Odd Places to Visit

losthorizon · 31-10-2011 02:41PM #1

I'm Not looking for travel tips or the usual travel advice but unusual or really really wierd places to visit. Something that engages the mind or gives you that Arthur C. Clarkes mysterious world feeling (if you remember the programme -if not look it up on youtube)

Ild like to visit places like http://www.themysteryworld.com/2011/10/abandoned-russian-riviera.html

One site I have managed to visite is the Cerne Abbas Giant. Anybody else got other ideas. Any in Ireland as well?

http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/england/dorset/featured-sites/the-cerne-abbas-giant.html

Einhard · 31-10-2011 02:43PM

I like islands for some reason. I really want to visit Tristan de Cunha, the most remote island on the planet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tristan_da_Cunha

Unique User Name · 31-10-2011 02:44PM

losthorizon wrote: »

http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/england/dorset/featured-sites/the-cerne-abbas-giant.html

The giant in that picture looks very happy to see you

On a more serious note I've always wanted to visit Machu Picchu

Badgermonkey · 31-10-2011 02:46PM

Travelodge Ballymun according to this bloke on Tripadvisor

“Loved It, Would Love To Go Back”
Reviewed 1 September 2011

After booking a week off work to both recover from a trip to a music festival and celebrate my birthday, I decided I may as well spend the week somewhere a bit different. So I booked four nights in Travelodge in Ballymun

http://www.tripadvisor.ie/ShowUserReviews-g186605-d634898-r117525957-Travelodge_Dublin_Airport_Ballymun-Dublin_County_Dublin.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT

Colilfc · 31-10-2011 02:49PM

Leitrim.

pragmatic1 · 31-10-2011 02:51PM

I want to visit those weird central Asian countries like Kazakhstan. The capital, Astana, looks insane.

My name is URL · 31-10-2011 02:52PM

I'd really like to visit Svalbard.. not exactly as odd place but it seems fantastic. Some day soon hopefully.

FinnLizzy · 31-10-2011 02:56PM

Turkmenistan!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saparmurat_Niyazov

Read about this mad dictator and how obsessed with himself he was.
He renamed January after himself!

Ellis Dee · 31-10-2011 02:59PM

Unique User Name wrote: »

The giant in that picture looks very happy to see you

On a more serious note I've always wanted to visit Machu Picchu

They say couples wanting to conceive have spent the night humping on the giant's member.

Machu Picchu is definitely worth a visit, but the place that impressed me more (even more than the Taj Mahal) is the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, India. There is nothing to equal it for out-of-this-worldliness.

http://www.loupiote.com/photos/4162860718.shtml

losthorizon · 31-10-2011 03:01PM

Einhard wrote: »

I like islands for some reason. I really want to visit Tristan de Cunha, the most remote island on the planet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tristan_da_Cunha

Believe it or not Thats one of my ambitions. I actually sent away for the brochure for the mail ship that plys its way between Britain and South Africa and stops there (sometimes) along the way (it always stops in St Helena and Ascension Island).

I get a certain amount of holidays each year and I am trying to travel around the world by land (obviously flying to where I stopped before). Im taking it slow :oso its going to take me years and years but you would be surprised how you can get over long stretches of water without flying. A lot of mercant ships rent out cabins and actually organise activities.

MrJoeSoap · 31-10-2011 03:08PM

I'd love to visit Diego Garcia, but alas I don't think it would be possible.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Garcia

That Russian place in the OP looks incredible, sign me up!

