We live in a world filled with colour. The beauty of nature can barely be defined in words – the million shades of red, nuanced blues and vivid greens transcend mere description and are best experienced by sight. Here are seven of the most vivid displays from the world we live in, from natural and man-made wonders to tribes and holy men. If these don’t inspire you to visit these wonderful lands, we don’t know what will!
Chamarel, Mauritius
Seven-coloured earth is a natural phenomenon that occurs when basaltic lava is converted to clay minerals
The molten lava cooling at different temperatures is what gives the earth the various hues
Perhaps one of the most unique phenomena of nature, the seven-coloured earth is a multi-coloured natural landscape. Situated in the town of Chamarel in Mauritius, this geological wonder is a result of volcanic rocks that cooled down at different temperatures, forming beautiful colour patterns on the exposed rocks. Over time, these were pulverised into sand, giving rise to the existing sand dunes that are a major tourist draw.
Jökulsárlón, Iceland
Witness the beauty of the Northern Lights and explore the surreal icy caves in Jökulsárlón
The Northern Lights paint nature in a vivid green canvas
While there are many spots to catch the surreal phenomenon that is the Northern Lights, Jökulsárlón, an 18 sq km glacier lagoon on the edge of Vatnajokull National Park, is one of your best bets. If you’re planning a trip, be sure to visit the ice caves, which are equally beautiful in their icy blue glory. But plan your trip well as the caves are only accessible between November and March.
Lisse, Netherlands
Keukenhof in Lisse is home to more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths spread across 32 hectares
The myriad colours of the flower fields in the Netherlands are nothing short of a rainbow!
The windmills amid the tulip fields make for a perfect picture! Postcard, anyone?
Vast fields of pretty tulips are a sight often associated with the Netherlands. The town of Lisse, located south-west of Amsterdam, is one of the best places to visit these sprawling gardens. Keukenhof Gardens, in particular, is the place to be. The world’s largest bulb-flower park boasts a staggering seven million bulbs in its gardens, including daffodils and hyacinths in addition to tulips. The best time to visit is from mid-March to mid-May.
Kajiado, Kenya
One of the most well-known tribes of Africa, the Maasai take their warrior culture very seriously
The Maasai women, in their traditional dress and jewellery, are the perfect symbol of vibrant Africa
Colourful beaded jewellery made and sold by the Maasai
The Maasai are one of the most recognisable tribes in East Africa. While they originally occupied vast areas of land, they are now restricted to southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. A semi-nomadic people, they are known for their fierce warrior culture. The typical Maasai dress comprises the traditional red shuka (light blanket) and multi-coloured beaded jewellery, which makes their overall appearance extremely colourful and vibrant.
Kathmandu, Nepal
A sadhu is a mystic, an ascetic and often a practitioner of yoga. He often wears ochre-coloured clothing to symbolise renunciation
Sadhus may perform various religious ceremonies, but their ultimate calling is the achievement of the Hindu goal of moksha (or liberation from birth and death) through meditation and contemplation
Be greeted by priests dressed in cheerful yellow robes at Pashupatinath Temple on the outskirts of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. One of the most sacred Hindu temples, thousands of devotees throng here annually. The temple’s exact date of construction is not known, but its earliest existence can be traced back to 400 A.D. Visit this holy site and seek blessings from sadhus (holy men), who can be distinguished by their dress and colourful markings on their foreheads.
Barcelona, Spain
Featuring stunning tiling details and twisting rock pillars, Park Güell is where one can enjoy a restful break while listening to a busker
Built between 1904 and 1906, Casa Batlló is full of imagination and a symbol of Antoni Gaudi’s brilliant style
A land of endless architectural wonders, Barcelona is renowned for Antoni Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces. Gaudi was a 19th-century architect whose work draws visitors from around the globe. The vibrant ceramic-tiled marvels of the Spanish architect are easily recognisable and lend a fairy tale-like feel to the Catalan city. The most notable – and colourful – examples are Park Güell, La Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló.
Santorini, Greece
The blue-domed church seen in most postcards is located in Oia village
Oia village is a popular tourist destination in Santorini as it offers many activities and is a great hub of activity
A paradise for honeymooners, Santorini is a crescent-shaped island in Greece. A massive volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC shaped its rugged landscape. The crystal-clear waters and warm, summer sun are every vacationer’s dream. Amid all this beauty lies the iconic blue dome, which is actually a church located in Oia village in Santorini. While there are plenty of churches in Santorini, most know this one for its pretty blue dome and the thousands of pictures thereof. There are also plenty of colourful doors all over Santorini. The best thing about them – they lead nowhere in particular, they just are.
A paradise for honeymooners, Santorini is a crescent-shaped island in Greece
The world is indeed a colourful place. These colours teach us not just about the beauty of nature and man’s creativity, but also remind us of just how much there is to explore out there!
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