We often feel a sense of discomfort and claustrophobia in our busy and routined lives. Something from within nudges and pokes you incessantly to escape the hustle and bustle and escape, find something so breathtaking that it single-handedly rejuvenates the way you feel about life. This is a list of visual wonders from around the world that will stay with you forever!
Laguna Colorada, Bolivia
14,000 feet above sea level lies to stunning and captivating sight of the Laguna Colorada, a lake with orange-red algae and white borax deposits lining its periphery. Inhabited by the nearly extinct James’ Flamingo, the Laguna Colorada offers colorful contrasts of a nature that takes your breath away. An abundance of red algae and plankton gives the water it’s peculiar color, while several minerals gather along the edges and form white pool. Surrounded by the mighty Andes and the rolling terrain that accompanies it, this lagoon sits pretty in between mountains that offer a spectacular view of the action that unfolds at the 60 sq. km. lake.
The View Atop Mount Kilimanjaro
While there are series of natural wonders that will make you gasp, few will ever come close to the feeling of achieving the feat of climbing Africa’s highest mountain, literally soaring above the cloud, atop the world! Not only this, the view throughout the final stretch of the trek to the summit is unbelievable. The Karanga camp just shy of the peak will offer you the opportunity of a lifetime – touching marshmallow clouds while standing above them, as the sun rises in the distance and awakens the world beneath you. You can also spot Meru – Kilimanjaro’s little sister in the distance. The peak itself also offers views of sparkling glaciers and Mawenzi’s spikes breaking through the uniformly ragged cloud cover, as the satisfaction of accomplishing the formidable climb amplifies the humbling yet exciting feeling of standing atop the world.
Underwater at the Galapagos Islands
With more than 300 species of fish, 650 shells and mollusks, 100 crabs and 200 starfish and urchins, the diversity of the wildlife underneath the Galapagos Islands in inexplicable. The archipelago boasts some of the most unseen and unheard species of wildlife – both on land water that will leave you utterly speechless and humbled. Giant seas tortoise, marine iguanas, penguins and sharks, dolphins and otters, the species are endless. One visit will change your take on life forever!
NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia
Namibia is the one of the top countries to visit in Africa. Africa’s first night sky reserve is one that is surreal and stunning at the same time. Situated in the Namib Desert, this flatland is home to one of the most pristine sky observatories. Covering more than 1500 sq. km., the reserve is home to some of the darkest skies ever recorded, with the milky way galaxy gleaming amid billions of constellations and bursting Magellanic Clouds. Add to this the red dunes and the white salt pans that contrast the colors of the night sky, and you have a landscape so Martian that you might just be transported to a world that is far away from anything you’ve ever seen!
Aurora Borealis, Norway or Iceland
This famous natural phenomenon is so spellbinding that nothing can touch the feeling of having watched the Northern Lights. Predominant in the high altitudes of Northern Hemisphere, the red-green lights dance around the night sky as the magnetosphere is disturbed by solar winds. A phenomenon often described as mystical, moving and life-changing, the majestic interplay of natural invisible forces creates an overwhelming and overpowering feeling within the viewer.
Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland
One of Europe’s largest glaciers sits atop the mid-atlantic ridge, continually creating new cracks and cavities that give us peeks inside the surreal glacier. With crevasses as wide as highways, ice caves and frozen glacial waters make for some of the most awe-inspiring visuals. Jewel like formations, perfect octagonal formations, and countless reflections of light glimmer brightly around you as parts of the glacier melt and create crests and waves of ice masses all around.
