Hi from Živogošće!

The name of the village sounds like a paradox. Literally meaning “lively guests” in Croatian, this locality in southern Dalmatia enters hibernation in the winter months.

In the off-season, there are barely 416 inhabitants here. Once tourists return, already the guests and seasonal staff in the hotel where I work will triple the entire population of Živogošće.

It’s been exactly one month since I was hired as an Experience Manager, tasked with leading a team responsible for everything from guest relations to entertainment, fitness, tours, and all other activities available during one’s hotel stay. In other words, my job is responding to the ultimate topic: “things to do in Živogošće”.

The tricky part is that, right now, there are no guests in Živogošće. Unless the name comes from “lively ghosts”. The season here starts in April and finishes in October.

Before beaches get populated with human visitors – I already explained – cats rule public space and my personal attention.

But even the most intelligent among mammals enjoy the luxury of tourists’ absence in the village. With nobody creating noise, dolphins are happy to visit these shores from sunrise to sunset.

From a quiet room (and rooms in a guestless hotel do get quiet), the sound of a spout from a dolphin’s blowhole easily rips a silent Sunday. Sometimes, I imagine it is humans swimming in the Adriatic. At another moment, it feels like a giant whale piping away from Živogošće’s harbor of Porat (name formed from the word ‘port’).  In any case, at the moment, the liveliest part of this environment is the most silent one.

Never before have I checked in at a hotel without guests. As we prepare the property for the season, our crew is getting bigger by the day. However, during the night, when local workers leave to sleep at their homes, walking through dark, silent hotel corridors feels surreal.

I might head out of my room only to grab a piece of bread from the kitchen or to chat with an equally lonely night security guy. The sensory experience of a seemingly abandoned place confirms that it’s not just a hallucination caged in my head.

In deserted hotels, one can easily feel like stepping into “Home Alone” or “Night at the Museum”, adventures where flickering shadows can transform into monsters, ripping a silent Sunday, like a dolphin’s exhale.

Guests will arrive in a couple of months, and the hotel will start breathing with full lungs. Until then, I’ll have to comfort lonely moments by hanging out with my first neighbors, meowing and whistling in quiet bays.

Have a clicking week,

Ivan Kralj    
Pipeaway.com

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and make a purchase, Pipeaway may make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work!

The post 🐬 Hotel Alone: Notes from a Guestless Resort – Pipeaway Newsletter #209 appeared first on Pipeaway.

Hi from Živogošće!

Last week, I made a mistake. I compared the effect of the strong local wind shaking my accommodation to an earthquake. Well, it turned out: it WAS an earthquake! Nature is having a ball in Dalmatia, and I can’t even distinguish its phenomena.

On the other side of the Adriatic, it can also get wild. Italy has officially closed the 25th Winter Olympic Games. One of the crazier moments at Milano Cortina 2026 was when a wolfdog decided to run on the track where a fellow Croatian, cross-country skier Tena Hadžić, was finishing the race.

In a world already accustomed to AI cat Olympics, I bet many dismissed this news as fake. But animals can be quite unpredictable.

In my journey around the globe, I met countless cats, from a grieving mother cat in Cambodia to cats chilling among African hyenas.

But a purring welcome I received in Živogošće, a place I anchored myself for the time being, almost resembled a choir.

Winters can get lonely in this small tourist place with barely 400 permanent inhabitants. Among them are cats, street wanderers that belong to no one and benefit from everyone. All of them well-fed, they seem to receive enough nourishment from locals. But something is missing here, out of the summer season.

Tourists. There are no tourists.

So, when I wander around the streets myself, I encounter two types of cats. Those who I surprise by turning a corner get startled and run away. Those who still remember the benefits of attention provided by visitors also run. But towards me.

I edited a special little video of my encounters with Živogošće’s needy stray cats. Even though I’m not a special fan of these animals, it seems I found some great friends in this new town of mine.

I salute you with the words of Baby Lasagna, a Croatian musician and cat lover whose name was inspired by Garfield‘s favorite food: ‘Bye mom, bye dad, meow, cat, please, meow back.’

Have a purring week,

Ivan Kralj    
Pipeaway.com

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and make a purchase, Pipeaway may make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work!

The post 😻 From Tremors to Purrs: 101 Dalmatian Cats – Pipeaway Newsletter #208 appeared first on Pipeaway.

Hi from Dalmatia!

As I am settling into my new environment, in a world that should be much slower out of the tourist season, I realize how time quickly passes by. So, I ended up being late.

I’m late with this newsletter.

I’m late with my Valentine’s Day article.

Still, I’ll share it with you. After I passed by Majerovo Vrilo, a fantastic river source which turned out not to resemble a heart at the moment, I compensated. The result was the compilation of the world’s prettiest heart-shaped lakes. One can, and probably should, visit and enjoy these romantic destinations outside of holiday pressures anyway. So there’s no problem in postponing something you’ve been working on if you deliver.

My heart-filled guide might have arrived three days after Valentine’s Day. But one is never too late to fall in love with nature.

As I’m writing this, I hear wind howling and wild waves boiling behind my window, in the darkness, celebrating their own Mardi Gras. Earlier, the whole building was literally trembling as the strong wind pushed against it, like an earthquake. With nature, it’s easy to feel both love and fear. Sometimes, at the same time.

The local nymph sculpture, which you can normally walk to, is struggling with ever-rising tides. And that pic was taken with an unexpectedly bright sky! But on other days (when I don’t go outside to take pictures), I’m not even sure from which direction the water is coming. Is it raining? Is it just the wind blowing the sea in my face? Or are those Biokovo mountain streams crossing the promenade – splashing against me?

Have you witnessed some extreme weather yourself these days? Or did you manage to find a calm corner to hide?

In other (or very similar) news, this weekend, Croatia chose its representative for a song contest that has a heart-shaped ‘V’ in its logo. Despite Lelek with “Andromeda” being somewhat of a controversial Eurovision pick, it didn’t even have time to matter.

The news has been overblown by a much wilder storm in a cup: Eurovision Live Tour has been cancelled. Well, officially, the EBU announced that they are “postponing” it. Until some inconcrete future. Meaning: indefinitely.

They were Eurovision-style vague in explaining the reasons, calling them “unforeseen challenges” that they “have been unable to resolve”.

Of course, fans have already interpreted this PR blabbering as an escape from responsibility for the fact that tickets had high prices and low sales. Despite focusing the entire tour on only the richest parts of Europe, ticket prices from 55 to 353 euros simply couldn’t have filled up all those big arenas the producers had their eyes on. Eurofan base is shrinking year by year.

We will probably never hear the true reasons from the EBU that loves to hide when the weather gets extreme. Despite being the union of public broadcasters, they are not keen on implementing full transparency in their communication and actions.

For illustration, I sent my press questions on the criteria for choosing the tour locations on January 20. Almost one month later, still nothing. Just like they went quiet on the question of Israel‘s participation, they chose to be united by silence even when defending the live tour project they believed in. It seems there is no strong enough person in the team to handle communication in a crisis.

And all I wanted to know was why they ended up eliminating half of Europe with an invisible iron curtain. This could have been a great moment for them to score – “We cancelled the Western European tour to focus on uniting the entire continent by music”, is something we won’t hear them say.

Well, I wouldn’t hear them say it even if they tried. This crazy Croatian winter wind is having a loud Shrove Tuesday party outside.

Enjoy some slow and silent time, if you can.

Have a quiet week,

Ivan Kralj    
Pipeaway.com

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and make a purchase, Pipeaway may make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work!

The post 🌊 The Week That Blew Everything Off Course – Pipeaway Newsletter #207 appeared first on Pipeaway.

Heart-shaped lakes offer amazement on your face, altitude under your feet, and a photograph that can go on Instagram with no disclaimer

From snowy alpine basins carved by glaciers to desert oases designed by humans, lakes shaped like hearts are among geography’s most delightful optical surprises. They’re made for aerial shots, bucket lists, spontaneous proposals, and even special appearances in video games like The Legend of Zelda, where Lover’s Pond hides a treasure chest atop Tuft Mountain.

These water wonders face competition from their terrestrial cousins – heart-shaped islands (many of these in the Adriatic Sea). Even Greece’s Kythira Island – birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of love – boasts a heart-shaped lagoon. It seems that if you looked long enough, you’d start spotting the universal symbol of love everywhere: on a bark of a tree, in a clouded sky, or on a piece of toast.

Beyond AI slop and internet rabbit holes, authentic heart-shaped lakes offer something refreshingly tangible: amazement on your face, altitude under your feet, and a photograph that can be shared on Instagram with no disclaimer.

So today, we’re taking off. We’ll fly above the most beautiful heart-shaped lakes in the world, learn about their origin, their location, and how to experience them responsibly.

Whether natural or manmade, these bodies of water that resemble a heart are like Mother Nature’s own love letters – scattered across the globe, waiting to be opened.

Why Are Some Lakes Heart-Shaped?

Before you lace up your hiking boots or charge your drone batteries, it’s worth asking: How does a lake end up looking like it belongs on a Valentine’s Day card?

A lake’s heart shape is usually a slow byproduct of natural geological processes: glacial carving, landslides and rockfall, tectonic activity, or long-term water flow erosion.

In specific cases, however, humans step in to assist Cupid. Some heart-shaped lakes are deliberately designed. The most famous example of an engineered liquid heart is Love Lake in Dubai, where two interlocking heart shapes were carved into the desert as a romantic attraction.

Top Heart-Shaped Lakes by Region

Heart-Shaped Lakes of Europe

1. Lake Näckern, Sweden

Deep within the forests of Östergötland County in southern Sweden, Lake Näckern rests in near-perfect seclusion.

