Most Incredible Sunken Forests on Earth

1. Lake Kaindy, Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan's Lake Kaindy is one of a kind. Located 2,000 meters above sea level, this 400 metre-long lake reaches depths approaching 30 metres in some places. What makes this body of water truly remarkable, however, are the tall, dried-out trunks of submerged Schrenk's Spruce trees that rise above the water's surface from the bottom of the lake like the masts of mysterious sunken ships.

Midst icy depths: The drowned conifers of Lake Kaindy

In the winter months, Kaindy freezes over, but this doesn't deter some brave souls. As these pictures show, ice divers are drawn to the freezing waters, captivated by the sight of tree trunks encased in a sheet of ice and the strange beauty of the underwater world hidden beneath. During the summer, Kaindy could hardly offer a more contrasting picture, its waters a warm shade of green and turquoise.

Sunnier scenes: Kaindy's trees rise up like the masts of ships

Lake Kaindy is very young, geologically speaking, having only been born last century. It was created due to an enormous limestone landslide. Water flooded the resulting basin and the natural rocky embankment that formed in the middle of the lake partitioned it with a natural dam. Not yet decayed, the drowned trees rise out of the cold waters, offering a refuge for tired swimmers.

2. Lake Bezid, Romania

Situated in Romania's Transylvania region, Lake Bezid hardly needs added reason to carry haunting connotations, but its appearance sure provides one. The gnarled stumps of once lofty trees emerge from the surface of the water like wizened hands, presenting a scene by turns bleak and beautiful. Adding to the air of mystery, the reservoir also conceals a sunken village in its watery midst.

Drowned forest and town: The trees and church tower remains of Bezid

Bezid was artificially created after the entire village of Bezid was flooded, leaving the houses at the bottom of the lake and only the local church tower and trees still visible, looming over the lake. Apparently, a dam was built around 25 years ago to prevent the recurrent flooding of the river valley. Needless to say, the inhabitants of the old village had to be moved away when their homes were drowned.

3. Periyar Lake, India

Periyar Lake in the Indian state of Kerala is another sunken cemetery for trees whose putrefying trunks rise out of the water as if clawing for divine mercy. Covering an area of a 55 km², the lake is fed by the Periyar River and in turn supplies water for the Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu via a tunnel through the Western Ghats. Still, the dead trees betray the lake's recent past as a living forest.

Haunting beauty: Sun striking a cormorant's nest and fog-cloaked trees in Periyar

Periyar Lake is actually an artificial reservoir, a flooded area that was created in 1895 by the building of the Mullaperiyar Dam. The tree stumps are the remnants of the forest that once was, yet the lake curves around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a permanent source of water for the local wildlife, and this is said to be one of the few places where a dam has been good for an ecosystem.

4. Udawalawe Reservoir, Sri Lanka

The twisted, closely-packed boughs standing in Sri Lanka's Udawalawe Reservoir are similar visual reminders of the extent of the forest cover that lay here before the construction of the dam that brought this body of water into being. The deep reservoir is constantly replenished by the never-drying Walawe river, which itself draws most of its water from wooded higher ground and plains.

Submerged forest: Branches emerge from the waters of Udawalawe

In the Udawalawe, as everywhere in nature, where there is death so too is there life. The reservoir may feature the weather-bleached skeletons of thousands of jungle trees, killed off by the dammed water, and it's true wild animals were displaced by its construction; yet despite this, elephants are now attracted to the reservoir, a variety of water birds visit, and important fish species are also found.

5. Lake Volta, Ghana

Myriad dead trees emerge from Ghana's Lake Volta, which has the largest surface area of any reservoir on earth. The lake was formed by the Akosomba hydroelectric Dam, which provides power for much of the country. Completed in 1965, it forced the relocation of 78,000 people to new settlements, along with 200,000 of their animals, while some 120 buildings and countless small residences were destroyed.

Afloat over a former forest: Ebony, teak and mahogany all lie deep in Lake Volta

Lake Volta is again being touted as a resource, but this time for its hidden cache of dead trees: Ghana is seeking to harvest the 14 million cubic meters of submerged timber, though not without controversy. Tropical hardwoods preserved by the lack of oxygen in the water might be worth a fortune, but opponents say underwater logging could be a threat to fishing and upset the lake's ecological balance.

