Category: Just to be Curious…

Located in northwest Saudi Arabia, maybe less popular than the pyramids of Giza or Petra and the Wadi Ruma, AlUla is yet one of the most extraordinary desert destinations in the Middle East.

This region combines dramatic canyons with monumental rock formations, ancient Nabataean tombs, a lush oasis, and a historic mud-brick old town, all within one vast open-air archaeological landscape.

Hegra – The Nabataean Tombs

The main highlight of AlUla is Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Built over 2,000 years ago by the Nabataeans, Hegra contains more than 90 monumental tombs carved directly into sandstone outcrops. The site was an important trading city along ancient caravan routes linking Arabia, Egypt and the Mediterranean.

The most photographed structure is Qasr al-Farid, a massive single tomb standing alone in the desert. Its unfinished lower section still shows chisel marks from ancient stone workers.

Visitor access is organised by guided tour, and booking in advance is recommended.

AlUla Old Town

Near the oasis lies AlUla Old Town, a traditional settlement inhabited until the 1980s.

The town consists of tightly packed mud-brick houses, narrow alleys, small courtyards and defensive walls. It once served as a key stop for pilgrims and traders travelling across the Arabian Peninsula.

Above the old town stands AlUla Castle, offering panoramic views over the oasis and the surrounding valley.

Today, parts of the Old Town have been restored and include cafés, artisan shops and cultural spaces.

Natural Rock Formations Around AlUla

Beyond its archaeological sites, AlUla is known for its impressive geological landscape.

Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil)

The most famous formation is Elephant Rock, a 52-meter sandstone monolith naturally shaped like an elephant. It is especially popular at sunset when the rock turns deep red.

Canyons and Sandstone Arches

The surrounding desert features:

• Towering sandstone cliffs
• Narrow canyons (wadis)
• Natural arches
• Wide desert plateaus

These formations were shaped by wind erosion over millions of years and make AlUla ideal for hiking and photography.

Dadan and Jabal Ikmah

Before the Nabataeans, the region was home to the kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan.

At Dadan, visitors can see cliff-carved tombs dating back to the 1st millennium BCE.

Nearby, Jabal Ikmah contains thousands of ancient inscriptions carved into canyon walls, earning it the nickname “open-air library.”

The AlUla Oasis

In contrast to the surrounding desert, the AlUla Oasis is filled with palm groves and agricultural land sustained by natural springs and traditional irrigation systems.

Walking through the shaded oasis paths provides a different perspective of the region and highlights how this valley supported human settlement for thousands of years.

Hot Air Balloon Over AlUla

One of the most unique experiences in AlUla is a sunrise hot air balloon flight.

From above, you can see:

• The rock-cut tombs of Hegra
• The sandstone formations scattered across the valley
• The green ribbon of the oasis
• The vast desert landscape stretching toward the horizon

Flights usually operate early in the morning when wind conditions are stable.

Maraya – Modern Architecture in the Desert

Another notable attraction is Maraya, the world’s largest mirrored building. The structure reflects the surrounding desert cliffs and hosts concerts and cultural events.

Best Time to Visit AlUla

The ideal period to visit is between October and April, when temperatures are cooler and suitable for outdoor exploration.

The Pink Granite Coast – Côte de Granit Rose, stretching between Perros-Guirec and Trégastel in northern Brittany, is one of France’s most unique coastal landscapes. Its name comes from the extraordinary pink-hued granite formations that dominate the shore. Sculpted by wind, waves, and time, these rocks have taken on bizarre and playful shapes, making the coastline a natural open-air sculpture park.

Walking along the coastal path, you’ll encounter formations like the Chapeau Napoléon (Napoleon’s Hat), the Witch’s Head, and rocks that strikingly resemble faces (we saw some Star Wars Troopers). Depending on the light, the granite shifts in shades from deep rose to orange, making the scenery almost surreal.

The pink granite here is over 300 million years old, formed during the late Carboniferous period. It owes its colour to feldspar crystals rich in potassium, mixed with quartz and mica. Over millennia, erosion by wind, tides, and saltwater has sculpted the rounded shapes. The area is one of only few places in the world with this distinctive rose-colored granite.

