joined a sunset fishing trip. Local fishermen taught us their most traditional way of fishing - just a line and a hook. Though the technique was primitive, we surprisingly caught several tuna. That night, we grilled fresh fish on the beach, drank coconut water, and listened to the sound of waves - that kind of contentment is unforgettable for life.
Savanna Adventure
The Serengeti wildlife migration is the most spectacular natural phenomenon I've ever seen. Every year, over 2 million wildebeest and zebras migrate between Tanzania and Kenya. I was fortunate to witness tens of thousands of wildebeest crossing the Mara River - that sense of awe is indescribable. To capture this scene, we set out at four in the morning and waited by the river for an entire day.
When the first group of wildebeest began entering the water, the entire riverbank erupted. Thousands of wildebeest queued up, wandering along the riverbank, searching for suitable crossing points. Suddenly, one wildebeest took the lead and jumped into the water, then like a domino effect, the entire herd rushed into the river. The water turned murky, dust filled the air, and wildebeest calls rose and fell.
Most thrilling was that many Nile crocodiles lurked in the river. They waited quietly underwater for prey. Whenever a wildebeest was dragged under by a crocodile, surrounding wildebeest would fall into brief chaos, but quickly restore order and continue crossing. This is nature's law - cruel but real.
In the Serengeti, we stayed in mobile tent camps. At night, we could hear lions roaring and hyenas calling in the distance. In the morning, we often saw various animal tracks near our tents. Once, a herd of elephants passed right by our camp - that close encounter with wild animals was both nerve-wracking and exciting.
The savanna sunrises and sunsets are incredibly magnificent. Especially when a lonely acacia tree's silhouette appears against the blood-red sky, with lions roaring in the distance - this scene perfectly captures the mystery and wildness of the African savanna.
Cultural Fusion
While hiking in the canyon, our Navajo guide told us stories of their ancestors. This red canyon is not just a geological wonder but carries thousands of years of indigenous history and culture. Did you know? Their people still maintain traditional ways of life on this land today.
The guide took us to visit their traditional dwelling, a circular structure built with mud and wood called a hogan. In the hogan, we sat around the central fire pit listening to elders tell tribal legends. They believe every rock and plant in this land has a soul, and humans and nature have an equal relationship rather than one of conqueror and conquered.
At the evening bonfire gathering, we enjoyed traditional Navajo dance performances. Dancers wore colorful traditional costumes and danced to the drum beats. Each dance has special meaning - some pray for harvest, some celebrate life, some express reverence for nature.
Most touching was that despite such strong impacts from modern civilization, the Navajo people still maintain their traditional culture. They pass down their ancestors' wisdom, teaching younger generations how to live in harmony with nature. This persistence is particularly precious in today's fast-paced society.
Nomadic Life
In western Mongolia, I was fortunate to live with a local Kazakh nomadic family for a week. Milking mares with the hosts in the morning, herding with the nomads during the day, listening to horse-head fiddle stories in the yurt at night. This experience gave me a deep understanding of nomadic peoples' wisdom of living in harmony with nature.
Every morning, I would be awakened by the horses' neighing. Stepping out of the yurt, I saw endless grasslands, cattle and sheep appearing and disappearing in the morning mist, and the rolling Altai Mountains in the distance. The host's young man taught me horseback riding, and though I was initially sore from falling, I gradually learned to gallop across the grasslands with them.
Most interesting was learning how to make fermented mare's milk. Fresh mare's milk needs to be repeatedly stirred and fermented in a special leather bag, a process that usually takes a day or two. The finished fermented mare's milk has a slightly sour taste but is very refreshing. In the yurt, hosts would always bring out their best fermented mare's milk to treat guests - this is their way of expressing friendship.
Evening time was the coziest. The stove in the middle of the yurt radiated warmth as the host played the horse-head fiddle, telling ancient heroic epics. Though we couldn't communicate directly, through translation we could still feel the courage and wisdom contained in those stories. Sometimes, everyone would sing together - Mongolian long songs were melodious and especially moving under the starry sky.
Handicrafts
Speaking of traditional crafts, learning batik in Yogyakarta left the deepest impression on me. For an entire day, I learned from a master craftsman how to draw with wax on fabric and prepare natural dyes. This process made me understand why a genuine batik piece is so precious.
The master first taught us how to use the wax knife. This special tool needs to be maintained at the right temperature for the wax to flow evenly. Drawing patterns on white cloth requires extreme patience and steady hands, as mistakes are very difficult to correct. We learned traditional patterns, each with its special meaning - some representing nature, others symbolizing life.
Preparing dyes is also an art. Traditional batik uses natural dyes extracted from plants. Different plants can produce different colors - indigo leaves can make deep blue, turmeric root can make yellow. The preparation process requires precise ratios and consideration of factors like weather and water temperature.
Most magical is the final wax removal process. When the fabric is soaked in boiling water, the wax slowly dissolves, finally revealing the patterns hidden beneath. Watching your work transform from a white cloth into an artwork, that sense of achievement is indescribable.
In the studio, I also saw many master-level works. Those exquisite patterns and rich layers showed the craftsmen's profound skill. Some works required multiple rounds of dyeing to achieve the desired effect. This helped me understand why a good batik piece commands such a high price - because it crystallizes the craftsman's dedication and wisdom.
Final Words
These years of travel have taught me that the world's most beautiful scenery often requires effort to appreciate. But it's precisely these efforts that make each journey so precious. Dear readers, which natural explorations would you most like to experience? Welcome to share your travel dreams in the comments.
Each journey has given me new insights about this world and new perspectives on life. Whether it's the awe of standing at the world's summit or the warmth of living with nomads, these experiences have become my life's most valuable treasures. I hope sharing these stories can inspire more people's passion for natural exploration, to discover the beauty of this world.
Travel is not just about seeing scenery, but a way of life, an exploration of the unknown, a discovery of self. On the journey, we encounter various difficulties, but it's precisely these difficulties that help us grow and become stronger. The joy after overcoming each difficulty, the sense of achievement when reaching each peak, all fill us with confidence and anticipation for life.
Finally, I want to say that whether or not you currently have the conditions to travel far, please maintain your curiosity about the world. Perhaps now you can only learn about this world through others' stories, but someday you will embark on your own journey of exploration. And when that day comes, I hope these experiences can provide you some inspiration and help. Let's look forward to our next adventure together!
