During our travels, there have been no shortage of weird and wonderful experiences. Indeed, whether a bizarre museum or a wacky art installation, the world is full of strange and enthralling diversions. Here are our top ten weird and wonderful travel experiences:
1. Mata Cave Temple – India
Mata Cave Temple is near Amritsar in India. It is a strange and bizarre place indeed. In fact, the temple is more like a fairground fun house than a place of worship. Making our way through the temple, we walked through pools of water and vibrantly decorated chambers. Additionally, there were gaudy shrines devoted to an array of gods and goddesses. We crawled through caves and climbed up and down winding stairways. And what were the pilgrims snapping pictures of? The strange western tourists who had come to take a look at the temple.
2. Las Pozas – A Wonderland in the Mexican Jungle
High in the mountains in a tropical rainforest, there is a surreal jungle wonderland. Situated near the village of Xilitla, Las Pozas is a weird and wonderful fantasy world. The project was, in fact, the concept of the eccentric English artist, Edward James. We wandered past strange indefinable structures, giant flowers and concrete cactus, not to mention huge serpents. Magical and otherworldly, mysterious paths led to who knows where. A pagoda was situated in front of a spectacular waterfall. Indeed, a stroll through the jungle was akin to being in a psychedelic dream.
3. Cementerio Chauchilla, Nazca, Peru
When we were in Peru, we couldn’t miss the mysterious Nazca Lines. These are the images of animals and plants etched into the desert. Furthermore, they can only be seen from the air. In addition to our flight, we hired a driver with a cool vintage American car to take us to Cementerio Chauchilla. In the midst of the desert, we witnessed grinning skeletons in open tombs in varying states of decay. Additionally, most of them had hair, carefully, but rather comically, placed on their skulls. In fact, the tombs had been opened by robbers who stole the treasures buried within, leaving the skeletons exposed. A surreal experience indeed.
4. Surprising and Surreal Pashupatinath, Nepal
In Pashupatinath, near Kathmandu in Nepal we wandered by the sacred Bagmati River. We walked amongst cows, pilgrims, ash covered sadhus and humans disguised as Hindu deities. We watched a funeral pyre being lit from the other side of the river. Meanwhile, the Monkey God Hanuman, in full regalia, crept up behind T. He spoke in a loud and throaty voice through a voice-changing microphone. She consequently jumped, startled by the imposing Monkey God behind her. Real monkeys ran and jumped around us. Indeed, Pashupatinath is a bizarre place.
5) The Museum of Legends and Traditions, Nicaragua
This museum in Leon, Nicaragua was used as a prison and interrogation centre between 1921 and 1979. It was then was transformed into a museum by a local woman who wanted to keep Nicaraguan legends and traditions alive. In fact, the museum is a strange combination. It tells the stories of the horrors which took place in the prison and also displays giant puppets representing mythical figures from Leon’s history. Indeed, we never knew what freaky sight we would find in the next room. In all honesty, we found it downright creepy, but also strangely fascinating.
6) The Terracotta House of Colombia
The quirky Terracotta House, locally known as Flinstone House, is located just outside the town of Villa de Leyva in Colombia. It is, in fact, the largest work of pottery on the planet. What is more, it was built by hand and baked under the heat of the hot Colombian sun! It is, indeed, an amazing building made entirely of terracotta, and reminiscent of a giant hobbit house. Set in the countryside, it was enthralling to explore both inside and out. Additionally, there were also a number of wacky sculptures surrounding the house.
7) Fusterlandia – A Crazy Art Installation in Cuba
Fusterlandia is a Gaudi-inspired enclave situated in the neighbourhood of Jamanitas, a few miles outside Havana. It was the concept of Cuban artist, Jose Rodriguez Fuster, and has to be seen to be believed. It’s a wonderland of recycled materials and mosaics. Not only is Fusterlandia itself impressive, but additionally street art and various installations have sprung up throughout the neighbourhood. We visited as part of a tour in a classic Buick and it was one of the highlights of our stay in Havana.
