A couple of summers ago, I decided to go camping in a fairly remote valley in the countryside with two of my closest friends from university. We were all feeling completely burnt out from our daily routines in the city, so we wanted an opportunity to unplug our mobile phones and get away from the constant hustle and bustle.
We packed our rucksacks and drove out to a designated eco-campsite that was well off the beaten track. When we arrived, the first challenge was pitching our tents before dusk, which took longer than expected because the ground was quite uneven and rocky. Once we had set up camp, we gathered some dry timber and cooked a simple meal over an open fire. Over the next two days, we spent most of our time hiking along scenic forest trails, swimming in a crisp natural stream, and doing some stargazing at night. Because there was zero light pollution, the night sky was genuinely breathtaking, and we could see the constellations clearly.
All in all, the trip was incredibly rewarding. To be honest, having to rough it without modern conveniences like hot running water or electricity was slightly outside my comfort zone at first. However, spending uninterrupted quality time with friends and breathing in clean country air left me feeling thoroughly recharged. It made me realise how crucial it is to take regular breaks and reconnect with nature to maintain a healthy mindset.