6. Lake Caddo, Texas

This mysterious, even mystical looking swampy scene differs from the others we have so far seen in that the trees growing from their semi-submerged setting are of course not dead but very much alive. The verdant canopy reflected in the still waters beneath is that of Cypress trees, for this is Lake Caddo on the Texas-Louisiana border, home to the world's largest Cypress forest.

Floating forest: Steamy Cypress swamp in Uncertain, TX

Conifers native to the southeastern United States, Cypress trees thrive in humid habitats, and some individuals can live for over 1,000 years. Baldcypresses, which thrive in swampy habitats, have peculiar growths called cypress knees, woody projections above the water that are part of the root system and provide structural support and stabilisation – in flood-prone sites like this one, for example.

7. Kampong Pluk, Cambodia

In Cambodia can be found another floating forest made up of trees growing out of a lake, their tangled roots concealed underwater. The water-dwelling trees of Kampong Pluk are mangroves, and their flooded jungle habitat is home to a variety of wildlife, including crab-eating macaques, as well as humans who harvest shrimp and live in houses that tower in the air atop stilts.

Floating forest, part II: Gnarled trunks rise from the waters of Kampong Pluk

Mangroves are the ultimate survivors in waterlogged environments, growing profusely in saline habitats in the tropics and subtropics where they often dominate the coastlines. Where other trees may soon die when drowned by a deluge of water, the hardy mangroves positively prosper.

Ten Least Visited National Parks

1.Kobuk Valley

Far and away (no pun intended) the least visited of our national parks system, Kobuk Valley National Park attracted only 847 visitors in 2007. Located in the Arctic Circle, accessible only by foot, dogsled or snowmobile, and featuring exactly zero designated trails and roads, the park's title of least visited isn't really that surprising.

What Kobuk Valley lacks in user-friendliness, however, it more than makes up for in sand dunes and caribou. The park is also a great place to experience the anomaly of 24-hour daylight (but only for one month a year).

2.Lake Clark

Concentrating all the best that Alaskan wilderness has to offer into a single park, it is surprising Lake Clark National Park and Preservation had only 5,549 visitors in 2007. Lakes, active volcanoes, three mountain ranges, glaciers, waterfalls, arctic-like tundra and even a rainforest comprise this majestic park outside of Anchorage. Sled dog teams were the best way to travel around the area until the 1960s, but they have recently faced competition from snowmobiles.

At 6,297 square miles, Lake Clark National Park provides plenty of open space for your personal enjoyment. With an average of only 15 visitors per day, this means each visitor has 419 square miles of pristine national park to him or herself every day.

3.American Samoa

How many national parks can boast a rain forest and a coral reef? The National Park of American Samoa is unlike any other park, and if you weren't one of the park's 6,774 lucky visitors in 2007 (which, statistically, you probably weren't), we suggest you check it out.

The park, which spans three islands, offers a chance to see some great wildlife, from flying foxes to humpback whales. Admission to the park is free, which is good news because you'll probably need to book a couple flights to get there — and don't forget your passport. Sure, it's basically three-quarters of the way to Australia (a nonstop flight from Los Angeles takes about 10 hours), but the National Park of American Samoa is way cooler than one of those overcrowded touristy national parks.

4.Gates of the Arctic

Don't let Into the Wild scare you away from the almost-untouched-by-man natural beauty of the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. Considering it's roughly the size of Switzerland, it's surprising that only 10,942 people ventured through this Alaskan park in 2007.

Millennia of glaciation and erosion have carved out a breathtaking array of valleys, rivers, mountains and crystal-clear lakes. For an opportunity to enjoy tranquility like you've never experienced before, head north — far, far, north — to this park, where you're more likely to encounter a moose or caribou than another tourist.

5.Isle Royale

Isle Royale is a true hidden gem — perhaps this is why Michigan's state gemstone (Isle Royale greenstone) is named after the remote little island that's closer to Canada than it is to the States. Isle Royale is the largest island in Lake Superior, the greatest of the Great Lakes. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, Isle Royale National Park attracted 15,973 visitors in 2007.

Due to its remoteness, the island is populated by only about one third of the mammals that are found on the mainland. Interestingly, it is the only known place where wolves and moose live together without bears. If you don't like crowds (or bears) pack up the seaplane and head to Isle Royale National Park.

