Underwater encounter of the third kind! Deep-sea divers dwarfed by gigantic alien-like jellyfish off coast of Japan

• Photographer Lucia Terui became obsessed with snapping Nomura's jellyfish after seeing them when diving
• The 40-year-old took these amazing photographs while diving off Echizen in Japan's Fukui province
• She photographed an estimated 4ft 9in creature, but the Nomura's jellyfish can grow up to 6ft 6in in diameter

By MICHAEL GADD FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 13:28 GMT, 15 December 2014 | UPDATED: 14:50 GMT, 15 December 2014

 
 
 
 
 

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Among Lucia Terui's first diving experiences was an encounter with Nomura's jellyfish, the graceful giants of the sea that grow up to 6ft 6in in diameter.

Perhaps understandably the sighting inspired an obsession for Terui, 40, to one day photograph the creatures, which are 100 times the size of an average jellyfish and are most commonly found in the waters between China and Japan.

And when the Brazilian photographer achieved her goal on a diving trip into the waters of Echizen, Fukui province, Japan, she said she felt 'pure joy'.

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A giant Nomura's jellyfish dwarfs a diver in this image captured by Brazilian photographer Lucia Terui in the waters off Echizen, Japan

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Nomura's jellyfish can grow up to 6ft 6in in diameter and are found most commonly in the sea between China and Japan

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Photographer Lucia Terui encountered the creatures on her diving trip

'On one of my first ever diving trips I had the privilege to dive with this particular jellyfish,' says Lucia, now of Hamamatsu, Japan.

'I was delighted and it was an incredible experience, but on that particular occasion I didn't have the underwater photography equipment to capture the images in the way I wanted.

'From then on I became obsessed with them and getting the perfect shot, and years later I got my moment.'

Lucia was able to photograph the enormous five-foot jellyfish in all its glory.

She spent three days diving with her husband, Alexandre Shimoishi, 40, on the lookout for the incredible creature.

Lucia says: 'I had to dive deep into the open sea to be able to find one, but it was worth it in the end and I felt pure joy when I did.

'It was a dream of mine achieved, the jellyfish are so beautiful and inoffensive, and because of that I wasn't afraid at all.

'A lot of patience was needed, as there were lot of jellyfish in the sea but most of them were hurt or almost dead, I wanted one that was healthy and a beauty to shoot.'

The Nomura's jellyfish is classified in the same category as the lion's mane jellyfish, the largest cnidarian in the world.

The diameter when fully grown is slightly greater than the height of an average man, with the ability to grow up to 6ft 6in.

Although their stings are generally very painful, they are not known for causing any major damage to humans.

Despite their formidable size, Lucia loves photographing nature's gentle giants.

She says: 'It's funny because most of the time my friends call me crazy, but they like and admire my photographs and so that really makes me happy.

'It's important that we respect and protect nature that is all around us, I believe this is our duty to life and the future of our planet.'

Source: dailymail.co.uk

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The World’s 10 Most Overrated Tourist Spots

Most of have a marked instinct to travel. There’s something about the allure of seeing new places and experiencing new cultures that appeals to almost everyone, regardless of where you’re from. There are certain places and sites everyone wants to visit in their lifetime: Sure, some of them are undeniably exciting and even offer up potentially life-changing moments – New York City, Paris, London, Tokyo… Visit any of these incredible cities and you’ll undoubtedly walk away with a ton of selfies, many outside iconic buildings, that let you reflect on what was undoubtedly an amazing trip.

But then there are those other places that leave you a little unimpressed, even bored. Maybe we expect too much, perhaps the hype that surrounds some of the more popular tourist attractions inevitable leads to an anticlimax – or maybe it’s just the overflow of tourists themselves that spoil the fun. Whatever it is, sometimes we can’t help but walk away from the world’s most famous tourist attractions feeling underwhelmed rather than awed and inspired. To avoid that, you’ll want to give these ten eminently disappointing sights a miss:

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10. Hollywood Walk of Fame

via virtualtourist.com

When people think of Hollywood, they think of all the glitz and glamor Tinseltown has to offer. But the locals know the truth: Hollywood isn’t normally the type of place you would willingly go if you were of sound mind. It’s jam-packed with tourists posing for pictures with their favorite celebrity’s star, and street performers in cheap costumes trying to extort you for piles of cash just to take a picture with them. There’s no parking to be found anywhere – at least nowhere you’d feel safe leaving your car. But the real kicker about the Walk of Fame is that it’s filthy and sort of depressing: Homeless people crowd the streets, which can only serve to remind us that Hollywood is a town that crushes people’s dreams and can destroy lives – not exactly the sort of image Tinseltown aspires to inspire. To add insult to injury, the famed Hollywood sign is relatively small in real life.

