So it begins … Project Walkabout, Duaringa, even the inspirational Monsoon.. i need a name for this, whatever it is. An urbex and alien world visit of earth… it’s something that’s been slowly unwinding in my head over the past few months - a big round-the-world trip, but themed with urban and abandoned exploration, and out-of-the-way places which aren’t visited regularly.
This is the first cab off the rank - 3 places. One abandoned, one naturally desolate, and another a peek into an alien world.
Socotra Island (Soqotra)
Country: Republic of Yemen
Location: 350km south of the Arabian Peninsula
Socotra Island separated from mainland Africa about 6 million years ago - often said to be the most alien looking place on earth. Probably quite expensive to get to, but no doubt one of the most unique places on earth.
Here’s the Wikipedia entry, and a comprehensive gallery at Dark Roasted Blend.
Bokor Hill Station
Country: Cambodia
Location: Phnom Bokor
This French retreat high in the mountains of Cambodia was built in the 1920’s, and subsequently trashed by the Khmer Rouge, and later the Vietnamese. It was built for the poor Frenchies to escape the humidity - the area is a resort, with the above pic being the piece de resistance - a hotel and casino. Being only a 1.5 hour hike from Phnom Penh (or less if you do the 32km in a car), it’s popular with tourists seeking more from the area after Angkor Wat.
Image from here, Wikipedia entry and lots of flickr photos.
Danakil Depression (Afar Depression)
Country: Ethiopia
Location: Eritrea/Ethiopia/Djibouti
Nabbed from National Geographic: “this area is a tectonic triple junction where the spreading mid-ocean ridges forming the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden emerge on land and meet the East African Rift. The whole area seems pretty amazing, actually. Image by Carsten Peter.
Here’s the Wikipedia entry, and National Geographic calls it the Cruelest Place on Earth.
Have a look on the big list page for the complete listing.