Located near Bestorp, south of Linköping, this small woodland lake is part of a landscape dotted with glacial tarns, peat bogs, and thick spruce and pine forests.

Conifer trees surrounding the heart-shaped lake preserve its untouched character.

While not part of major hiking trails, and perhaps for that reason exactly, roe deer, capercaillie, and cranes love hanging around Näckern, Swedish liquid heart beating softly beneath a canopy of green.

2. Lac du Montagnon, France

Cradled in the Aspe Valley of the French Pyrenees, not far from the Spanish border, Lac du Montagnon looks as if glaciers once decided to leave behind a romantic signature.

At 2,173 meters above sea level, this high-altitude lake rests beneath ridgelines that feel almost protective. Reaching it requires commitment. The elevation gain exceeds 1,000 meters. Love is rarely effortless.

Starting from the small mountain village of Aydius, hikers face a demanding 9-kilometer ascent that takes roughly five hours one way, crossing forests, streams, and pastures before the terrain turns steep and breath-shortening.

Many visitors choose to bivouac near the lake to catch sunrise, when the first light brushes the heart-shaped outline in soft gold. In those early hours, before boots crunch on gravel and trekking poles click against stone, the lake is intensely private.

Remote, wild, and framed by the rugged peaks of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Lac du Montagnon proves that some of the most romantic views require a little suffering first.

3. Lac de Bethmale, France

The Ariège Pyrenees offer their own emerald-toned heart in the form of Lac de Bethmale. Unlike its high-altitude sibling, this lake has a rather mystical aura, wrapped in dense beech forests and mountain calm.

Its green color comes with a story. According to local legend, a wicked witch once lived by the lake, terrorizing nearby villagers. When they finally chased her away, she leapt into the water, and her shimmering blue-green dress sank to the bottom. Ever since, the fabric’s glow has tinted the lake, particularly vivid in summer.

Science may attribute the hue to minerals and light refraction, but the witch’s dress is undeniably a better explanation.

Situated at 1,074 meters, in the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional des Pyrénées Ariégeoises, the lake is easily accessible by car, a rarity among heart-shaped alpine waters. This accessibility makes it popular with families, walkers, photographers, and fishermen hoping to catch a trout, or a brook salmon, or, who knows, even a fragment of the witch’s enchanted fabric.

Across the seasons, Lac de Bethmale transforms romantically: lush and vibrant in summer, reflective and moody in autumn, quietly frosted in winter.

4. Le Buisson, France

The last and least French example on this list of heart-shaped lakes is Le Buisson in Trélazé, just southeast of Angers.

This modest body of water emerged from centuries of schist and slate extraction that reshaped the landscape into a patchwork of pits, basins, and reclaimed terrain. What was once a working quarry gradually filled with water, and over time the excavation scars transformed into living ecosystems.

Today, these former mining cavities are home to waterfowl, amphibians, dragonflies, and bushy wetland vegetation. It’s not manicured. Le Buisson is a semi-wild pocket of calm where urban edges soften and biodiversity quietly thrives.

For those curious about how post-industrial landscapes can evolve into green sanctuaries, this small heart-shaped lake functions as a tiny but resilient ecological lung within the greater Angers area.

5. Kirchbruch See, Germany

Kirchbruch See is another heart-shaped quarry lake, one of the most remarkable small lakes in eastern Germany.

Located in Brandis near Leipzig, in the state of Saxony, the lake owes its dramatic presence not only to its outline, but also to its unlikely companion: Bergkirche Beucha, a medieval church perched on a cliff above it.

The church was built in the 13th century atop Beuchaer Kirchberg, back then just an ordinary hill. From the 15th century onward, the hill was quarried for valuable porphyry stone, used in major regional buildings. Over time, quarry workers cut deeper and deeper into the hill, removing rock on three sides of the church. So, technically, the church was never placed on a cliff; the cliff was carved out around the church!

Mining continued until 1958, after which the quarry slowly filled with water, forming what we now know as Kirchbruch See.

With clear water and easy access, the lake is a popular place for summer swimming and even diving. The area is part of the Geopark Porphyrland, with circular trails around the quarry and viewpoints overlooking the lake.

In 2019, the quarry and its cliff-hanging church were designated a National Geotope, acknowledging their geological and cultural significance.

6. Gaislacher See, Austria

Some heart-shaped lakes make you work for the view, and Gaislacher See is proudly one of them.

High above Sölden in the Austrian Ötztal Alps, this deep‑blue mountain lake rests at around 2,700 meters, cradled inside a rugged cirque of stone and snow.

The hike to one of the most striking surprises in Tyrol is demanding, making it a quiet, uncrowded reward.

Most hikers start from the Gaislachkoglbahn middle station, which can be accessed by cable car or on foot. From there, the trail wastes no time; it climbs sharply through switchbacks into the rocky amphitheater known as Gaislacher Kar.

Expect a solid workout: over roughly 4 kilometers, you gain about 560 meters in elevation, with narrow and occasionally steep sections ensuring your lungs stay fully engaged. The steady ascent from the middle station takes around 2.5 hours.

Crest the final ridge and the lake appears suddenly, its surface reflecting the surrounding peaks like polished glass. In that moment, fatigue briefly disappears.

7. Lough Ouler, Ireland

Beneath the broad shoulders of Tonelagee (817 m) in the Wicklow Mountains lies one of Ireland’s most poetic natural surprises: Lough Ouler. Perfectly heart-shaped, this glacial lake is one of Ireland’s most photogenic wonders. But to see it, you’ll have to take on the mountain (or scroll to the cover image of this article). That can include boggy areas, slippery boulders, and a muddy path.

The trail begins gently enough, winding through wild rolling hills and rough tracks far removed from the smooth paths of nearby Glendalough. At the wind-swept ridge near Tonelagee, the third-highest peak in the Wicklow range, the landscape shifts. Suddenly, the ground drops away, revealing a raw, still, surreal lake.

There are two primary routes to reach Lough Ouler, and they are equally hard: a linear ascent from Turlough Hill car park, or a loop beginning at Glenmacnass Waterfall car park. Both involve steep sections, both require solid footing, and both deliver that unforgettable heart‑shaped reveal.

From the summit, Wicklow stretches in all directions, and on clear days, the Irish Sea glimmers in the distance. It’s astonishing how something so close to Dublin can feel an entire world away.

Lough Ouler is less a stroll and more a challenge, the kind of day hike that leaves your boots heavy and your camera full.

8. Vyshhorod’s Heart-Shaped Lake, Ukraine

Not all heart-shaped lakes sit high in mountains or hide in remote valleys. Some rest quietly on the edge of everyday life.

In Vyshhorod, just north of Kyiv, in an area where the city softens into nature, a small, unnamed pond forms a subtle heart within a patch of green.

Situated near the embankment at the southern end of the Kyiv Reservoir along the Dnieper River, this modest water body is part of a landscape locals use for walking, cycling, and catching a breath away from traffic and concrete.

It sits near a football field and close to the so-called Lake named after Khodos Alexander, blending into the rhythm of ordinary afternoons.

Like much in Ukraine today, this small lake is suspended between past and future, quietly present, waiting for calmer times to shine as a peaceful corner of town.

9. Trnovačko jezero, Montenegro

Tucked between the mountains of northern Montenegro, near the border with Bosnia & Herzegovina, Trnovačko jezero is arguably one of Europe’s purest naturally formed hearts. Its waters shift between deep sapphire and bright emerald depending on where the sun hits.

Perched at 1,517 meters above sea level, this famously clear lake is encircled by some of the region’s most imposing peaks: Maglić, Volujak, and Bioč.

Trnovačko Lake was sculpted at the end of the last Ice Age, when retreating glaciers carved out a basin in this valley, in an iconic shape we all recognize as a symbol of love.

Montenegro’s mountain heart is located within the Piva Nature Park, but it is most commonly approached from the Bosnian side, via a 5-kilometer hike from Prijevor. Most hikers complete the non-demanding trail to the lake in 90 minutes.

At the end of the route, dipping one’s toes into the glacial chill produces a mix of bravery and regret. The bold may commit to a full swim; the wise often settle for a picnic and a view.

For travelers exploring the Durmitor, Sutjeska, or Piva regions, this romantic natural wonder is refreshingly unpolished, a scenery that’s not yet curated into social-media submission.

10. Liqeni i Zemrës, Kosovo

Stuck at 2,539 meters above sea level, this is one of Kosovo’s highest glacial lakes, situated in a stark, wind-sculpted landscape at the borderland with Albania. The setting is raw and elemental: sharp ridgelines, fractured rock, and vast skies that make hikers look like punctuation marks against stone.

High in the jagged embrace of the Albanian Alps, Liqeni i Zemrës (literally “Lake of the Heart” in Albanian) lives up to its name with unapologetic precision.

Its clear heart outline, combined with its extraordinary altitude, has made it a highlight of the long-distance Peaks of the Balkans trail. Those trekking through the Bjeshkët e Nemuna – the Accursed Mountains – often describe the lake as an emotional waypoint as much as a geographic one. After hours of climbing through rugged terrain beneath Gusan peak, the sudden appearance of this alpine heart feels like a true revelation.

There are no curated viewpoints. Just wind, silence, and a shape carved by ancient ice that somehow resembles affection in one of the Balkans’ wildest corners.

Heart-shaped Lakes in the Americas

11. Heart Lake, Ontario, Canada

Locally known as Beaver Pond, Heart Lake in eastern Ontario, Canada, is a small but remarkably precise heart etched into the forest.

Hidden near the tiny community of Ompah, in North Frontenac, roughly 100 kilometers southwest of Ottawa, the lake is wrapped in absolute quiet. Every autumn, however, it reenters the digital spotlight. As foliage turns blazing red and gold, the contrast against the lake’s deep blue surface creates a scene so vivid that it practically begs to be shared on social media timelines.

Heart Lake sits on Crown Land, surrounded by a thick forest. This isolation is part of its charm, and part of the problem. As there is no designated public access, no marked trails, and no official viewing platforms, those who managed to come closer either used drones or engaged in trespassing through surrounding properties.

Local authorities have warned influencers to stay away from the lake, particularly during hunting season, when hunters can barely distinguish selfie-takers from deer.

The inaccessibility only deepens the allure of Heart Lake, like a siren call that’s too hard to resist.

12. Étang Baker, Quebec, Canada

If you’re searching for a heart-shaped lake near Montreal, there’s one just a 90-minute ride away. Étang Baker is located in Quebec’s Eastern Townships (Estrie), near Mont Gauvin.

Around 2018, this modest woodland pond quietly erupted across Instagram feeds.

Its symmetrical outline, framed by dense mixed forest, becomes especially vivid in autumn, when the landscape ignites in shades of orange, crimson, and gold. From above, it looks painterly, a seasonal masterpiece.

However, Étang Baker rests on private land. There are no visitor facilities, no designated parking areas, and no infrastructure in place for crowds. Respect for property and preparation are essential, including something as practical as a restroom stop before arrival.

The lake’s name traces back to a prominent local family who once owned the land, including Lieutenant Colonel George Harold Baker, a politician and the only Canadian Member of Parliament killed in action during World War I.

Today, Étang Baker balances delicately between viral fame and rural privacy. It’s a small, love-shaped secret in the Quebec countryside, one that asks you to explore off the beaten path.

13. Spirit Lake, Washington, USA

Just five kilometers north of Mount St. Helens in Skamania County, Washington, lies Spirit Lake, a heart-shaped lake born not from romance but from catastrophe.

Before May 18, 1980, Spirit Lake looked entirely different. It had two elongated arms connected by a narrow channel, described by NASA as resembling “the top half of a heart”.

But when a magnitude 5.1 earthquake triggered the eruption of Mount St. Helens, the largest landslide in recorded history reshaped the landscape. The blast claimed 57 lives, making it the deadliest volcanic eruption in U.S. history. Lava, ash, and debris expanded the lake’s footprint, creating the distinct heart-like outline visible today in Landsat 8 imagery.

Today, Spirit Lake sits at a higher elevation (1,038 meters) and remains closed to visitors to protect its fragile, recovering ecosystem. Spirit Lake has become – a ghost lake.

Once-thriving 1970s tourism scene of camps and lakeside lodges is gone. Massive tree trunks from the destroyed forest still float across the lake’s surface, creating one of the most haunting landscapes in the Pacific Northwest.

14. Castle Lake, California, USA

Further south, in Northern California’s Klamath Mountains, Castle Lake offers a gentler, though still phenomenal heart.

Located southwest of Mount Shasta City within the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and near the Castle Crags Wilderness, this glacial lake sits in a granite bowl carved by retreating Ice Age glaciers.

From above, its broad outline forms a recognizable heart, framed by craggy ridgelines and evergreen slopes.

At 1,658 meters above sea level, Castle Lake is refreshingly accessible. A paved road leads directly to the shoreline, with parking at the water’s edge: a rare luxury among alpine lakes.

And then comes the delightful twist: Castle Lake serves as a trailhead for another heart-shaped body of water, aptly named Heart Lake. For those unwilling to settle for a single symbol, a steep but rewarding trail climbs from a larger heart below to a smaller, more crisply defined heart above. It’s geography indulging in repetition.

Beyond hiking, Castle Lake invites swimming (brace yourself: the water is famously cold), kayaking, fishing, photography, and, in winter, snowshoeing across a frozen scene.

15. Lago Corazón de Liquiñe, Chile

In southern Chile’s Los Ríos Region, near the thermal-spring town of Liquiñe, Lago Corazón de Liquiñe rests quietly among volcanoes and ancient forest.

Also known as Laguna Corazón or Laguna Ancacoigue, this small mountain lake is situated approximately 1,000 meters above sea level in the Andean foothills near the Argentine border.

Its naturally heart-shaped outline makes it one of South America’s most charming examples: intimate rather than grand, secluded rather than flashy.

Reaching it requires a 30–45 minute uphill trek from Liquiñe through native, old-growth forest dominated by coigüe and tepa trees. As the canopy opens and the lake appears, framed by distant volcanoes such as Villarrica and Lanín, the setting becomes a storybook.

And, as with many heart-shaped places, folklore has followed geography. Local belief holds that couples who reach the lake together and share a kiss while counting to seven will strengthen and protect their bond.

Whether or not the ritual guarantees lifelong devotion remains unverified. But standing beside a quiet Andean lake shaped like a heart, with volcanoes on the horizon and forest all around, it’s hard not to share a kiss with a loved one.

Heart-Shaped Lakes in Asia & the Middle East

16. Shimshal Lake, Pakistan

High in the Karakoram Mountains, at the Roof of the World, lies one of the most remote heart-shaped lakes.

Located in the Shimshal Valley of Upper Hunza in Gilgit-Baltistan, Shimshal Lake (locally known as Shuvorth) sits at an astonishing 4,755 meters above sea level.

Shimshal Village, one of Pakistan’s most isolated settlements, had no road access until 2003. Even today, reaching it requires navigating one of the country’s most dangerous dirt roads. This lack of connections contributed to the preservation of the raw landscape and the indigenous Wakhi culture.

From the village, accessing the lake involves a demanding 40-kilometer trek across the Shimshal Pamir, a high-altitude plateau dominated by wetlands, yak pastures, and the world’s largest glaciers.

The valley is famously known as the “Valley of Mountaineers”, producing many of Pakistan’s elite climbers. You’ll appreciate their company during a multi-day expedition.

Fed by glacial meltwater, the heart-shaped Shimshal Lake is frequented by migratory birds (love birds?). Its extreme altitude and remoteness make it inaccessible for most human visitors. But for those who reach it, the reward is raw Himalayan wilderness at its finest.

17. Lower Kachura Lake, Pakistan

If you’re looking for a more approachable heart-shaped lake in Pakistan, you’re in luck. There’s one you can reach by road, no trekking required, just a 20-minute ride out of Skardu city.

Lower Kachura Lake sits at about 2,500 meters above sea level, in the broad Skardu Valley of Gilgit Baltistan, carved by ancient glaciers, with steep mountains rising on all sides. It is celebrated for its mirror-still water and the famous “Heaven on Earth” hotel which operates on its shores.

Shangrila Resort, which gave the lake another nickname (Shangrila Lake), was built in the 1980s.  An idyllic image of red-roofed cottages and an unusual restaurant constructed inside a crashed aircraft made it one of Pakistan’s earliest iconic tourist destinations.

If all of that sounds familiar, you might refresh your memory of James Hilton’s novel “Lost Horizon”, in which a plane crash in the Himalayas leaves passengers stranded in a mythical paradise – Shangri-La.

Reading this book under an apricot tree beside the heart-shaped Lower Kachura Lake might be the most atmospheric literary pairing imaginable.

18. Chembra Lake, India

Locally known as Hridayathadakam (“Heart Lake”), Chembra Lake sits high on Chembra Peak, the tallest peak in Kerala’s Wayanad district.

At 2,100 meters above sea level, this natural heart-shaped lake is one of India’s most iconic natural landmarks. Surrounded by rolling grasslands, misty hills, and lush tea estates, it offers a distinctly South Indian alpine atmosphere.

The nearest town is Meppadi, near Kalpetta. The trek to the lake (3.5 kilometers one way) is moderately challenging and requires a guide provided by the Kerala Forest Department. You’ll start near the base of Chembra Hill, but you can’t do it alone. A group needs to include five members, and if you are foreigners, each will pay ₹1600 for the ticket (approximately 15 euros or 18 dollars).

The round-trip hike to the lake which locals consider sacred, takes about 3–4 hours and passes through forests, grasslands, and rocky terrain with sweeping views of the plateau.

The lake never dries up, even during the hottest months of the year. But avoid visiting during the heavy monsoon season (June–August), when trails become slippery.

19. Serdce Yugry, Russia

In the oil town of Kogalym in western Siberia, a small oxbow lake has gained a poetic nickname – Сердце Югры / Serdce Yugry, or The Heart of Yugra.

Located in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug (also known as Yugra), this naturally heart-shaped lake formed through classic river dynamics.

Oxbow lakes develop when a river meander becomes cut off from the main channel as sediment gradually seals the narrow “neck.” Most oxbows form crescent or U-shaped basins. However, occasionally, as in this rare Russian case, the geometry yields a surprising heart-shaped form.

The Yugra region is crisscrossed with slow-moving rivers flowing through taiga forests and wetlands, making it ideal terrain for oxbow-lake formation.

Serdce Yugry is a quiet, accidental masterpiece of fluvial geomorphology. Even in industrial oil regions, nature still shapes its own unstoppable paths.

20. Ozero Lyubvi, Russia

High in the Western Caucasus, in the Russian Karachay-Cherkess Republic, lies Ozero Lyubvi, literally “Lake of Love”.

This heart-shaped lake is located on the Morg-Syrty Plateau near Arkhyz, at an elevation of 2,350 meters. Even during summer, the water remains icy cold, earning it the alternative Turkic name Suuk Djürek Köl, meaning “Cold Heart”.

The hike to Ozero Lyubvi is steep but weel worth it. The turquoise water contrasts beautifully with the alpine meadows and the Caucasus mountain panorama. It is one of Russia’s most photogenic high-altitude lakes, and a popular destination for couples.

The lake is part of the protected Teberda Nature Reserve, so visitors are required pay a small ecological fee.

21. Karagöl Şavşat, Turkey

In northeastern Turkey, within the pristine Karagöl–Sahara National Park, one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the Eastern Black Sea region, lies the emerald-green mountain lake of Karagöl Şavşat.

Located in the Şavşat district of Artvin Province, this softly heart-shaped lake was formed by a massive landslide that blocked a valley, creating a natural basin that gradually filled with water.

Surrounded by misty mountain ridges and dense spruce and fir forests, Karagöl’s mirror-calm water creates a truly serene atmosphere that makes modern life feel extremely distant.

Accessible via a scenic 40-minute drive from Şavşat town (part asphalt, part rural road), the lake is popular for hiking, picnicking, photography, and rowing.

22. Love Lake, Dubai, UAE

We conclude our list of the most fascinating heart-shaped lakes in the world with one that is a deliberate human engineering creation. Love Lake Dubai consists of two interlocking hearts, which made it one of the most recognizable aerial views in the United Arab Emirates.

The lake pair is carved into the desert landscape near Al Qudra, within the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, the UAE’s largest unfenced nature reserve. To get there from central Dubai, it takes approximately 30 minutes by car.

Opened in 2018, the lake was created as a romantic gesture by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai. His wife was given a peaceful escape from the city. However, Love Lake soon became a popular spot for proposals, anniversaries, and drone photography.

Despite its desert setting, Love Lake is surprisingly lush. Visitors can spot swans, ducks, and koi fish, while carefully landscaped trees and flowers surround the shoreline of the oasis.

Mesquite trees spell out the word “LOVE” on one side of Dubai’s double-heart attraction, and walking paths form silhouettes of two embracing figures on the other.

How to Photograph Heart-Shaped Lakes

Reaching a heart-shaped lake doesn’t automatically mean you’ll see the heart.

From the shoreline, the outline often disappears into curves and coves. To capture the full form, you’ll usually need elevation, either a strenuous uphill hike (for mountain lakes) or aerial access via drone.

Here are essential photography tips to help you capture the most amazing heart-shaped lake shots!

1. Check Local Drone Regulations

Drone laws vary widely by country. Many heart-shaped lakes are located within national parks, protected reserves, or sensitive ecosystems. Research local regulations in advance and secure any required permits. Some areas require paperwork to be submitted weeks in advance of arrival.

2. Plan Your Angle in Advance

Study satellite previews using tools like Google Earth or map applications. Analyze how the lake appears from different orientations. Look for ridgelines, peaks, or natural overlooks that offer a top-down perspective without the need of a drone.

3. Use the Power of Perspective

Some lakes marketed as heart-shaped may only resemble one from a specific angle. A subtle shift in elevation or position can radically change the outline. For example, lakes such as the Swiss Lagh de Calvaresc and the Italian Lago di Scanno look convincingly heart-shaped only from precise viewpoints (that’s why we haven’t even included them in our selection). Experiment, adjust, and find your own artistic interpretation.

4. Respect the Ecosystem

Many heart-shaped lakes are located in fragile alpine, volcanic, wetland, or desert environments. Stay on marked trails. Avoid trampling vegetation. Never disturb wildlife for a better frame. The image is not worth the damage to the ecosystem.

5. Shoot During Golden Hours

Early morning and late afternoon light enhances natural contours and reduces harsh shadows. Soft side lighting accentuates the curves that define the “heart”. Always check the trajectory of the sun (is your lake in the shadow of a mountain in certain hours?). Also, when planning your time, keep in mind that you still need to hike back to your base (in case you end up shooting sunset photos).

6. Use a Polarizing Filter

A polarizer reduces glare on water surfaces and enhances color saturation. Deep blues and emerald greens contrast beautifully against the surrounding terrain.

7. Revisit in Different Seasons

A heart-shaped lake can undergo dramatic transformations throughout the year. Snow cover, autumn foliage, drought conditions, or high-water seasons may alter the shape entirely – sometimes making it more pronounced, sometimes making it invisible. Research and revisit.

8. Think Before You Geotag

Overexposure can harm fragile locations. If you discover a lesser-known heart-shaped lake, consider skipping exact coordinates when posting on social media. Responsible exploration preserves these landscapes for future generations to enjoy. Bucket-list chasers affected by FOMO will always be able to do their own research if they want to explore seriously.

22 Heart-Shaped Lakes in the World – Conclusion

Why are we so fascinated by heart-shaped lakes?

They combine natural beauty, symbolism, and the thrill of discovery.

Some were carved slowly by glaciers over millennia. Others were reshaped in moments of volcanic fury. A few, like Love Lake, were intentionally designed as modern declarations of romance. But all of them remind us that beauty often hides in plain sight.

Heart lakes have been surviving as hidden gems for thousands of years. Let’s make sure we don’t leave them broken-hearted

The rise of drone photography changed how we see these lakes. What once required chartered flights or mountaineering expeditions is now accessible to skilled hikers and aerial photographers. We are witnessing landscapes from perspectives humans were never meant to have.

From the shore, these lakes were always beautiful.

But with a bird’s-eye view, everything became a tad more magical.

Photographs conjure moments. But we shouldn’t forget to enjoy them as we document our adventures.

Reaching the most romantic bodies of water is special. However, a journey through nature is a wonder in itself. Don’t forget to keep your eyes open. That’s better than keeping your finger glued to the shutter button.

And once we decide to share that beauty with the world, we should do it responsibly. Heart lakes have been surviving fine as hidden gems for thousands of years. Let’s make sure we don’t leave them broken-hearted.

Did we forget some important heart-shaped lake?
Let us know in the comments!
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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and make a purchase, Pipeaway may make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work!

Images in this article have been sourced through Unsplash, Depositphotos, Pexels, and other online sources.
In the order of appearance, the authors of the photographs are as follows: 

Lough Ouler with a couple (cover image) - Dannii Coughlan, Unsplash
Coração da Floresta - Ivancana, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Lake Näckern - fotonen, Depositphotos
Lac du Montagnon - Jacint Bofill, Pexels
Lac de Bethmale in autumn - velion x, Unsplash
Lac de Bethmale in winter - Quentin Menini, Unsplash
Le Buisson - Adrien, Unsplash
Kirchbruch See - Martin Wischeropp, Pexels
Gaislacher See - Fozzman, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Lough Ouler - gokhan polat, Unsplash
Vyshhorod heart lake - Artem Horovenko, Unsplash
Trnovačko jezero - Goran Rakita, Pexels
Liqeni i Zemrës - Elbunitkrasniqi, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Spirit Lake - US Geological Survey, Lyn Topinka
Castle Lake - Jaykhuang, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Lago Corazón de Liquiñe - Blinovita, Depositphotos
Shimshal Lake - unknwon author
Lower Kachura Lake - Abbas Shah1, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Chembra Lake - Aneesh Jose, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Serdce Yugry - Ted.ns, licensed under CC BY 4.0
Ozero Lyubvi - Alexey Elfimov, Unsplash
Karagöl Şavşat - Mehmet Özcan, Pexels
Love Lake Dubai - Diego Ruso Pérez, Pexels
Loughrigg Fell Ambleside - Jonny Gios, Unsplash
Heart-shaped lake in Romania - Vlad Chețan, Pexels
Love Lake Dubai (pin image) - Lloyd Alozie, Pexels

The post Heart-Shaped Lakes Around the World: 22 Nature’s Most Romantic Water Wonders appeared first on Pipeaway.

Hi from Gacka Valley!

Nestled between the Plješivica and Velebit mountains, the Lika Region is often called the untouched heart of Croatia.

In the heart of that heart lies Gacka Valley, with the world’s third-longest sinking river as its main artery. Nowadays 11-kilometer-long Gacka sources its water from several lake-like springs. One of them was a reason enough to leave the cozy warmth of my car, as I rushed toward Dalmatia.

A display on the highway warned of zero degrees Celsius when I diverted in Otočac, and soon I was on a road, barely wide enough for one car, leading me to Majerovo Vrilo, one of the three main sources of Gacka.

I love immersing myself in pristine wilderness; tropical waterfalls were still in the back of my mind while my frontal lobe reasoned why getting behind the wheel and heading south of wintery Zagreb, like some migratory bird, was the most logical step forward.

Don’t get me wrong, I like seeing the snow (through a window), and even enjoy watching the Winter Olympics (on TV). Any kind of protective screen separating me from the white idyll works for me. When it comes to coldness, I prefer using sight to touch.

I know, what is ice and snow if not just a form of water? I do appreciate nature’s ability to create extraordinary things; snowflakes are literally as diverse and as unique as fingerprints.

Some of nature’s peculiar creations can communicate deeper stories, which can easily draw the attention of this storyteller. I have researched a variety of (not only) geological wonders through the years, from heart islands to those shaped like a boat.

Knowing that Valentine’s is coming up, I had to see Majerovo Vrilo from a bird’s perspective myself. Some earlier photographs I’ve come across suggested this pristine river source had the shape of a heart (recognizable both in greener, as well as in whiter months). I had to take my drone out.

But this is what I recorded. A dreamy observer could still read a heart in the ever-changing water spectacle. But even without knowing the shapeshifter’s airborne secret, Majerovo Vrilo could only leave an impression of a lovely place.

So lovely that I ignored the growing frostbite feeling in my fingers as I tried to pilot the drone. I was envious of ducks gliding through the same water and diving into it, with their cute little behinds and restless legs sticking outside, as if they were not affected by the temperature at all.

One’s mind races away when romance takes over. So, only when I returned to the warm vehicle did I figure out my fingers had cooled down properly in the refreshing Lika’s winter air.

