Blue Caves

These mesmerizing colorful caves are locating in Zakynthos Greece. The different shades of blue and green in the waters bounce their vibrant colors off the shimmering rocks of the caves. The calm waters are basically transparent making it possible to see all the way to the bottom of the sea floor.

The Blue Caves of Zakynthos by Alistair Ford licensed by CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 

Getting to slowly kayak through the caves and enjoy the sights helps remind one to slow down every once and a while. To take in the amazing views that nature has to offer and to enjoy the simple things about life. Carelessly floating through through the caves, forgetting about anything stressful. Simply focusing on the waters, the caves, and the peaceful serenity.

I would like to give a shoutout to my friend Matt Wolek's blog titled The City That No One Sees. Matt posts picture that he has taken himself that I feel are very powerful and I encourage my viewers to take a look for themselves!

The Freeing Fairmount Park

Located just inside of Philly there is a small park, filled with little paved pathways and beautiful over hangs. My friends and I often take breaks from our college scene here at Eastern to venture into Philly for some new sights. On one adventure we stumbled upon this beautiful park called Fairmount Park. We walked the paths and stopped to relax gazing out over the railings to view the river. It was so peaceful and my friends and I are looking forward to returning for another break.

Fairmount Park gave my friends and I the opportunity to forget about our hectic lives and just enjoy the simple pleasure of being surrounded by each other and the calming scenery.

This picture was taken by my friend Lauren when we visited the park earlier this month. I remember standing next to her, leaning on the railing and saying how gorgeous this view is. It was a great day that I got to spend with some great people. We were all able to take a step back from the chaos and escape.

Bryce Canyon Amphitheater

The Bryce Canyon National Park, in Utah, is home to some great views that display the beauty of nature. The Bryce Canyon Amphitheater is one of the most well known parts given that it has a very distinct style. The eroded rocks shoot upwards in different ways and have a pinkish color to them. The rocks have been shaped over many years of being beaten by the harsh weather conditions. 

Many people travel to the national park to walk through the trails or to rest at one of the amazing cliff views to witness one of the most colorful sunsets. The rocks shine vibrantly in the setting sun and the silence breaks through any thought one might have. 

This park delivers a great opportunity to walk around and explore the strength of our world. How over time such simple things, such as rain and wind, can break down something so strong. In a way it's a perfect relation to how simple things we do in our everyday lives can someday have a huge impact. 

Soccer Fields

Everyone has that one thing that has always been able to calm them down. For me, it has always been playing soccer. I have been playing soccer since I was about 4 years old and now 14 years later I am still playing and I still have a great love for the game. Even though it is the one thing that can drive me crazy, it is always the one thing that keeps me sane. Playing soccer is always there for me, it is a place for me to enjoy myself and forget about anything else.

The competitiveness of the game takes over my being and for over 90 minutes all I have to focus on is soccer. It gives me a break from whatever else is going on in my life and even if soccer is frustrating I am always happy that I just get to play.

This picture I took while sitting on the hill by my dorm room one of the first days I came to Eastern. My roommate and I were relaxing in the shade talking about how excited we were for the season to start. The beautiful turf fields of Eastern University are a place for me to escape too, especially for the next 4 years. 

Eiffel Tower

Okay, now this post is definitely about a place that almost everybody has heard about before. The most romantic place on earth, one of the most popular must see things, the beautiful attraction of the Eiffel Tower. Many people travel from all over the word to walk up the steps, or cheat and take the elevator, to the top of the tower. I was lucky enough to be able to already have traveled to this spot and I was also lucky enough to climb up the many steps to the top platform to look out over the wonderful city of Paris. 

What many people don't know is that once it is dark the Eiffel Tower sparkles for five minutes every hour. The first time I found this out I was actually walking up the steps of the tower and my friend in front of my turned and said, "Are you ready?" in a very excited voice. I replied with a, "Ready for what?" but before I got the question out the lights were already going off and everyone was screaming in joy. It was a moment that I will never forget. We rushed to get to the platform and peered down and up to see the tower glitter in the darkness. 

The picture I have included is one that I took myself once I returned back to the ground after climbing the thousands of steps. Just looking at this picture helps me escape from whatever is going on in my life and lets me remember this great time that I had with some of my best friends. I would recommend going to see the Eiffel Tower to anyone who seems even slightly interested because it is such an amazing experience.

