I love travel - reading about it, dreaming about it, and best of all, actually doing it. In the past couple of years, I have been supremely fortunate in having had the opportunity to travel to a range of places, rich in history, monuments and natural beauty. I think they are some of the world's most amazing locales.
Let me share with you some of the sights I saw on a trip I made recently to a place - I won't tell you where, right away, but will tease you with a few photographs, and let you do the guessing. If you are not in the mood for that, be patient, wait for a few days, and you will find out!
It was hot and sunny. It was midday, and the sun was at its most merciless. There was not a tree in sight. But none of this mattered, really. Because all around us were the most stunning rock formations, chiseled by centuries of wind, brushed with colors from nature's unique palette. We walked down a long, gently winding path, marveling at what was around us. It was spotlessly clean, not a scrap of litter, cigarette butt, empty chip package, or discarded can of soda in sight, even though there was not a single garbage disposal can around.
Who cared that we were being burned to a crisp, or that our throats were parched, or that there was no bathroom to be seen, when our eyes had the opportunity to feast on marvels like this?
The place was crowded with tourists, many looking a bit worse for the wear because of the heat. But look, do you see beckoning welcomingly ahead, an entrance - cool and dark - to what? Aladdin's Cave?
We entered, and inside, there was blessed shade, a cool wind wrapped itself about us, and our breath was taken away with awe at the splendor all around. We revived like wilted flowers refreshed with water.
Nature wielded her tools, and came up with this masterpiece.
This tree has been a silent witness to a lot that has come to pass within these walls. We were told it is 600 years old. True or not, you have to admire it, all scraggly and untidy, valiantly struggling to stay alive in the arid heat.
Light and shadow made a happy couple.
Wind and water came together on these rocks, too, and this was their child
And then, a peek at something which elicited excited gasps and a frenzy of photo-shooting. Some stared in silent dazzlement. Nobody pushed or shoved, all were solicitous in allowing everyone a turn to get a glimpse.
Can you guess what lies ahead? Or where this place is?
Find out here: