Crater Lake – Oregon, USA

This is Crater Lake, South Central Oregon, USA. An abounding beauty of nature on the crest of the Cascade Mountain Range, 160 kilometers east of the Pacific Coast. Best known for its intense and indescribable deep blue color, water clarity, depth and grand design. Crater Lake earned the title of the number one most beautiful lake in the world; with exceptional features being the deepest lake in the United States, the seventh deepest lake in the world and the largest known eruption from Cascade Range volcanoes.

Before Crater Lake became what it is today, a cluster of ancient volcanoes called Mount Mazama dominated the landscape. The caldera was formed around 7,700 years ago after a large volcanic explosion destroyed Mt. Mazama. The 2,500 to 3,500 feet mountain peak fell into the volcano's partially emptied neck and magma chamber, that led to the formation of a new crater, known as Crater Lake. But before it got its new name, Crater Lake was formerly known as Blue Lake or Lake Majesty.

The name “Crater Lake” was coined by James Sutton, editor of the Oregon Sentinel in Jacksonville, in 1869 for its beautiful and symmetrical crater. But the world greatly owes its gratefulness to William Gladstone Steel, for devoting more than 30 years of his life promoting and establishing the park known as Crater Lake National Park, featuring the blue gem of the Oregon, Crater Lake. In 1902, President Roosevelt signed legislation making Crater Lake and its surrounding 180,000 acres as America's 6th National Park -- the only National Park in Oregon.

Lying in the waters at the west end of Crater Lake is a small volcanic island known as Wizard Island which is a cone of the new volcano which projects 755 feet above the average surface of the lake. The Wizard Island is the cinder cone that formed in Crater Lake. However, there is a second island. It's called the Merriam Cone. The Merriam Cone is another cinder cone located on the northeast part of the lake. Its surface features and lack of a crater (compared to the Wizard Island) suggest that it formed under water.

The last recorded eruption of Crater Lake was about 2290 BC +/- 300 years, it is considered dormant. And although it has been dormant for 5,000 years, geologists do expect it to reawaken someday.

Volcanoes in general can be exciting and fascinating, but also very dangerous. With all its superlative qualities, the sight of Crater lake will take your breath away... but also beware a “calm beauty” with a violent volcanic past.

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Lake Matheson - New Zealand

Sitting in the middle of a farmland of cows and sheep, six kilometers west of Fox Glacier township, in the West Coast region of the South Island, lies New Zealand's most famous photograph stop, Lake Matheson. A small lake that earned its fame not for its dark brown waters. Not for its west coast rain forest. Not even for the abundance of water birds and other wildlife. But famous for the reflected mirror-like images of the twin peaks of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman in its dark waters.

This ancient lake was formed about 14,000 years ago, when the Fox Glacier retreated towards the sea and carved a slight depression in the landscape that eventually became filled with water. The waters of Lake Matheson are dark brown. The discoloring effect of the water is caused by the natural leaching of organic matter from the native forest floor surrounding the lake. So on a calm day, the dark hue of the water creates the ideal reflective surface, while the participation of the surrounding forest gives the lake shelter, context and protection from the wind providing a smooth surface to produce a perfect natural mirror. Set against the backdrop of the perfectly positioned Mount Cook (or Aoraki in Maori) and Mount Tasman to reflect in the glassy lake, Lake Matheson ultimately earned itself another name, the “Mirror Lake”, which appropriately describes what it is stands for.

Visitors from around the world have come to the lake to enjoy the reflected view of the Southern Alps. Year after year, it never failed to attract more people (travelers/passers-by), especially photographers, to stop, film, photograph to get dozens of amazing vistas of this jewel in New Zealand's scenic crown.

There are two particular designated 'perfect' spot for reflection photos around the lake, the Jetty View Point and the Reflection Island. Visiting just after dawn when the water often sits incredibly still and during the afternoon sunset is the most ideal time to take a picture. Offering infinite photo opportunities, it truly is a “photographer's paradise”- you just can't get enough of her.

So they say, and so do I, nature successfully joined the right elements to create one of the most stunning and iconic views in New Zealand. While Google will give you the numerous search results of this lake, still, the best way to achieve a meaningful experience of such a magnificent lake is to see it “up close and personal”.

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Lolengs Mountain Spring Resort

The weather in the Philippines is hot almost throughout the year because of its tropical climate. Hence, Lolengs Mountain Spring Resort offers the best getaway for tourists who wanted to cool off, enjoy a great view of nature, and escape the hustle and bustle of the modern city life. There are a lot in store for visitors with full amenities to ensure a relaxing and comfortable stay.

Lolengs Mountain Spring Resort is another nature resort that is situated along Eden and Bayabas in the district of Toril, wherein another famous nature resort, Eden Nature Park, is located. Travel time to Lolengs could take up between 45 minutes to one hour, depending whether you are commuting or taking a private vehicle. For commuters, you can take a jeepney or taxi towards Toril District. If you are taking the jeepney, get off the main road and there are motorcycles that you can take to get to the resort.

The entrance fee to Lolengs Mountain Spring Resort is very affordable at only PhP 50. Children below the age of 3 can get free entrance to the resort as well as use the swimming pool free of charge. For regular guests, you have to pay only a cheap PhP 50 for the use of swimming pool. They do accept walk-in guests to the resort but you can also make reservations if you plan on holding functions and other events at the resort, such as wedding, team building activities, or retreats, among others.

The resort is actually man-made, which was designed to rebuild a natural atmosphere with Benguet-like pine trees and canopy forests. The terraces on the resort were built on a mountain slope and several pine seedlings were planted there. When they grew, it provided a secondary forest that helped to offer a refreshing backdrop to the sights and attractions at this nature resort.

There are also several facilities that visitors can avail of, giving them plenty of things to do during their stay. As mentioned above, there is a swimming pool that is made up of cold spring water, which offers a relaxing dip to cool you off in the hot summer days. There is also a wide playground for kids to run around and play on the outside. And for sports enthusiasts, you can spend your time at the tennis or basketball courts. If you want to go boating or fishing, there is a corresponding rate on your rental of the boat, depending on the number of people joining this boating trip. The boating trip will cost PhP 50 for 2 persons, PhP 100 for 4 persons, and PhP 150 for 6 persons.

Lolengs Mountain Spring Resort also have their own restaurant, Maia's Cafe Restaurant, wherein you can order local delicacies and enjoy great meals during your stay. For those holding functions or retreats in the resort, they offer catering services to accommodate your dining needs.

The accommodations at this nature resort is also affordable. The prices of their rooms for overnight stay approximately range from PhP 2,000 to PhP 5,000, wherein their rooms can accommodate 2 persons or as much as 24 persons.

If you want to be close to nature and be away from the fast paced lifestyle of the city, Lolengs Mountain Spring Resort is a perfect destination for the ultimate R & R. They have several recreational facilities and comfortable accommodations to suit your unique needs. Nonetheless, all of these you can avail of at an affordable rate.

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