Nature is an incredible thing. It’s so beautiful, so powerful, so divine. It gives life, it takes life. Unfortunately, nowadays we, people don’t recognise the importance of nature in our lives. Moreover, we don’t respect it, we abuse its resources and what is sadder, we destroy it.

In today’s post, I decided to put together a list of some of the most astonishing places on Earth and show the beauty of our planet in all its glory.

Erta Ale, Ethiopia

Erta Ale is one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the world and also one of the hottest places on earth. Known as the ‘smoking mountain‘ and also the ‘gateway to hell‘, Erta Ale is one of the last constantly active volcanoes. It’s quite special for the fact it is a very rare combination of volcanoes and lava lakes.

The last eruption of the volcano was in 2005.

Waitomo, Glow Worm Cave, New Zealand

The name Waitomo comes from two Māori words – wai, water and tomo, hole or shaft. The beautiful glow in the cave comes from the glow worms known as Arachnocampa luminosa, living inside the cave.

The worms are the size of mosquitoes.

Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile

Torres del Paine National Park is located in Patagonia in southern Chile. This incredibly beautiful national park collects natural gems- mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers. People from all over the world come to visit this beautiful place, which is one of Chile’s largest national parks. Paine means “blue” in the native Tehuelche (Aonikenk) language and is pronounced PIE-nay.

A paradise on earth. The bizarre mountains and the blue waters look like they’ve come straight off the pages of a fairytale book.

Millions of tourists visit Torres del Paine every year. 76% of them are foreign, with European forming the biggest groups.

Rainbow Mountains of Zhangye Danxia, China

The Zhangye Danxia landform area is known as ‘the eye candy of Zhangye‘. No wonder where this nickname is coming from; Zhangye Danxia is a unique combination of different colours, which is so rare it almost seems magical.

According to China Highlights, Zhangye ‘s Danxia was formed by:

“the erosion of red sandstone, forming isolated peaks and steep stratified outcrops. Its special geological structure, combined with long-term desert conditions , freeze-thaw peeling, and wind and water erosion gave rise to its present appearance.”

Marieta Islands, Puerto Vallarta

Playa del Amor, also known as the Hidden beach, is part of the Marieta Islands, located near the coast of Mexico. The big hole in the surface, reveals a hidden beach with crystal water and golden sands, looking straight to the cloudless sky.

The Marieta Islands have never been inhibited, which is making them an ideal destination for relaxing and getting in touch with Nature.

Trolltunga in Norway

Trolltunga- this magnificent rocky ledge has always reminded me of Lion King (remember when Rafiki lifted little Simba above his head and presented him to the animal kingdom as the heir to the Lion throne). The beauty of the landscape is magnificent and breathtaking, showing Nature in all its glory.

Trolltunga is rising 700 metres above lake Ringedalsvatnet.

Vaadhoo Island, Maldives

No doubt, some of you have seen pictures of this incredible sight from Vaadhoo Island in the Maldives. At night, the beach looks like a mirror that reflects the star sky, also known as the sea of stars. This mesmerizing view is the work of a rare species of phytoplankton known as dinoflagellates.

Vaadhoo only has around 550 inhabitants.

Fjordlands National Park, South Island, New Zealand

A fiord is defined as a u-shaped glacier-carved valley which has been flooded by the sea.There are 14 fiords that form the south-west corner of the South Island. According to a Maori folk tale, the fiords were created by a giant stonemason called Tute Rakiwhanoa, who hued out the steep sided valleys with his adzes. Rudyard Kipling calls the park the 8th wonder of the world.

Prskalo Waterfall, Serbia

The Prskalo waterfall is located in the Kučaj mountains in the eastern area of Serbia. The waterfall is 12-15 metres of height.

L. V. K.