With the sun’s first rays, Jellyfish Lake, located 550 miles east of the Philippines in the island nation of Palau, comes alive. As the sky brightens in the east, the golden jellies turn and swim toward a solar beacon.

Aerial view of Jellyfish Lake on the island of Eil Malk in Palau. This view is looking west across the lake. Cropped and colour-corrected from the original. Photo: Wikipedia

The city of Al Hajjara in Republic of Yemen* Haraz Mountains looks ancient yet modern at the same time: the taller of the brown, flat-roofed houses so precariously balanced on top of the mountain resemble early skyscrapers. Many are decorated with elaborate white friezes and patterns so typical for the area. The town’s remoteness and narrow streets suggest a closely knit community that could, in times of invasions, have allowed outsiders to enter yet not necessarily to leave

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

The gruelling 150-mile (240km) Sand Marathon (Marathon des Sables) takes place near Ouarzazate in Morocco. Around 700 dedicated competitors from around the world take on the course over 11 long days.

Certainly not for the faint-hearted, this is a race for those with a will of iron and an even stronger constitution. The race includes a full marathon on one day, and a 50-mile stage, as well as others of varying length and terrain. Competitors must carry all their equipment on their backs. Only a carefully rationed nine litres of water and open-sided local tents are provided daily by the organisers

Based in the scenic, craggy desert outside Ouarzazate, marathon life centres around the camp in which competitors rest after a day’s running. Although it might sound like hell on earth for 99% of the population, the race is without a doubt one of the most rewarding and intense in the world.

Those man or woman enough for the challenge can find advice and entry information on the organisers’ website.

Related Information

Website: Sand Marathon Website