As if I had infused myself with an injection of happiness, I continued driving southward, under the murky sky. When I passed Sveti Rok, a 5.7-kilometer-long tunnel through Velebit, it was as if I had entered a new universe. Skies on the other side were cloudless, and the world seemed much less gray.

Now and then, it’s worth diverting from mainstream paths. My short off-road adventure in Lika powered me up with so much beauty that I could clearly see the light at the end of any tunnel.

I might not have found Valentine’s heart this time, but the adventure has taught me it’s never worthless to try looking for it.

Have a lovely week,

Ivan Kralj    
Pipeaway.com

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and make a purchase, Pipeaway may make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work!

The post 🌬️ A Valley That Changes the Weather Inside You – Pipeaway Newsletter #206 appeared first on Pipeaway.

Hi from Zagreb!

Waving to my hometown, as I passed from warm (Gran Canaria) to cold (Budapest), and heading to warmer latitudes again.

My body somehow undergoes those changes fine, besides my sinuses struggling (I had a runny nose, thanks for asking!), and my brain taking a usual “Where the hell am I?” quiz (post-flight confusion that I named travel fogginess).

Speaking of hard questions, I joined my friend on a pub quiz the other night. I was lucky to be able to contribute a few answers, not ending up as a complete idiot.

Because of my guide on how to survive train jumping accidents, I knew the Spanish place of the latest crash was Adamuz, and thanks to my frequent visits to Switzerland, I knew that the melting Valais cheese specialty was raclette, not fondue (sorry, I can’t find the photo of raclette now). See, you can learn great general knowledge by reading Pipeaway! 😉

As much as I travel the world, I always feel I don’t know enough about it. That’s why group quizzes are nice (and fun!) places to blend in, with any knowledge level. Plus, even the next-to-last team wins (and sadly, we were not that bad – we got to the middle of the ranking board!).

Well, back to not knowing where you are, before heading to Southern Croatia, I took a mental excursion to Southern Thailand, where the five-tiered Ton Chong Fa waterfall was not the only set of cascades I chased.

The waterfalls are part of the Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park, which means the same ticket covers one less-popular coastal hiking attraction, too. If you need a mental break, join the Hat Lek Nature Trail to Small Sandy Beach in the latest Pipeaway Walks video, where I come face-to-face with tropical jungle, Andaman waves, and a water monitor lizard.

Those who plan to visit this area should consider staying at The Anda Mani Khaolak Beachfront Villas – you can read all about this boutique adults-only 10-room property in my new hotel review. If you like places that bring silence, you’ll love The Anda Mani.

Hotels, hotels… In the last nine years, I spent numerous nights in beds I could not call my own. If we exclude some working seasons as a waiter and a bellboy, I mostly visited hotels as a guest (whether a tourist or a critic/reviewer).

Now, this next adventure I am embarking on brings me back to the hotel industry, undertaking the greatest challenge so far. I’ll write about it in some future newsletters, once I settle down.

As I’m heading toward Dalmatia, I’m not just commuting to a new job, but to a new ‘home’ as well. I’ll be living in a hotel without guests for a couple of months. And, before your mind rushes to some urbex adventure, I can say: no, it’s nothing close to the abandoned Hotel Belvedere Dubrovnik!

Let’s see how the guestless hotel experience goes! Maybe the Anda Mani’s silence will have a worthy opponent.

Have a quiet week,

Ivan Kralj    
Pipeaway.com

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and make a purchase, Pipeaway may make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work!

The post 🧭 Where Am I? A Travel Quiz in Real Time – Pipeaway Newsletter #205 appeared first on Pipeaway.

This boutique collection of high-end villas offers a level of privacy that’s becoming increasingly rare along the Andaman coast

You don’t really notice the silence at first. It sneaks up on you somewhere between the whisper of the palms and the ocean, that deep, deliberate hush Khao Lak seems to keep just for itself. There’s no crazy traffic, no blaring beach bars. Only the rhythmic pull of the Andaman Sea, waves brushing against the sand.

At Anda Mani Khao Lak Villas, that stillness feels intentional. As if making you exhale was part of the hospitality design. With only a handful of rooms (10!), this luxurious oceanfront retreat in southern Thailand offers the kind of seclusion most travelers picture when they say they want to “get away”.

If your idea of a holiday includes dodging tourist crowds, colored wristbands, and massive buffet lines, the Anda Mani hotel in Khao Lak is your sanctuary. This boutique collection of high-end villas offers a level of privacy that’s becoming increasingly rare along the coast.

For couples, honeymooners, and anyone who appreciates understated luxury escapes, Anda Mani is where the world slows down.

If you’ve been hovering over life’s pause button for a while now, this might be where you finally press it. But first, read my honest The Anda Mani Khaolak Beachfront Villas review!

Looking for a nice place to stay in Phuket? Check out The Hilltop Wellness Resort!

Hospitality Without the Performance

Just an hour’s drive north of Phuket International Airport, one gets the complete opposite of Patong: a secluded, intimate, and unhurried ribbon of sand. The road itself feels like a portal to another dimension, where life comes at a different pace. Entire villages appear to have stepped through that time-stopping wormhole.

Of course, the slowness might be deliberate, echoing memories of the 2004 Boxing Day, when a tsunami in Khao Lak claimed 4,000 lives in minutes. The 30-meter-high waves wiped out 230,000 victims across Asia, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in history.

While houses and hotels can always be rebuilt, the survivors seem to have embraced a rhythm in which ‘rush’ and ‘modernity’ have lost priority. The only way to continue living in a place of such tragedy is by adopting respect for nature and calmness.

If you crave a bit more movement, Nang Thong and Bang Niang are close enough for strolls through local markets and people-watching from casual cafés. But the real wealth of tranquility lives in places like The Anda Mani. A swing swaying in the breeze, your body sinking into a bean bag chair… If the tide is the only schedule, days can drift by.

My arrival at The Anda Mani reflected that mindset. There was no grand lobby or scripted welcome speech. Just a cool towel, a glass of homegrown butterfly pea flower juice, a small skewered treat, and an unforced smile. The doors of my room were open. On the pillow lay a personal note from General Manager Kris Priyajana, promoting a feel-at-home philosophy “in our intimacy, seclusion, and opulent décor”.

Despite ambitious promises, the hospitality here didn’t feel performed. In a way that recalls the cult Boston TV bar “Cheers” (where everybody knows your name), The Anda Mani was more than a peaceful setting or décor. Above all, it was a down-to-earth place where calling the director by his first name or watching him casually pour you a glass of red wine seemed the most natural thing in the world.

Where is Anda Mani, and How to Get There?

The Anda Mani Khaolak Beachfront Villas (formerly known as X2 Khao Lak Anda Mani Resort) sits on Khao Lak’s southern beachfront, in the Lam Kaen area of Phang Nga Province. It’s just south of central Khao Lak, near Khao Lak–Lam Ru National Park.

For those who like sending postcards, the full Anda Mani Khao Lak address is: 7/9 Moo 2, Lam Kaen, Thai Mueang District, Phang Nga 82210, Thailand.

The nearest major gateway is Phuket International Airport (HKT), roughly 70 kilometers south of the Anda Mani Resort Khao Lak. The drive usually takes between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on traffic.

For a seamless, no-thinking-required arrival, arranging a private transfer through the hotel is the easiest option. The service costs 1,750 Thai baht per trip (47 euros, or 55 dollars).

The budget option would be taking a bus from Phuket heading toward Khao Lak or Takua Pa, hopping off at Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park, and from there, grabbing a taxi for the final three kilometers to the resort. It’s not quite door-to-door luxury, but it gets the job done, with a bit of local flavor along the way.

A Suite Designed to Slow You Down

Surrounded by tall, privacy-providing hedges and character-securing potted plants, a stone-stepping path led me to the entrance of the suite, officially named Suite with Couple Bath. A name like that sets expectations. Naturally, I went straight for the bathroom.

And indeed, a double-ended bathtub dominated the open-plan bathroom layout. This soaking tub, complete with headrests on both sides, promises some great relaxation, especially for honeymoon couples.

I’ll admit initial hesitation about filling such a generous tub for a single occupant. But research is important, and I did treat myself to one marinating evening. In my eco-defense, it was a more foam, less water kind of bath. Of course, for everyone conscious about water consumption, a guilt-free walk-in rain shower stood ready.

Beneath a large mirror, a double vanity featured two square sinks, each neatly prepared with folded towels, including makeup-removal ones, a small but thoughtful touch that both guests and pristine white bed linen would appreciate.

The bedroom, naturally, took up most of the suite’s 45 square meters. The lack of extra décor, rugs, artworks, or other non-functional distractions emphasized the luxury of the open-floor space.

Well, parts of the furniture took on the aesthetic function in this contemporary design; black bedside lamps with sculptural, swirling bases and decorative pillows with a similar navy-blue twirl pattern felt like minimalist art in an intentionally clean and uncluttered setting.

A four-poster king-size bed with a simple cushioned bench at its foot, positioned on a light-toned floor against a caramel-colored wooden-paneled wall, gave the room a grounded, natural feel.

In addition to the shade lamps, subtle vertical light strips integrated into the headboard wall cast a soft, romantic glow.

The remaining walls were occupied by a low TV console, a counter with a stylish electric kettle, a bowl of fresh fruit, and a minibar, as well as multiple full-height windows flooding the room with natural daylight.

At turndown service, the most discreet housekeepers (I never saw them in person!) would thoughtfully roll down the blinds, gently tuck the bed cover, and leave a jar of colorful sweets behind. Even if it was a routine, it felt personal. A quiet way to say ‘good night’.

Anda Mani Khao Lak price

A night at The Anda Mani Khaolak Beachfront Villas can range from 150 euros in low season to 880 euros in high season.

