Page 15 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

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NATURAL WONDERS

ABOVE Two ring-tailed lemurs crossing a large rock in the late afternoon, Madagascar
LEFT Steller’s sea eagles and white-tailed eagles on ice in the Nemuro Channel, Shiretoko Peninsula, Japan

SHIRETOKO PENINSULA, JAPAN In the far northeast of Hokkaido, Japan’s most northerly TSINGY DE BEMARAHA NATURE RESERVE, MADAGASCAR The otherworldly
island, lies a rugged finger of land jutting 40 miles (65 km) into the Sea of Okhotsk. landscape of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed preserve is a lush mix of mangrove
Surprisingly, this peninsula, which is on about the same latitude as the state of Oregon or swamps and emerald-green forests studded with fingers of limestone rock and riven
the French Riviera, freezes over in winter, and the snow remains in its shaded valleys until by deep gorges. Make a special effort to see the dramatic Manambolo River canyon on
summer. A string of volcanoes – one of which, Iouyama, remains active – runs across this the south side of the park. When it comes to wildlife, lemurs are the stars, particularly
wild landscape, where bears live in ancient woodlands, eagles scour clear skies, and sea the endemic sifaka and ring-tailed varieties. Like these, many of the other creatures in
lions bark on lonely shores. Shiretoko (“the end of the earth”) is Japan’s last wilderness. the preserve have learned to adapt to the region’s fiercely dry climate.

PHOSPHORESCENT BAY, PUERTO RICO Anybody who has had a midnight swim in PAINTED CANYON, NORTH DAKOTA, USA Painted Canyon is one of the most awe-
the sea on a moonlit night will know the excitement of seeing small phosphorescent inspiring parts of the North Dakota Bad Lands. This phantasmagoric region lies on the
bubbles spinning through their fingers. But that is nothing compared to snorkeling in southern edge of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, named after the former president,
Phosphorescent Bay, where microscopic organisms called dinoflagellates sparkle at the who owned a ranch here. It is a shockingly harsh landscape of rocks and buttes, where
slightest disturbance. Even if you don’t fancy diving in, you can easily see the effects. Just temperatures are extreme and bison and horses still roam freely. Roosevelt, who came
watch the wake of a boat or paddle your hand in the water, and you’ll see twinkling. The here after the loss of his wife and mother on the same day, saw himself as a frontiersman,
best time to go is when there is a full moon or, most prettily, during a light rain. and in this remote and beautiful place, you are bound to feel like one, too.

TEIDE NATIONAL PARK, TENERIFE Spain’s SOSSUSVLEI, NAMIBIA Sunrise and KYUSHU AZALEAS, JAPAN In spring,
tallest mountain, which rises spectacularly from sunset are the best times to see the the shade of pink that creeps across the
the island of Tenerife, is surrounded by the lava magnificent sand dunes of Sossusvlei on slopes of Japan’s most southerly island,
fields of the collapsed cone of an earlier volcano. the Namibian coast. But the only way to Kyushu, is simply shocking. Kyushu azaleas
It is a strangely exhilarating place, popular for do so is to camp in the Namib Naukluft are just one of 300 varieties native to Japan,
fashion shoots and films about prehistoric Park, which is otherwise closed at these and they spread like wildfire. It is a joy to
monsters, including Planet of the Apes (1968). times of day. These high dunes, which are see this shrub, so familiar as a tamed
Snowcapped for much of the year, the peak is blown as sheer as silk with razor-sharp garden plant, completely untamed. Locals
not all desolate: Teide broom and other brilliant edges, surround a vlei – a red-clay water believe that the sight of them restores the
flowers bloom with the first rains of spring. hole that fills up every now and then. human spirit, and they are surely right.

WOLONG NATURE RESERVE, SICHUAN, SKAGEN, DENMARK Walk along this ANTARCTIC PENINSULA A setting of FINGER LAKES, NEW YORK STATE, USA
CHINA With their big black eyes and sandy beach to Grenan, the most northerly incomparable beauty, Antarctica is an The 11 long, narrow, glacier-carved Finger
deep-pile coats, giant pandas are the most tip of Denmark, and you will see the Baltic unforgettable destination and one of the Lakes are natural marvels ranging from
appealing of bears. It’s no wonder they Sea on one side and the North Sea on few untouched places in the world. Your 3 to 40 miles (5 to 65 km) in length, and
were chosen as the emblem of the World the other, their waves hurtling towards days here will be spent cruising deep-blue surrounded by gorges brimming over
Wildlife Fund. At the Wolong Giant Panda each other and often colliding in such a waters known for their breaching whales with more than 1,000 waterfalls. Watkins
Breeding Centre in the highlands, you tumult of spray that you expect white and icebergs the size of ships. The region Glen is a jewel, with its stunning gorge
can watch these gentle creatures safe in horses to jump out of the water. Remote has some fascinating wildlife. Penguins are and a series of 19 waterfalls. Walking trails
the knowledge that the program here is and romantic, this shifting sandy headland found in their thousands, along with wind through it, including one that leads
for their conservation and rehabilitation. has long been popular with artists. whales, seals, and a large number of birds. behind the roaring Central Cascade.

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