El Guapo! · 31-10-2011 03:22PM

I love abandoned type places. Would love to see the Beelitz Military hospital, in Berlin http://www.forbidden-places.net/urban-exploration-Beelitz-Heilstaetten_Sanatorium

Or the Norwich Insane Asylum, in Conneticut. http://www.forbidden-places.net/urban-exploration-Norwich-State-Hospital

Dotrel · 31-10-2011 03:34PM

I plan to visit the ruins of the ancient city of Detroit one day.

http://www.google.ie/search?q=ruins+of+detroit&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1440&bih=779&sei=%20mLGuTpr9Kc-HhQfMmPi9Dw#q=ruins+of+detroit&um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=lnt&tbs=isz:l&sa=X&ei=mLGuTuu2L8-DhQfdw4HGAw&ved=0CAsQpwUoAQ&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=f1eea3369961961a&biw=1440&bih=779

Captain Graphite · 31-10-2011 03:41PM

You should go to Charleroi and do the urban adventure safari: http://www.charleroiadventure.com/

Hop in our van for an urban safari and discover the place where Magritte's mother committed suicide, the house of the infamous Marc Dutroux,the "ghost metro", the most depressing street in all of Belgium, climb on a terril (waste coal pile) and visit an authentic abandonned metal factory.

I was in Belgium in September but only found out about this afterwards; I'd have loved to have done it.

On the subject of islands, how about Pitcairn: http://wikitravel.org/en/Pitcairn

Jesus Wept · 31-10-2011 03:51PM

Badgermonkey wrote: »

Travelodge Ballymun according to this bloke on Tripadvisor

http://www.tripadvisor.ie/ShowUserReviews-g186605-d634898-r117525957-Travelodge_Dublin_Airport_Ballymun-Dublin_County_Dublin.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT

wrote:

I got a taxi from the airport to the hotel as I didn't really know what bus I needed to get so even though there was obviously extra expense, it made sure I got to the right place without any problems. As soon as I got there the hotel had a really nice feel to it. Staff on reception were very friendly and helpful, I was checked in and told about the hotel and the area very quickly and within a few minutes of arriving I was relaxing in my room. And the room did let me relax, too. It was large, clean and comfortable. I spent that first afternoon just relaxing around the hotel and was happy enough to spend that time there.

I decided to make life a bit easier I'd have breakfast and dinner at the restaurant in the hotel. I know people may say when you're in a city like Dublin you should really go out and see the city at night and eat out, but for someone who wanted a fairly relaxing time and for someone on their own, the restaurant looked a good bet. And so it proved. There was plenty of choice on the menu, the food was really good and the prices were pretty decent. The service in the restaurant was brilliant as well, making it a very relaxed and friendly experience. Next door to the restaurant is a bar which is just as welcoming. I spent one evening in there, on my birthday, and don't mind admitting that was the high point of my stay.

When it came to checking out, I found myself being disappointed to be leaving. Even after a fairly short four night stay I'd started feeling quite at home in and around the hotel. I know people say that the area the hotel in isn't the best but seriously, if that's putting you off then don't let it. There's been a lot of regeneration of Ballymun recently and it's fine. I didn't have any problems with anybody and actually found the people really friendly when I did speak to them, especially around the hotel/bar area. So basically, if you want somewhere comfortable, friendly and only a fairly short bus trip from the city centre then there's not too much point looking further than this hotel. I just hope maybe one day I can go back. Thanks to everyone at the hotel, in the restaurant and in the bar for a brilliant holiday.

ballsacky · 31-10-2011 03:53PM

Machu Picchu.

MrJoeSoap · 31-10-2011 03:56PM

Ellis Dee wrote: »

They say couples wanting to conceive have spent the night humping on the giant's member.

Machu Picchu is definitely worth a visit, but the place that impressed me more (even more than the Taj Mahal) is the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, India. There is nothing to equal it for out-of-this-worldliness.

http://www.loupiote.com/photos/4162860718.shtml

ballsacky wrote: »

Machu Picchu.

Macchu Picchu is one of the new Seven Wonders and a Unesco heritage site. I would love to visit, but wouldn't really class it as "odd".

Jesus Wept · 31-10-2011 04:10PM

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

Macchu Picchu is one of the new Seven Wonders and a Unesco heritage site. I would love to visit, but wouldn't really class it as "odd".

