The world's quietest places 1

Drink in the energy from this quiet place

You are one with the still water

You are one with the fresh lavender flowers

You are one with the clean air that surrounds you

Walk onto this little island and you are safe




Yap
Once you get past the fun of just saying the place’s name—YAP—this Pacific island (take a left at Guam), might just be paradise. It’s a jungle island, with endless coastline, mangrove swamps where giant fruit bats play, and under water, manta rays with ten-foot wingspans glide without a sound. Yap’s entire culture is built on adherence to social peace, so that, according to resident Richard Flow, even playing your car radio too loud when you drive simply isn’t done. “Do it,” he says, “and you’ll come back the next day to find your windshield broken.” So the loudest sound in Yap? Waves hitting the reef, more than a mile from shore. And occasional broken glass




Cape Cod – Massachusetts

Cape Cod may not seem like a quiet place to the uninitiated. After all, thousands of people visit each summer. Take an early morning walk along the beach, though, and you’ll be surprised.




Venice

A city without automobiles (now there’s a category we need to add to). Venice has lots of small hotels and quiet mysterious places, even in busy tourist seasons. The population is shrinking, so off-season there’s lots of quiet. The out islands are worth exploring, too. A place of inspiration for generations, the vibes are good and the cafes superb.




The Riverwalk was built as a public project in San Antonio during the 1930's, based on a small walk dating from the early years of the century. It's expanded more recently -- you could stroll the 1930's D-shaped portion in less than a not too hurried hour. A spur was added to the site of the 1968 Hemisfair, and recently a northern extension leads up the river to the public library. The Walk encloses its own world. It is set below the grade of the city streets; it focuses you on the river, the passing boats with their cargo or tourists, the parallel walk on the other side, the shops and entrances, the trees. Street bridges arching above signal the various city blocks, so you are both detached and connected. I first visited it in 1966, when it had been long established, and since then it has changed at an accelerating rate.




Haven of peace
A quiet scenic place where you can feel completely at ease with only bird and insects for company. Every worry in the world disapears when you are here.