Travel blog
The Neuschwanstein Castle, in southern Bavaria, is one of the most visited places in Germany and often appears as a cover image in the country’s travel guides. And the Schloss Neuschwanstein is probably the best example of «fairy tale castle» that we can see in …
The Grand Place is the most famous, lively and photographed place in Brussels. With dozens of famous buildings, it is one of the most beautiful architectural complexes in Europe. The Grand Place (Grote Markt in flamenco, Gran Plaza in Spanish) is the geographical, historical and …
Fly Geyser seems taken from another planet, but it is in the desert of Black Rock, in the North American state of Nevada.
It does not appear in the great tourist guides and, until a few decades ago, it was not even known by the inhabitants of the area. However, everyone agrees that it is a pearl; an accident of the hand of the man that has turned into an almost natural wonder near Gerlach, in the Black Rock desert, to the northwest of the North American state of Nevada.
It is the Fly Geyser, an artificial thermal source of groundwater that does not exceed one and a half meters in height, whose appearance surprises both locals and strangers. The golden, ocher, green and reddish tones of the rocks dot an arid landscape, once devoid of visual appeal. Sometimes it reminds us of Yellowstone National Park.
The Fly Geyser has an approximate height of one and a half meters and a width of almost four meters, if we count the mound on which it sits. The latter is the result of dissolved minerals that began to grow and accumulate. Also, the water that constantly releases the geyser, which at first sight can look like three mountains of different colors, reaches a meter and a half in the air. That water is poured down the terraces in more than thirty ponds over an area of seventy-four acres, that is, thirty hectares.
And its appearance in the mid-60s transformed the place. Since then, the curious calcareous structure has remained virtually intact. If possible, its color, the result of an original combination of calcium carbonate sediments left by the waters sliding on the rocks and thermophilic bacteria and algae present in the area, has acquired greater intensity.
It is located in a private property, the imposing Fly ranch has saved it from a secure overcrowding, so that you can only enjoy the wonder that occupies us from a distance. To prevent tourists from entering more than they should, there is a closed door with auctions and a long fence.
Still, there are many who jump the fence to see the geyser better. Something that, however, is not necessary. The owners accept private visits, as long as they are asked for permission in advance to decide if the tourist in question is authorized to enter their land or not.
We will have to wait then to see if in the future the Fly Geyser will be open to the public. In fact, there are several organizations that have tried to get hold of the lands on which they settle for that purpose. However, the negotiations have never come to fruition.
But let’s go back in time. It was 1917 when, in full exploration work on the Fly ranch, a spring of water was discovered – without a doubt, the most scarce and precious good in desert lands. After the initial euphoria, the finding was dismissed. The reason was not another that its high temperature reached almost 100 degrees that prevented it from being used for livestock or agricultural purposes.
The deposit was recovered from oblivion 50 years later, this time for geothermal purposes, but the initiative stumbled upon another unforeseen event: the waters were not useful for this purpose because they were not very hot, and it was sealed again. Some years later, and by amazement of all, the spring began to spontaneously expel jets at high pressure through different ways of escape: a geyser was born of the most singular.
Getting to the place is very simple, since the Fly Geyser is located in the Black Rock desert, northwest of Nevada. You can leave from Reno and drive a couple of hours on the state highway Route 34 until you reach Gerlach. Then you only have to travel thirty-two kilometers to the Hualopal Flat area.
Next to the Fly geyser there are two other similar geysers – although of smaller size, because they barely reached half a meter – that can also be observed from a distance and that were created in a similar way. Something further away and as a previous attempt to drilling in 1917, there is a geyser about three meters high.
«The most precious gift of nature is that it gives us the pleasure of looking around and trying to understand what we see.»
-Albert Einstein-
As we have just seen, from the human errors can also come true wonders, as is the case of the Fly Geyser. Therefore, if you are thinking of taking a trip to the state of Nevada we hope you do not forget to visit this magical place full of color.
Ponte Vecchio is to Florence what the Colosseum is to Rome, and its image is the best known and most representative of the city. The Ponte Vecchio is the symbol of romanticism that floods all of Florence. The origins of the «Old Bridge» date back …
Among the wildest and most exuberant nature of Chamarel, on Mauritius, is the Land of Seven Colors. It is a rare phenomenon, large dunes of colors that leave everyone who contemplates them open-mouthed. This natural curiosity is found in a protected environment and the relatively …
The Great Blue Hole, located on the coasts of Belize, hides 100,000 years of underwater life. Currently, there are a lot of secrets related to this natural phenomenon of almost 1,000 feet in diameter and about 410 feet deep.
