Whether you’re thinking of breathtaking scenery, serene solitude or good ol’ family bonding, no holiday in the city can beat the classic camping trip
Get up close and personal with Mother Nature, curl up in a warm sleeping bag next to a campfire, peer up at the glittering stars and enjoy a few yummy s’mores.
A camping trip in the arms of Mother Nature can be quite an incomparable experience.
Here are five camping spots around the world that promise to give you an unforgettable holiday experience.
Rhossili Beach Bay, Gower, UK
Rhossili Beach was awarded “10th Best Beach in the World” by TripAdvisor in 2013. The vast Jurassic cliffs offer dramatic views best enjoyed from the walking routes. Watch basking seals and dolphins prance in the water.
Surfers benefit from the Atlantic swell, while sandcastle builders would love the fine golden sand. Do keep a lookout for shipwrecks below the waterline.
Here, parking and public transport are within reach. Rhossili village also has good places to eat and drink.
Pitton Cross Campsite offers good facilities. It is outside Rhossili village and close enough to the action whilst maintaining a tranquil atmosphere.
Maya Bay, Krabi, Thailand
Embark on an incredible camping expedition with your family where the film The Beach, starring Leonardo Di Caprio, was filmed.
Arrive before sunset when the crowd is smaller to truly appreciate the peaceful setting. Strong swimmers can swim to the shore of the island; or you can get there by a long tail boat or kayak.
The crystal-clear seawater offers great opportunities for diving and snorkelling. You’ll find large underwater boulders encrusted with coral, and brightly-coloured fish. The dazzling plankton is so extraordinary that even the grouchiest kid would be elated.
There is a small shack there that sells drinks and snacks, and there is a barbecue pit for cooking.
Black Hills, South Dakota, USA
Camping in the Black Hills is a unique experience. Drift off to sleep to the sound of the wind softly sifting through the Ponderosa pines. Wake up to the warm sunshine and see the mountain lake sparkle as it reflects the brilliant rays.
Visit the fascinating Mount Rushmore with the enormous sculptures of the visages of presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Don’t forget the magnificent carving of Crazy Horse.
Take a trip through Custer State Park, where buffaloes still roam. For an adrenalin ride, experience Sturgis in August, when the world famous Sturgis motorcycle rally is held.
The Black Hills offer in-city RV Parks, luxury camping resorts, forest and lake campgrounds, and back-country camps.
Yoho National Park, Canada
Yoho is a place of awe and wonder. The park boasts towering rock walls, spectacular waterfalls, glacial lakes and soaring mountain peaks.
Yoho’s craggy peaks and steep rock faces, however pose an enormous challenge for hiking neophytes. Be very safe and get a guide if you need to.
Admire the stunning view of Takkakaw Falls from afar, or feel the spray at the base. It is certainly refreshing. The entrance by the Yoho Valley is accessible now until mid-October, by small vehicles and bicycles only.
You can picnic by the charming Emerald Lake. This rich turquoise lake also offers superb walking, paddling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. Stop along the Natural Bridge to admire the Kicking Horse River as it carves a path through ancient rock. This is truly one of the most scenic campsites in the world.
Pulau Ubin, Singapore
In our own backyard, we have a unique and nostalgic island enclave like no other. Pulau Ubin has a rustic air and feel that you can hardly find elsewhere in Singapore, or most parts of the urbanised world. Be transported back into the era when diesel generators were used for electricity.
Mamam Beach and Jelutong Campsite are great places to set up base. To protect the environment, campfires and tying tent lines to the trees or cutting branches are prohibited.
There are still plenty of things you can do, such as bird-watching and bike-riding. Jelutong Campsite also has facilities to accommodate a large campfire, for a night of singing fun and camaraderie, not to mention campfire-cooked food.
Bear in mind that the water here is not suitable for drinking or bathing.
Get the breather you need, away from the noise of city life, without having to spend an exorbitant amount to go abroad.
By Lim Wan Ling
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