Skip to main content

Nugget & Unorthodox Places

I may not exactly want to visit all these places, but their uniqueness and weirdness deserves them a right to be blogged about by the Travel Nugget. They're definitely places to go to if you're seeking an adventure.
GRUNER SEE, AUSTRIA
Gruner See or "Green Lake" is a lake found in the village of Styria, Austria. The name originated from the beautiful emerald green colour of the water. However, the pretty colour isn't the main reason why I'm interested in this spot. During the winter, the lake is merely 3 to 7 feet deep and people enjoy the surrounding county park facilities.

However, as Spring approaches and the temperature rises, the snow melts away and the water is collected in this emerald basin transforming it into a beautiful version of a snapshot from the 1995 movie, Waterworld. The water level rises to a maximum depth of 39 feet which swallows the park and many scuba divers explore this water-world. Venturing under these waters, the theme song for Super Mario Brothers, Water World would definitely be playing in my head. 
KAWAH IJEN, INDONESIA
The Kawah Ijen or "Ijen Crater" is located in eastern Java. The volcano's most attractive feature is the stunning blue lava which seeps out. When I first saw these pictures, I immediately thought that they were the work of Photoshop, dazzling electric-blue lava just seemed impossible. However, the lava itself isn't blue, but the light comes from he combustion of the sulphuric gases when it makes contact with oxygen and ignites.

Nevertheless, the scientific truth does not take away from its beauty. I'd love to witness this phenomena, but I can't imagine how terrible the stench must be with such a high concentration of sulphur. My pity, however, falls upon the sulfur miners who carry sulphur laden baskets approximately 3km away from the crater's floor, most of whom lack protective wear.
SOCOTRA, YEMEN
Socotra looks like the landscape of a sci-fi movie and I don't know how I feel about visiting here yet. It just seems so weird, a little too weird for my liking. The island is a found within the Arabian Sea and belongs to Yemen.  It is extremely isolated and most of the plant life is exclusive to Socotra and can be found no where else on the planet.

One of its most popular plant is the dragon blood trees which is believed to have taken the such an unorthodox, umbrella shape in adaptation to the desert-like climate. If I'm considering going here, it has to be with a huge group of people and I don't know of anyone else who has ever even heard of this weird place. So it just might just be a no...from me...
UNESCO World Heritage site - Socotra Archipelago
DALLOL, ETHIOPIA
In Northeastern Ethiopia lies Dallol, the volcanic crater with extraordinary shades of yellow and green. These colours are so attractive. This strange landscape has acidic hot springs, cones of salt and pillars of sulphur. Dallol is situated in the middle of the African rift which is an active volcanic zone, causing temperatures to often soar above 50 degrees Celsius. For this one, I'll be contented watching these pretty colours from a little plane above.
DOOR TO HELL, TURKMENISTAN
Looking at this cavern, it looks like an entrance to the Netherrealm from  Mortal Kombat where Scorpion would just jump out of and shout "Get Over Here!" (said in a tone I'm not talented enough to imitate).The Door to Hell was created when drilling exercises caused a natural gas field to collapse in Turkmenistan.

The crater was then lit by geologists in 1971 in attempt to burn out the methane to prevent the spread of the gas. It was believed that it'll burn out in a few days after it was lit but over 40 years after, the flames still blaze due to the constant emission of methane gas. These pictures doesn't do justice as the actual size of the crater which is just about, 69 meters wide and 30 meters deep.

CROOKED FOREST, POLAND
Located in the Pomeranian region of Poland, an entire section of trees bends near their bases, forming an odd phenomenon known as the crooked forest. The strangest aspect of this occurrence is that 90 degree bending of 400 pine trees, facing only North, cannot be explained. Adding to the mystery, they are surrounded by a larger forest of upright pine trees.

These trees just look like the set for a thriller movie of some sort which I will most definitely not be inclined to watch. They were planted in the 1930s when the Germans populated the area. Some believe it was the result of some German experiment, or resulted from even an odd gravitational pull or, the most boring one in my opinion, that some human tool or technique was used to bend them. For intrigue's sake, let's go with the conspiracy theory of German experiments.
The Water World park is definitely on my to-travel-to list, but it makes me wonder what will happen if all those glaciers from the previous post actually melts, a scary thought. Concerning the other places, I'm not likely to visit because they kind of scare me, or perhaps I can buy a plane and get a view from the top, but for now, pictures and videos shall suffice. Speaking of videos, What's Ali Watching does great Netflix reviews. Comment below and share some odd/strange/unusual/beautiful places!

Comments

  1. Wow, the travel nugget is funny.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. lol thank you Anonymous, the Nugget tries...
      Anywhere from the list you'd like to visit?

