North of Reno and sitting at the fringe of the Black Rock Desert, Fly Geyser is actually man-made - and the result of a fortunate mistake at that. For decades, this particular parcel of land (which the Burning Man Project has since acquired) has been the site of a geothermal spring that an oil company unleashed back in 1964 by drilling too close, resulting in this continuously boiling geyser that's been accumulating cone-shaped carbonate formations of green, red and yellow for years.
The Petrifying Well, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, England, UK
The Petrifying Well doesn't really feel like its name implies—unless it's a bit too threatening that you will become a rock thanks to all the minerals in the water. Ever since the 1600s, so many visitors have been attracted to this site with the aim of looking at objects including teddies in various states of being 'petrified' thanks to all this water.
It supposedly takes around three months for one of the stuffed animals to be fully fossilized, and they can be purchased in the site's gift shop! The cave is part of the same woodlands park as Mother Shipton's Cave, where infamous witch Ursula Southhell was allegedly born.
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Mystery Castle, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Much like nature has its share of curiosities, the human race has produced its own crop of unexpected marvels. Boyce Luther Gulley constructed the eccentricively-pieced together Mystery Castle piece by stone, after he was diagnosed with terminal TB and subsequently decided that he wanted to fulfill his young daughter’s dream of living in a castle. Gulley, unfortunately, passed away before he could summon his family from their Seattle home in Washington, however Mary Lou continued to live in the Mystery Castle up until her passing in 2010.
Lake Hillier, Middle Island, Western Australia
If anyone was still questioning nature's genius, we direct you to this milky pink lake. A pink lake. Located on Middle Island, one of several islands comprising the Recherche Archipelago off the coast of Western Australia, Lake Hillier first appeared in 1802, and researchers think that its vibrant pink color results from high salinity levels and the activity of the salt-loving organism Dunaliella salina (an algae). But the exact cause is yet to be definitively confirmed…
Badab-e Surt, Orost, Iran
Sure, there are many stunning artificial pools dotted throughout the globe, but it's highly unlikely even the most innovative designers could conceive anything so striking. This natural wonderland, formed over thousands of years and still growing, showcases deposits of calcium and heat caused by thermal water to form what's called travertine. The iron oxides from the water give this spot a striking rusty tint.
Aoshima, Japan
Calling all canines: this island is not for you. If you happen to visit the Japanese archipelago you’re spoiled for choice with a number of locales where cats considerably out-number their human companions. Take, for example, Aoshima Island-a short ferry ride away from Japan’s eastern coast-that boasts no less than 100 locals (and thousands of furries).
People originally shipped cats to Aoshima to take down mice who feed on the worms that produce silk Descendants now run the show, have their own shrine and cat-shaped chalets available for hire.
Dimmuborgir, Iceland
Otherwise called The Black Fortress, the lava-fields not far from Lake Myvatn could house an opening to hell’s kingdom. They could also be the home of the Yule Lads; the 13 sons of a troll named Gryla, who exit during Christmas to sow mayhem everywhere. Whether you believe in a literal underworld, or in trolls or Yule Lads, you cannot argue that the strikingly attractive terrain of lava-formed mounds, caves and rocks filmed in Game of Thrones will draw you in and cast its charm over you.
Catemaco, Mexico
Lakeside town, fishing hub, land of the sorcerers… Catemaco, a town nestling around a lagoon in the Mexican province of Veracruz, enfolded by jungle clad mountains, really does pack a punch. It is entrancing on so many levels with travellers drawn to meet brujos (sorcerers), participate in spiritual healing and see ancient ceremonies. Suggestions indicate that African and Afro-Cubans settled here during the Spanish conquest, thus merging Catholicism, voodoo, Santeria ‘the Way of the Saints’ and Native American beliefs.
Old Enchanted Balete Tree, Siquijor, Philippines
With a staggering age of circa 400 years, this Old Enchanted Balete Tree located in the Philippines Siquijor Province is supposed to be the biggest and the most old one. The presence of magical legends and the habitat of mythical creatures among its branches is thus not surprising. You may take a rest near an old tree, but you could just as well enjoy the water coming out of the tree's roots into a concrete pond where you can swim with fish nibbling at your toes.
Conclusion
Whether it’s a pink lake in Australia or a tree with centuries of ghost stories in the Philippines, places like these show just how bizarre and interesting the world gets when you look past the usual tourist spots. Some were built by human mistakes, others by weird geology or deep local traditions, but they all give you a good reason to keep exploring. If anything, they prove that the most memorable travel stops are usually the ones you never saw coming.
FAQ
Did nature create Fly Geyser?
Not on its own. The hot water is natural, but the geyser itself started because an oil company drilled a bad hole back in 1964. Since then, boiling mineral water has just kept bubbling up, stacking up into the weird, colorful mounds you see today.
Can you actually buy the stone toys at the Petrifying Well?
You can. The water has so many heavy minerals in it that anything sitting under it gets coated in a hard, rocky shell. It takes roughly three months to petrify a regular teddy bear, and the park sells them right there in the gift shop.
What makes Lake Hillier so pink?
Most scientists point to a mix of extreme salt levels and a specific algae called Dunaliella salina that loves salt. They're still pinning down the exact science, but the bright bubblegum color is permanent and completely real.
Why does Aoshima have so many cats?
Fishermen originally brought them over to deal with a massive mouse problem that was ruining the local silk-worm nets. Fast forward a few decades: the human population shrunk, the cats kept breeding, and now thousands of felines basically run the island.