The coastline can be visited year-round, but the most spectacular views come at sunrise and sunset, when the low light intensifies the pink, orange, and golden tones of the rocks. Summer offers pleasant weather for long walks, while spring and autumn bring fewer crowds and dramatic skies.

One of the highlights of the walk is the Ploumanac’h lighthouse, also called Mean Ruz, built entirely from the same local pink granite. The original structure, dating back to 1860, was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt in 1946 in its current form. Today, the lighthouse has become the emblem of the Pink Granite Coast. Standing proudly against the backdrop of bizarre rocks and the Atlantic waves, it is one of the most photographed lighthouses in France, especially at sunset when it glows in the evening light.

The most convenient parking is Rue Saint Guirec in Ploumanac’h, where you can start and end a scenic walk through Plage Saint-Guirec. Alternatively, you can park at the Parking payant Pointe de Granit and access the coastal path from there. Both routes lead to breathtaking stretches of the Sentier des Douaniers, which hugs the coastline.

After your walk, reward yourself with some of the best galettes and crêpes in the region at Le Mao restaurant, a local favourite that combines Breton tradition with generous flavours.

We all know that forests are vital to our lives, providing the air we breathe and housing over half of the world’s land-based wildlife. It is never enough to emphasize the issue of deforestation which threatens both human health and our planet by increasing carbon emissions, contributing to pollution, and driving climate change. In this article, we will focus on two major contributors: palm oil production and illegal logging.

According to a deforestation report from the World Wildlife Fund, we lost over 160,000 square miles between 2004 and 2017.

Agriculture is the leading driver of global deforestation, fueled by increased food consumption. Palm oil plantations, in particular, have a significant impact. Palm oil is primarily used for cooking in developing countries and is also found in food products, detergents, cosmetics, and, biofuel.

While plantations expand across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, providing job opportunities for local communities who, drawn by the prospect of decent wages, do not realize the long-term consequences, this growth is causing widespread destruction of critical habitat for many endangered species including orangutans, rhinos, elephants and tigers. Moreover, burning forests to make room for the crop is also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and intensive cultivation methods result in soil pollution, erosion, and water contamination.

With better management practices, the palm oil industry can thrive without harming forests. By enforcing strict production criteria, oil palm plantations can operate sustainably without encroaching on rainforests.

WWF is actively involved in this effort by:

• Promoting sustainable palm oil production through the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), which includes palm oil producers, buyers, and environmental groups
• Encouraging companies to use certified sustainable palm oil in their products
• Working to remove incentives that drive forest destruction for palm oil production

You can contribute by donating at https://www.worldwildlife.org/.

In Borneo, forests are disappearing rapidly, with palm oil plantations and illegal logging causing the loss of half the island’s forest cover in the past 50 years.

Due to poverty and limited access to healthcare, many residents have turned to illegal logging.

Founded in 2006, Health in Harmony (HIH) is a rainforest conservation organization that supports the health of people, ecosystems, and the planet by collaborating with rainforest communities on solutions in healthcare, livelihoods, and education.

Although Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities represent only 6% of the global population, they protect over 80% of Earth’s biodiversity. HIH believes these communities are the experts the world must listen to and work with to address the climate crisis.

In 2017, the company launched a chainsaw buyback program, offering farmers money and support to establish alternative livelihoods in exchange for turning in their chainsaws. HIH’s healthcare clinic allows residents to pay in whatever way they can, whether with cash, seedlings, manure, rice husks, or other available resources and the medical centre provides also discounts to villages that demonstrate a reduction in illegal logging.

A 2020 Stanford University study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, detailed the ten-year impact at a proof-of-concept site in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Encouraged by the positive outcomes, HIH developed a plan to scale up their efforts, expanding to additional sites in West Kalimantan (Bukit Baka Bukit Raya), the Manombo Forest in southern Madagascar, and the Xingu River Basin in the Amazon Rainforest, Brazil.