It is an exotic place relatively close to the coasts of Mexico, a country that also houses some of the most unique marine places in America such as its famous Mexican cenotes.
From the air, bordered by keys and atolls, it is drawn as an almost perfect circumference of an intense dark blue, which anticipates its depth, and which contrasts with the different turquoise tones of the sea of an almost impossible transparency. It is the big blue eye. A magical place. A whim of nature about 100 kilometers off the coast of Belize, in the Caribbean.
It is inhabited by sea sponges, barracudas, corals and a large number of sharks that seem to «patrol» the edge of the hole, by various types of sharks, such as groups of nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum), sharks of the Caribbean reef (Carcharhinus perezi) or flying sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus). Sometimes you can see hammerheads and bull sharks.
This 300-meter-wide marine chasm is located within the Lighthouse reef, one of the largest atolls in the world. It is The Great Blue Hole, a paradise for diving enthusiasts and the biggest tourist attraction in the world. Small Central American country, swallowed like a sandwich between the jungle and the ocean.
Often, Belize, ancient bastion of British pirates from where to attack the Spanish colonies and ships, is a destination of passage that is traveled as a small excursion from Mexico or Guatemala, its powerful tourist neighbors with whom it shares a border and a rich Mayan legacy
If you dedicate a little time, you will discover a surprising destination that beyond its famous coral reef, the second largest in the world, after the Australian, has enough attractions to spend at least a week. Jungles and nature reserves for lovers of adventure and nature, ancient Mayan cities of cultural and historical importance similar to its neighbors in the Yucatan or Petén jungle and, of course, islands where you can get lost and let yourself be lulled by the wind and the whisper of the sea, where the most usual plan is the dolce far niente.
Normally the most common way to get to Belize is by road, by rental car or on a hired excursion through one of the border crossings from the southwest of the famous Riviera Maya, in the state of Quintana Roo (Mexico), or from the City of Flores (Guatemala), obligatory stop to visit Tikal. The gateway is usually also the City of Belize (Belize City), the old capital and today somewhat hostile to the traveler, as much of the country outside the tourist circuits. Nothing common sense and fair precautions can save to enjoy your vacation.
Very close and north of Caulker is another essential, Ambergris Caye, the beautiful island to which he put music and lyrics Madonna, and there is the famous San Pedro. With more infrastructure and higher level than Caulker. His best kept treasure is Secret Beach, a secret beach that has little, but you will love. And more of the same -but you will not get tired-: snorkeling, diving, kayaking and if the wind blows you can practice windsurfing among amazingly crystalline turquoise waters. And at night, a lot of parties at tropical rhythm.
From any of the keys you can hire excursions to go to the Great Blue Hole for both swimming and diving in the big lagoon as well as to fly over it, and if you can do both, why settle for one? It will be good for the money invested in them – and we warn you, neither of them is cheap. Often, the planes that make the trip, between 25 minutes and an hour, charge depending on the number of passengers – if the seats are filled, the fares become cheaper, from $ 180 on a plane with five or six passengers. From a bird’s-eye view you will understand that none of the photos or documentaries that you have seen do you justice.
The terraces of Yuanyang are one of the most spectacular human creations in the south of China, because throughout centuries of continuous care and work of rice, the Hani minority has been modifying the slopes of the mountains between which are their villages to allow …
The «tunnel of love» is a beautiful place located in Klevan, Ukraine. It is a 3-kilometer long railway that leads to a wood processing factory. Perhaps this seems more boring than you thought, but what makes these roads take the name of «Tunnel of Love» …
Bagan was the first capital of the unified empire of Anawratha and was founded in the year 849. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in Asia and has been classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. A walk among its ruins and temples and a panoramic visit from the top of one of them is impressive to appreciate the magnitude of the place.
On the banks of the Ayeyarwadi River, an area of 42 square kilometers extends completely covered with ruins that form one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world and that, together with Angkor, in Cambodia, is one of the most important in Indochina. The profusion of ruins testifies to the splendor reached by the ancient Burmese capital between the 11th and 13th centuries.
Bagán was founded in 107 AD, succeeding in its reign to 55 monarchs, although its period of greatest splendor does not begin until 1044 with the accession to the throne of Anawrahtaque King, who after conquering Thaton, brought here an endless number of artisans and monks, and 30 elephants loaded with Buddhist scriptures. Two thousand and two hundred stone buildings were built between the 11th and 13th centuries, acquiring during this period a position of great privilege and an immense reputation as a Buddhist center throughout the Asian continent. And, although in 1287 the city was sacked by Kublai Khan’s troops, its remains still reflect its lost grandeur.
