4 . Standing at the top of the world, I cleared the ice from my oxygen mask（氧气面罩）， bent a shoulder forward against the wind, and stared absently down at the land of Tibet. Finally I had made it-the top of Mount Qomolangma.

I understood on some dim level（隐约地）that the earth down there was a grand sight. I’d been longing for this moment, and the excitement that would come with it. But now that I was finally here, actually standing on the top of Mount Qomolangma, I just couldn’t collect the energy to care.

It was early on the afternoon of May 10, 1996. I hadn’t slept for fifty-seven hours. My stomach was upset because the only food I’d been able to force down over the past three days was a bowl of soup. To make things worse, weeks of violent coughing had made ordinary breathing a bitter process. At 29,028 feet above the sea level, there was so little oxygen reaching my brain that I couldn’t think better than a slow child. Right now I could not feel much of anything except cold and tired. After taking four quick photos, I turned and headed down. I’d spent less than five minutes on the roof of the world.

Looking down the route we had climbed, I noticed something that until that moment had escaped my attention. To the south, where the sky had been perfectly clear just an hour earlier, a blanket of clouds now hid the lesser mountains surrounding. Nothing I saw early that day suggested that a violent storm was approaching. To my oxygen-exhausted mind, the clouds coming up the grand valley of ice appeared no different from the harmless clouds that rose from the valley almost every afternoon.

As I was climbing down, I began to get extremely anxious. However, my concern at that moment had little to do with the weather; I had almost run out of oxygen. I ought to have checked earlier. I needed to get down, fast.

5 . We have introduced solo (单独的) holidays for anyone travelling on their own without children. Now solo travelers can enjoy fantastic group holidays in beautiful locations hosted by a member of our staff.

Beach Break in Istria, Croatia: 7 to l1 May 2019

A 4-night solo beach holiday on the pretty Croatian peninsula. Relax by the pool or on the beach of our superior 4-star adult only hotel, complete with a wonderful spa. This solo trip is offered with a varied programme, including boat trips to the ancient city of Rovinj and the pretty coastal town of Porec and a visit of the historic seafront city of Pula. Read more.

Short Break in Slovenia: 17 to 20 October 2019

A short solo holiday to show you the best of Slovenia in 3 days. It includes a wine tasting evening, a visit of Slovenia's elegant capital with its charming old town and a boat trip on Lake Bled and the ancient Predjama Castle. Our 4-star hotel is worth a visit in itself with its amazing inside and impressive views of Lake Bled. Read more.

City Break in Vienna, Austria: 28 November to 1 December 2019

Join us on a solo city break to Vienna where pretty squares turn into magical Christmas markets. Your local tour guide will take you around pretty cobblestone lanes and show you the historic highlights of Vienna, followed by evenings in Viennese restaurants, walks around the Christmas markets and a tasting of the best Austrian wines. Read more …