Here are some interesting numbers:

8.7 million hectares of rainforest protected
88,441,929 pounds of carbon dioxide protected in Indonesia
10,322 patient visits conducted across all sites
697 under-5 infants received healthcare in Borneo
3,000+ orangutans protected in Borneo
Increased access to family planning and birth control at all program sites
42,000+ old-growth trees protected in Borneo through Chainsaw Buyback
1,690 community members received benefits from our Conservation Stimulus package in Indonesia
10,196 people in 28 villages supported through community outreach programs in Borneo
87,295+ signatures on our petition to U.S. Congress on future pandemic prevention

In 2024, HIH aims to protect 11 million hectares of rainforest across Indonesia, Madagascar, and Brazil, with Indigenous Peoples and local communities leading the efforts. This includes an additional 1.65 million hectares to be safeguarded this year. The organization will also support 335,000 people in these regions as they work to protect rainforests globally.

You can contribute by donating at https://healthinharmony.org/

When we travel through East Asia – from ancient temples in China to serene courtyards in Hanoi – we often step into the lingering presence of a man who lived more than 2,500 years ago: Confucius. His teachings helped shape the cultural and moral foundations of an entire region, and even today, travelers unknowingly walk paths laid down by his philosophy.

Confucius, born in 551 BCE in the state of Lu (present-day Qufu, China), was a scholar, philosopher, and teacher. Known in Chinese as Kong Fuzi (Master Kong), he came from a modest background and devoted his life to education, ethics, and the improvement of society. He served briefly as a political advisor but found his true calling in teaching and traveling, sharing his ideas with a group of loyal disciples.

It’s important to clarify: Confucius was not a god, nor did he claim divine status. He was fully human — a thinker whose ideas, rooted in respect, loyalty, and virtue, deeply resonated with generations to come.

Confucianism is best understood as a philosophical and ethical system, not a religion in the traditional sense. It has no god, no clergy, and no rituals of worship. However, it includes spiritual elements such as ancestor veneration, ceremonial respect, and moral discipline, which have often placed it in the realm of religious traditions, especially in Chinese culture.

The core teachings of Confucius were recorded by his students in The Analects, a collection of dialogues and reflections that form the foundation of Confucian thought. In this book, Confucius emphasizes:

• Ren (仁) – Compassion and humaneness toward others.
• Li (礼) – Proper conduct, rituals, and respect in social interactions.
• Xiao (孝) – Filial piety, or deep respect for one’s parents and ancestors.
• Yi (义) – Righteousness and doing what is morally right.
• Zhi (智) – Wisdom and discernment.
• Zhong (忠) – Loyalty.
• Shu (恕) – Reciprocity – treating others as you wish to be treated.

These values aren’t abstract ideals – they are intended as practical guides for daily life, offering a roadmap for building personal character and social harmony.

Confucianism remains a powerful cultural force across East Asia, particularly in China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. While fewer people today would call themselves Confucian in a religious sense, the philosophy still influences social norms, education systems, and family structures. It is estimated that over six million people worldwide identify with Confucianism in some formal way, though its cultural influence extends far beyond these numbers.

In China, Confucian classics are being reintroduced into school curricula. In South Korea, Confucian values continue to shape hierarchies in family and corporate life. In Japan, it has long influenced education and respect for elders.

Vietnam, with its rich blend of indigenous culture and Chinese influence, has long embraced Confucian ideals. Nowhere is this more evident than in Hanoi’s Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu), a serene, beautifully preserved complex built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius. It later became Vietnam’s first national university, the Imperial Academy (Quốc Tử Giám), where scholars studied Confucian texts in preparation for civil service exams.

Although modern university curricula in Vietnam no longer center around Confucian classics, the legacy of Confucian education is honored at the Temple of Literature. Many students still visit before important exams to pray for wisdom and success. The site remains a popular cultural symbol, reminding visitors of Vietnam’s scholarly traditions and the enduring influence of Confucian values like respect for teachers, learning, and social responsibility.