Only 5000 people today populate the city of Bagán, being completely diluted in the immense field of stupas. Walking among them, climbing up the narrow interior stairs of one of them and contemplating the whole landscape from above is a unique experience. Here, one is alone with history, becomes unique companion of the past, explorer advanced towards the grandeur of exoticism. The absolute silence, the slow descent of the waters of the river, the brilliant sunset on the horizon, create an atmosphere full of magic that reaches its peak when, in the distance, the rain appears timidly and on the stupas is drawn the Rainbow. It is a world without hurry, without cars, without hardly tourists, that faces you to eternity.
Distribution
There are 3 cities that one must distinguish in order to be better oriented during their visit: Nyaung-U, Old Bagan and New Bagan (Myinkaba).
Nyaung-U: is the main city of Bagan where the airport and the bus station are located. In Nyaung-U you will find the best hotels and restaurants in the whole area.
Old Bagan: it is the place where the most important pagodas and archaeological structures to visit are concentrated. It is the most recommended part to visit. Old Bagan (Old Bagan) is surrounded by an old wall with 3 access gates. The Tharabar gate is the most famous of them all.
New Bagan: it is a small town without any type of tourist interest but that offers the best offer of cheap accommodation in all Bagan. It is a main street with hostels, restaurants and cafes shop.
Places to visit
Although there are thousands of temples and pagodas, it is important to know those that are most interesting and worth visiting. Due to the passage of time and weather conditions (as some earthquake that affected considerably) many of the temples are just a pile of stones and ruins that have not been restored and the same vegetation has taken over them. Next, you have the 9 most famous Bagan temples and pagodas to visit:
Transport
Visiting the pagodas and temples of Bagan walking is the least advisable since the distances are considerably large. These are the different options:
Rent a bicycle: it is one of the best ways to enjoy the Bagan landscape and visit the places of interest. Being a flat area, it is easy to travel from one place to another. Renting a bicycle can cost around 2 or 3 dollars per day.
Rent a car to horses: it is also a good transport to move around the Bagan area. It is somewhat more expensive, but can fit 2 people comfortably. Renting a horse cart for a whole day can cost about 20 or 25 dollars depending on what places you want to visit.
Electric motorcycle: a means of transport that does not pollute, but is not as economical as the bicycle. Electric bikes can be achieved for well under $ 7. In the street that connects Old Bagan with Nyaung-U, near the Royal Bagan hotel there are two shops that can be used for this price.
By car: of course, the least recommended of all for not enjoying both the landscape and access to all corners. It’s a way to go faster and visit more places in a day, however, not so fun and entertaining. Renting a car can cost around 50 or 60 dollars.
By boat: Take a boat trip on the Irawady River and watch the sunset. You can hire the service at any local agency or at the same hotel. It can cost about 10 dollars depending on the number of people.
Price
To visit or «enter» the Bagan area it is necessary to pay an entrance that costs 25,000 Kyats or an equivalent of 20 dollars. and is valid for a total of 5 days. Although there are no access points defined and in some temples, it is not necessary to show the ticket, in all the accommodations they will ask you to buy it if you still have it. It is likely that the cost will increase due to the great tourist interest that year after year does not stop.
For those who have a higher budget should not miss the experience of flying over a hot air balloon in the Bagan area. During the rainy season (from April to September) the service is not available. The price can exceed 300 dollars per person during 1 hour of flight.
How to get to Bagan?
It can be reached in several ways to visit the temples and pagodas of Bagan.
Bus: from Yangon there is a night bus for 18,000 Kyats that takes about 13 hours. From Mandalay there are 2 daily buses for 8 or 9 thousand Kyats. In Lake Inle, a daily bus leaves for 10,000 K, 10 hours.
Airplane: You can buy a flight with local airlines such as Air Bagan, Asian Wings or Air Mandalay that have good prices (between 40 and 80 dollars the journey depending on the origin). From the airport to Nyaung-U taxi costs 4 or 5 dollars and up to New Bagan approximately 7 dollars.
Boat: It can be a good option to take a boat from Mandalay crossing the Irawady River. It is a slow boat with a duration of 13 or 15 hours. They only leave 2 per week, Wednesday and Sunday.
The Tolantongo Grottos are an of them beauties natural more imposing of Mexico, located in the municipality Cardonal, located to 200 kilometres of the DF, in the State of Hidalgo. This destination has as reference to Ixmiquilpan, town located just a few minutes. Its geologic …