To get the best rates for your chosen dates, check out their offer on these links: Booking, Agoda, Trip, or Expedia. You’ll also be able to see more Anda Mani Khao Lak real-life reviews and photos on these partner websites.

Architecture Steps Back

While the interiors of The Anda Mani Khaolak Beachfront Villas leaned into modern, design-forward hospitality, the exterior communicated heritage-style resort architecture.

Pavilion-like villas, with semi-classical pillars and decorative latticework framing their entrance, lent The Anda Mani a colonial-resort feel. Sections of the pitched, tiled roofs were fitted with solar panels, providing for half of the resort’s energy needs. Even if upmarket, the design here seemed more subtle than flashy, visually restraining the architecture in the landscape.

Arranged as a cluster of low-rise, detached buildings of varying sizes and layouts, rather than rising as a single, dominant structure, the set-up left clear breathing room. Lower density here equals higher privacy, an approach that makes particular sense for an adults-only resort.

More than architecture, The Anda Mani’s footprint was dominated by greenery, using vegetation as natural space dividers. The open green area was defined by tall palms, smaller ornamental trees, and neatly manicured lawns. Pathways cut through grass in gentle, organic lines, avoiding rigid grids.

Even the centrally located swimming pool followed this organic intention. Instead of a strict rectangle, its shape was softened with rounded and even hidden corners. Integrated into the greenery, this was more a relaxing garden pool than some beach club extravaganza.

Although the compound sits directly on the beach, it gives priority to the ocean view, framed by tall coastal trees. Rather than visually intruding with its own development at the shoreline, which would make the beachfront reveal quite dramatic, the choice of creating a layered, gradual transition from villas to pool to lawn to sea reinforced calmness as the most natural building block of The Anda Mani’s concept.

Breakfast Without an Alarm Clock, Dining With No Rush

Because of its intimate scale, dining at The Anda Mani Khaolak Beachfront Villas feels less like hotel service and more like access to a private club. The small number of guests allows food and beverage to flow naturally as an extension of the villa’s slow, sensory rhythm rather than a scheduled resort routine.

There are no warming trays here. All-day meals are cooked to order, which means that even a leisurely, near-noon start to the day still comes with breakfast served fresh to the table. Unhurried mornings are not just tolerated, they’re fully supported.

The breakfast spread covers familiar ground: a basket of pastries with butter and jams, tropical fruits, juices, and hot beverages, alongside the expected lineup of egg preparations, pancakes, and French toast. However, if you want to swap Western classics with Asian comfort dishes such as prawn congee, pork noodle soup, or fried curry rice with chicken, just say a word. I started one of my days with a delicious tofu pad Thai, so yes, even vegans can enjoy local flavors.

Sitting in a row of cushioned sofas, all deliberately facing the beach, I felt my meals were served with a special side dish – the sea view. Replacing formal dining chairs with softer bedsitters kept the atmosphere casual. It reminded me of those truly informal meals at home, where you just grab a handful of your favorite snacks and eat them glued in front of some exciting TV content. Except here, there was no screen. Just wide-open doors, directing your gaze to the asset that gave the resort its name – the Andaman Sea.

In the evening, when sunsets would paint the sky as a romantic backdrop, The Anda Mani’s on-site restaurant, The Kitchen (‘c’ in the logo replaced by the identical hypnotic blue whirl applied on bedroom cushions), mesmerized with Southern Thai menu.

Seafood harvested in those same waves absorbing the fading daylight, was turning into Khao Lak fine dining specialties: spicy salads, creamy stews, and crisp fried dishes featuring everything from clams and mussels to fish and crabs.

My mango salad with prawns, tomatoes, cashew nuts, and herbs was nicely refreshing, while Chef Nat’s signature white fish fillet in turmeric curry, finished with kaffir lime leaf chiffonade, Thai basil, and orchid garnish, paired beautifully with a glass of house wine.

Living at Andaman Speed

Days at The Anda Mani Khaolak Beachfront Villas have a gentle, unforced cadence. With a soft breeze, the low murmur of the sea, and palm fronds swaying overhead, you might start your morning with a quiet dip in the pool or a barefoot walk along the nearly empty beach, setting the tone for a slow, deliberate indulgence.

Afternoons follow suit. You might settle into a lounge chair with a book, sip a fresh smoothie at the poolside, or borrow a bicycle to explore other parts of the coastline.

For those who want a touch of adventure, The Anda Mani Khao Lak can arrange excursions. In the immediate neighborhood, I cooled off at Ton Pling Waterfall, discovered a natural fish spa while trekking toward the five-tiered Ton Chong Fa Waterfall, and continued exploring the Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park on foot, hiking the coastal Hat Lek Nature Trail to the (not quite) Small Sandy Beach.

With more time to spare, the wider province opens up easily. Private boat trips lead to snorkeling in the Similan Islands or diving around the Surin Islands, while a visit to the Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park offers a reflective counterpoint. Even in movement, maintain the same rhythm; take your time to absorb everything slowly, and resist the urge to tick boxes.

As the sun tilts toward the horizon, our Khao Lak oceanfront retreat continues in the same signature “speed”. The subtle shift into evening mode colors the pool area in reddish hues, while you can enjoy a candlelit dinner on the terrace.

For those craving an additional culinary adventure beyond the resort, a short journey leads to Krua Luang Ten. Even though the first beach is two kilometers away, this Michelin-recognized restaurant brings you closer to the Andaman Sea by placing your chair in the sand. Here, Southern Thai specialties such as hoi chak teen or boiled sea snails arrive simply prepared, served on lettuce and kaffir lime leaves with a spicy nam jim dip on the side. If snails are not available, the day’s fresh catch is written on a whiteboard (in Thai, though!). Whatever you choose, it will come with a complimentary platter of raw vegetables (cucumber, eggplant, bamboo shoots, herbs), served with a very intense fermented fish viscera curry – gaeng tai pla. Good luck exploring!

Anda Mani - Practical Details

Location: Khao Lak, Phang Nga, Thailand

Nearest Airport: Phuket International Airport, ~75 minutes by car

Distances: 10-min drive to Khao Lak center, as well as to Thap Lamu Pier, servicing boats to Similan and Surin Islands

Accommodation Type: Adults-only beachfront villas with a central outdoor pool

Best For: Couples, honeymooners, & peace-seekers

Check-In: From 3 pm

Check-Out: By 11 am

Price Range: Approximately EUR 150-880 per night (USD 180-1,040), depending on season and villa category

Reserve Your Room: Booking, Agoda, Trip, Expedia

Best Time to Visit: November to April for sunny, dry weather, and calm seas; the "Green Season" (May to October) offers lower rates, but rougher seas may limit swimming and boat trips

Activities Nearby: Snorkeling and diving in the Similan and Surin Islands, visiting local beaches (Nang Thong, Bang Niang), jungle walk at the Khao Lak Elephant Sanctuary, cultural excursions and memorial sites, wellness experiences and nature-based activities

The Anda Mani Khaolak Beachfront Villas Review – The Verdict

The Anda Mani Khaolak Beachfront Villas isn’t just a place to stay. It’s more like that hypnotic blue vortex that swallows you in, but, unlike the pillow, the lamp, or the menu application, it doesn’t remain decorative.

Probably the best vacation experiences are those that leave you wondering – how did so much time pass so quickly? The paradox of hospitality that encourages you to pause, breathe, and slow down is that you can hardly have enough of it.

At The Anda Mani, you get a tastefully designed, serene sanctuary, where hospitality feels instinctive rather than rehearsed

For couples, honeymooners, or anyone seeking luxury beachfront villas in Khao Lak, this property offers a rare combination of privacy, elegance, and attentive service.

Well, it must be said, even if I can say ‘Cheers’ to the fact that The Anda Mani is where everybody knows Kris’s name (the GM’s personal concierge guidance practically felt like a friend sharing insider knowledge), the resort staff could benefit from additional foreign languages training. The non-intrusive care is there, but the connection would be even stronger if front-of-house employees could effortlessly communicate with guests, less like servants, and more like interested equals.

Still, having the Andaman Sea as your front yard, with a view that’s perfect for catching those famous Khao Lak sunsets, makes it remarkably easy to forgive minor shortcomings. Framed by jungle and ocean, this is a place of generous beauty. If you want to hear the waves, not the neighbors, this is the correct address.

Adult-only properties can sometimes lean into pretension, especially in the way they communicate their added value. At The Anda Mani Khao Lak private residences, you do get a tastefully designed, serene sanctuary, where hospitality feels instinctive rather than rehearsed.

If you’re after quick thrills, busy beaches, and nightlife you won’t remember the next morning, look elsewhere. But for those who value calm, privacy, and a deeply romantic atmosphere, this is Khao Lak’s proud ambassador.

The Anda Mani Khaolak Beachfront Villas can turn your stay in southern Thailand from a trip into an experience. It will be a slow one, where time stretches like warm toffee in the sun, but it will also linger in your memory long after you’ve left its hypnotic shore. That’s a rare kind of luxury.

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Disclosure: My stay at The Anda Mani Khaolak Beachfront Villas was complimentary, but all opinions are my own.

Also, this post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and make a purchase, Pipeaway may make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work!

The post The Anda Mani Khaolak Beachfront Villas Review: Phang Nga’s Quiet Hideaway appeared first on Pipeaway.

Hi from Budapest!

I thought I’d stay longer in the Hungarian capital. But ice floating down the Danube, and my improvised clothing upgrades with Covid masks, were warning that I hadn’t really prepared my suitcase for all the seasons.

My shoes filled with Gran Canaria sand, after spending an entire month west of Africa, were not ready for the harsh European winter, knocking on the plane window as soon as my return flight reached the Old Continent.

