The Craziest Places on Earth: 10 Weird Travel Destinations to Add to Your Bucket List

The number of global travelers has reached over one billion people a year.

While many people decide to go to the cliche destinations like London or Paris, the true adventures know better. That the most fun, craziest places on Earth, can be found if you’re willing to look for them.

Read our list below to discover the essential experiences you must have before you kick the bucket.

10 of the Craziest Places on Earth 1. Chile: Mano del Desierto

If you’re passing through Chile and find yourself almost 50 miles south of Antofagasta city, you may come across a giant hand in the desert.

That’s because Mario Irarr?zabal, the creator of the statue, indicated that he wanted to convey how as humans, we are helpless in the face of nature. Standing over 11 meters tall, this spectacular work depicts a human hand almost drowning in the desert, a final, pointless grasp to stay alive.

It shows that no matter how big we become, compared to the scale of the world and the power of the elements, we are still vulnerable.

Whether you’re planning a Pan-American Highway trip or a Chilean adventure, this is definitely something you should see.

2. California, USA: The Beach Made of Glass

If there was ever a story more fitting of humanity, it would be this one about a beach of trash becoming a beautiful tourist hotspot.

Located in MacKerricher State Park near Fort Bragg, this gorgeous stretch of ocean was the area’s literal trash dump from 1906 until 1967. Prone to excess, people would throw everything away here from electrical appliances to cars, and set fire to the piles when they got too big.

Fortunately, in 1967, people realized the negative impact this was having and began intense restoration efforts. They removed metal scraps and other harmful items to be sold as scrap or art, leaving just biodegradable materials, pottery, and glass.

Over time, the consistent coming and going of the tide broke up and smoothed the glass and pottery into glistening pebbles.

The ironic beauty of the pebbles attracts tourists every year who now pick up the pretty trash of their ancestors to take home with them as a souvenir.

This has led to the beach losing more and more of its glass pebbles so be sure to see it before it’s all gone.

3. Japan: Rabbit Island

There is a heaven on Earth and it’s this unbelievable island covered in bunny rabbits just a short 30-minute ferry ride off Japan’s coast.

What makes this one of the most unique places to visit in the world is the dark history lurking underneath all the fluffy cuteness:

During World War 2, the island was used as a poison gas factory.

The developments and poisons made here were sadly tested on rabbits and went on to be used in the chemical warfare against China. After Japan was defeated, however, the plant was closed down and the bunnies were released to roam the island free.

And because the island itself had no predators, the rabbit population has grown tremendously.

Now, there’s a hotel you can stay at, a museum and ruins to visit, beaches to relax on, and the rabbits are so used to humans they run right up to you looking for food.

It’s a beautiful part of the world and a shining example of how life can triumph from the darkest of circumstances.

4. Philippines: The Rainbow Trees

Native to the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea, the rainbow eucalyptus’ are unique trees found nowhere else on the planet. Also known as the Mindanao gum, these trees have a unique shedding process which, combined with the climate, causes the colors to emerge.

The bark itself sheds in patches at varying points throughout the year which exposes the bright green bark underneath. Over time, the exposure to the elements begins to darken the bark’s surface. This process sees the bark transition from blue right through to a dark red.

It’s difficult to believe the images aren’t photoshopped so you’ll just have to go see the trees for yourself.

5. Norway: Troll Tongue

Historically, the Norwegian Viking mythology centered around Odin, Thor, and other gods. They also had a belief in demons and trolls.

That’s why as the wind howled and the mountains took on the sharp features of twilight, locals began seeing faces in the rock-face.

One of those iconic spots is named ‘Trolltunga’ and the jutting rock gives visitors an exceptional panoramic view.

The natural landscape of Norway is beautiful and expansive making it a favorite hiking destination for tourists everywhere.

6. Thailand: The White Temple

Created in 1997, the White Temple or ‘Wat Rong Khun’, is an art exhibit funded and build by Chalermchai Kositpipat from Chiang Rai.

Built adjacent to the original Buddhist temple it’s based on, it’s a stunning and strange piece that captivates anyone who visits. The entire layout is designed to take visitors through Buddhist symbolisms about karma and sin.

But what makes the temple such an iconic place to visit is the choice of murals and sculptures.

Rather than traditional images, the artist has included many pop-culture characters from Superman through to Neo. All being used to tell the story of Buddha and his various teachings.

It’s an amazing location that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime.

7. Yemen: Socotra

Because of its remote location, this unique island has been left largely untouched by humans for thousands of years.

This has led to an incredible and unique variety of life that can’t be found anywhere else on the planet.

Here, you can find trees like the famous Dragon’s Blood–whose red sap was once revered by locals as, you guessed it, dragon’s blood. It’s also home to the Socotra Sunbird and other beautiful animals that live in isolation on this remote island.

If you want to try going somewhere that seems completely out of this world, Socotra island is the place for you.

8. Northern Ireland: The Giant’s Causeway

The legend goes that an Irish giant was challenged to fight by a giant in Scotland who mocked the former’s strength.

Enraged but separated by the ocean, the Irish giant pulled stones from the land and built a path so that he could cross over for the fight. The story ends in multiple ways depending on who you speak to but the stunning natural landscape is something you can’t ignore.

Created by ancient volcanic activity many years before, the natural basalt columns truly look like the work of something otherworldly making it a very unique place to visit.

9. Utah, USA: Bonneville Salt Flats

As one of the most interesting places in the world, the Bonneville Salt Flats are an experience like no other.

A remnant of a lake, the deposit of salt prevents any life from growing for many miles in all directions. Many visitors are struck by the bareness of the landscape and the odd purity of a blank white terrain.

Because of the flat, open space, the area has become well-known for the many races and land-speed records set here.

10. Meghalaya, India: Living Root Bridges

To create permanent, strong bridges for crossing lakes and rivers, locals manipulated the roots of the ‘ficus elastica’ tree itself.

Techniques vary from hand-twisting the roots to make them stronger to creating a scaffold that acts as a frame for the roots to grow over.

Regardless, the result is a living bridge capable of support human weight that can stand against the elements.

Just the journey to this part of the world would be an adventure in itself and to walk across the bridge would be an experience like no other.

Get Out There and Explore

The world is a beautiful and weird place that has shaped and been shaped by humanity.

This list covers only some of the craziest places on Earth but there are plenty of other places you can discover. Just make sure your passport is up to date before you leave. You can always expedite the process if you’re in a hurry.

Go here for more info and be sure to check out our most popular weird discoveries too.

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