6.North Cascades

Considering its size and location (which is inconvenient, to say the least) it's no surprise Alaska has so many parks on this list. While Alaskan national parks feature some truly amazing stuff, North Cascades National Park in Washington provides an opportunity to experience Alaska-like wilderness closer to home. In addition to bears, moose and cougars, the park has the most glaciers (more than 300 of them!) outside of Alaska. Sadly, that number is steadily decreasing as global warming continues to claim its victims, so go see them while you can.

Located in northern Washington, the park is popular among backpackers and hikers. Its 400 miles of trails also make it accessible to less-adventurous outdoor lovers. North Cascades National Park was enjoyed by 19,534 visitors in 2007.

7.Dry Tortugas

Looking for sunken pirate ships and lost treasure? Civil War history buff? Really into masonry? If any of these apply to you, then Dry Tortugas National Park is the park for you. Seventy miles west of Key West are the Dry Tortugas islands, so-called because they lack surface fresh water ("dry") and Ponce de Leon caught a lot of sea turtles ("tortugas") here in the 1500s.

The centerpiece of the park is Fort Jefferson, a behemoth brick fortress originally intended to protect the U.S. from Gulf Coast invaders (namely pirates), but also used as a Union stronghold during the Civil War. The fort, although never completed, is comprised of more than 16 million bricks, making it the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere.

Dry Tortugas is also a great place to watch migratory birds in the spring. With almost 300 bird species in the park, birdwatchers are in for quite a treat. As the 60,895 people who visited the park in 2007 can attest, Dry Tortugas National Park offers some great history in an idyllic setting.

8.Wrangell-St. Elias

The largest of all the national parks, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is actually larger than nine states. It is almost impossible to understand the scope of this park without experiencing it firsthand. Glaciers and mountains — many of which could support their own national parks — are the only ones crowded here. The park's 13 million acres provide a sprawling remote destination that is actually pretty accessible, as far as Alaskan national parks go. With 61,085 visitors in 2007, the park is increasing in popularity so enjoy its majesty before the Yellowstone crowd catches wind of it.

For those who just need some room to breathe, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park offers an average of 124 square miles per visitor, per day. That's the size of the country of Malta — and it's all waiting for you at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Smoky Mountain National Park, the most popular in the national park system, only offers a measly 0.03 square miles to each visitor each day.

9.Great Basin

Think of tourist destinations in Nevada and the first place your mind likely goes is Las Vegas. But our 36th state has so much more to offer than just strippers and slot machines. Head toward the Utah border and you'll find Great Basin National Park, which attracted 81,364 visitors in 2007.

Thanks to an almost complete lack of civilization in these parts, the night skies of Great Basin National Park are among the darkest in the country. Think of the park as the yin to Las Vegas' yang. Flashing neon lights are replaced with awesome, naked-eye views of the starry night — a rare opportunity for many. It's estimated that two-thirds of Americans cannot see the Milky Way from their backyards, and as light pollution continues to worsen, chances to observe the cosmos as nature intended might be running out.

10.Katmai

Katmai National Park in southern Alaska provides thrill seekers an opportunity to hike among 14 active volcanoes and the world's largest population of protected brown bears. Active volcanoes and thousands of brown bears not extreme enough for you? Well the National Park Service Website also warns visitors to expect only "some sunshine" and to "be prepared for stormy weather." And here's the kicker: it also offers the caveat that "light rain can last for days." Consider yourself warned.

ExoticTourist Destinations in World

1.Dubai, United Arab Emirates

With its ultramodern skyline, it's easy to forget that Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates, was once a small town of Bedouin traders. Now the old mixes with the new: At the Nad al Sheba racetrack, camels race by day; thoroughbreds at night. High fashion and electronic stores are as popular as the gold souk. A sampling of the 400-plus restaurants gives you a taste of Dubai's ethnic diversity. Come enjoy the beaches, golf, historic sites, nightlife and renowned tax-free shopping of Dubai

2.Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

This Red Sea resort town on the tip of the Sinai peninsula offers world-class diving with spectacular reefs, magnificent drop-offs and shipwrecks waiting to be explored. Dive among the sharks (and barracudas and turtles and ...) at the aptly named Shark Reef or earn diving certification in the gentler waters of Na'ama Bay. Take a day trip to St. Catherine's Monastery, the reputed site of the biblical burning bush, or find yet more postcard-perfect waters at the Ras Mohammed National Park.