9. Fisherman’s Wharf

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San Francisco is a city packed with world-class cool. It’s incredibly expensive to live there, but there are certainly plenty of neat sights for visitors. The Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, the architecture, the steep, treacherous but somehow charming roads…

But of all the things to see in San Francisco – and there are plenty – you may want to skip Fisherman’s Wharf. With a name like that, you’re probably imagining fresh seafood restaurants or fishing boats. Instead, what you’ll find are a bunch of tourist trap shops selling cheap souvenirs, and a lot of chain restaurants. The overall effect is more Disneyland than one of the hippest cities in the country. There’s really only one thing worthwhile about Fisherman’s Wharf – aside from the street vendors selling clam chowder in baked bread bowls – and that’s the multitude of sea lions that are often found lounging nearby.

8. Stonehenge

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Many of you might think that of course Stonehenge is disappointing – it’s nothing but a bunch of big old rocks stacked in a big old circle (and now, some underground tunnels that have yet to be revealed to the general public). But in fact, the place has awesome historical significance and the mysteries and legends surrounding this site are fascinating.

Stonehenge isn’t inherently disappointing – it’s the people who’ve spoiled the fun. Because local authorities have to worry about vandalism, tourists can’t actually get very near the structure and must admire the ruins from afar. For true history buffs or even the uber-spiritual, that’s a huge disappointment. Of course, they need to preserve and protect the monument – it’s just a shame they have to go to such lengths to do so, taking the magic and fun out of the visit.

7. Mount Rushmore

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Faces carved into a mountain. Yes, they’re faces of some of our country’s most beloved leaders, but does that really make a difference in the grand scheme of things? After all, you’re driving all the way out into the middle of nowhere just to see some big faces carved into a mountain. There’s really no other reason to drive out to South Dakota, except for Mount Rushmore. And once you’ve stared at it for two minutes the thrill is over – so what to do next? Worse, the carvings actually aren’t actually as large as photos and pictures make them appear so you may find yourself a bit underwhelmed by the size of the monuments.

6. The Four Corners Monument

The supposed appeal of this Medallion is the fact that it marks the exact spot where you’re standing in four different states at one time. But what’s far less cool is that to do this, you’ll be standing in the middle of a parking lot. And if you manage to avoid getting hit by motorists who either aren’t paying attention or just don’t care, you’ll soon realize that there aren’t any restrooms nearby and the cell phone reception is terrible.

Sure, if you’re already driving through the area and want to stop and take photos in a parking lot, why not? But we promise you, you won’t feel any different than if you’re standing in the McDonald’s parking lot down the street from your apartment. Standing in four states at once may sound cool to some – though we can’t for the life of us figure out why – but it isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.

5. The London Eye

There’s a reason most of the overrated tourist attractions are in the United States and that’s because Europe and other countries have a lot more history. So, even if something is crowded and touristy, the added dose of immersive history automatically ups the coolness ratio.

But there are exceptions to these rules, and in this case, the exception is the London Eye. You’re in a country with Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the Tower of London – why choose to visit a Ferris wheel? Sure, it’s abig Ferris wheel, but it’s a Ferris wheel all the same. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of better things to see in London. And if you can’t think of at least one other thing to be doing there than standing in line for a big wheel, then you probably don’t deserve to go to London. Hand your plane ticket over to someone with slightly more common sense, or save yourself some money and go to a local amusement park instead.

4. The Pyramids of Giza

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We want to believe the Pyramids are awesome. After all, anything to do with Ancient Egypt already sounds pretty fantastic to any of us ancient history buffs. But sadly, the Pyramids of Giza just aren’t all that they’re cracked up to be. Again, just as with Stonehenge, don’t blame the pyramids themselves – they’re an incredible feat of human ingenuity. Rather, it’s their location that kills the experience for most people.

Not too far from the major city of Cairo, the backdrop of the pyramids are your run-of-the-mill cityscapes – McDonalds, Pizza Hut, and a host of other Americanised restaurants and stores. Having a picture of yourself standing in front of the great pyramids with a giant sign for Starbucks in the background just sort of takes some of the magic out of it all.

3. Times Square

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Admit it, you’ve probably watched the ball drop on Times Square every New Years since you were in diapers, and most of us have at least once thought “I want to be there.” Of course, we all know that the reality of New Year’s Eve in Times Square is a nightmare – unless you like peeing in cups and being groped by random drunks. To that we say, “hey, to each their own.” But when the glitz and glam of New Year’s Eve isn’t in full swing, Times Square seems like just any other city street – except for the fact that there are slightly more giant billboards. Oh, and if you look really hard, you might be able to spot places you’ve seen on TV. I guess that makes it worth it? Maybe?

