off-the-beaten-track

Everyone knows the world can be a crazy place that’s made even weirder by the actions of some people. But did you know there are actually natural wonders that are even weirder and that they are the work of Mother Nature herself? Hang on to your seats as we take you to some of the really weird places in the world that will make you shake your head in disbelief.

Thor’s Well in the US

Don’t expect to see Thor coming out from the Spouting Horn or Heimdall opening the Bifrost every time a massive stream of water is projected skywards from this sink hole. Thor’s Well is nothing more than a sinkhole located in the rocky surfaces washed by the turbulent waters of the Pacific within Oregon’s Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. It may not actually be weird, but the way water is shot straight up with such tremendous force is something that will leave you in incredulity. Even Old Faithful in the Yellowstone would pale in comparison to Thor’s awesome force. Just mind your distance, though, as you don’t want to be swallowed into its depths.

Lake Hillier in Australia

You may already know the Red Sea, but we’ll bet you haven’t heard of the Pink Lake just yet. Located in one of the islands of the Recherche Archipelago in Western Australia, Lake Hillier comes with a mind-boggling deep pink color. Unlike other bodies of water that have very unusual coloring, but only on certain times of the year, this pink body of water retains its rosy appearance all year round. This is due to the presence of a special type of pink bacteria called halobacteria. The lake also contains Dunaliella salina, a type of algae that has remarkable affinity for saltwater.

Chocolate Hills in the Philippines

Bohol island in the Philippines is not only known as the home of one of the world’s smallest primates, the Philippine tarsier, but it is also home to 1,700 perfectly shaped domed hills that take on a very peculiar chocolate brown color in the dry season. Many think that the Chocolate Hills are manmade, but UNESCO says the geologic features are the result of a combination of coral deposit uplift and rainwater erosion. It’s a surreal sight as if you’re looking at the goose bumps of a giant.

Red Beach in China

Occurring only in autumn, the tidal wetlands near Panjin in China can literally turn to crimson red, thanks to the presence of Sueda, a type of seaweed that has a characteristic red color. The beaches serve as important stopover points for migrating birds, providing a rich bounty of seaweed rich in protein that avian species can use for their continued flight. It’s an eerie spectacle especially if you’re more accustomed to a beach that is either sandy white or pebble gray. Indeed it resembles a massive carpet that blankets the shores of Panjin.

Every continent has its own set of really weird geographical features. While they may raise eyebrows, they also make perfect getaways for a memorable holiday.