The early summer wind with just the right warmth gently blows away the last trace of chill in late spring. The leaves of the sycamore trees in the city are already dense, and the sun shines through the gaps between the branches and leaves, casting mottled and shaking light spots on the clean sidewalk. At this time, the air seems to be filled with a call to go out for a long journey. For retirees who have been busy all their lives, the shackles of time suddenly loosen. This bright weather is the best time to fulfill those promises that were once shelved, "wait for a time later." In the park and next to the old street, you can often see energetic elderly people gathering together, and the topics can never avoid the next itinerary. In this surging travel wave, there are two couples whose choices are completely different, but they also depict a wonderful picture of their later years.

Mr. Chen and Mrs. Chen are advocates of exquisite life. Their trip is not so much a exploring the unknown, but rather a well-planned, immersive experience of comfort and taste. A week before departure, Mrs. Chen had already kept her luggage in an orderly manner. Inside the suitcase are ironed flat linen shirts, elegant dresses, and formal clothing suitable for dining in the hotel's fine dining restaurant. Mr. Chen carefully checked his camera and a hardcover book. Their trip was a well-known resort outside the city, known for its natural hot springs and a top five-star hotel.

When arriving at the hotel, the doorman took the luggage with a smile. The fragrance scented in the lobby was floating, and the smooth marble floor reflected the dazzling crystal chandeliers. The check-in process was smooth and efficient, with the waiter calling their last name, directing them to the administrative floor room overlooking the entire landscape. The terrace windows are pushed open, and the mountains are full of green. The most attractive ones are the several hot spring pools embedded in the garden and are blazing with heat.

For them, this is the essence of the holiday. In the early morning, I woke up naturally on the soft Simmons and went to enjoy the breakfast buffet that was beyond imagination. From freshly roasted crispy croissant, cold cheese cuts of various flavors to chef-made egg rolls and local specialty pastries, the choice is blissfully difficult. Mr. Chen likes to bring a cup of freshly ground coffee and then pick up a newspaper to spend your breakfast leisurely. The morning activities are usually to go by the swimming pool, choose a comfortable lounge chair, and immerse yourself in the novel that has brought you but has never finished reading. Occasionally, I looked up and saw my wife swimming back and forth in the pond like a mermaid. The water waves spread gently, and time seemed to become slow and sticky.

In the afternoon, going to the hot springs is the highlight. Immerse yourself in spring water with appropriate temperatures, allowing the warm current rich in minerals to wrap around and soothe every inch of the slightly stiff muscles and bones. All the fatigue and the bitterness of time seem to dissipate with the transpiration heat. Sometimes they enjoy the peace quietly, and sometimes they will whisper a few words to other travelers in the pool to share the good places they have been to. Dinner is another tasty feast, either to taste the hotel's top quality cuisine or to drive to a nearby time-honored brand with excellent reputation. Food is an indispensable sublime ceremony in their trip. Their journey is not full of running around, only enjoyment; there is no dust, only calmness. This is a pure physical and mental relaxation and reward carefully wrapped in luxurious service and comfortable environment.

On the other side of the city, Mr. Li and Mrs. Li were counting their luggage for the last time. Their equipment is very different from Mr. Chen and his wife: lightweight and wearable jackets, comfortable sneakers, hiking poles, kettle stuffed in their backpacks, simple food, rain gear and a detailed topographic map. Their destination is a national forest park known for its strange peaks, rocks and sea of ​​clouds and sunrise. For them, the meaning of travel is not to enjoy the comfort of being served, but to actively embrace nature and experience the surprise and sense of accomplishment brought by exploration.

Their early morning often starts very early, and even sets off before dawn. The air in the mountains is cool and refreshing, with the fragrance of soil and plants. Stepping on the winding upward trail, you will hear the crisp birds singing and the gurgling sound of the stream. The journey is never easy. The steep stone steps test the endurance of the legs and feet. Mr. Li's forehead quickly felt sweaty, and Mrs. Li would stop and pant slightly. But their eyes were bright and excited. Every time I climbed up to an observation deck, looked back and looked, I saw the road that was submerged in the lush forest when I came, and the magnificent canyons and distant mountains under my feet were as dark as I saw, the sense of conquest and the sense of openness that blended with nature made all the hard work extremely worth it.

They won't miss any of the scenery marked on the map. In front of a waterfall that was flying down, they felt the coolness of the mist like children; on an open mountain meadow, they sat side by side, sharing the bread and fruits they brought, watching the unknown little wild flowers swaying in the wind; they waited patiently, just to see the fleeting magnificent sea of ​​clouds and the gushing sun. Their lunch might be simple, maybe a few slices of bread and a pot of hot water to brew tea, but surrounded by mountains, this simple food is better than any delicacies. On the way, they will meet hikers who also love climbing. They will look particularly friendly with each other with encouraging eyes and greetings of "It's almost here". At night, I stayed in the simple B&B in the mountains. Although the facilities were far less than the five-star hotel, they were clean and warm. Eat simple side dishes cooked by local farmers, chat with the owner of the homestay and feel the simple human touch. Physical fatigue is real, but inner satisfaction and happiness are even more surging. This is a way of traveling to measure the world with your feet and exchange sweat for scenery. It is bitter and enjoyable.

These two couples seem to be two mirrors in the travel life of retirees, reflecting a completely different but equally moving brilliance. Mr. Chen and his wife pursue inner tranquility and ultimate body soothing. They regard the journey as a reward for their busy life, and regain the calmness and elegance of life in high-quality service and environment. The perfection of every detail and the satisfaction of every taste bud constitute the most precious memory on their journey. Mr. Li and his wife yearn for external vastness and passion for exploration. They regard the journey as a proof of their never-ending curiosity and vitality for the world. The hardships of every step of climbing and the shock of every beautiful view deepen their connection with nature and with each other.

It's hard to say which method is better or more advanced. Because the true meaning of travel has never been a copy of the same thing, but a creation that varies from person to person. It only concerns the true needs and desires in the heart. For those who pursue comfort and tranquility, forcing them to travel through mountains and rivers will only increase their worries and fatigue; for those who are eager to explore and challenge, they are imprisoned within the walls of the hotel, even if they are luxurious, they will feel dull and restrained.

What is important is not which method is chosen, but whether this choice truly brings happiness and satisfaction. Whether it is bathing in the hot spring and looking up at the starry sky, or standing on the top of the mountain to embrace the long wind, the smile from the heart at that moment is the best interpretation of the meaning of travel. As the sun sets, Mr. Chen and his wife may be wearing comfortable bathrobes and drinking on the terrace of the room, enjoying the sunset over the distant mountains with gold edges; while Mr. Li and his wife may have just finished their day hiking and are sitting on the return cable car, savoring the infinite scenery of the steep place just now. Their faces must have similar, tired but extremely pleasant smiles.

When the journey of life reaches this stage, the prosperity will fade and the true taste will begin to emerge. The way of travel is like drinking water, and you will know the temperature and heat. Whether you tend to enjoy the comfort and service of the hotel, or indulge in the vastness and nature of the mountains, there is no difference between high and low, only between left and right. This right and freedom of choice, as well as the completely different but equally rich happiness that it brings, may be the most cherished treasure in the silver hair journey. The world is so vast that it can accommodate all different dreams and steps. As long as your heart is full, no matter where you go, it is the most beautiful scenery.