Prized primarily because of the breathtaking, 2.5 km jewel-blue crater lake of the mountain in Botolan, Zambales via Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac; no tourist would ever pass the chance to take a dive in this swimming paradise. Especially now that this haven of peace is highlighted by an hour long drive on an all-weather expedition vehicle through a vast landscape of sand dunes followed later by a lush mountainous terrain and sprawling forests.

After the drive, the tour does not yet take you to the summit but to a trek that is worth every step you take. Breath-taking views and vivid sceneries of nature will surely mask your quickening breath as the blood now rushes through your body. This interplay of ambiance, nature’s pulchritude, and of course some good company will guarantee absolute enjoyment on the way to the top. And when one finally takes the last step to ultimately take ganders at the majestic crater; most can only do one thing at this first sight: pause and admire in awe at the beauty of nature.

No one really has to point out that it is certainly news that something that had wrought fear and destruction could turn into a tourist attraction. But what one has to note from the lesson this mountain now shares is that there should always be a second chance for beauty, peace or merely appreciation even just on the second look.

Have you ever experienced an accident that was rather rewarding? I know the idea is out-of-whack, but it’s not- well, maybe just a little.

A week after my retirement, I decided to fly to Tuscany on a small plane that carried me, nine of my friends and the pilot. Everything was going well until a bird decided to fly towards our left wing, one thing lead to another forcing us to crash land. I could not remember any details of the crash, probably because everything that followed after was all that mattered in the end. Fortunately, not much damage was done and no one got seriously hurt; aside from almost peeing our pants from fear, we were far from dead.

After making sure all our limbs were still connected to our bodies, we started looking around. This was when we realized that we were completely surrounded by sunflowers! We were in Tuscany and everything was beautiful. The sun was setting amidst an ocean of flowers. The radiant light mixed perfectly with the bright golden color of the flowers. Even the scar caused by our crash landing on the field looked different. Everything was glowing like gold. Everyone knew that after the crash, we were supposed to get all shook up and worried but surprisingly, we all felt the opposite. All we experienced was a nostalgic moment. We were almost disappointed when ‘help’ arrived. Of all the journeys I’ve been on, the Tuscany accident was the most rewarding.

I intend no offense to Jules Verne and all his fans, but “Around the world in 80 days” sounds pretty dismal to me. I find the idea of simply ‘hopping’ from one country to another a sad waste of time; ironically because the whole thing takes place in a paltry span of 80 days. Taking pleasure in such a rushed trip is just difficult to imagine.

The whole point of traveling is not merely to get from one point to another but to have a chance to enjoy the uniqueness of each place you visit. Expect new adventures at every new turn; another fresh experience as you pass through the “Thank you” arch of one place right into the “Welcome” arch of another.

How can this be done if you keep rushing from one place to the next? Slow down, take a long, appreciative look around, give a smile to the faces that you meet and stop to smell the flowers (figuratively or otherwise). When you find yourself in a foreign land, absorb as much culture as you can, broaden your understanding. Be adventurous enough to try out their native food; make friends and try to learn a word or two of their language. The same way your destination changes you, try to make your mark in the most pleasant yet memorable way.

Also, learn to appreciate the pleasure that may be had in the journey itself. Do not miss out on the beautiful scenery floating right outside your window or in the beautiful conversation your travel mates may offer. Take your time… 80 day? Might as well multiply it with a hundred.

Kim Up North is travel, leisure and recreation. Join Kim as he travels the different parts of the world and tries to share his personal experiences through this blog.