Unusual and bizarre places on earth, one must visit- 12 strange destinations in the world!

Earth is wonderful in a weird way. There are a thousands of places we are yet to explore but there are many others which we are already aware of and must admire their bizarre beauty.

I have compiled a list of 12 unusual yet breathtaking destinations in the world one must visit at least once in their lifetime. Their extraordinary and miraculous appearances will leave you astounded to your very core.

From the scariest known lake on this Earth, located in Tanzania, to the heavenly Great blue hole in Belize, the stories and facts about these astonishing places, will leave you in awe.

1) NATRON LAKE, TANZANIA

The only sense in which a lake or any water body for that matter can be terrifying is the depths of its waters. But, interestingly, this beautiful looking lake in Tanzania has more to be afraid of than just its depth.

It is a highly alkaline lake and it derives its high alkalinity from the presence of large amounts of Sodium Carbonate and other minerals from the surrounding hills. The water in Lake Natron has a pH as high as 10.5 and is so caustic it can burn the skin and eyes of animals that aren't adapted to it.

Animals who can't adapt die and turn into statues due to calcification. Because of the high alkaline collection, the lake looks red in color, especially during summer in ring Tanzania. This is the reason why this lake is also known as the ‘Petrifying Lake’.

2) DIE RAKOTZBRÜCK, GERMANY

This stunning green bridge was commissioned in 1860 by the knight of the local town and built by mortals out of varied local stone, over the waters of lake Rakotzee. Die Rakotzbrück is yet another mysterious, spectacular and at the same time a little spooky place on Earth that one should visit. Alongside being a perfect copy of the bridges and the forests witnessed in fairytales, the thing that makes it a bit eerie is the fact that its name, "Die Rakotzbrück", translates to "Devil's bridge" and is believed to be built by Satan.

It is famed for its remarkable architecture. Its builders seem to have focused more on the aesthetics of the steeply arched bridge, rather than its utility.

3) BADAB-E-SURT, IRAN

These travertine terrace formations in Iran are worth a visit by all. They have been created over thousands of years as flowing water from two mineral hot springs cooled and deposited carbonate minerals on the mountainside.

Badab-e-Surt is a rare geological masterpiece, formed during the Pleistocene and Pliocene epochs. Only a handful of such places exist in the world. A similar natural wonder has already been lost.

Travertine is a type of limestone formed from the calcium deposit in flowing water, and in this case it’s two hot springs with different mineral properties. The unusual reddish colour of the terraces is down to the high content of iron oxide in one of the springs.

4) THE CHRIST OF ABYSS, ITALY

Italy is the place where you will find a 2.5 meter tall bronze statue of Jesus Christ, UNDER WATER. The statue was created by sculptor Guido Galletti, and its arms are raised upwards as a sign of invocation.

So, those of you planning their trip to the land of love & gelato must add this wondrous destination in their itineraries and bucketlists.

Indulge in a stunning sport, diving, and witness this beautiful sculpture underneath the water! And when you dive into the ocean, in this spot you will not only find the statue you are looking for, but also the remains of a British ship that sank not far from that spot during the Crimean War.

5) SLOPE POINT, NEW ZEALAND

The southern most point of the Southland island of New Zealand is known as the Slope Point. There is no road to this place. You can only reach here by burning some calories through a 50-minute walk.

The most fascinating feature of this point is the permanently bent crooked trees due to intense Antarctic gusts.

Slope Point is a beautiful place to explore. Green pastureland stretches toward the horizon, leading to the rocky cliffs that plunge into the water below. The place is sparsely inhabited, apart from the sheep that dot the landscape.

6) DEAD SEA, JORDAN

For all those who don't know how to swim, dead sea is the place for you! Dead sea is a salt water lake lying in the rift valley in Jordan. It got its name from the fact that it is extremely saline in nature that it prevents certain organisms to thrive inside it.

But this feature provides a bit of an edge to those who don't know how to swim.

The salinity of this lake makes your body to float effortlessly on its surface!

A tiny warning, it might sting a little if you open your eyes while in the water. But otherwise, this gorgeous place is a must visit!

7) TUNNEL OF LOVE, UKRAINE

Who would have thought that a railway tunnel could be this gorgeous and charming. Surrounded by beautiful greenary all around, this industrial railway section in Ukraine is worth treading. It is known as the "tunnel of love" because it is known to grant the wishes of lovers.

The railway tracks through the tree tunnel make for a lovely stroll for couples and singles alike. The romantic setting earned this stretch of track its nickname, the “Tunnel of Love.” The tunnel is at its lushest during the spring and summer when the trees are at the peak of their leafiness, but the colorful foliage of fall and snow-covered branches of winter make for captivating sights as well.

8) CAÑO CRISTALES, COLOMBIA

Ever seen a colourful river?!

Don't worry, you can find a river of 5 different and vibrant colours in Vista Hermosa in Colombia. Caño Cristales, also known as river of 5 colours, has been called the most beautiful waterbody on Earth.

The bed of the river from the end of July through November is variously colored yellow, green, blue, black, and especially red, the last caused by Macarenia clavigera plants on the riverbed. You can make a time lapse here of the water cascading down the rocks.

9) BLOOD FALLS, ANTARCTICA

Another spectacular and wonderous place on Earth is Antarctica. The only peculiar thing about this place isn't its extreme temperatures but also the fact that it bleeds! There is a waterfall that is coming out of the glacial peaks is as red as blood, in its colour. Blood Falls is an outflow of an iron oxide-tainted plume of saltwater. The water is red in color due to the presence of huge amounts of Iron. According to Forbes, the mystery surrounding Blood Falls has been solved. According to the researchers of the University of Alaska, the red coloring is due to “oxidized iron in brine saltwater, the same process that gives the iron a dark red color when it rusts.”

10) PAMUKKALE, TURKEY

Also known as "white marvel", Pamukkale is a place where nature assumed the role of artist and created such majestic beauty. The white travertine cascades resembling frozen waterfalls and terraces of shallow pools were created by the waters of thermal springs reacting with the air. Its allure first noticed by the Romans. Pamukkale also translates to "cotton castle".

The magnificent Hierapolis, a UNESCO World heritage site, ancient city was established near the travertine by the Romans.

11) AOKIGAHARA FOREST, JAPAN

This is one of the strangest known places in the world. I personally don't think anyone should visit this place, but if you are a thrill-seeker, you might wanna have a look at this forest. This forest is also known as the suicide forest. In fact, the Hollywood flick The Forest is entirely based on this forest itself, the story in that movie explores the spooky nature of this very jungle which is said to have been haunting people for a very long time now. Also called the Suicide Forest, this place is situated at the foothills of the famed volcano Mount Fuji in Japan and is notorious for its endless cases of haunting and apparitions that have occurred here. The worst part is that more than 500 people are said to have committed suicide in this forest.

12) GREAT BLUE HOLE, BELIZE

The great blue hole in Belize is yet another one of the most magnificent yet peculiar place on Earth. It is not only a world class destination for diving but also a rich habitat for a variety of marine life like nurse sharks, reef sharks, black tip sharks and even giant groupers. It is a natural gigantic submarine sinkhole! You will be amazed at the power this sinkhole exudes. It is also touted to be the most dangerous and deadliest spots in the world by experts. But be careful because it has claimed the lives of many divers in the past.

THERE IS ALSO A PART 2 TO THIS POST!

Xoxo