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| Crystals' Cave |
The crystal caves in the Naica Mine are so magnificent they look as if they are from a magical planet. Located 300 meters below the surface of the Naica Mountains, Mexico, these giant crystals have been forming for hundreds of thousands of years. The oldest crystal in the cave is believed to be around 600,000 years old. Usually in deep caves the temperature drops, but it is the opposite case for this one of a kind cave. Rather than getting cooler, the cave gets hotter, as it is located above an intrusion of magma. Within the cave, the temperature is around 110 degrees with 90-100% humidity. These crystals originally formed under water, creating the perfect environment for them to grow to these extreme sizes. Although the crystal cave is the most recent discovery and the largest, there are other caves in Naica mine that exist that are covered in crystals as well. These cave are Swords' Cave, Candles' Cave and Queens' Eye Cave. Unfortunately, at this time these caves are not open to the public, but hopefully if we are lucky enough they will be one day. For now we will simply have to gaze in awe at the surreal photographs admiring these beautiful creations from afar. They were just too amazing not to share.
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| Queens' Eye Cave |
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| Swords' Cave |
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| Candles' Cave |
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| Candles' Cave |
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| Crystals' Cave |
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| Crystals' Cave |
Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world. Located in the southwest of Bolivia, this salt flat lies almost 12,000 feet above sea level and covers almost 4,700 square miles. This famous salt flat is the remains of a prehistoric lake, Lago Minchin. The salt that lies at the bottom of what used to be a lake is all that is left. During the rainy season, the salt flat floods and becomes one, enormous mirror, reflecting anything and everything that lies above. In this massive area of flat beauty, you will find one hotel, Playa Blanca. Due to the fact that this little hotel is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, the owners decided to use the material that was surrounding them to build it, SALT! The entire hotel is made out of salt, including all of the chairs and tables. Since Hotel Playa Blanca sits out in isolation, there is no electricity but when you are visiting one of the beautiful wonders of the world, who needs electricity when you can walk outside and have a view of the galaxy? Sometimes the simplest things are the most beautiful, as I think the pictures here will speak for themselves.
Hotel Playa Blanca
Pictures
