There are so many amazing experiences in the world and it can be impossible to choose between them. I have travelled a lot, visited many countries and had many different types of experiences, and they are all different in their own way. Here I choose to focus on both the nature experiences I've had and those that I still have yet to see, but just HAVE to see.
#1 Must-see American beauty
Let's start with one that everyone knows, and if you haven't experienced it, you really should put it on your to-do list. The Grand Canyon is one of the best-known natural beauties you can find. It stretches for 30 kilometres from side to side and 277 nautical miles. The Grand Canyon is one of the most talked about areas in the US, and it shouldn t disappoint. Quite the opposite. Personally, I'm already a big fan of the US and have been there several times, so I don't know how I could have missed this huge beauty. I'll have to put it on my list for my next trip.
#2 The floating rainbow
This is guaranteed to be a nature experience you've never heard of before. It's the Caño Cristales river. The river is known as "The River of Five Colours" or "Liquid Rainbow". This river is simply the wildest hidden gem. The river is located in Columbia, and normally the river is actually quite ordinary with plain water flowing through it, but from around July to November the river explodes in colour. Most people think it must be from chemical discharge in the river. At least that's what I thought when I first heard about the river. Fortunately, that's not what's happening. In fact, the Macarenia Clavigera, a rather unique plant that grows at the bottom of the river, turns a bright red colour. The rainbow colours then come from other colourful parts of the river. The blue water, the green moss and the yellow sand. I MUST see this river at some point. Besides, Columbia is an amazing country, so you don't only have to go here to see the colourful river.
#3 The green sky
I didn't even realise I had to experience this green sky until I was standing in the middle of it. It may sound a bit abstract, but I'm actually talking about something very concrete, the Monteverde Cloud Forest. The forest is located in Monteverde in Costa Rica, and it's called a cloud forest because you are incredibly high above sea level, almost inside a cloud. The humidity here is incredibly important for the forest. It's a bit like a rainforest, but not in quite the same way. The forest has a lot of little hidden treasures that you might be lucky enough to discover. For example, they have a lot of rare birds that you can be lucky enough to see here. It was a really nice stroll I took around the forest, where I killed several hours by walking and taking pictures and recording all the sounds and colours.
#4 A pink sandy beach
One of the things I'd love to experience is the phenomenon of pink sand beaches. I love relaxing on a good beach, but what could be better than a regular sandy beach?...a pink sand beach. But you have to admit, it is a strange phenomenon. These beaches are not found in many places, and the degree of pink colour varies. The one I've heard the most about is the beach in the Philippines. Great Santa Cruz Island in the Philippines is home to an incredibly beautiful pink sandy beach and the most beautiful ocean I've ever seen. This pink beach gets its coloured sand from the red organ pipe corals that have been pulverised. Unfortunately, much of the marine life around the beach has been destroyed due to illegal coral mining. It's therefore important to keep in mind what you do in nature to maintain all the amazing phenomena.
#5 Live on the edge
Want to live on the edge? Then come with me to see one of the world's most active volcanoes, and you don't even have to travel to the furthest reaches of the world to experience it. Etna, located in Sicily, is an active volcano and I don't know why I haven't been here yet when it's practically in my backyard. What's even more amazing is that you can get really close to the volcano itself. There's a funicular railway to the top, so you can easily and quickly get to the top and see this wild natural phenomenon. I've always been fascinated by volcanoes, so I'd love to see an active volcano to experience how the land around an active volcano is different from that around an inactive volcano. In addition, there should be many opportunities for great hiking and other nature experiences around Etna, which I certainly don't want to miss.
#6 The big round stones
In New Zealand you can find several amazing wonders, but one of the more unusual and not so popular is the Moeraki Boulder, also known as Kaihinaki. Here, on the southern island, you'll find unusually large and completely round rocks along Koekohe beach. The rocks were formed underground through the cementation of Paleocene mudstone, and have been moulded by the mud around them and erosion. In addition, they were brought from the ground to the beach by the sea hitting the rocks and rolling them down onto the sand. It's rare to find rocks that haven't broken, as they often roll with great force and shatter. What's even more curious about these rocks is that they are hollow inside, which you can see in the broken rocks. I loved passing by here. It was crazy to walk around among these big rocks, crawl around on them and jump from rock to rock. So if you're planning a trip to New Zealand, don't miss this amazing nature experience.
#7 The impressive fjord
Another one from New Zealand is Milford Sound. New Zealand has so many natural phenomena that I could make this list solely of experiences in New Zealand. Milford Sound is a fjord on the South Island. The hugely fascinating thing about Milford Sound is that the fjord was formed by glaciers during the Ice Age. The fjord has a wildly dynamic landscape, with several beautiful waterfalls and huge mountain peaks. Although Milford Sound is accessible, the area has retained its authentic and unspoilt nature, which is what makes the area so stunning. Milford Sound is located in Fiordland National Park, and the park itself is also well worth exploring by hiking or driving through the forest and wildlife. Milford Sound is a sight not to be missed and one you'll remember for the rest of your life. I know I will.
#8 Iconic canyon
Want to take a long hike in the beautiful mountains of Norway? Then you can get up to the wildest sight. In addition to the phenomenal views of the fjord, the Lysefjord in Norway is home to Kjeragbolten; a huge rock wedged between two rock walls. The hike to the top of the 1,110 metre high mountain is challenging, but absolutely amazing, and the reward for the hard work is really good. How did it even happen that the big rock landed right there? These are the kind of experiences I like. The ones where you feel like you have to think about things and you appreciate the earth's amazing ability to allow such things to happen. However, you should be aware that the hike is quite challenging and it is only recommended for experienced and experienced hikers, as it takes 6 hours and involves a climb and steep hike.
#9 Sea of Stars
On the beautiful island of Vaadhoo in the Maldives, you can have an experience that is out of this world and probably unrivalled anywhere else in the world. As the sun sets over Vaadhoo Island and the ocean waves crash onto the beach, a sparkling sea appears. Tiny blue dots appear, making the sea look like the starry sky. This magical phenomenon occurs in the late summer months due to the increasing amount of phytoplankton and sea creatures that glow in the dark. It must be a truly marvellous experience. It should be easier to see this marvellous sight if you are at sea, as the waves crash against the boat and the brilliant light is created. The sea around Vaadhoo Island is completely clear, which is why it's so easy to see the luminous plankton when the sea and organisms are disturbed by waves or water movement. I can't wait to experience something so incredibly magical. Besides, the Maldives is one of the most beautiful and delightful places you can go, so it's just a bonus that there's such an enchanting experience here.
#10 The Wild Beach
This dark and rugged beach is found in Iceland, where the black sand, black rocks and high cliffs create a gloomy and melancholic atmosphere that is said to be wild to experience. The waves that hit the beach are also wild and violent, which is why the beach is not suitable for swimming. However, the beach is also much more fascinating to walk around than to lie on it. You can clearly see how the sea and nature have shaped the unique staircase-like cliffs that act as a sombre backdrop. Reynisfjara beach in Iceland is one of the most impressive beaches I've ever seen in pictures, and it's supposed to be even more wild in real life. The beach is also a trademark of Iceland and the raw nature that exists up there. I haven't yet experienced Iceland, but I definitely need to.
