A warm cup of Starbucks coffee is a reassuring routine that
I follow every morning to start my day. I was grateful for the existence of
this one Starbucks in the city where I ended up.
There was hardly a soul on the road, so the drive was
peaceful. The area's isolation was a major selling point for me. I stumbled
onto a quaint little town, a real find—a hidden treasure with a handful of
inhabitants and an air of tranquil, untouched beauty.
As I proceeded, I happened upon an unexpected site - a huge,
deserted hotel perched just by the road. It was a stunning building, but
strangely deserted. I was curious about the park's condition after seeing this.
Did it even exist?
My first intentions, alas, ran into an impasse. The park was
inaccessible. It was the kind of thing that may happen at any second, which is
typical in places like China. I changed my plans even though I wasn't the only
one who had an unexpected visitor. There were a few other automobiles spread
around. Without bothering with the toll roads, I opted to take in the
picturesque countryside route instead. It was a call to action, and I gladly
invited my viewers to come along.
As I rounded the bend in the mountain and entered a valley,
a picturesque lake unfurled before me. I was resolute in my mission to continue
exploring though, no matter how stunning the scenery was.
Yunmenshan Mountain Tourist Resort was the next mountain I
visited on my journey, and it was like an amusement park inside, with its glass
bridge and everything. I chose to brave the crowds and go in anyhow because my
curiosity was getting the best of me.
Amidst the craziness, I wasn’t able to find a moment of
peace and quiet, and I thought back on my original intention of going hiking in
a peaceful forest. A picturesque location that was teeming with bustle instead
greeted me. A large, glass-bridged waterfall thing was one of the attractions
at this mountain resort, which also had an amusement park and an water park. I
didn't know what to anticipate, and the admission charge was 180 RMB.
When I was given my own cable car up the mountain; it became
an odd situation because no one else wanted to come along. While I was wearing
my mask, I overheard elderly adults telling their families to get out of the line
and to do the same. It seems like some of the locals were still wary of
strangers. On the other hand, I met some incredibly kind people, particularly
kids who were eager to find out my origin and tell me stories. I genuinely
value encounters such as these.
The stroll to the bridge was leisurely and brief. The
temperature was moderate, and the cloud cover made it feel cooler. Having had a
disappointing morning, I was relieved to have this new adventure to make up for
it.
An observation deck with sweeping views of the landscape was
the initial destination after viewing a glass walkway. On a larger bridge that
rocked and bounced, in particular, the sensation was exhilarating but somewhat
confining. It demonstrated the courage of visitors but also the brilliance of
engineers.
Majestic clouds embraced the mountaintops, creating a
breathtaking backdrop. As the bridge wavered and bounced in the middle, a firm
grip on the railings was required to walk across it. As I walked some more, I
found even more attractions at this tourist park, proving once again how
rewarding travel can be.
Especially with the mighty force of a waterfall generating a
chilly, misty atmosphere, the stroll through the forest was spectacular and
tranquil.
This experience taught me the value of being open to the
unexpected and the randomness of travel. These are the kinds of things that
have made my path as an explorer, YouTuber, and educator so rewarding.