8) The Mummy Museum, Guanajuato, Mexico
From 1865 to 1958, relatives of the deceased in Guanajuato were required to pay a grave tax. If they couldn’t pay, the body of the departed was dug up. Furthermore, the bodies had become mummified, due to the arid climate. The authorities accumulated enough mummies to open a museum. Many of the exhibits appear to have died in agonizing pain. There are several babies on display, not to mention a woman who had the misfortune to be buried alive. Indeed, it is a macabre museum and certainly not for the faint-hearted.
9) The Extraordinary Nek Chand Rock Gardens, India
Nek Chand was a self-taught artist. In the first place, he started to build sculptures from recycled material. These were found on demolition sights in the city of Chandigarh in India. In fact, he built illegally on government land. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t until years later that his fantasy rock garden was discovered. Luckily, it was saved from destruction. The artist was even offered assistance in the shape of fifty workers who helped him to expand his magical kingdom. Indeed, The Nek Chand Rock Garden is an extraordinary place to visit. We were mesmerised by over 2000 statues, together with waterfalls and and mosaic courtyards.
10) The Bizarre Toy Museum, Mexico
Located in a slightly sketchy area of Mexico City, there is a bizarre museum. The weird and wonderful Museo del Juguetes Antiguos was created by Yukio Shimizu, who started collecting toys many decades ago. As a result, he is now the owner of the largest collection in the world. Set in a multi-storey warehouse, the museum is, in fact, a crazy combination of odd, creepy and nostalgic. Indeed, everything from Barbie Dolls to Lucha Libre wrestlers are crammed into the nooks and crannies of the huge building. Additionally, on the rooftop there is a huge display of street art. It’s captivating, as well as being a little overwhelming and totally unique. We loved it.
Some great ones there!
Good to see few places from India being an Indian ☺️, have you got the chance to explore northern part of India ?
Hey! Yes – we have been to Ladakh which was amazing!
Wow! 10 bucket list-worthy places to visit around the world! Thanks so much for bringing these weird and wonderful places to our attention!
They are definitely all worthwhile. Thanks for reading the blog!
We’ve been to half of those and they are all strange places.
Yes – we love to seek out unusual places. Often the best are those we come across unexpectedly! Great to hear you have been to some of them too!
I can’t believe you went to Nicaragua. How brave are you ladies?
Ah – thank you, but we don’t feel like we are brave! The Nicaraguan people were really friendly and we particularly liked Leon, although Granada is more popular with tourists.
Must have encountered some enthralling experience!
Yes – that’s one of the great things about travel – you never know what you may come across! 😯
SUPER cool share!!! Newly added bucket list travel spots for me lol I love the looks of the Terracotta House!!! I’m so into checking out residential homes in any place I travel to. Each place/home so unique to that location and culture! xo
Thanks! Yes – the Terracotta House was an added bonus of Colombia! Agreed about residential homes – they can be incredible and much more interesting than museums! 😊
Have you visited india?which places you had seen?
Hey! Yes – we have been to India many times and love it! We have travelled all over and hope to return one day…
That’s wonderful,best of luck👍👍
What a great collection of experiences. I have not visited any of these—I think the Gaudi-inspired art near Havana is highest on my list. Fun post!
Thanks! Yes – we do love offbeat places! Hope you make it to Fusterlandia in Havana one day!
We have been to those countries..
Loved Nicaragua and Colombia and Cuba and Inda etc etc great photo.
Good to hear you have been to the same countries – those you mentioned are certainly amongst the most colourful in the world!
lots of quirky things to see in the world:)
Yes – there certainly are and we do our best to see them! 😊
Been to only one place in your list: Pashupatinath in Nepal. A surreal experience for sure. It was the first, and mostly only, time I’ve witnessed an open-air cremation. The presence of sadhus in colorful garb added to the unsettling atmosphere.
Hi! Yes – it’s an incredibly atmospheric place, and like you said quite unsettling! We went to Varanasi on the same trip, which was similar in some ways. I think Pashupatinath is somewhere that really impresses itself on your memory. Thanks for reading the blog.
I like this list. I travel and if I get close to any of these, I am going to check them out. Thanks for posting this.
Thanks for reading the blog. Hope you make it to some of these places – they certainly impressed us!
I visited the Nek Chand Rock Garden. It really was a neat place. I love that he used throwaway items. And in secret. It really was a cool to see.
Yes, it’s a really amazing story and we loved visiting. We went quite a long way out of our way to get there, but it was worth it!