3.Ocho Rios, Jamaica

"Ochi" offers the white sands and clear water expected of a Caribbean island, complete with waterfalls and rainforests. Climb the natural staircase of Dunn's River Falls, stroll the Coyaba River Gardens or take a driving tour under the lush canopy of Fern Gully. Swim with dolphins or ride horseback along plantations and beaches. Reggae fans should make the trip to Nine Mile, Bob Marley's birth and final resting place. Jazz aficionados should check out the annual Ocho Rios Jazz Festival in June.

4.Maldives

A cluster of idyllic atolls in the Indian Ocean, about 200 of the Maldives' 1200 islets are inhabited. Another 100 are private resort islands. Turquoise lagoons, underwater coral gardens, swaying palm fronds and glorious white sand beaches are the big draws of this paradise perched on the Equator, 435 miles southwest of Sri Lanka. Maldivians are warm, friendly and hospitable. The population is predominantly Muslim; on the capital of Male and other inhabited islands, modest clothing is recommended for women

5.Phuket, Thailand

Phuket offers a rainbow spectrum of spectacular vacation sights from blue lagoons and pink sunsets to orange-robed monks. Three wheeled-Tuk Tuks, taxis, buses and long tailed boats transport visitors between these marvels. Phuket's south coast offers its most popular beaches. The north is more tranquil. Koh Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay and Patong Beach are popular spots. Diving, snorkeling, wind surfing and sailing are just a few active options. Inland, forested hills, mountains and cliffs wait to be explored.

The Dream of the Pan-American Highway

Many a wannabe globetrotter, perhaps stuck in a drab office cubicle or dismal college lecture hall, has had one fundamental dream. A blurry vision appears as the subject endures another day at the office or marathon class on organic chemistry and hints at the possibility of untold adventure. The dream often comes in the form of a question.

And the question is this: Can I drive from the South Pole to the North Pole?

The short answer is no, of course not. But – and this is a big but – you can, in theory and with the proper vehicle, drive from the southern tip of Argentina to Alaska, and the edge of the Arctic Circle. All on a stretch of road known as the Pan-American Highway.

The longest navigable road in the world is actually a series of highway systems that if followed correctly, will take you through most mainland nations in the Americas. That includes South America, Central America and North America. It should be noted however, that the Pan-American Highway is not so much an official passage through the continents, as it is an ideal – albeit a very real one. You can actually traverse the 48,000 km route. There are however, some concerns.

The first is a little geographical snafu known as the Dari?n Gap. The 160 km long, 50 km wide swath of wild, murky rainforest that links Panama with Colombia, and this one continent with another, has become the veritable missing link of the Pan-American Highway. High costs for one, and environmental concerns for another, have always impeded efforts to complete the last piece of the highway puzzle. It’s not as simple as cutting down precious rainforest either – not that it would be a favorable option mind you.

The problem is that the Gap’s foundation is primarily marshland from the Atrato River delta. Not exactly easy to build a highway over that kind of swampy, soupy mess. The logistics are one obstacle, with the distinct possibility that environmental protection and cultural conservation groups will be up in arms over the construction project as the more formidable second.

So, in theory, if you could find a rugged, hearty vehicle and possibly a dugout canoe to muddle through the Gap and the massive UNESCO World Heritage Dari?n National Park in Panama, you can pursue your Argentina to Alaska dream (or vice versa).

Here are some stops likely to draw your attention on the way. Some of them are accessible along different branches of the Pan-American Highway, as there are some unofficial extensions of the continental road system.

Ushuaia is the capital of the province of Tierra del Fuego in Argentina. As the southernmost city in the world, it’s also the southernmost point on the Pan-American Highway. With 65,000 people, Ushuaia’s geography is spectacular, with glacier formations from Antarctica and the Martial mountains in close range.

Antofagasta is a port city on the Pacific Ocean in Chile, with more than 285,000 people. In the spectacular Atacama Desert, the attractive little city receives less than 4 mm of annual rainfall on average.

Cali is a vast city in Colombia with a metro population that tops 5 million. The city is nestled in a lush valley, completely surrounded by verdant mountains. With a booming economy and bustling nightlife, Cali’s a great place to hang out for a few days before heading back on your Pan-American Journey.

San Salvador is the capital of El Salvador and has a resplendent cultural heritage, with many unique landmarks to take in.