For the mindful traveler, understanding Confucianism can lead to deeper cultural insight. When you notice multi-generational families dining together, or when your Vietnamese host insists you sit before they eat – you’re witnessing Confucian values in action. These subtle expressions of respect and harmony are woven into the social fabric, guiding interpersonal relations even in the most modern settings.

Travel, in many ways, is an act of learning. And as Confucius once said: “Is it not a pleasure to learn and, when it is timely, to practice what you have learned?”

The hills around Purmamarca always surprise travellers, even those who have seen photos before arriving. From the edge of this quiet Andean village in northern Argentina, the Cerro de los Siete Colores rises in a series of soft layers painted in reds, greens, violets and pale yellows. In the early morning light, before the sun climbs above the valley, the colours look sharper and fresher, as if they were recently brushed across the rock.

Each tone corresponds to a sediment layer formed under different conditions millions of years ago. The reds usually come from iron oxides, the greens often from copper minerals, the purples from manganese, and the lighter creams from ancient marine or lake deposits rich in calcium carbonate or sulphur. Over time, these sediments hardened into rock. Later, as the Andes rose, the layers were tilted and exposed, leaving them stacked diagonally like the pages of an open book.

Walking through Purmamarca, with its adobe houses and calm streets, gives you time to absorb the landscape. The Paseo de los Colorados, an easy loop behind the hills, lets you get close to the rock faces and see how the texture changes from one colour band to the next. Higher viewpoints around the village offer a wider, more dramatic perspective across the valley and the multicoloured slopes.

Getting here is simple enough. San Salvador de Jujuy lies about an hour away by road, and Salta is roughly a three-hour drive. Many people visit on a day trip, but staying overnight is worthwhile if you want to watch the hills shift in tone at sunset and again in the early morning.

The dry season, from May to October, is the ideal time to visit. Clear skies make the colours stand out more sharply, and the temperatures are comfortable during the day, though the altitude keeps nights on the cooler side. In the summer months, rain can soften the colours a little, but the scenery remains impressive.

Travellers sometimes compare Purmamarca to other “rainbow” landscapes around the world, and it’s an interesting comparison because the similarities are superficial while the geology differs quite a bit. The Rainbow Mountain in Peru (Vinicunca) shows striking stripes of red, turquoise and gold, but its colours are the result of different mineral compositions—red claystone rich in iron, yellow sandstone with sulphur, and green tints from chlorite. The mountain also sits at a much higher altitude than Purmamarca, which means far harsher weather and a more demanding hike to reach the viewpoint.

China’s Zhangye Danxia landforms offer yet another variation. The striped hills there come from layers of sandstone deposited over millions of years and then weathered into smooth, wave-like shapes. The colour patterns are extremely regular and linear, giving the area a very different appearance from the softer, more irregular bands around Purmamarca. While all three sites feature multicoloured rock, each was shaped by different geological processes and environmental conditions, which is why the patterns, and even the style of colour, feel unique in each place.

What makes Purmamarca special is this combination of geology and atmosphere. The coloured hills rise directly behind a tiny village where life moves slowly, and the desert air seems to bring out subtle shades that photos rarely capture. Standing there, with millions of years of earth history right above the rooftops, you feel a connection to the landscape that goes beyond the colours themselves.

Shanay-Timpishka is a rare geothermal river located in the Huánuco region of Peru, within the Amazon rainforest near Pucallpa. Commonly referred to as the boiling river, it is one of the few known rivers where water naturally reaches exceptionally high temperatures over several kilometres. In various sections, the water can reach from around 50°C to nearly boiling. Unlike most geothermal sites, Shanay-Timpishka is not situated near any volcanic system. Its high temperatures result from deep geological faults that allow groundwater to circulate, heat up through geothermal energy, and return to the surface, warming the river along its course. This unusual configuration has made the area a subject of scientific interest, particularly following research carried out by geoscientist Andrés Ruzo.

The river is also culturally significant for the Asháninka community who live in the surrounding forest. Their retreat centre, Mayantuyacu, manages access to the river and serves as a base for visitors interested in traditional plant medicine, ecological practices and guided visits. Because the temperatures can be hazardous, exploring the river always requires local guidance to ensure safety.

