Amusing Places on Earth

[Md. Shahinur A. Khan]

If you’re a self-proclaimed adventurer, anxious for a travel experience beyond any other, the following destinations should make the top of your to-do list. It’s true; things are about to get weird if you opt to venture beyond the norm to the following weird and wonderful travel destinations.

Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands
Loch Ness tops the list equally for both its mythical monster, Nessie, and for the eerie lake hidden away in the Scottish Highlands. Ness, the particular loch itself is 755-feet deep at its greatest and 21.8 miles long.  Unlike most lochs, this massive water body makes you wonder what could possibly be lurking in the depths.

The Wave, Arizona
Of all the mystical cures awaiting the believers in the Arizona dessert, the Wave, a colorful, wavelike, Navajo sandstone rock formation, will hold you in the most awe. This pinnacle stands proud of its oddness between the borders of Arizona and Utah, and is thought to hail from the Jurassic period.

Stonehenge, Salisbury, England
There are differing theories about Stonehenge, the mythical striking stones near Salisbury, England. They could indicate an ancient burial ground, a UFO landing spot, a ritualistic druid site, or a Pagan winter solstice monument. However, there are as many speculations as there are invalid answers. The only thing we do know is that whoever is responsible for building the structure over 5,000 years ago; left no written explanation.

Cano Cristales, Serrania de la Macarena
Cano Cristales is undoubtedly the world’s most extraordinary river of color. Sure, much of the time it might resemble any other river, but between the wet and dry seasons (typically from July to December), the river it bursts into vibrant ruby red blossoms that explode with color and life. The stream itself is overgrown by the macarenia clavigera plant, with contrasting patches of yellow sand, green moss, and aqua water running in between.

Bermuda Triangle
The triangle of ocean between Florida’s southern tip, Bermuda, and San Juan in Puerto Rico has been the site of numerous ship wrecks and plane crashes throughout history. Legend has it that anything traveling over the triangle will be sucked up into a mysterious void, even though storms did brew during one or more “mysterious disappearance.”

The Nazca Lines, Peru
The Nazca Lines are a well visited site by Sci-Fi fans and extraterrestrial aficionados. However, it’s difficult to explain why the prehistoric Nazca culture created the enormous geoglyphs in 500 BC, depicting an array of spiders, monkeys, figures, and flora. Many theorize that their creation was part of a ritual or out of the belief that the glyphs linked up to constellations in the sky.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Have you ever dreamed of a walk in the clouds? Well your dreams can become reality at the whimsical Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, home to the world’s biggest salt flat at 10,582-square-kilometers. Walk on the crusty surface while gazing dreamily off into the clear, blue yonder.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand
The geological wonder that is the Waitomo Glowworm Caves is actually quite illuminating! The glow worms, or Arachnocampa luminosa, hang out here in the thousands, casting their luminescence against the caves walls while tourists glide through in boats…it’s really an experience out of a fairy tale.

Area 51, Nevada
Do you believe? Most of the tourists who explore this notorious site in Nevada do. Officially known as Groom Lake, its claim to fame dates back to 1947 as it’s often linked with the Roswell New Mexico UFO incident. So the legend tells it, this top-secret military base hosts a lab where alien bodies and technology are still hidden today after a UFO crash-landing occurred there.

Badab-e Surt, Iran
The effect of Badab-e Surt’s water-colored terraces was created by sedimentary rock and water flowing from two unique mineral springs. The combination is quite beautiful—with multiple orange, red and yellow-hued pools in the form of a flowing staircase.

Marieta Island’s Hidden Beach, Mexico
Totally tucked out of view is the phenomenal beach on Marieta Islands, near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  The volcanic activity that occurred here over the ages has created a rather unique marine ecosystem, an a true tropical paradise for snorkelers, deep sea swimmers, and scuba divers who can explore the crystal clear water and the sea life who live here—a mix of Humpback whale, dolphins, and sea turtles.

To see the images of the places click the link: http://www.escapehere.com/inspiration/11-of-the-strangest-places-on-earth/