2. The Eiffel Tower

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People who’ve never been to Paris imagine a romantic city filled with artists, coffee shops, and beautiful women strutting down the cobbled streets as if on their own personal runway. But those who visit Paris know the truth. The city is filled with tourists, alongside largely resentful Parisians who make it their goal in life to hate on those tourists every chance they can get. You really can’t win there. But the Eiffel Tower, you say! It’s a site you must see at least once in your life!

But then you get there and you realize this is the pinnacle of everything you’ve ever imagined Europe to be, and you can’t help but feel a little let down. It’s not the Eiffel Tower’s fault, it’s not Paris’ fault – we just all expected too much. No monument should ever be held to such high regard, because honestly, nothing is as great we make it out to be in our own minds. Not even the freaking Eiffel Tower.

1. The Leaning Tower of Pisa

via commons.wikimedia.org

This one may surprise you – it did me. But here’s the thing, time and time again, I researched tourist attractions and every single list mentioned the fact that the Tower of Pisa was not as great as they’d imagined it to be. When I asked friends what tourist attractions disappointed them the most, this was a top contender. What is it about a leaning building that could have tourist after tourist feeling let down? Did it not lean enough for their liking? Were they expecting some jaw-dropping feat of gravity unlike anything they’ve ever seen before? Or is this another case of our expectations not matching up to reality? Whatever it is, something about the Leaning Tower of Pisa doesn’t sit well with tourists – even those who specifically go to Pisa to take cheesy photos of themselves “holding up” the tower. No, most people seem to leave Pisa with their expectations as limp as a plate of soggy spaghetti.

Source: TheRichest.com

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10 Mind-Blowing Hotels To Visit Before You Die

• Lauren Hamilton
• • 09.08.14
• • 90,401 views
• • Travel

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While you plan your next trip, it may be a good idea to save up even more money to stay at one of the world’s most unique hotels. You could sleep surrounded by ice, in a cave, or even enjoy breakfast under water. Breaking free from the usual hotel chains and going for a different experience may end up giving you memories you’ll never forget, even if your pocket book takes a major dent.

There are certain things we all want to do before we die whether it’s going sky diving, meeting a celebrity, or go to the Superbowl. It’s time to get out a pen and add another item on that list–staying at one of these epic hotels from around the world before you die.

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10. Berggasthaus Aescher Hotel

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Considered to have the best view in central Switzerland, the Berggasthaus Aescher Hotel is 170-years-old and tucked below the Ebenalp Cliff. In order to reach the unique property, you must take a long route and climb up the extremely challenging and steep mountain path from Seealpsee to the Äscher. If you don’t feel like hiking, you can also take a cable car.

Via: realpublicreviews.wordpress.com

However, don’t expect luxury or even room service. The Berggasthaus Aescher doesn’t have soft beds, room service, or a huge pool for you to enjoy. It’s more like a dormitory or plain hostel. There are no conventional showers, Internet, or television. Also, the food is typically only Swiss so you will have to figure out a way to deal with any midnight cravings for ice cream, or pizza. Surprisingly, the cost to stay there isn’t very high–between $45-$50 Swiss francs per person, per night.

9. Icehotel 

Via: northernlights-scott.blogspot.com

The Icehotel is located in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden which is a little town just north of the Arctic Circle. It is typically open between December-April of each year and has the honor of being the world’s first ice hotel, being open over twenty-five years. In 1990, French artist Jannot Derid held an exhibition in an igloo in the area. Some visitors were given permission to sleep inside since there were no available rooms in town. These individuals were technically the first guests of the hotel.

Via: en.wikipedia.org

Icehotel is made entirely out of snow and ice blocks from a nearby river. Located inside are a bar, church, ice restaurant, main hall, reception area, and over one hundred suites. In the rooms, everything is made of ice: bed, walls, and decorations. There is no heating and the average bedroom temperature is around 23F. On a positive note, there is a hot tub outdoors as well as a sauna if you need to warm up a bit.

8. Elkep Evi Cave Hotel

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Elkep Evi Cave Hotel is a bed and breakfast located in the rock hills of Urgup, Turkey with comfortable beds and modern accommodations. Each room offers a private terrace with spectacular views overlooking Cappadocia, polished wooden floors, a CD player, Jacuzzis and more. However, guests are cautioned to walk slowly around the property since there are many steep areas around the caves.

Via: www.creativehotels.org

The upside is that staying there won’t break the bank as the prices are very reasonable. It’s also highly recommended for celebrating a honeymoon and has a special room for newlyweds.