The modern Mexican metropolis of Monterrey provides Pan-American Highway adventurers with a wonderful city for sightseeing and culinary delights.

Billings, Montana may not register with most but the town of 102,000 people along the unofficial U.S. span of the Pan-American Highway offers up some great Big Sky scenery and ideal spots for a little rest and relaxation.

The Yukon territory in Canada is home to some of the most spectacular wilderness in the country. The capital of Whitehorse is a small town, with only 23,000 people, but the perfect destination for weary road trippers on the long Pan-American route.

Prudhoe Bay is the northernmost point on the Pan-American Highway. When you reach this area of Alaska, you know it’s the end of the line. Only five people are registered as residents at last count, although a oil fields in the region make it a busy place. With polar night and the midnight sun, you’re truly on top of the world here.

Hilarious Road Signs

In the past, we have brought you weird and wacky signs from around the world. These hilarious and frankly, stupid road signs in many cases, certainly qualify in the same vein.

Enjoy!

1. Sign in small town Virginia

A serious lack of creativity must be to blame for this street name in the state of Virginia. Unexpected Road? How in God’s name do you include that in any sane set of directions?

2. Highway sign in Delaware

There’s no inherent hilarity in being gay of course – homosexuality and heterosexuality are just as funny, more or less. What is especially droll about this sign in Delaware however, given the present social context of the word, is the inevitable thought that a fiercely homophobic, right-wing, born-again nut might actually live on this street.

3. As seen in England

Someone with authority has to enforce a mandatory literacy class for the construction workers of England. Jioning?

4. Washington, D.C. highway sign

A recent report on the breakdown of the public education system in America came down hard on Washington, D.C. schools. According to the report, 88% of all eighth-graders in the nation’s capital fail to meet basic reading standards. Apparently, being able to distinguish right from left is also a problem.

5. Weird paint line on random U.S.A. road

Basic directional sense is not the only element in need of correction with U.S. road and highway employees. How about sheer pride in your work? Really now, how hard would it have been to shift that tree trunk over a few feet?

6. Sign in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Maybe it’s just us, but from the looks of the perilous angle depicted in this sign, a helmet isn’t going to do you much good if you take a tumble on this Great Smoky road. Especially if you lack hands and fingers, let alone opposable thumbs.

7. Random German road sign

We hate to pick on the elderly and without the benefit of more context, we’re frankly out of the loop here, but man, isn’t this sign a tad overcautious? And hey, not all old people have terrible posture. Well, maybe in Germany …

8. Sign in Utrecht, Netherlands

This sign just looks so offensive in English that if you zoom by at an excessive speed, a double take could put you in a ditch. Apparently it actually means something significant in Dutch however, so there you are.

9. Hawaiian street sign

C’mon Hawaii, we know you have a virtual monopoly on stupid signs but this is just too much. Pee Road? Really?

“Hey dude, meet me at noon at the corner of Pee and Hoohu”

Ridiculous.

10. Sign in British Columbia, Canada

It’s not unwise to warn people about the dangers of slippery cliffs but still, there’s a certain slapstick Keystone Cops hilarity in this sign in British Columbia.

11. Nottingham, England road sign

We know the British drive on the wrong side of the road but what is the point of this sign? Could it be that street sign officials in England are just as ignorant on right and left as their counterparts across the pond?

12. Random sign on Ontario, Canada highway

It’s not uncommon to see signs alongside Canadian highways that depict moose or deer. These animals, if struck at the right speed, will not only die, but may even take you along with them. Your car will be in a serious state of disrepair as well, though that may not matter if you’re dead. The point is that moose and deer are big. Turtles however, are tiny. If they’re on the brink of extinction, it’s their own fault for being dumb enough to cross a highway.

13. Random English road signs

Our first thought about these sign was well, maybe they make sense to people in the United Kingdom. Maybe when they take their driver’s exams, we surmised, they learn to decode these arcane signs.

Then we spoke with a friend from Manchester and “no” he said emphatically, “no, drivers in England have absolutely no clue what these signs mean.”

14. English highway sign

Other than a sign that reads “Road ends abruptly here”, no sign would make us panic more than this one.

15. As seen in Southampton, England

No parking here? No parking where exactly? Is this sign intended for tank owners? Because really now, who else could possibly park their vehicles on this rocky, rugged terrain?