Now this place is odd. I want to go here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centralia,_Pennsylvania

retalivity · 31-10-2011 04:39PM

The Great Blue hole, off the coast of Belize

Tuvalu

Chukotka - Far east Russia (Only because of an episode of Fiorsceal i saw on tg4 years ago...madness

Bhutan

jester77 · 31-10-2011 04:46PM

retalivity wrote: »

The Great Blue hole, off the coast of Belize

I had planned on heading over that way later in the year, flying into San Pedro, and taking in Copan ruins and into Guatemala and up to the ruins at Tikal and then into Belize, but it seems to be a bit of a no go at the moment because of the drug cartels

peasant · 31-10-2011 05:10PM

somewhat closer to home:

http://www.megalithicireland.com/Carrowkeel%20home.htm

There's someting special about this place alright

ToddyDoody · 31-10-2011 05:12PM

**** corner, Oregon, USA http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/****_Corner,_Oregon

b.harte · 31-10-2011 05:15PM

If you want something weird go to north Leitrim, around Drumkeeran. There is a hill/mountain outside of the village with one of those old sweat mounds on top and nearby there is a ring fort with stone carvings of what look like elephants on them, weird given how old the stones must be. Also there is the source of the river Shannon in Leitrim and the remains of the foundry which is a sort of eerie place. Then in Dromahair, I think, is the ruins of one of the first water turbines for electricity in Ireland, some old landlord had it installed. There's also the old coal mines, but I've never been there.

Down here in the south there is the disused remains of the Lombardstown to mallow canal which runs along the mallow Killarney road, tons of megalithic tombs, stones etc. all around and a weird straight road along the side of a mountain, for no obvious reason.

So, Cork or Leitrim.......
Not much of a choice there is it?
Both S**t:eek:

John Doe1 · 31-10-2011 05:19PM

If you are feeling reallyadventurous: Bundoran

SeaFields · 31-10-2011 05:20PM

Antarctica.

I'll get there eventually as its been something I have wanted to do for as far as I can remember. A friend of a friend did it and the pics were spectacular.

Galapagos Islands.

Would love to get there to see the wildlife and that alone. Someday maybe.

4leto · 31-10-2011 05:20PM

It is an ambition of mine to travel to the Antarctic, I actually had a trip planned in 2009, I was going to do the Inca trail in Peru then take a cruise ship to the Antarctic, but then the world economically went on it's arse, so I elected to keep my schillings.

I still harbour that ambition, so fingers crossed and I may go next year.

losthorizon · 31-10-2011 05:54PM

There are a load of place I want to visit because they seem so interesting like

Lebanon
The Falkland Islands (for its history and wildlife)
Most of S. America TBH (Ive been to Chile)
but the place that really sticks out is Namibia for its spectacular landscape , fantastic wildlife, adventure sports, to test your driving skills,its safe, no need for injections and a wide range of things to see plus its huge with not many people ( a bit like Iceland in that respect) and its got an oddity an abandoned mining town in the desert

http://www.google.ie/search?hl=en&biw=1680&bih=878&q=Kolmanskop&gbv=2&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=2083l2083l0l3060l1l1l0l0l0l0l148l148l0.1l1l0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi

My name is URL · 31-10-2011 06:05PM

losthorizon wrote: »

but the place that really sticks out is Namibia for its spectacular landscape , fantastic wildlife, adventure sports, to test your driving skills,its safe, no need for injections and a wide range of things to see plus its huge with not many people ( a bit like Iceland in that respect) and its got an oddity an abandoned mining town in the desert

http://www.tmb.ie/exodus/country.asp?country=NAMIBIA&mr=5

cloneslad · 31-10-2011 06:06PM

Penis park in Korea

I've never seen my mate so happy to be somewhere, he even made me drive 2 hours out of the way to visit the place.

fran38 · 31-10-2011 06:20PM

I was in Transylvania, Romania a few years back. Lovely scenery and all that. but, a trip to Bran Castle is a must. In keeping with the day that's in it 'n all..

the groutch · 31-10-2011 06:29PM

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dWddvV9RPhU/SKdg1T2BDsI/AAAAAAAAABI/Te_PGkCEsRs/s1600/Mianus6.JPG

Odd Places to Visit

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