Rainbow Village in Taichung, Taiwan

A former military dependents’ village was converted into colorful street art by a war veteran. This village is covered in funky illustrations every building in this 1,000 sq. ft. village exudes charm. Its loving creator is a 98 years old (in 2022) man known as Rainbow Grandpa (彩虹爺爺). Read More…

The Twizzlers Statue of Liberty

Hershey’s Chocolate World has a giant replica statue of Lady Liberty in Las Vegas, NV. It’s constructed of 23,000 Twizzlers, weights 1,300 lbs and took 6 weeks to create this 9-foot tall lady in red. Read More…

Bridge Troll, Seattle, USA

This unusual public art sculpture was built in 1990 as a deterrent for rodents, trash, and the houseless under the Aurora Avenue bridge. It’s made of steel rebar, wire, and concrete and the troll is clutching a real car, a Volkswagen Beetle.

59 Rivoli, Paris, France

59 Rivoli is an artist collective in an abandoned six-story bank. The venue is known for its parties, exhibitions, and performances. Visitors can enjoy the massive exhibit space plastered from floor to ceiling with art. Read More…

“Fuhlehung” (lazy dog)

Thun, Switzerland has an unusual festival every September. A court jester with a devil’s mask roams the town during the “Ausschiesst” (Shoot-out) Festival. During this festival, the town cadets have a crossbow shooting competition, where the jester appears. The jester carries a club and inflated pig bladders, and children search into the night for him chasing him around town and hoping he with throw them candy. This tradition goes as far back as the 15th century.

Nyepi (Indonesian New Year Festival)

Nyepi (Balinese Hindu New Year Celebration) on the island of Bali, Indonesia brings out larger-than-life monster sculptures called ‘Ogoh-Ogoh’. Beautifully crafted, these creatures are made from paper mâché and bamboo. These monsters symbolize the evil spirits in the environment. At night they parade around their village the Nyepi celebration happens around March or April and changes based on the lunar calendar.

Light Forest, Singapore

These exhilarating and creative vertical garden structures are huddled together as a cluster of 18 supertrees that display an evening light and musical show. The structures also generate solar power, act as air venting ducts, and collect rainwater for the surrounding lush gardens.

Semana Santa (Holy Week)

The week before Easter in Spain occurs Semana Santa or the Passion of Jesus Christ Which is celebrated by Catholic religious brotherhoods and fraternities. They partake in processions along the streets of most city around Spain. The most extravagant of processions can be seen in Seville, Spain.

Praxe

Roaming the streets of Porto, Portugal students wear dark robes in September to celebrate Praxe. It’s the celebratory entrance of a student into their university. Groups of students assemble to induct new members in a cloaking ceremony and chanting and singing can be heard all around town.

Lantern Festival

Lantern Festivals are held in the spring throughout Asia. Usually, the Spring Lantern Festival is celebrated on the last day of the Chinese New Year. In Hong Kong, S.A.R. colorfully lit lanterns decorate parks, flower markets, and restaurants all over the city.

Hong Kong Spring Flower Show

Victoria Park in Hong Kong, S.A.R. celebrates an annual awakening of the flowers. This fragrant display is an oasis for the flower lover and elaborate arrangements and floral landscapes are created by local and international floral organizations.

Por Tor Festival

Por Tor Festival (Hungry Ghosts Festival) is held in Phuket, Thailand. Food, candy, fruits and drinks lovingly decorate long tables left for ‘Par Tor Kong’ to feed the hungry spirits. A common offering is the red turtle cakes or ‘Ang Ku’, The turtle symbolizes longevity, and it’s believed this cakes will bring luck, success and long life.

Filipino Christmas Lantern

The ‘parol’ lantern is unique to the Philippines and is a symbol of joy and hope around the holidays. These stunning handmade lanterns can be found all over the island around the Christmas Season in late December.

Naadam Festival

Naadam Festival is a Mongolian national festival celebrated annually in mid-July. Events are held all around Mongolia but the largest and opening ceremonies are at the National Stadium in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The festival centers around three main national sporting events: horse racing, wrestling, and archery. The most elaborate part of the festival is the opening ceremonies which incorporates parades, music, storytelling, dancing, fireworks, waterworks, and acrobatics. The celebration also attracts celebrities, diplomats, and religious figures as its one of the largest celebrations of the year.

Aarti Ceremony

Every night on the banks of the Ganges River the Aarti ceremony takes place. The Aarti ceremony is held on the Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi, India. This ceremony of lights is a Hindu practice involving the waving of lighted lamps in circles three times in a clockwise direction while chanting a prayer or singing a hymn. This practice is the greeting and thanksgiving of the River Goddess Ganga.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival

A 60-foot tower covered in thousands of buns. This Festival takes place on Cheung Chau island in Hong Kong SAR. The festival activities include a relay race where competitors climb to the top and collect as many buns as possible for their team.

Mikoshi

In Tokyo, Japan patrons carry a Mikoshi from the shrine, around the neighborhood participating in shouldering the shrine during a festival. They wave it wildly from side to side to “amuse” the deity (kami) inside while chanting. Mikoshi outings occur during local city festivals and events and vary by time of year.