7. Katikies Hotel

Via: 7heaven-interiors

Katikies Hotel is the leading boutique hotel in Europe with crystal blue infinity pools and cubist cottages. This is definitely an ideal spot for honeymooners, couples, and romantics; your rate includes a daily Champagne breakfast served on the veranda, a bottle of nice wine, a basket of fruit, plus use of a personal cell phone to snap pictures.

Via: www.travelingmyself.com

Katikies Hotel is located in Greece and people come from all around the world to stay at the famous property where you can see perfect sunsets and unforgettable backdrops. The white washed suites have classic arched ceilings, views of the Aegean Sea, and a terrace with an open-air dining area where you can enjoy all of what you’re seeing. To stay here, expect to pay no less than $500 a night.

6. Ladera Resort

Via: theluxurytravelexpert

Ladera Resort is a unique property in St. Lucia that offers honeymoon, vacation, and wedding packages. Guests get to enjoy a private experience with only six villas and twenty-six suites. Ladera Resort also has a highly acclaimed staff that gives attentive service. It sits above a blue Caribbean Sea, which people can view from their private pool in their room. The amenities include soft linens, nice beds, and heated pools.

Via:www.brandpearls.com

However, there’s no television or air conditioning. If you want something private, romantic, and intimate this is the place to book. Reserving one of their popular suites will cost up to $1,800 a night.

5. Loisaba Lodge

Via: porini

Loisaba Lodge offers a luxurious stay within the African wilderness. Guests can sleep under the Kenyan stars, undisturbed, on “Star Beds” where someone is nearby to get you anything you want. Each room has large French windows that open up to a private deck and reveal breathtaking views. You can also enjoy the unique, handmade furniture at the resort if you stay there.

Via: www.rainbowtours.co.uk

Loisaba Lodge is great for taking the family, or groups of people. Guests are encouraged to eat together as opposed to privately and those who stay in the “Star Beds” get a traditional camp barbecue. Some fun activities include camel riding, day game drives, helicopter rides, river rafting, and going to the spa.

4. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

Via: worldfortravel

Finland houses one of the most unique Igloo villages on the planet, as well as the World’s largest snow restaurant–both of which are part of Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort.

Via: www.kakslauttanen.fi

You have the choice of staying in a log cabin, glass igloo, snow igloo, wedding chambers, and more. For the most unique experience–and what attracts numerous people to visit–consider staying in the glass or snow igloo.

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The hotel has 20 snow igloos made with glass so that you can watch the northern lights from your bed. For the 2014-2015 Winter season, they will have four more igloos available. The rooms are warm and you can enjoy the sauna that’s located on the premises. Staying in one of these well-known rooms will cost up to $1,000 or more a night.

3. Attrap’Reves Hotel

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Staying at the Attrap’Reves Bubble Hotel in France is perfect for those who want to fall asleep looking at the stars. Guests will be able to stay in transparent pods that offer beautiful views of the night sky and surroundings, all for under $200 a night. You can also purchase telescopes or star charts by going to the main building as well as meals. There is an outdoor jacuzzi and other amenities available to guests.

Via: cristimoise.net

The bubbles are about 13 feet in diameter, and some offer more privacy by being semi-opaque. Each one is made from recyclable materials, and a silent blower keeps the space inflated. Each bubble also has a designed theme, with “Zen” being the most popular.

2. Magic Mountain Lodge

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The Magic Mountain Lodge has thirteen-fifteen rooms and looks like it came out of The Lord of the Ringsfilm. It’s located in the intimate Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve in northern Chile’s Patagonia. Visitors enter using a suspended rope bridge, then they get to experience water coming down from the cone-shaped green roof. As you might have guessed, the name is from a favorite story of the owners.

Via: originalhotels2013.blogspot.com

The lodge is built from wood and stone, and each room has modern accommodations as well as large windows to enjoy the forest view. Something unique that’s offered are the hot tubs “made out of huge trunks of trees, dug out, and then filled with hot water perched on a deck overlooking the forest.” You can also the mini golf course that’s nearby, or go horseback riding. The prices are reasonable depending upon when you decide to go.

1. The Manta Resort

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If you want to enjoy a meal underwater, this is the place for you. The Manta Resort offers a three-floor suite that floats beside a thriving coral reef. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also a submerged master bedroom surrounded by views of local sea life. This resort is unlike any other luxury resort experience, located in the remote northwestern tip of Pemba Island in Zanzibar overlooking crystal-clear water.

Via: skift.com

The main attraction is the bedroom on the bottom level, which rests around 13 feet beneath the surface of the water on its “own island.” The room features a 360-degree view of the water surrounding it, seen through numerous windows on the walls. You’d have to save up to enjoy this experience–the average night in the underwater room is $1,000 for two people on top of the regular cost of the resort. Plus, that price may be more depending on the time of year you’d like to stay.

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