Bala, North Wales

Destination #6: Bala, North Wales, United Kingdom.

Year of visit: 2008

Bala is a scenic town of about 2000 people located within the boundaries of the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales. The Bala lake is the largest natural lake in Wales and it was frozen solid in severe winters of 1947 and 1963. The Bala lake is also home to a rare fish with origins dating back to the Ice Age, 10,000 years ago.

Bala is 1 and a half hours from Manchester and about an hour's drive from Mid Wales.

It's best to rent a car with GPS and drive through the coast of Wales to get to Bala.

I was there for a Christian Union camp and we chartered a coach to bring us there.

Wales is blessed with many natural wonders and would easily place itself among the most beautiful places on earth. No exaggeration. Google for images of Wales and you'll see it. Our journey up north was a slow but pleasant one through the various Welsh landscapes with lots of natural wonders to see.

Here's another one taken from the bus.

A typically British bungalow just a stone's throw away from the famous Bala lake.

It was also our accommodation for the weekend.

From the living room of the bungalow.

The backyard of the bungalow. So serene.

Winter was approaching when we were there so we had a campfire by the lake to warm ourselves and let off some fireworks into the pitch dark sky, partially lighting up the surface of the Bala lake.

The 'High Street' (British equivalent of Main Street) of Bala where most of the shops are located.

The medieval English Chapel along the 'High Street'.

The garden lawn in front of the bungalow.

Morning dew on grasses under the sunlight.

Autumn leaves at Bala.

English meal #1 - Baked potatoes with cheese, tuna and some beans.

English meal #2 - Braised turkey meat with apple sause.

The scenic hill near the lake.

The Bala lake - the largest natural lake in Wales.

The highest mountain in Wales, Snowdonia (1085 metres) can be seen on a clear day.

The picturesque lake - it was so surreal to me when i first saw it.

The Bala Lake of Snowdonia National Park from a distance.

Wales is a must go destination if you're really into natural wonders.

I have made a pledge to myself to return to Wales in the future, on a road trip!