On a morning in Vang Vieng, Laos, a hot air balloon soars over the rice paddies along the Nam Song River, slowly rising amidst the karst peaks. A silky mist lingers on the mountainside, creating a feeling of entering an ink painting.

Kayaking downstream, the emerald waters sometimes rush through canyons, sometimes gently embrace sandbars, and sometimes dive and glide, each turn bringing an adrenaline rush.

This slow journey between heaven and earth combines the awe of overlooking the world from the clouds with the close-up touch of everyday life, a perfect blend of pristine nature and simple humanities.