Why We Should Record Travel Moments

On a rainy summer day, I took a train to Switzerland and trekked through the mud to a medieval fortress high atop a cliff. After twisting through its dimly lit corridors, I finally     1     (arrive) at the main viewpoint of Cave of the Fairies: a plunging 77m waterfall that shoots from underground into a sparkling pool. As the waterfall wet my jacket, I closed my eyes and took out my phone     2     (record) the rush of dreamy reality before me.

I had come in search of a sound, not a sight.

Throughout my travels, I’ve found myself     3     (collect) sound recordings the way other people collect souvenirs. Just as some travellers take photos of landscapes or their food, I started doing this as an artistic way to help me remember some of the most interesting details of my trips.

Environmental scientist Lauren Kuehne said, “I think that once you start to listen, once you actually start to listen, you start to appreciate how much     4     (big) the world is.”

This attitude     5     (echo) by Samara Kester, a retired emergency medicine physician who now serves on QPI’s board. “A photograph is two dimensions.     6     you are looking at something you’re seeing, it’s maybe 180 degrees, maybe 270 degrees. Sound is 360 degrees. You hear it all around you.” Kester explained     7     teaching herself to be a better listener has not only expanded her sense of travel, but helped her relive her travels once she’s back home. “You immerse     8     in that place again. You recreate those memories and therefore recreate the feelings you had,     9     are very hard to express clearly. You can re-experience that and that will send you to where you were before.”

Months later back in my L.A. home, I find myself popping on my headphones and listening back to the rush of falling water inside Cave of the Fairies. When I close my eyes, I     10     feel the spray of water against my skin, the sense of letting my ears lead me on a faraway adventure. Mentally, I’m right back there — if only for a moment.

2 . One destination is always on trend: the beach, People ready to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life are looking to discover tranquility (宁静) along a picturesque beach. Check out the list below to discover beaches you like.

Baby Beach in Maui. Hawaii   

It scores the top spot for the calmest beach in the world with its calm waters. “Baby Beach is an ideal beach for families with toddlers,” Betts said. “Since the waters are so calm and shallow, it provides the perfect opportunity for children to splash around in the ocean.”

Browne’s Beach in Bridgetown, Barbados

This famous half-mile expanse of white sand draws crowds with its calm, crystal-clear waters. It is celebrated for its natural beauty and historical significance, boasting landmarks like the Barbados Yacht Club and the Barbados Cruising Club.

Mauna Kea Beach on Hawaii Island, Hawaii

Fronting the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on Hawaii Island, Mauna Kea Beach is ideal for visitors to peacefully enjoy the Pacific Ocean. With its calm and clear conditions, it’s an ideal destination for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.

Playa La Entrega in Oaxaca, Mexico

Situated along the Oaxacan coastline in a protected bay, Playa La Entrega offers a peaceful mix of natural beauty and adventure. Translating to “the delivery” in English, the beach was once a delivery point for goods during colonial times. It’s a popular place to snorkel along coral reefs filled with marine life. Visitors can rent snorkel gear or buy fresh fruit from local vendors.

4 . Traveling on foot in Thailand is an amazing experience. While you get ready for a thrilling experience of a lifetime, take a look at some of the best places for your adventure.

Chiang Mai

The trails in Chiang Mai are perfect for amateur hikers. Hiking here is a superb choice as there are beautiful forests, valleys and rivers as well as various tribal (部落的) villages with ethnic minorities that you can explore.

Tips: Pick up a hiking option from an experienced operator that has in-depth knowledge of the area because it is a fairly large one.

Doi Inthanon

Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand. It is also one of the most beautiful places with three impressive waterfalls that flow down quickly. As you travel along the 47-kilometre road to the top, you will pass a few small villages of the Karen Hill Tribes and rice fields.

Tips: Make sure to have an experienced guide.

Hua Hin

One of the most incredible things to do is hiking in Hua Hin. The area features its elephant camps. You can care for the elephants, like feeding and bathing them. It must be a special experience to ride on the back of a tall elephant while exploring this beautiful region.

Tips: Make sure to pack extra clothes if you plan to bathe the elephants.

Kamphaeng Phet

As a historically significant part of Thailand, Kamphaeng Phet is a quiet and charming province with many cultural and natural attractions. You can explore the ancient ruins that are scattered throughout the province.

Tips: Be respectful of the statues and other religious monuments.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism recently unveiled 10 nation a-level Yangtze River themed tourist routes. Yichang city in Central China’s Hubei province,     1     the Three Gorges Dam lies, is an important part of the routes.

Visitors can take a cruise from downtown Yichang to the tribe, enjoy traditional ethnic group singing and dancing, rub shoulders with inheritors of intangible cultural heritage and go     2    (hike) along the Yangtze River. Yangtze River, one of the “mother     3    (river)” of China, symbolizes the nation’s rich history and culture, with its awe-inspiring currents and picturesque views along its banks.

