Inspire Me
Nestled in various parts of the world, far from the busy cities, are the roads less travelled. From Vietnam to Greenland, we present a few spectacular natural—and man-made—phenomenon that are simply breathtaking. By Kimberly Tan
Nature has infinite ways to inspire us. From the random to the symmetrical, be it the contrasts or the simplicity, far away from city lights and ticking crowds there is beauty in nature that needs to be preserved. Explore the world with a fresh perspective.
FRIGID BEAUTY : GREENLAND
The world’s largest island, Greenland is home to a spectacular backdrop of icebergs and icefjords, of which the Ilulissat icefjord is perhaps the most famous. A remarkable natural phenomenon, the UNESCO World Heritage listed icefjord has a stunning array of icebergs delivered here by a glacier at a speed of about 35 meters per day. Some of these can be up to 30 meters high and are simply breathtaking to look at. Aside from the ice in the centre, the terrain also includes dry Arctic desert in the northern fringe and belts of green in the south. Photograph by Daniel Kordan
SALT SPLENDOR : BOLIVIA
The world’s largest salt flat is located at Salar de Uyuni in southwest Bolivia, and is best during the rainy months in the first few months of the year, where the rain covers the flats and creates a perfectly reflective surface. A few meters of salt covers the salt flat and also contains 50 to 70 percent of the world’s lithium reserves, which are currently being extracted. Salar de Uyuni is a major breeding ground for various species of flamingos. Stay at the Palacio de Sal to complete the experience—the entire hotel is made out of salt. Photograph by Jeff Lond
ANTELOPE CANYON : ARIZONA
One of the most photographed canyons for its unique structure is the Antelope Canyon, on Navajo in Arizona. The canyon, made of two separate sections—upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon—is formed by erosion of the Navajo Sandstone. During the monsoon season, rainwater runs into the basin, and over time has eroded the passageways, creating the unusual shapes of the walls of the canyon. Probably the best time to travel there is in the summer months (March to October), where light beams stream through the canyon. One of the best places to stay around the area is the Amangiri in Utah. Photograph by Andrea Izzotti
PINK PERFECTION : INDONESIA
Aside from visiting the largest living lizard, the Komodo dragon, the highlight of the Komodo Island is one of the most picturesque beaches, known as the Pink Beach. Microscopic animals produce a red pigment that tints the shoreline a rosy pink hue. The island is located west of Flores in Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Activities on this island—if you’re not content to bask in the sunlight on the sand—include snorkelling, diving, kayaking, or simply watching the spectacular sunsets. Photograph by Jordan Hammond
MAGNIFICENT RICE TERRACES : VIETNAM
Away from the hubbub of the cities in Vietnam—a nine-hour train ride and another one hour by taxi or shuttle bus from Lao Cai—sapa Valley is renowned for its impressive paddy rice terraces. These are set against the backdrop of the Hoang Lien mountains and are ploughed by the ethnic minorities, such as the Hmong hill tribe—with the help of water buffaloes. An overnight stay with the locals could be an unforgettable experience, but for something a little more luxurious, book a room with Topas Ecolodge and Victoria Sapa Resort. Photograph by Kaiskynet Studio