Calvary Cemetery

This next post may come off as a little odd; however, after I explain hopefully it will seem a little less strange, or maybe not. Driving around the surrounding area here by Eastern University I often find myself passing the Calvary Cemetery. This cemetery has many tombstones laid out over the hills and at the top of the main hill there is a huge cement cross. Even though this may sound creepy, I think that sitting next to that huge cross would be a very calming experience.
To be able to look out at all of the tombstones and wonder just how many impacts these people have had or great things these people have done. The things that they must have seen over their life time and the experiences they have had. It really makes you think just how fast times goes by. That at some point mostly all those people who are now resting in the ground were once the same age you are today. Life goes by faster than one can fully grasp and every once and awhile it is important to just get away from the chaos, take a step back, and escape.  

Sea Cliffs

Belaying the Rider by Durand licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0

These beautiful cliffs are located in the popular tourist location of Etretrat France which is known for its relaxing atmosphere. The small villages fill the area with a very calm feeling. Etretrat borders the English Channel where the beautiful Sea Cliffs overhang. These cliffs are very popular for photographers and also for people who love astonishing nature views.
Standing on the white beaches before the cliffs looking up at their amazing heights or standing from above and looking down out over the waters are both great ways to witness the simple wonders of the world. The clear blue waters make the colors of the cliffs and white sand pop out even more and as seen in the picture above one can see the clear distinction of when the water turns from a light teal blue to a darker blue. Standing next to those towering cliffs and walking on the white pebbles by the clear water can make one feel as if they have escaped from the real world, simply to take a little break and escape.

Bavarian Forest

End of Fall by Doug Brown licensed by CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Haselbach Germany is where one of the most beautiful open parks in the world is located. The Bavarian Forest is home to many wild animals that roam around on its open plains and sheltered areas by the towering trees. The forest is open for people to hike through and see the true beauty of nature. There are multiple paths that lead the travelers through the amazing sights and scenery of the forest. Along the way you can see the huge trees, mountains, and rivers of all sizes, and even some of the animals. 

This Tree Top Walk allows people to get a higher and higher look over the landscape, it towers 150 feet into the air. Being able to walk through the forest and then being able to tower among the ground just like the enormous trees would be a great experience. This forest is definitely a place to admire nature and the calmness of the world. One day this would be amazing to be able to escape to.

Lake Erie

This next destination is one that is very personal to me. One that I have been to before, and one that I often dream of returning to. It is a little cottage right before the shore of one of the Great Lakes, in Northeast Pennsylvania. This is where I grew up, where my family comes together every year, the place where I truly feel at home. For me there will most likely never be a substitute for this place.
 No matter how old I get and the new places that I come across, the feeling of sitting on the sand and looking out on the calm waters of Lake Erie will always hold a special place in my heart. The memories made here over the years and years that my family has enjoyed its relaxing atmosphere will never be forgotten. It is not just a place to escape to but for me it is a place to remember. To remember the family members that have been lost and to create new memories that will never be forgotten.

The photo above is one that I took myself when I was sitting on our cottage's porch next to my grandfather. This was the summer before my sophomore year of high school and I can remember my grandfather telling me to enjoy my high school years as they go by quick and soon enough I will be in college and on to bigger things. Looking back I can see how right he was. Unfortunately, my grandfather never got to see me go on to those bigger things as he passed away in October of that same year. But since I have such great memories with him, Lake Erie will always be a place that I can go to and remember the great times that I have had. 

Machu Picchu

Traveling 7,972 feet up, hiking through the mountains, this destination is much unlike the typical desired island or busy populated city. The wonderful land of Machu Picchu sits tucked away on the rocky countryside of Peru. The rock work making up the walls that guide you through the paths and all around the village blend right in to the natural theme of the whole land. Going to Machu Picchu is like entering a whole new world separate from the chaotic one most people live in.

 There are wide open spaces and amazing views that are supplied by the mountains and open plains. The sunsets and sunrises seen from the top of the mountain are two things that are too beautiful to be described and not seen for oneself. Machu Picchu is definitely another perfect place to escape to.

Bora Bora

The warming white beaches and glass clear waters are two major attractions that catch ones eye right away. There is a distant and relaxing mood that is set off from the isolate location of Bora Bora and its surrounding islands. This location's natural beauty is definitely too enormous to be felt just through a picture. The amazing view consists of the never ending calming waves as you look off to the horizon, and the stunning Mount Otemanu that stands at the center of the Bora Bora island.

Isla de Bora Bora by Alquiler de Coches licensed by CC BY 2.0

Bora Bora delivers a type of laid back and very relaxing environment. The physical aspects are the main attractions, but the emotional escape of being able to forget and relax in an area that is calming in every way, is also a big reason that this is a popular place to explore. Imagine oneself laying on the beach or standing in the water, embracing the vibe of how limitless the world can be, as your worries wash away with the current of the waves. Finding peace and serenity in the oasis of the beaches, to be able to escape to Bora Bora.