During the May Day holiday, Yichang received over 6.07 million tourists, with     4     increase of 67.22 percent over 2022. The total tourism revenue(收益) reached about 4.15 billion yuan($599.1 million), increased     5     88.21 percent compared with 2022.     6    (locate) in the Xiling Gorge between the Three Gorges Dam and Gezhouba Dam, the Tribe of the Three Gorges scenic area welcomed 89, 900 tourists, with a total tourism revenue of 11.86 million yuan during the holiday.

Since the May Day holiday, the country     7    (see) a boom in its domestic tourism, and destinations along the river are     8    (extreme) popular among travelers. At present, photos, short videos and live streams about the beauty of the Yangtze River are being shown online to a     9    (globe) audience. The China Cultural Center is holding events     10    (promote) river tourism resources in Paris and Tokyo.

6 . Harbin has witnessed a significant boom that has caused it to trend on social media this winter. By December 30, 2023, the city airport’s annual passenger throughput had gone beyond 3000 million. According to a new report, during the three-day New Year holiday, Harbin received 3.05 million tourists and made income of 5.91 billion yuan, both of which reached record highs.

Harbin, also known as China’s “ice city”, is famous for its ice and snow culture. For over 60 years, the city has had a tradition of holding an annual ice lantern exhibition, presenting the creativity and skill of its artists. Recently, the Ice and Snow World, recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest ice and snow park, is just one of many attractions in the city. It features amazing ice and snow sculptures, including replicas (复制品) of famous landmarks, animals, and cartoon characters. In addition, visitors can also enjoy different kinds of snow sports, such as ice skating, ice fishing, and sledding.

Harbin spared no effort to show its sincerity and hospitality (热情好客) to tourists. At the Ice and Snow World, a lot of new experiences have been provided, such as hovercrafts and bicycles on ice, Ferris wheels, and hot air balloons. Tourists were welcomed with live performances at the airport, and dressing rooms were set up for them to change into warm clothing. Local residents supported by traveling during off-peak hours to reduce traffic and offering tourists free rides. For those unable to book hotels, the government opened the Provincial People’s Congress Service Center for low-cost stays.

“For individual travelers, a city’s infrastructure (基础设施) and public services form the foundation of tourism competitiveness. It is only when tourists feel the warmth of the city and the goodwill of its citizens that they blend into the lives of a travel destination,” said Dai Bin, president of China Tourism Academy.

9 . American Unique Buildings

The country’s full of awe—inspiring natural wonders, but those made by man (and woman) are equally impressive. The architect behind a design or the creation’s history or purpose are all elements that may prove particularly attractive. These following buildings are all well worth visiting.

Bradbury Building

Los Angeles

Glancing at the Bradbury Building, built in 1893, the oldest commercial building in L.A., you may say: “OK, it’s a 19th-century relic.” Step inside and you will be surprised by the light-filled Victorian court, a wonder of open—cage elevators, marble stairs, and splendid iron barriers. Its architectural history is debatable — Sumner Hunt’s designs seem to have been completed by George H. Wyman, who monitored the construction.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Miami

Built in 1916, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, formerly Villa Vizcaya, is the one-time winter home of businessman James Deering. On Biscayne Bay in the Coconut Grove neighborhood, the early 20th-century property features Italian Renaissance (文艺复兴) gardens, native woodlands, and a complex of historic outbuildings. The property designed by Paul Chalfin is today operated by Miami-Dade County.

Rogers Building

Orlando

The 132-year-old, Queen Anne-style structure, now housing an art gallery but a one-time home to cocktail-and-gaming clubs, was donated to the City of Orlando in 2018 earlier by Ford Kiene. The restriction that it must remain an arts and culture center for at least 20 years ensures public access for the near future.

Griffith Observatory

Los Angeles

It’s possible to see the stars at this destination that includes sweeping views of the city and the Hollywood sign, and has a planetarium (天文馆) to boot. It’s been a draw for its construction style sign its 1935 opening, with a $93 million expansion completed in 2006.

Chengdu is a famous historical and cultural city with a history over 3,000 years.     1     (locate) in the west plain in the Sichuan Basin, it serves as the provincial center     2     politics, economy, culture, and transportation. Known as the land of abundance, Chengdu boasts plentiful local     3     (product), a pleasant climate, a large number of historical sites, and fine traditional handicrafts well known both at home and abroad.

Chengdu is known for its tea houses! There are hundreds, maybe thousands. A good tea to get is the     4     (local) produced jasmine bamboo leaf green tea, which enjoys greater fame in     5     (compare) with other types in China.

Some great local delicacies include spicy chicken with peanuts, dry fried green beans, and, mapo tofu. Kung pao chicken handmade sweets     6     (call) Dragon’s whiskers.

What is advised is     7     you spend enough time in Chengdu visiting the Giant Pandas and the Giant Buddha. The Panda research centre     8     (hold) the largest number of red pandas, and most possibly also Giant pandas.

As     9     important city in southwest, Chengdu has convenient communications. More than 160     10     (schedule) flights go to over 60 large and medium-sized cities at home and abroad. The Shuangliu International Airport is only 20 kilometers away from the city.