Most Obscure Places You've Been

[tachycardia]

Although only one can be classified as truly obscure, here are my contributions.

Antarctica (and Chile) in 2000...

Both islands of New Zealand in 2003...

Modified by tachycardia at 8:54 AM 6-4-2009

[Lwize]

I went around Eastern Turkey in 2007. At various points, we were close enough to Iran and Armenia to see their border watchtowers. Only 2 hours from Iraq too.

[tachycardia]

Very cool. Interesting photos as well.

I'm going to Istanbul in November and need some tips.


Modified by tachycardia at 2:22 PM 6-4-2009

[Lwize]

Istanbul is packed with cool things to see. You won't be disappointed!
Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia
Grand Bazaar
The Cistern
Spice Market
Topkapi Palace
The Bosphorus
Lot's more...

Make sure you go to an authentic Turkish bath (it's not a gay thing, not that there's anything wrong with that)


Modified by Lwize at 4:14 PM 6-4-2009

[gsrroger]

I've got nothing on you guys.

Probably the most obscure places I've been are Maccau (which is obviously not that obscure), and my wife's home village in Malaysia. Which is well off the beaten tourist path. I realized that after a week and half in her home town, even *I* stared at white people So after I realized I was doing that, I didn't get upset about all the stares anymore

[tachycardia]

I think both are up there in obscurity when compared to other tourist destinations. I'd love to visit a place like your wife's village; sounds like a genuine get away.

[sakigt]

Although its on some climbers and bikers radar, Bolivia isnt exactly somewhere you would think to visit:

[Elliot]

We were in southern Chile last year. Here are a couple of pics hiking in Torres del Paine NP. It was pretty damned out of the way (there are no reliable roads between Puerto Montt & Punta Arenas, about a 1,000 mile stretch. You either fly or take a 3 day ferry if you're heading south.)

We flew from Santiago to Punta Arenas and then rented a 4wd to drive to TdP.

And a panorama that only looks good at really high res, unfortunately:

We spent a week on Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, a couple years ago, too. This island is isolated about 220mi off the coast of Pernambuco and sits just 3 degrees above the equator. Here's a big map:

[tachycardia]

Bolivia looks beautiful!

After returning from 4 weeks in Antarctica, I spent a week touring in and around Torres del Paine. I'd love to return some day; the hiking and scenery was stunning. Great pics!

[GeoffD]

Other'n skiing in Chile and New Zealand a bunch o' times.... not exactly leaving western civilization behind.... I've got nothing. My travel has always been to places with internet and cellphone connectivity.

[Black Jetta GT]

Quote, originally posted by sakigt »

Although its on some climbers and bikers radar, Bolivia isnt exactly somewhere you would think to visit:

Thats awesome!! When did you go?

I was born here:

(La Paz, this looks like the road leading down from the airport)

And Baptized here:

(Lake Titicaca)

If you ever go back, or if anyone else has a chance to go, do it, Bolivia has a lot to offer.

Inca paving stones, perfectly preserved, still in use as part of the Inca Trail (Camino del Chorro)

Sheepherder, seems like the Kiwis and Bolivians share this in common, but the Bolivian herd is so much smaller!

Stone Tree in the Salar Uyuni

The view from the summit of Huayna Potosi

Besides some really remote villages in Bolivia/Peru and Central America, I havent really been anywhere terribly exotic. I would like to see southern Patagonia and SE Asia.


Modified by Black Jetta GT at 3:19 AM 6-7-2009

[rockhog]

peru was cool until i went to bolivia

traded all the touristic, haggling, hand-out seeking riff-raff for more authentic people.

bolivia was cool until i went to argentina

traded all the dark squat people for gorgeous girls (better than brazil) and homely food for out-of-this-world steaks

off the map, latvia was quite a gem of a visit

[tachycardia]

Quote, originally posted by Black Jetta GT »

Besides some really remote villages in Bolivia/Peru and Central America, I havent really been anywhere terribly exotic. I would like to see southern Patagonia and SE Asia.

Amazing pics of your travels; I am envious.

Quote, originally posted by rockhog »

bolivia was cool until i went to argentina... latvia was quite a gem of a visit

I only sailed through Argentina from Punta Arenas, but one of these days I must check out Argentina. Sounds like you've had quite a fair share of obscure locations.

[quohog_racer]

I got a T-Shirt in Donner Pass, CA that says "Who's for lunch?"

