Smelling different – ​​stinking tourist attractions

The holidays are just around the corner. Many of us have long had our travel destinations planned. For adventure seekers, a journey through some of the world's stinkiest places might be intriguing. What does vacation mean to you? Pristine beaches on blue coasts? Idyllic meadows and pastures? Cliffs, waterfalls, mountains? There are daredevils for whom these clean, fragrant places hold no attraction. They choose regions with fetid, sharp, pungent, and putrid odors as their destinations. The kind that twist the face (and nose) into a grimace.

First Stop: Seal Island, South Africa

Let's begin our journey with an island where tens of thousands of seals reign supreme. And their excrement. And the rotting remains of their meals. Seal Island is one giant, pungent smell. Commercial ship captains and fishermen usually anchor their boats against the wind. However, sometimes a change in wind direction carries an unbearable, overpowering aroma to the nostrils of sailors and tourists. Adventurous tourists brave the stench not only to spot seals but also to observe the great white sharks that feed on them. Sharks are known to attack seals from beneath the water's surface. It's worth "keeping your nose shut" for such a spectacle.

Stop Two: Rotorua, New Zealand

Rotorua is built on active geothermal areas that constantly belch hydrogen sulphide. The smell of rotten eggs permeates the city. This stinking environment doesn't deter tourists from exploring the hot springs, geysers, steaming lakes, bubbling mud pools, and other natural wonders. These unusual attractions can sometimes be dangerous. Long-term exposure to the gas can pose a health risk. Between 1991 and 2001, the Rotorua region saw a five- to ten-fold increase in asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

Stop Three: Ijen Volcano, Java, Indonesia

Ijen is a cluster of active volcanoes, with a stinking, sulfurous structure. One of the craters offers an acidic volcanic lake. Its water is turquoise in color. Thermal springs are found all around. Nearly crystal-clear sulfur flows from the volcano, which solidifies in the open air. The sharply sulfur-smelling clouds don't discourage visitors. The blue-turquoise landscapes make up for this minor inconvenience.

Stop Four: Sumatra and the Carrion-Scented Flowers

Amorphophallus titanum , or giant oddity. It has an ugly name and smells even more awful. Translated into scientific terms, the name translates to "a large, misshapen penis." Another name for this plant is "corpse flower," which doesn't change the fact that it still smells repulsive. When in bloom, the plant produces an odor reminiscent of decaying carrion, attracting flies and beetles. As it turns out, Southeast Asia is abundant in such stinking plants. In fact, over 30 species use the scent of death to attract pollinating insects. When visiting these regions, it's better to carefully consider whether to choose local flowers as a gift for a loved one.

Stop Five: Hereford, Texas

One of the best places to settle in Texas. The beef capital of the world. Hereford is said to have the highest concentration of cattle in the world. More than 3.5 million cows can be found within the city's 100-mile radius. Each cow adds a fragrant note to the mix of natural fertilizer. Over 15,000 people live in the city, meaning there are approximately 230 cows for every person. The region's economy is based on cattle, so the smell of manure also means money for locals.