So, instead of the pre-planned four nights in Budapest, I cut my stay to one. I canceled my bus ticket and took the first train ‘home’.

I was not the only Croat returning to Zagreb by a slow, slow, truly sloooow train. Enduring this connection that typically lasts 6.5 hours (but in our case, it took eight!) was Šaro, a dog who didn’t ‘speak’ Hungarian.

Seeing how patiently he commutes (he had to pay for the train ticket, but was luckily spared the ‘seat reservation’, as he spent the entire journey on the train floor) was quite impressive.

Science tells us that dogs perceive time more slowly than humans, so I cannot imagine what kind of torture they must feel when boarding trains they could, in some sections of the railroad, even outrun.

Well, is there any comfort in the fact that Croatian trains are four times slower than those in Spain?

Despite the speed, Croatian trains still seem to kill more people per kilometer than Spanish ones (2024 data).

I don’t know how the recent deadly train crash in Adamuz will affect the statistics, but so far, it seems that slower Croatian trains were at least cursed with fewer collisions.

In general, train passengers are relaxed; they perceive it as just a moving place to sit. Despite the high speeds we might experience, we trust the railway’s safety (with a reason!) – we trust it enough to not have seat belts. We walk in those trains, we dine, we play cards, we work on our laptops, we pet dogs… It’s a very nice way to travel.

Still, when accidents happen, they can be truly bad, so it’s worth knowing how to survive a train crash. Read this practical guide so you can be prepared for even an unlikely accident scenario – I hope you’ll never have to use the things you’ll learn!

To end the newsletter on a higher note: did you know that the first underground train was launched in a cave? In Postojna Cave, in Slovenia, a unique railway system brings you over 3.7 kilometers of tracks to the world’s only underground post office!

You can check a part of that ride in a YouTube short video I just published.

Have a safe week,

Ivan Kralj    
Pipeaway.com

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and make a purchase, Pipeaway may make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work!

The post 🚆 Eight Hours, One Dog, and a Very Slow Train – Pipeaway Newsletter #204 appeared first on Pipeaway.

Knowing what to do before, during, and after a train crash can significantly improve your chances of getting out alive

Adamuz survivors spoke of violent jolts, falling luggage, and a sudden plunge into darkness. One passenger recalled how the train swayed and vibrated intensely before the crash, suitcases raining down from overhead racks.

The aftermath was chaotic. Passengers climbed through shattered windows to escape. Emergency crews struggled to reach crushed carriages scattered down a slope. Some victims were found hundreds of meters from the crash site.

Before Spain’s three days of national mourning had even ended, tragedy struck again. On January 20, another train derailed in Gelida, Catalonia, after colliding with a fallen wall, taking one life.

A week earlier, in Sikhio, Thailand, a massive construction crane collapsed onto a moving train, killing 32 passengers. Inoperable automatic doors left them trapped in the wreckage on fire.

And this was only the beginning of the year, following 2025, which had already delivered deadly train crashes across India, Germany, Ethiopia, Egypt, Mexico, Peru, and beyond.

When train accidents happen, they are sudden, violent, and frightening. Derailments, collisions, fires, and evacuations unfold in seconds.

Knowing what to do before, during, and after a train crash can significantly improve your chances of getting out alive.

If you want to learn how to survive a train crash, read this practical guide!

How many trains crash each year?

Every year, trains are involved in thousands of accidents worldwide.

In the United States, derailments average just over 1,000 per year (3-4 a day). In 2024, there were 954 railroad-related deaths, but only two of those victims were train passengers. The vast majority of fatalities involved trespassers and vehicles at highway-rail crossings.

The picture is similar in the European Union. In 2024, the EU recorded 1,507 significant railway accidents, resulting in 750 deaths. Out of those, just 16 were train passengers. Again, most fatalities involved unauthorized persons on tracks or level-crossing users, not travelers.

If you suffer from siderodromophobia, or the fear of trains, scrolling through headlines on the most recent train crashes can easily reinforce your anxiety. The human brain is excellent at remembering dramatic stories, and terrible at processing probabilities.

Luckily, the chances of a train crash are statistically low. Even more important, the odds of dying in a train crash are extremely low.

According to the European Commission‘s EU data, there are 0.09 fatalities per billion train kilometers traveled. In practical terms, this means that the risk of death is more probable when traveling by bus (3 times more likely) or by car (28 times more likely).

Train travel remains one of the safest ways to cover long distances, with a risk level comparable to air travel.

If you'd like to know how to survive if your plane crashes in snowy mountains, learn from those who went through such accident and then told the most extraordinary story - the Society of the Snow.

Best way to survive a train crash

When rare train crashes do happen, injuries usually come from sudden deceleration, flying luggage and unsecured objects, secondary impacts (cars piling up), fire, smoke, or electrical hazards after the crash, or disorientation and poor evacuation decisions.

Preparation is not about controlling fear or expecting disaster. It’s about reducing injury and making smart choices when stress hijacks your brain.

Knowing where to sit, how to position your body during impact, and what to do in the critical minutes afterward can dramatically improve your chances of survival.

How safe are outer space adventures? Here's what to keep in mind when considering personal space travel!

Before a Train Crash – Smart Habits That Improve Survival Odds

You normally don’t get a warning before a train accident. Which means that what you do before anything happens matters more than what you do during the chaos.

Survival, in many cases, is decided by seating choices, posture, and awareness – boring decisions that suddenly become very important.

1. Choose the Safest Seat on a Train

Safety begins before the train even leaves the station. No seat is 100% “crash-proof”, but decades of accident analysis suggest certain areas of the train offer better protection during a derailment or collision.

Is the front or back of a train safer?

The best place to be in a crash depends on where the impact occurs, which, inconveniently, is impossible to predict.

That’s why the best general advice is to avoid extremes – the very front and the very back of the train – where collisions and derailments often initiate.

In a head-on collision, the lead car absorbs most of the force. In a rear-end collision, the last car is the most vulnerable. So, during the derailment, cars at the ends are more likely to jackknife or leave the track first. As a result, the more stable middle carriages are statistically the safest place to be in a train crash. They experience less violent movement and are less likely to be crushed or torn open.

This is where trains and planes disagree. Aircraft crashes often favor rear seating – learn all the benefits of sitting at the back of a plane.

Is the top or the bottom of a train safer?

When it comes to double-decker trains, the answer cannot be universal either, as it depends on the kind of crash.

In most serious train accidents, the lower deck is generally safer than the upper deck.

When derailed, trains often tilt, slide sideways, or partially roll. Passengers on the upper deck experience greater lateral and vertical acceleration, essentially being thrown farther and harder. They could even fall down the stairs.

Lower deck passengers have fewer vertical fall risks, they are closer to the train’s center of gravity, and are subject to less violent side-to-side motion during a derailment. The lower deck is also more structurally reinforced, benefiting from underframe energy absorption. So statistically, it tends to deform less.

Which way should you sit on a train?

Coming from the same physics used in aviation (remember aircraft crew seats?) and child car seats, rear-facing seats are generally considered safer than forward-facing ones.

Most serious injuries in train accidents come from sudden forward deceleration, when bodies are thrown in the direction of travel, causing secondary impacts. Forward-facing passengers may slam into seatbacks, tables, or walls, causing head, neck, and chest injuries.

If you’re rear-facing and experience a sudden stop or impact, your back, shoulders, and head are supported by the seat. Your neck is less likely to whip forward violently, reducing injuries in a potential train crash.

So, if the train has seats that face backward, take them without hesitation.

Where is the safest to sit on a train?

Sitting away from windows and walls, a potential zone of impact, reduces exposure to shattered glass, external debris, and structural intrusion.

This is why aisle seats are considered to be the safest seats on a train. Sitting in an aisle seat provides a buffer between you and the glass, lowers the risks of being crushed by other passengers and luggage, and can make evacuation faster.

As for the position within a car, sitting in the middle of the train carriage, rather than near doors or connection points between cars, provides more buffer if the train buckles or telescopes.

What are the areas to avoid in a train crash?

If you want to minimize risks and can choose, these areas carry a higher risk in a crash:

• dining cars – sitting by the tables, whether in a cafeteria or in a passenger car, can be risky, as these rigid objects can become dangerous projectiles or tools for injury
• luggage stacks – sitting near or under heavy interior fixtures, such as unsecured luggage racks, increases the risk of injury if heavy objects become airborne
• glass partitions – shattering glass can cause lacerations and eye injuries
• stairs – falling hazards during sudden deceleration or derailment

All said, in any train crash, staying seated, bracing properly, and not panicking have a much larger impact on survival than obsessing over the safest part of a train.

2. Secure Yourself and Your Belongings

Unlike airplane seat belts, which are effective in preventing injuries caused by turbulence, the studies show that installing seat belts in trains, whose passengers expect the freedom of unrestricted movement, would not make train travel safer, but potentially more dangerous.

So, if seatbelts are not provided, how do you secure yourself? Sit with your back firmly against the seat, with both feet flat on the floor. When you stand up, hold the grab handles lightly. When moving through the train, use vertical poles and overhead bars. Avoid standing near or leaning on doors.

Place heavy bags on the floor, not on overhead racks. In crashes, as seen in the Adamuz collision, overhead luggage often becomes dangerous projectiles. Still, keep aisles clear, so you’re not tripping or blocked during potential evacuation.

Keep essentials (phone, documents) on your body, not in bags, so that in case of a train crash, you can evacuate more easily and avoid plane crash scenarios where panicking passengers get trapped by trying to retrieve belongings.

3. Be Aware of Your Environment

Without turning paranoid, whenever you board a train, take a few seconds to note where the nearest exits, emergency windows or roof hatches, fire extinguishers, emergency brakes, escape hammers, and SOS intercoms are.

