camping 露营

陈小将

When you go on holiday, where do you like to stay? Do you like the luxury of a five-star hotel, the convenience of a self-catering apartment or do you prefer the freedom of sleeping under canvas? If you haven’t tried the latter, maybe you should join the increasing number of people who are enjoying the simple pleasures of camping.
By grabbing your tent, and some additional accessories, it’s easy to head off to the countryside and enjoy a night or two under the stars. Many campers are ditching the trappings of their modern, hectic life to do this, encouraged by experts who say a few peaceful nights in the middle of nowhere might be a good way to unwind and improve our sleep patterns and well-being. It is also, of course, a good low-budget holiday option.
For the adventurous, wild camping is the ultimate escape from reality. Armed with just some food and a sleeping bag, you’re free from rules, away from other people, and able to enjoy the back-to-basics experience. One wild camper, Phoebe Smith, told the BBC: “The act of sleeping when everybody else has gone home – when you notice the wildlife and the stars – is one of the best things in life.”
But for those who still want some home comforts, a campsite is a more suitable place to pitch your tent. Here you have facilities such as washrooms, a shop and maybe even a restaurant. And for the most luxurious camping experience, you could try glamping. In the UK, camping – and caravanning – has always been popular. One survey by Visit Britain found around 4.38 million people go camping in Britain every year.
More recently, sales of camping gear have jumped as more people have opted for a staycation within the UK due to travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. One camping retailer, Halfords, reported a surge in demand for products such as stoves, cool boxes and camping chairs. With the addition of inflatable mattresses and pillows, powerful torches and lamps to light up your tent and a better selection of easy-to-cook food, you can almost guarantee a comfortable and enjoyable camping expedition. The only thing you can’t guarantee, in the UK at least, is good weather! So maybe it’s time to slum it and give camping a try.