[sakigt]

Quote, originally posted by Black Jetta GT »

Thats awesome!! When did you go? I was born here: (La Paz, this looks like the road leading down from the airport) And Baptized here: (Lake Titicaca) If you ever go back, or if anyone else has a chance to go, do it, Bolivia has a lot to offer. Inca paving stones, perfectly preserved, still in use as part of the Inca Trail (Camino del Chorro) Sheepherder, seems like the Kiwis and Bolivians share this in common, but the Bolivian herd is so much smaller! Stone Tree in the Salar Uyuni The view from the summit of Huayna Potosi Besides some really remote villages in Bolivia/Peru and Central America, I havent really been anywhere terribly exotic. I would like to see southern Patagonia and SE Asia. Modified by Black Jetta GT at 3:19 AM 6-7-2009

I went in March of this year. It was our first major trip after our wedding and I consider it our "honeymoon." My husband was born in Caracas but lived in Bolivia for a big part of his life. The people, the food and the scenery were amazing. We had to buy a 5 year visa as American citizens ( ) so we plan on returning in 2 years to road trip it with his parents to Salar Uyuni.

Met all kinds of other travelers. My favorite was the Argentinian (Sp?) that was bumming it across SA and had temporarily set up shop in Lake Titicaca. We hardly saw any Americans (excuse me, I mean United Statesians or whatever I should call us ) ...mostly people from Europe, Canada and other parts of South America.

[Not Steve]

I've got nothing, but here goes anyway...

Mt. Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia:

Some random little creek flowing in to the Middle Pai River, Mae Hong Son province, Thailand.

Luxurious camp along the river between Pai and Mae Hong Son:

[the brit]

Moldovo, without a Visa, with my passport being held by the corrupt border guards, in the backseat of a '80s Mercedes diesel driven by a random russian speaking guy who had been forced to drive me to a insurance broker, who turned out to be four drunken russian speaking older ladies in a caravan.

I can't wait to go back.

[tachycardia]

Quote, originally posted by Not Steve »

Mt. Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia:

I think this qualifies as pretty damn obscure.

[jnm2.0t]

northern nevada.

[tachycardia]

Quote, originally posted by the brit »

Moldovo, without a Visa, with my passport being held by the corrupt border guards, in the backseat of a '80s Mercedes diesel...

Sounds like the beginning to a Bourne movie.

Quote, originally posted by jnm2.0t »

northern nevada.

Pics or it didn't happen.

[jnm2.0t]

Quote, originally posted by tachycardia »

Pics or it didn't happen.

heading in

can't promise its actually in nevada but may as well be if its not (may be utah)

heading out.

[Not Steve]

Quote, originally posted by tachycardia »

I think this qualifies as pretty damn obscure.

Thanks

To be honest, though, it's not too obscure - it's a well worn path on the South East Asia circuit, and is overrun with backpackers and other tourists. The photos don't show it but the path to the top is as crowded as it is challenging.

[Mtl-Marc]

Laâyoune.

Modified by Mtl-Marc at 10:49 PM 7-4-2009

[FlashRedGLS1.8T]

After seeing all of these awesome pictures of these places I've come to realize how freaking stuck in the Midwest I am. Jealous too.

[ATL_Av8r]

I am not a member of a cult, but the weirdest stamp on my passport is Georgetown, Guyana. I used to work for a Big 4 accounting firm and we had to go audit the phone company there. Took a few pics, but they really suck so I'm not posting any

[theuean]

I live here :shrug:

0° 46.629'S
31° 20.918'E

I guess not so obscure


Modified by Speedemon at 4:53 AM 6-22-2009

[flygliii]

Cuba x2.

All sorts of little towns in Andorra, Spain and France, but not sure how obscure any of that is.

[-teknien-]

Tijuana was the most obscure place i have ever been. went on a surf trip down baja, being from NY there was no way i was passing through TJ and not stopping.

also little haiti in ft. myers FLA. pretty damn obscure... and scary.

other then that i have never left the continental US.

[Fantomasz]

Quote, originally posted by tachycardia »

I'm going to Istanbul in November and need some tips.

all turks carry a knife
watch your back

[DonL]

We've been a few places kinda off the conventional grid, where there's not even a cell or radio signal or at least an hour in any particular direction.

While not obscure, how about somewhat remote? We're going to Vladivostok next week.

[tachy's tech]

have "ya'll" been to west Texas...? talk about obscure.... I couldn't even get myself to take pictures of it....

[NVmyVW]

Nicaragua, and your moms panties.

[tachycardia]

Just got back from Kenya, Charlie... in your mom's panties.

Back to topic, I leave for Istanbul in 3 weeks. Not exactly obscure, but it'll be good to get away.


Modified by tachycardia at 8:58 PM 10-23-2009

[cancel]

Just got back from Russia. Useful site http://www.videoprobki.com/

[joness0154]

I've been a lot of places, but Andorra and Egypt were probably the most obscure places I've been.