Lost Control :(

 Palmyra, Syria is an oasis in the Syria Desert and was one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world.  The city has Graeco Roman and Persian influences and was established as a caravan oasis for travelers as part of the trade route in 2000 b.c. and abandoned in 1932 a.d.  During it's peak, the city had over 200,000 residents.  Many peoples have lived and occured Palmyra,  but today it is occupied by ISIS.  Three days ago, it was reported that ISIS killed over 400 women and children the modern area of Palmyra.  This I cannot understand :(.   I visited Palmyra 15 years ago and met young girls.  They must be women with their own children today,  did they survive?   I met one little girl with a big spirit and big dreams.  She should be grown today possibly with her own children.  I don't like to think about it :(.  Maybe the saddest chapter of Palymra. 

  WOW!!  this place must have been something!

Killer Race

 

Now this is a race! Located in the Sahara Desert, you'll find the annual Marathon de Sables.  It's known to be the most grueling race on Earth.   During the race you carry everything you will need (excluding your water and a tent).  The race is 156 miles and takes up to 6 days to complete in temperatures over 100 degree.  The race includes rought terrain such as dunes an desert mountains.  Looks amazing if you don't mind occasional sand storms.

 

Death Trail

Only in China ;).   Why not take a hike up Mt. Haushan Trail dubbed the most dangerous trail in the world.  Only 'caution' is required.. no special experience or equipment.  Many people head to the top of this mountain to visit it's Taoist monastery.    Not much to say about this but .. whaaaa?!

 

Mail by Mule!

Wonder what's at the bottom of the Grand Canyon?  The deeper you enter it's layers, the further in history you witness, until you hit bottom where you've find a living/ breathing community.  Supai Village, Arizona is located at teh base of Havasu Canyon on the South side of the Colorado River and it's not accessible by road.  It has a population of about 208 and is the capital of the Havasupai Reservation.  Supai Village is the ONLY place in the USA that mail is still carried in and out by mules.  It's consider the most remote town in the lower 48 states.   If you would like to visit, you'll need to arrange a helicopter, mule or take an 8 mile hike down the Havasupai Trail, as there are no cars.  And while you're there.. don't forget to visit Havasau Falls (worthy of it's own strange spots!)

Hummer

Floating

The Dead Sea (Arabic: البحر الميت‎  al-Baḥr al-Mayyit ,Hebrew: יָם הַ‏‏מֶּ‏‏לַ‏ח, Yām HaMélaḥ, "Sea of Salt", also Hebrew: יָם הַ‏‏מָּוֶת, Yām HaMā́weṯ, "The Sea of Death, Yam Hamelakh  and "The Salt Sea") is the lowest place on earth, roughly 1,300 feet  below sea level. The sea is 34 miles long, 1,000 feet deep and up to 11 miles wide.. It is fed by the Jordan River with no outflow. The evaporation rate is extremely high.   Visitors can float effortlessly on the waters of the Dead Sea due to its concentration of minerals, which is the highest in the world. The salinity is about 34%. The Dead Sea seawater has a density of 1.240 kg/L, which makes swimming similar to floating.   Floating is a novelty that makes visiting the Dead Sea a amazing.  Many visitors come for the therapeutic value of the mud and salt water. People with skin disorders such as psoriasis and ailments such as arthritis have found relief from treatments using the Sea's natural resources. 

 

 

 

Trolling :)

Trollstigen, Norway.  I think I love Norway.  This highway is known as the Trollstigen Mountain Road, route 63 or The Troll's Path and is one of Norway's most dramatic.  The road has a very steep inclind of 9% with 11 hairpin switchbacks.  In some places, it's only wide enough for ONE car!

The road opened in 1936 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  According to Norwegian legends, trolls roam the mountains during the night, but change to stone by the morning sun.  Today it is this path is a tourist magnet, for obvious reasons.

 

 

Trees of Lava

Only on the Big Island of Hawaii will you find these wonderful LAVA trees :).  Situated in the Nanawale Forest Reserve, this park is a graphic depiction of the long-term effects of lava.  These 'trees' were formed by fast moving lava that hit patches of wet O'hia trees.  The lava ultimately encased the structures leaving behind a vertical, hollow, lava tube where each tree once stood. The lava explosion occurred in 1970 and has left the ground quite uneven, so walk with caution along the park's miles of trails.  The lava trees are made even more amazing as they are now covered in moss and surrounded by lush tropical foliage, as well as huge monkeypod trees.  Has anyone hiked this area?  It looks magical.

 

 

Fighting Anorexia?

The Heart Attack Grill, fighting anorexia since 2005 :). ANOTHER wonderful Strange Spot I found on my mini vacation in Las Vegas, Nevada USA. This isn't your typical restaurant by any means. On the outside, you will find a massive sign welcoming guests over 350 pounds to eat for FREE :). From their website "We understand that nothing can be more depressing than failing to follow through with a new diet. That's why we prescribe great tasting high calorie meals including the Double Bypass Burger, Flatliner Fries, Full Sugar Coke, Butterfat Shake, and no-filter cigarettes! University studies have proven that diets which include these types of food are much more likely to become a life-long habit." And don't worry vegans, they have 100% leaf tobacco cigarettes for you :). They also hold the Guinness Book of World's records for the highest calorie burger :). But no worries, their cute nurses will take care of you. And don't worry, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. INDULGE :)! But on one last note, their spokesman Blair River (575 pounds) met an untimely death a few months back at the age of only 29 :(.

 Their spokes man Blair River :(.

 

Zoomline!

Yeah baby!  Zip lining (or Zoomline)  Las Vegas style :) on Freemont Street just off the strip.   I discovered this Strange Spot over the weekend while taking a mini vacation.   It is nearly impossible to capture the moment of people zipping high above your head, fun music blaring and wild videos showing all over your head.   This spot is located on Freemont St. in Las Vegas about 114 feet up..  The street is covered with a steel structure for shade and apparently entertainment.   I would say, I've seen a fair share of zip lining, but this zip line tops the cake!  I've just read it only cost $40.. now that a deal.

 

The Hot Tub

I'm digging this place :)!  This is the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa located in southwest Iceland.   It's an amazing by product of the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power plant.  The rich wonderful waters are filled with minerals including silica and sulfur.  Apparently the waters are quite healing.  The temperature hovers around 104 degrees year round, regardless if the temperature is freezing outside.  While at the spa, one can enjoy silica mud baths, relaxing and floating, tucking yourself under a café or even sitting under a waterfall.