Reaching Shanay-Timpishka usually begins in Pucallpa, which is connected to Lima by daily flights of about one hour. From Pucallpa, the journey continues by road toward Honoria, often in a 4×4 vehicle arranged through a local guide or directly with the Mayantuyacu retreat. The final approach requires a short hike through the forest to reach the centre and the river. Access is not available for unguided visits; travellers must book in advance through Mayantuyacu or a recognised local operator for safety and for respect of the cultural and environmental management of the area.

The best period to visit the river is generally from May to September, during the drier season in the Peruvian Amazon, when trails are easier to access and transport logistics are more reliable. The rainy season, from November to March, also offers some advantages. Water levels are higher, and in some parts the temperature of the river decreases slightly due to the increased flow, allowing safe bathing only in selected areas and always under supervision. However, rain can make travel and trekking more difficult.

Visitors should bring lightweight clothing suitable for rainforest conditions, insect protection and appropriate footwear for muddy trails. Swimming is allowed only where temperatures are safe and only with authorised local staff. Photography is usually permitted, although some areas around Mayantuyacu may have cultural or environmental restrictions.

Shanay-Timpishka is a scientifically valuable geothermal feature and an important cultural site within the Peruvian Amazon. Its thermal characteristics, its role within Asháninka territory and its carefully managed access make it an interesting destination for travellers focused on geology, ecology and responsible tourism.

Whirlpools (or maelstroms) are some of the most dramatic and photogenic behaviours of the sea: spinning columns, boiling “boils” and eddies that twist surface foam into rings.

They are not monsters from myth, but the result of predictable fluid dynamics: tides, currents, and the shape of the coastline and seafloor.

At a basic level, a strong whirlpool needs three things: a lot of water moving past a bottleneck, a sudden change in depth or underwater obstacle, and rapidly changing flow (usually tidal). Exactly the same thing that happens when you empty your bathtub after a nice bath with sea salt and essential oils.
When huge volumes of water are forced through a narrow strait or over an uneven seabed, the flow becomes turbulent. That turbulence and shear produce rotating currents that can line up into vortices visible at the surface. Where an opposing flow, underwater pinnacles or abrupt depth changes exist, standing eddies, “boils” and persistent vortices form; when tides reverse, they can re-energise and reshape the whirlpool every few hours.

Where to see them

• Saltstraumen, Norway — one of the strongest tidal currents on Earth; enormous volumes of water squeeze through a narrow strait, producing vortices and intense turbulence.
  
• Moskstraumen / Maelstrom, Norway (Lofoten area) — the classic “maelstrom” of legend; a system of tidal eddies between the Norwegian Sea and Vestfjorden formed by strong currents and complex bathymetry.
  
• Naruto whirlpools, Japan (Naruto Strait) — spectacular, regularly visible whirlpools caused by tidal exchanges between the Inland Sea and the Pacific; eddies can reach many metres across and are a major sightseeing attraction with boat and bridge viewpoints.
  
• Gulf of Corryvreckan, Scotland — a turbulent whirlpool in the strait between Jura and Scarba driven by tides, a deep sea hole and an underwater pinnacle; famous for violent surface boils and as a challenging spot for boats.
  
• Old Sow, Bay of Fundy (between New Brunswick, Canada and Maine, USA) — the largest tidal whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere; formed where powerful Bay of Fundy tides meet local bathymetry. Locally notorious and often called the “Sow.”
  
• Seymour Narrows / Discovery Passage, British Columbia (Canada) — a narrow passage with very strong tidal currents and frequent turbulence; historically dangerous to shipping (Ripple Rock) and still a site of strong eddies and boils.
  
• Strait of Messina, Italy (Scylla & Charybdis legend) — the geology and colliding currents create local whirlpools referenced in Greek myth; a historically famous example of a Mediterranean whirlpool area.
  
• Skookumchuck Narrows, British Columbia (Canada) — dramatic tidal rapids and standing waves that occur when huge tidal volumes rush through a constricted channel; smaller whirlpools and strong boils form at peak flow and draw kayakers and spectators.