Which is the most comfortable place on earth?

What is the one place on earth that you've visited which exceeded all your expectations, on a spiritual level?

• Around ten years ago I went to Israel and decided to visit the dead sea while there. It wasn't a particularly special thing to me...I'd seen the dead sea in magazines and on TV...it looked interesting/fun but nothing "out of this world". Israel was a last minute holiday destination because it was cheap - so I never even planned the location, let alone what to do once there! The dead sea area was ...well... let me tell you this first: I've been to India (of which there are many stunning parts), Sri Lanka, Maldives, Egypt, America, Thailand, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco etc and I've seen beautiful views. I've been to jungles riding on elephants, deserts riding on camels and spent the night under the stars. In other words, I've travelled some. More than most and less than others. Often when I see beautiful views I stand and stare...to soak it all in... (whether great salt lakes, desert mirages, houses in Pompeii, collosseum of Rome or Pyramids of Egypt)... but after 5-10 minutes I've had my fill and walk away satisfied, the picture in my head and a pleasure of seeing first hand something that I'd only previously read about or seen on television. After I finished bathing in the salt water of the dead sea (and showering off quickly afterwards, because that stuff really STINGS - or at least the mud does!) we travelled down the road and pulled up to relax and have a quick drink. Walking down to the waters edge I was stunned at how still...really still without a ripple...that the water was. It was as if it was truly dead and devoid of life. The air was warm and the beautiful mountains stood tall and magestic opposite the lake, reflecting perfecting in the still dark water. Nothing stirred. The place was relaxing yet eretheral, it almost felt holy (and I'm not a religious person) and it was definitely spiritual...yes spiritual. I've never said this about a place before. I couldn't with hand on heart say exactly WHAT was different, but I can tell you that I wanted to stay there and soak it in. Nearly 40 minutes passed and I couldn't get enough of it...I didn't want to leave, but we needed to get back before dark. To this day I can't tell you why, but somehow for some unexplained reason, this is a special place. Does anyone else have a similar story? Not the club 18-30 type holiday location - but a special location which took your breath away and left you unprepared at the everlasting memories it would leave you with? Please share.

• Answer:

  In the mountains of Banaue, Ifugao in the Philippines and in the islands of Batanes!