Guelta d’Archei Chad

The Guelta d’Archei is a hidden treasure in the Sahara due to its scenic beauty and function. Actually Guelta d’Archei is an oasis, or rather a guelta, typical of desert region in the heart of the Sahara desert.  Guelta d'Archei is located in the Ennedi Plateau, in north-eastern Chad, hidden behind a canyon. A guelta is a strange type of wetland, formed when underground water in lowland depressions spills to the surface and creates permanent pools and reservoirs. Its waters sheltered by the towering sandstone cliffs typical of this region. Every day, thousands of camels are herded into the knee deep water of the guelta by passing caravans for them to drink and rest. Dung from thousands of camels excreted over hundreds of years has turned the water black. Prowling in the black waters is a lesser group of surviving Nile crocodiles, a vestige of a wetter time when this species once thrived across most of today's Sahara desert and in swamps and rivers along South Mediterranean shores.

Guelta d’Archei signifies one of the last remaining colonies of the Nile crocodile famous in the Sahara today. The crocodiles mainly feed on fish that endure on the algae that flourish on the waters fertilized by camel droppings. Guelta d’Archei is actually a zoological marvel because of up on the cliffs are rock paintings, dating back to middle Holocene, that stand testament to the guelta’s long age. Guelta d'Archei is a barren place, away from beaten paths. If you want to visit the place then you require a 4x4 and at least four days' travel from n'Djamena, the capital of Chad and add some hours of trekking to reach the place depicted in these pictures. You will see that thousands of camels marching in and out, moaning or passing through the shallow water. You can too, walk through the dark water but be watchful not to step in the territory of Nile Crocodiles. Moreover; don’t forget to see its cave art before heading back to your Sahara exploration.

Jägala Waterfall Estonia

Jägala Waterfall is a widest natural waterfall in the lower course of the Jägala River Estonia, approximately 4 km before the river flows into the Gulf of Finland. The waterfall is approx. 8 metres in height and more than 50 metres in width. Jägala Falls is located near a small village Jägala Joa, 30 kilometers east of Tallinn, Estonian capital city. There is a car park just next to the waterfall, so access is extremely simple. To visiting the remarkable Jägala Waterfall in winter is a truly amazing nature experience. Frozen from January to March, it is definitely a peculiar sight to be seen. 

You can walk under the waterfall, in an ice palace. When the mass water is frozen in cold weather becomes a glistening ice wall with large icicles. A tunnel surrounded in both sides by ice may be formed in between the ice hanging down from the edge of the waterfall and the wall of waterfall. It’d be interesting to know that in terms of fishery the lower course of the Jägala River from the waterfall to the river mouth is one of the most valuable ones in Estonia and large trout and salmon resources can be found here. In spring and summer (if it is not too dry summer) people go canoeing there. With low water lever you can walk on the top of the waterfall. And due to smaller waters, there is no opportunity to swim in the river, stand under the waterfall and let water massage your shoulders. The best time for visit could be a spring, when river is full of water. But in dry season it does not look impressive. Source: Charismatic Planet

The Volcano of Kawah Ijen in Indonesia That Spews Blue Lava

At first look you might consider the otherworldly light in these pictures comes from a nebula or another planet deep in outer space or probably you have heard of "red hot lava" or "white hot" to describe searing temperatures, so but what about "blue hot lava"? Kawah Ijen is one of several volcanoes located within the 20 kilometers wide Ijen Caldera in East Java, Indonesia. The caldera of Kawah Ijen harbors a kilometer-wide, turquoise colored, acidic crater lake that leaks sulphurous gases constantly. That's the surreal hue of Indonesia's Kawah Ijen Volcano, which glows with an otherworldly "blue lava".

Normally at night the hot gases burn to emit an eerie blue glow that is distinctive to Kawah Ijen. These gases emerge from the cracks in the volcano at high pressure and temperature, up to 600°C, and when they come in contact with the air, they ignite, sending flames up to 16 feet high. Specific gases condense into liquid sulfur, and continues to burn as it flows down the slopes giving the feeling of blue lava flowing. Kawah Ijen’s sulphuric gases are also mined for sulphur. The volcanic gases are trapped by the native miners and channeled through a network of ceramic pipes, which in result of condensation of molten sulfur.

The sulfur, normally red in color when molten, pours gradually from the ends of these pipes and pools on the ground, turning bright yellow as it cools.

The expert miners break the cooled material into big pieces and carry it away in baskets to an adjacent refinery. In this way an expert worker can earn up to $13 dollars a day. Therefore you can’t imagine the intense heat and extremely hazardous condition with insufficient protection. Many workers suffer various respiratory problems due to breathing toxic fumes day in and out. So they’d prefer to work at night to escape the heat of the sun, and to earn extra income as well. These astonishing images are captured by photographer Olivier Grunewald, who lost two lenses and a camera to sulphuric corrosion while trying to capture the mysterious pictures.

Verzasca River Switzerland

The Verzasca River is famous for its crystal clear, turquoise water, vibrant colored rocks and treacherous currents. It is located in the heart of Swiss Alps and its length is about 30 kilometers flows with mountains. The beautiful Verzasca River is originating at Pizzo Barone and flowing into Lake Maggiore. The Verzasca Dam is a few kilometers upriver from this lake. This dam is remarkable as one of the highest dam in Europe about 220 meters. Dam access is possible by postal bus and by car. It is possible to walk along the dam wall about 380 meters and enjoy the view of the valley from there. The Verzasca River valley is in Ticino, the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland. Its water is crystal clear, and the depth does not exceed 10 meters. Its average temperature is 7 - 10 °C and chestnut trees thrive at the bottom of the valley.

The river is a famous for scuba diving location and the valley is used for bungee jumping. The diving conditions are generally best from late spring to early autumn.  Its beauty had only been captured from the surface. Photographer Claudio Gazzaroli decided to change that, so he put on a diving suit, took his waterproof camera and dived onto the riverbed to take some truly stunning images.  He said; I wanted to show the real beauty of this place in an innovative way. The two main sites on this place are the river itself has naturally crystal clear waters and the bridge over the river constructed by man. I’m simply amazed of water clarity, and love this place and visited countless times. I wanted to have captured underwater world for many years. But only now am I happy with the picture.