Tiger Leaping Gorge, in the heart of Yunnan Province, was not the popular destination it is today. Back then, it was an untamed wilderness, a network of paths more suited to locals and their livestock than to travelers. We had arrived with no guide, just a crude map from a street vendor and the reckless confidence of people who thought they could figure it out as they went. Our driver dropped us at what he called the “starting point,” a dirt clearing where the trail disappeared into the rugged mountain. “I’ll wait here,” he said with a grin, as though he knew what we were in for. With a single bottle of water between us and no backup plan, we set off, naively trusting that the trail would lead us back to him by sundown. Drop off point The first few hours were magical. The gorge was a masterpiece of nature—towering cliffs rose on either side of the roaring Jinsha River, and the views seemed to stretch forever. We walked in awe, stopping often to admire the landscape and snap photos with...
As you grow older time flies faster, take time to smell the flowers, breath the fresh air, and enjoy the moment.