      Delete
  2. Guess it's time for me to start practicing scuba diving.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. and it's time for me to learn how to swim properly lol

      Delete
  3. the only place I'll be going on this list is that Lake in Australia. those others toooooooooo spooky!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know! they so weird! especially socotra and crooked forest

      Delete
    2. OMG! I mean Austria!!! hahaha not Australia!

      Delete
  4. Spooky but I'm intrigued! Love your blog nugget ❤️

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ali! follow me on instagram @Travel Nugget11 for even more pics!

      Delete
  5. This is a lovely lake in Austria. Your blog is interesting as it shows an adventurous side of you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The lake looks amazing! I really hope I get there one day :)

      Delete
  6. The Lord needs to put a hand on those freaky places! lol

    ReplyDelete
  7. The Green Lake is breathtaking, simply breathtaking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it is! I hope u see it in real one day :)

      Delete
  8. The park to lake one is very cool!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i know! a park during the winter and a lake during the summer

      Delete
  9. I'M GOING TO YEMEN! AND I'M STAYING AT #15, YEMEN ROAD, YEMEN!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'd love to see the blue volcano in real at night. I didn't even know a blue volcano existed

    ReplyDelete
  11. an underwater park?! :O :O
    that's so cool. love the videos you add in

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Other Travel Nugget Posts:

Nugget & The Waterfalls

Waterfalls are some of the most spectacular  tourist attractions  which should be included on everyone's bucket list. Putting together this list felt near impossible as each waterfall has its own  unique features  and there's so many around the world, but here are some of the  top waterfalls  around the world.  PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK, CROTIA Plitvice Lakes National Park  is Crotia's most popular tourist attraction and I completely understand why. Unlike the other waterfalls featured, Plitvice is made up of sixteen  inter-connected crystalline lakes  where terrains cascades into each other via beautiful waterfalls. The  emerald and turquoise   have been compared to lakes in JuiZhaiGou Valley from  Nuggets & The Lakes . What I love about this destination is that the falls are not only popular during the summer, but during the winter as the lush green forests transforms into the most beautiful  winter...

Nugget & The Beaches

If I asked you to picture the perfect beach , most of you might paint a scenery of a strip of white soft sand dotted with lush palm trees, crystal clear blue waters with gently rolling waves, all framed by a beautiful landscape. These bucket list beaches offer something a little bit different. PINK SAND BEACH, HARBOUR ISLAND No soft white strip of sand here, but Pink Sand Beach of Harbour Island, Bahamas , is the place to go to for natural beauty of pink sands and calm blue waters which extends for 3 miles . The waters are ideal for swimming and relaxing as the harsh waves are blocked by the surrounding coral reefs . The sand itself consists of broken corals, shells, rocks and calcium carbonate but it's pink colour comes from shell colour of microscopic shelled animals . Although it isn't the only pink beach in the world, it is definitely one of the most beautiful , perfect location for a vacation. Click here for info on more pink beaches . Photo credit: https://www....

Nugget & The Blue Holes

Looking for an underwater adventure? Blue holes are usually found in shallow coastal areas and the darker the shade of blue, the deeper it goes. The Travel Nugget won't venture into these depths for 2 reasons. Firstly, diving in these places has a prerequisite of logging over 25 dives so an extreme amateur, like the Travel Nugget, can't. Secondly, the mystery of the creatures that lurk in dark, deep waters scare me. GREAT BLUE HOLE, BELIZE The Great Blue Hole of Belize is the most popular blue hole and I have no idea what its appearance reminds me of. It measures over 300 meters across and 124 meters deep. The blue hole rests in the middle of Lighthouse Reef where an island of corals encircles the shallow area, giving it a beautiful turquoise colour. Many visit by boat and aerial tours while the more adventurous opt for skydiving into the waters. I imagine myself screaming at the top of my voice until I touch the water if I ever attempt that one but maybe, just maybe, ...

Nugget & The Natural Pools

There are so many amazing natural pools around the world, but these are just a few that caught my attention thus far.  Fairy Pools, Skye Fairy Pools is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Scotland and I can definitely see why. The blue pools are  crystal clear  and so beautiful.  As previously mentioned in  Nugget & The Mountains , I'm not built for hiking. Thankfully for me, to get to the beautiful pools through the River Brittle takes an average  40 - 50 minutes walk  which I can make. I'll just need some company; good company of course, not boring ones to make the trail feel like 5 hours.  The Pools is the most photographed place in Scotland and considered its most magical destination. The  pristine  and unbelievably blue waters makes every thing  visible . Now, the thing with the pools, they are  deceptively inviting.  The may have the colour and appeal of a tropical oasis, but the ...