Chästeilet (Cow and Cheese Festival)

As autumn arrives in the Alpine region of Switzerland the autumn festivals arrive. Autumn cattle shows take place, where cows are washed, and adorned with huge bells and elaborate floral headdresses to compete for Miss Beautiful Udder. Cheese is apportioned to farmers that participated in that season’s milk production. The Chästeilet tradition has been around for over 300 years, and visitors can see stacks on stacks of cheese wheels. Each town plans different events from the end of September into early November.

West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta

A spectacle of unusual watercraft is held in Tualatin, Oregon, USA annually. The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta is an unusual competition similar to a paddleboat race but in giant carved pumpkins. This October event is held in a small city lake an accompanied by a large crowd of spectators and a pumpkin-themed holiday fair. More photos from the festival: Pumpkin Regatta

Knife Massage, Taiwan

While seemingly deadly the daoliao (knife massage/therapy)”, provides physical and emotional healing and is a form of Chinese medicine, thought to be 2,000 years old. Originally practiced by monks in China. It was adopted in Japan in the Tang Dynasty and to Taiwan after the 1940s Chinese Civil War.

Rice Terrace Swing, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Amongst the deep green and lush rice-terraced valleys in Ubud are countless massive swigs that allow visitors to swoop out over the steeped vista for a spectacular view.

Fish Foot Massage, Cambodia

For some this is a controversial beauty practice for others it’s a beauty treatment where dozens of fishes tickle and nibble dead skin from your feet.

The Shrine Drive Thru Tree, California, U.S.A.

A fascinating stop on a tour of the Redwood Forest. Visitors can drive through this 3,000-year-old fallen redwood.

Thousands of Hands and Thousand Eyes Guanshiyin Bodhisattva 

This monumental religious site set a Guinness record as the Largest Steel Sculpture. During New Year the sculpture is lit and adorned with hundreds of glowing red lanterns and celebrations commence with a massive fireworks display.

Beitou Hot Springs, Taiwan

The winding roads in town are lined with bathhouses that offer access to the sulphuric warmth bubbling up from the hot creek that cuts through town. Developed by the Japanese during their 1895-1945 period of colonial rule over Taiwan. The Beitou Hot springs is a magical Valley. Read More…

Crypt Cafe, London, England

Gum Wall, Seattle, Wash., USA

Beginning in the 1990s this disgusting collection is a must-see for Seattle visitors. It began when patrons, performers, and visitors of ‘Unexpected Productions’ slapped their used gum down Post Alley.

The Robot Cafe, Tokyo, Japan

This neon and extravagant ode to robot lovers everywhere has sadly closed due to pandemic struggles. Gone but not forgotten.

Snake Massage, Cebu Phillipines

Three sweet and relaxed boas slithered over me for a slightly un-theraputic massage. I did however feel cured of my fear of snakes.

House of Time, Bruges, Belgium

This Social-artistic project was started by an architects’ collective ‘raumlabor.’ It is an unusual plot next to the canal where a group of young artists can explore the concept of now. There’s a coffee shop, fire pits, outdoor art, gardens, tree houses, a gallery, and amazing works of unusual creativity.

The Pharmacie Anglaise Bar

This quirky, dark victorian setting is the perfect place for a high-end cocktail bar. Built by architect Paul Saintenoy in 1898 with Neo-Renaissance flair for the pharmacist Charles Delacre. In 1870 the pharmacist stated selling chocolate (then considered a tonic and cure), 120 years later Delacre is one of their top-selling chocolates in Europe.

Manneken Pis (Peeing Boy Statue) Brussels, Belgium

This 24 inch tall bronze little boy has been peeing since the 17th century. He is widely loved and partakes in the cities annual events calendar by dressing up (has an outfit for every occasion).

Jeanneke Pis (The Peeing girl Statue) Brussels, Belgium

This little 20 inch bronze girl statue is a modern 1980s restoration of the equality between men and women as the feminine counterpart to the old Manneken Pis.

Coffin Bar, Brussels, Belgium

Bar Le Cercueil (The coffin) came about after the 1974 horror movie, ‘The Exorcist’ and lures guests into its macabre decor for a pint.

Monarch Butterfly Migration Michoacàn, Mexico

Every fall, millions of monarch butterflies flutter to the mountainous biosphere reserve having made a 2,500 mile journey across North America.

Airport Waterfall, Singapore

The Rain Vortex in the Jewel Changi Airport is the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. It cascades down 130 feet and is surrounded by 5 acres of lush tropical botanical gardens.

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, Hong Kong

While not an actual monastery as there are no resident monks. The path up is lined with 500 life-size gilded Arhan statues.

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, Hong Kong

The top temple is home to a donation-based collection of almost 13,000 miniature Buddha statues.

Dam Surfing, Thun, Switzerland

Known as River Surfing, this unusual pastime is popular since the landlocked country lacks ocean waves. The river Aare River runs at the perfect surfing pace through the Mühleschleuse wooden sluice bridge (river dam). 

Toboggan slide off the Great Wall of China

Along the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, there is a thrilling alternative to reach the main parking area after your visit. This one-mile-long trip will be the cherry on top of your visit to one of the seven wonders.

Forestiere Underground Gardens, Fresno, Cali., USA

This unusual remnant of one mans, passion, and horticulture genius is a subterranean garden structure. They were built by Baldassare Forestiere, a Sicily immigrant. He hand-dug these carved-out tunnels and caves for 40 years from 1906-1946.