Page 13 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

181

NATURAL WONDERS

ABOVE Glacier National Park combines rugged mountain beauty with verdant rolling meadows
RIGHT One of the four coral islands in the unspoiled Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA, USA The beautiful mountainous landscape of ALDABRA ATOLL, SEYCHELLES Four idyllic coral islands encircling an enormous
Glacier National Park, which runs right up to the Canadian border, was formed thousands shallow lagoon make up this atoll, where humans have, by and large, kept away. Out of
of years ago by dramatic glacial action. Its diverse terrain – which includes alpine forests, the way of shipping lanes and with no fresh water, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is
meadows, tundras, and lakes – is still roamed by grizzly bears and wolves. You have to have one of the most remote and harsh environments on the planet. Despite this, the Indian
a good idea of what you want to do before visiting, because there is so much on offer, from Ocean’s last flightless bird, the Aldabra rail, unlike the doomed dodo, has managed to
boating and fishing to horse-riding and cross-country skiing, not to mention the hundreds survive here. Just as content are tens of thousands of turtles, while sharks, barracudas,
of miles of hiking trails. After a day in the clean mountain air you will sleep like a log. and countless manta rays bask in the beautifully clear turquoise waters.

LAKE BAIKAL, SIBERIA, RUSSIA Despite GLOW-WORM DISPLAYS, WAITOMO CAVES, NEW ZEALAND On the North Island of
repeated attempts, nobody has ever got New Zealand, 3 hours’ drive from Auckland, you’ll find the labyrinthine limestone caves of
to the bottom of the world’s deepest – and Waitomo, which drip with the silken, sticky threads of the larvae of fungus gnats, otherwise
largest – freshwater lake. A spectacle all known as glow-worms. Each worm hangs up to 70 glowing threads, 12–16 in (30–40 cm)
year round, the lake is frozen in winter and long, from its ceiling nest to attract and trap midges, flies, and moths. It’s a magical
satin-smooth in summer, while fall brings display that resembles the Milky Way in microcosm. Tours include rides on rubber rafts
waves of oceanic proportions. through the underground waterways, black-water rafting trips, and cave rappelling.

SAN JUAN ISLANDS, WASHINGTON STATE, USA Visitors boarding a ferry at Anacortes GORGES DU VERDON, PROVENCE, FINGAL’S CAVE, ISLE OF STAFFA, UK
on the Washington mainland and gliding into the glorious San Juan archipelago for the FRANCE One of the most picturesque On the ferry from Mull in Scotland to the
first time might well feel that they are entering an enchanted land. Here, in a maze of spots in Europe, this canyon is not too Isle of Staffa, the chances are you will be
inlets and channels, more than 450 islands – 172 of them named – emerge from the daunting to explore. It is a wonderful serenaded by Mendelssohn’s Fingal’s Cave
bright blue waters of the northern Puget Sound. Hills carpeted in old-growth Douglas fir spot for walking, and kayaking and Overture over the boat’s loudspeaker
rise from the shores, while the soaring snow-capped peaks of the spectacular Olympic white-water rafting are popular in the system. And when you reach the giant
Peninsula tower in the distance. It’s an awesome scene. If so much natural beauty is too dazzling turquoise waters that seem to opening in the basalt rock that rises out
hard to take in at once, indulge in some whale-watching – either from a kayak or the give the whole landscape its luminous, of the sea like a huge stick of broccoli,
Lime Kiln Point State Park on San Juan Island, where you might well catch a glimpse of optimistic air. The limestone canyon walls you will see why the German composer
the resident population of orca whales as they feed. also make this a center for climbing. was inspired to write his stirring piece.

KODACHROME BASIN STATE PARK, GOCTA FALLS, PERU These fabulous ERG CHEBBI, SAHARA, MOROCCO
UTAH, USA It’s no wonder this state falls in Peru’s Northern Highlands drop This is the desert at its most beautiful,
park was named after America’s most an astounding 2,530 ft (770 m) in two but the footprints you leave here won’t
famous color film – Kodak’s Kodachrome tiers. They were only “discovered” a few last long. An erg is a strange phenomenon
– known for capturing “hot” colors well. years ago, and until planned access roads – it’s a mountain range of sand that drifts
The bright hues of the rocks are truly are completed, you’ll need to complete at the will of the wind. Watch the blazing
outstanding, especially on the “sand pipes” a 5-hour trek through dense jungle to sun cast weird and wonderful shapes
– chimneys of rock thought to be the reach them. But that trip itself, radiant and shadows over the pristine surfaces of
sediment of extinct geysers that remained with colorful birds and chattering the dunes, with their fluid, sensual curves
after the surrounding land eroded. monkeys, is worth the effort. and ripples created by the wind.

US180-181_nat_misc1.indd 181 11/3/09 15:56:52
180-181_nat_misc1.indd 181
16/4/09 11:07:28