Rainbow mountains? Check. A lake made by a meteor? Check. A seashore full of glass pebbles? Check. The world is full of bizarre but incredible sights, and many of them are open to tourists.
Click start to play today’s Spell It, where “unique” is one of the words you can create.
Here are a few must-see destinations from around the world:
1. Glass Beach, US
This California beach is testament to Nature’s amazing ability to turn trash intro treasure. Once, it was a convenient dumping ground for garbage from nearby Fort Braggs. Until the 1960s, people would discard junk – anything from old cars to appliances – right over the cliffs and into the oceans. The authorities put a stop to the practice, but the damage was done. However, over the next few decades, the ocean waves swept over the trash, slowly and steadily turning it into jewel-like pebbles. The beach today looks like it is strewn with gems.
2. Rainbow Mountains, China
At the Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, thousands of years of erosion have led to spiralling, colourful sandstone and mineral deposits. Wooden stairs and platforms allow tourists to reach the top of the rainbow-coloured hills, without damaging the delicate landscape.
3. Lonar Lake, India
About 50,000 years ago, a meteorite crashed into the region of the Indian state of Maharashtra, leaving behind a giant crater 2km across and 170m deep. Since then, the crater has developed into a tranquil lake, with wilderness all around it. The alkaline waters of the lake are said to have therapeutic properties for the skin, and scientists think the meteorite is still embedded about 600m below the south-eastern rim of the crater.
4. Spotted Lake, Canada
In the eastern Similkameen Valley of British Columbia, Canada, lies a lake where a truly bizarre phenomenon occurs. During hot summers, the lake’s water begins to evaporate, causing its high mineral content to crystallise. The result? White-rimmed circles of green dotting the entire water body.
5. Pamukkale, Turkey
A popular tourist site, Pamukkale is full of gleaming white calcite terraces or travertines, that have pools of warm, mineral-rich waters. The travertines are situated on a mountain above the village, and offer a great view. Pamukkale translates to “cotton castle”, and it’s rightly so!
Have you visited any of these unique destinations? Play today’s Spell It and tell us at games@gulfnews.com.
