Describe a beautiful place in nature, such as a mountain or a forest, that you have visited

The place I would like to describe is Big Almaty Lake, which is high in the mountains above the city of Almaty. I have been there three times, but the first visit, about three years ago, is the one I remember best.

To get there, we drove for about an hour up a steep, winding road, and then we left the car and walked the last part. It was a clear September morning, and the air got colder with every step. When we finally reached the top, the lake appeared suddenly in front of us. It is surrounded by tall, snow-capped peaks, and its colour is an incredible shade of turquoise. We walked slowly along the shore, took lots of photographs and had a picnic on a flat rock. A couple of times we sat in silence just looking at the water and the mountains. The only sounds were the wind and the occasional bird.

I think it is beautiful because it feels so untouched, even though it is not far from a major city. There are no big hotels or noisy shops right beside the water, so you really feel part of nature. The colours are also remarkable, and they change during the day, from deep blue in the morning to green in the afternoon. Standing there, I realised how small my everyday problems were compared with such a huge landscape. It was one of those moments where you simply feel grateful. I hope that the area stays protected, because it would be a pity if too many tourists damaged it.