This awareness can save crucial seconds later, especially if doors fail, as they did in Thailand’s Sikhio incident.

4. Dress appropriately

Wear what you can escape in – sturdy shoes (no flip-flops) and fire-resistant clothing (avoid synthetic fabrics like nylon, which melt when exposed to heat).

Choose clothing that allows you to move, crouch, and climb if needed.

During a Train Crash – What to Do in the Critical Seconds

If a train crashes or derails, events unfold very fast. Your goal in those seconds is injury reduction, not escape, heroics, or grabbing belongings.

Survival begins by resisting instinct.

5. Brace for Impact

In real crashes, people rarely have time to brace properly. But if you feel sudden hard braking, violent shaking, or hear the sound of screeching metal, you may have only moments to act.

Do what aviation safety videos have taught for decades – assume the brace position! Lean forward, place your head against the seat in front of you (or as close as possible to the bulkhead), or tuck your head down toward your knees, using your arms to protect the back of your head and neck from flying debris and luggage. Press your feet firmly against the floor.

If you are standing in the aisle, drop to the floor immediately, and stay low. Grip a sturdy object if possible, to avoid being tossed around the cabin.

Fight the “flight” instinct. Standing up too early or running toward the exit while the train is still moving can lead to severe injuries from falls and secondary impacts.

Jumping from a train during a crash also increases the risk of severe injury or death. Staying seated and bracing properly is almost always safer.

Trains can bounce, roll, and collide multiple times. Wait until all motion has fully stopped.

After the Crash – How to Get Out Safely

Surviving the impact is only half the train crash challenge. Many serious injuries happen after the crash, during poorly judged evacuations.

Once the train comes to a complete stop, danger may still be present. Fire, smoke, unstable carriages, and oncoming traffic on parallel tracks present secondary risks.

This is where calm thinking saves lives.

6. Assess Before You Move

Before doing anything else, take a moment to check yourself for bleeding or fractures. Stay calm and control your breathing. If you are seriously injured, do not move unless there is an immediate threat such as fire, smoke, or flooding.

If there is smoke, stay low to the ground where the air is clearer. Cover your mouth and nose with a piece of clothing. Move away from the fire source quickly but calmly. Never open doors blindly – check for heat with the back of your hand before touching handles.

7. Evacuate Only When Necessary

Leave the train only if there is fire or heavy smoke, if carriages are unstable, tilted, or at risk of collapsing, and if train staff instructs evacuation.

Otherwise, staying put may be safer until emergency services arrive.

If doors are blocked, use emergency window releases. Be mindful of the height or drop outside.

When exiting, don’t panic, rush, or push others in front of you.

Beware of broken glass, sharp metal, and fuel spills.

Be extremely cautious of downed power lines as they can be lethal. If you see wires touching the train or the ground, stay inside until emergency responders confirm the power is cut, unless there is an immediate threat like a fire.

Avoid walking on tracks unless told to do so. If unavoidable, remain alert: Another train may be approaching on an adjacent track, threatening a secondary collision.

8. Help Others – But Only If It’s Safe

Once you are out and reach a safe area, console those in shock and assist the injured ones. Do not attempt to move anyone with suspected neck or spinal injuries unless they face immediate danger from fire or collapse.

Also, help others only if you can do so without risking your own safety.

If you use your phone, use it for calling emergency services, not filming. Even if others are calling, make sure that 911 (in the USA) or 112 (in Europe) or other local emergency responders have been notified of the exact location of the train crash, its nature, and the number of injured.

That video can wait. People can’t.

9. Seek Help – Even If You “Feel Fine”

Adrenaline lies.

Go to the hospital even if you think you’re uninjured. Internal injuries, concussions, and shock often reveal themselves later.

Once medical needs are addressed, consider legal help. Consulting a personal injury lawyer can clarify liability, compensation, and next steps, especially in large-scale rail accidents.

Surviving a Train Crash – Conclusion

Despite the gut-twisting headlines, train travel is incredibly safe, far safer than most other ways of getting around. You’re far more likely to be involved in a car accident than a train derailment.

Think of this guide as a mental seatbelt – something you carry quietly, hoping you’ll never need it

If you do, against all odds, experience a train crash in your lifetime, surviving doesn’t require superhero strength or courage. You just need to stay grounded and aware, and willing to follow the instructions of the authorities.

Most passengers who walk away from serious rail accidents do so because they avoid panic, brace correctly, and make smart decisions when it matters most.

Think of this guide not as a reason to worry, but as a mental seatbelt – something you carry quietly, hoping you’ll never need it.

Safe travels.

If you know people who ride trains regularly, consider sharing this article. You may never need these tips yourself, but someone else just might.
Pin this guide on how to survive a train crash for future reference!

The post How to Survive a Train Crash: A Passenger’s Guide to Railroad Accidents appeared first on Pipeaway.

Hi from Barranco de Mogán!

This scenic mountain valley in the southwest of Gran Canaria island, with its always mild weather, serpentine roads, and delicious final rewards (I forgot to take a photo, but head to Casa Fernando for some great food and a refreshing local mango juice!), is all you could ask for from a road trip.

We retracted the roof on our Mini Cooper and joined the cyclists in conquering those curves that offer spectacular views towards the Mogán village, the sea, and a couple of tranquil dams. You can check it out in my 2-min short video.

Nature is often the best therapist. But, at Mirador de Inagua viewpoint, I did lose my temper and said something that put me in the same box with that saint-or-sinner Trump, who thinks that his hunger for territories deserves Nobel prizes and that calling other people stupid somehow reaffirms his IQ (US President openly questions the intelligence of everyone who is not himself, from reporters to his own supporters).

As I enjoyed the view of the Canary pine forest and the Presa del Mulato irrigation dam, a popular hiking spot, a noise nearby stopped my thoughts.

There was a party of five, a Russian family, and the sound of thunder descending the mountain. “Wohooo!!!”, the impressed observers voiced their pride.

Then I saw this teenage boy squatting down, lifting (another) rock with his two hands off the ground. And I figured it out: these relaxed tourists were throwing significant-sized rocks down the forested hill.

“Hey, don’t throw that!”, I shouted, but saw no reaction. “Don’t throw rocks!”, I raised my voice again when I saw the boy was not responding. And finally, I lost it. An angry Trump in me said: “Stop it! Are you stupid, or what?”

At this moment, the teenager’s dad woke up from his sleepwalking slumber and yelled back at me, offended: “Don’t call him stupid. He is a boy!”

My instinctive knee-jerk reaction was not to the idea that a teenager wouldn’t know better than throwing rocks down the mountain, as being a boy is certainly not a sin. But how come that in this Russian family of five, with three adult figures present, none of the grown-ups had anything to say before I shouted the s-word? No, they were practically applauding as the rock was unstoppably racing down the hill, creating an ominous sound.

There was no other explanation for this family’s action but ignorance, yet the boy’s father, the carrier of the smartness gene and the family authority, hearing my comment, stirred up, chest bloated, arms pumped… “Who are you to call someone stupid? You want to have a problem?”

“Well, you already have a problem. That rock could potentially kill someone. You don’t know who is possibly walking down there!”, I responded, while my non-confrontational friend was pulling me on the side, saying, “Let’s leave”.

Did I overreact? Was I so wrong? I don’t know. I would have hoped the boy’s father had a similar instinct, and that the energy he found to give me, a stranger, a lecture on minding my own business, he could have used to educate his own offspring on negligence.

Human-thrown rocks in the mountain can be fatal. The cases are rare, but reckless homicides do happen. For instance, in 2007, hikers in Wyoming‘s Wind River Range threw a rock from a cliff, out of amusement. The rock ended up hitting Pete Absolon in the back of his head. The helmet couldn’t save the acclaimed climbing instructor from the projectile; he was instantly killed.

We all head to the mountains to switch off our brains for a while. But we still have to take basic responsibility for our actions. Just because we are away from the city’s asphalt, it doesn’t mean that the jungle takes over. We are not alone in the universe, and the laws still apply.

If nothing else, the laws of gravity are so obvious. We don’t need to have intentional malice in us to understand that we don’t control a rock thrown downhill in the same way we don’t control a car when we let go of the steering wheel. We are still the responsible drivers of our actions.

One cannot just go into the mountains and claim ignorance as a relief from responsibility. My “insult” was an instinctive one, as I couldn’t believe that none of those adults saw anything but an innocent game when their youngster started throwing rocks. Instead of stopping him, they followed the rock’s echo as it hopped down the hill with laughter and approval.

Of course, I didn’t mean to call anyone stupid. But if the boy became just a bit smarter after pondering my reaction, I have no regrets for calling it out.

By the way, even if you feel that what you do with rocks is creative and not destructive, think again. For instance, stacking rocks into cairns in Maspalomas Dunes is also forbidden. And ignorance is never the best excuse.

Speaking of ignorance, it happens even to the biggest ones. In my latest article, read how the European Broadcasting Union launched their own rock show, the Eurovision Live Tour, an itinerary of summer concerts that didn’t even pretend to want to step further east than Stockholm.

While Director Martin Green did promise to deliver the “magic of Eurovision (…) all across Europe”, he failed to say it would be a disappearing act – Central and Eastern Europe completely vanished from this jubilee concert season.

As they would say it in Hogwarts: Evanesco!

Make some ignorance disappear, too.

Have a well-informed week,

Ivanesco Kralj    
Pipeaway.com

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and make a purchase, Pipeaway may make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work!

The post 🪨 A Lesson in Gravity: No Rock’n’Roll for You! – Pipeaway Newsletter #203 appeared first on Pipeaway.