I love connecting with nature. When I see a beautiful landscape, energy flows through me, I feel it charging me, and I become present in the moment. It’s not the first time I’ve experienced being unable to fully enjoy a breathtaking view. Ninh Binh offers a fantastic panorama which I admired both from the water and the mountains.

However, when there’s a set time limit, the experience loses its value for me. Immersion and surrender can’t be bound by time. It’s like trying to schedule an emotion, like joy, by a deadline. Fortunately, not everything can be controlled. Emotions have their own timeline in the time zone of the universe.

Sadly, some places have become so ‘over-touristed’ that their added value is completely lost. Crowds must be managed with strict timing to remain manageable. That’s why I prefer ‘hidden gems’. Well, this wasn’t one of them 🙂

In Trang An, this UNESCO world heritage location, from the boat and the mountain, a stunning karst mountain range unfolds before us, almost unbelievable, with countless lotuses floating on the water. When the sun comes out, the mountains seem to sizzle and even in cloudy weather the rocks feel hot. With a few deep breaths I paid tribute to the landscape and as I allowed myself to sink into the moment, a smile settled on my face: a gift from the rocky peaks that I could take with me. I still smile when I think back to that moment 🙂 Nothing compares to the grandeur of nature!

Here: more about this UNESCO area