Emily Harrinson wrote this guest article.
One of the biggest motivators for traversing the globe is challenging yourself with new experiences, places, and people. This was the same case with my non-stop travel to all 54 African countries between 2013 and 2018, including adventurous trips across America, Spain, and Madagascar.
You may also be intrigued to travel to discover exciting new things you probably didn't know about, for example, the three otherworldly caves in Slovenia.
If you think you know almost everything about traveling, think again.
For instance, did you know that couples that travel together experience increased feelings for intimacy?
If you thought that was sort of weird, what do you think about a state that uses rocks as a currency?
Keep reading as we unravel 9 surprising facts about travel that will make you see the world differently.
Fact 1: There are no rivers in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's economy is widely known as the largest in the Middle East. As of 2018, it was ranked 18th among countries with the largest economies worldwide.
Despite these achievements, Saudi Arabia doesn't have any permanent rivers. It gets a slot among the 17 countries that do not have permanent rivers flowing within their borders.
Fact 2: Travelling can make you a Smart Thinker and Increase your Creativity
According to studies, travel doesn't just make you healthier. It can also improve your innovative abilities, help you de-stress, and improve your physical, brain, and heart health.
Besides, travel exposes you to new and exciting experiences, thereby widening your mind's ability to expand and be inspired so you can come up with new solutions for most everyday problems. When on vacations in other countries or states, you get the chance to explore notable landmarks, try new foods, hike through new mountains and even make friends with the locals.
Ideally, by immersing yourself in a new environment for several days, you get exposed to fresh ideas that would inspire your creative abilities to a whole new height. Travelling has been my biggest source of inspiration when sculpting my work.
Francis Tapon's books, The Hidden Europe and Hike Your Own Hike, were heavily inspired by his time in the 120 countries he visited.
Through traveling and traversing different terrains, Francis learned ten ingenious reasons you shouldn't leave your umbrella behind when you go backpacking and hiking.
Fact 3: You will get a Train Delay Certificate if your train in Japan is delayed by 5 minutes or more
Japanese trains enjoy a reputation of being the most punctual globally. Therefore, if your train is late, you can expect to be issued with a late certificate which you can, of course, show to your teacher or boss as an ideal excuse for being late.
Interestingly, Japanese trains are so strict about time that they'd apologize for taking off too early, as was seen in this Tokyo train company's unreserved apology for departing 20 seconds earlier. Wow, who does that?
Fact 4: Pilots, the Co-pilots Eat Different Meals Before Flight
Pilots and co-pilots are not allowed to eat the same meals when working. Apparently, the pilot would eat a first-class meal and the co-pilot a business-class meal if a recent interview with CNN is anything to go by.
The motivation behind this is to ensure that if something was wrong with a meal, for example, food poisoning, both pilots wouldn't be affected, so one of them can take over. This is a common rule strictly observed by most airlines, but the aviation authorities don't mandate it.
Fact 5: Sudan is more endowed with ancient pyramids than Egypt
If you thought you knew it all or had seen it all, then wait until you see the number of ancient pyramids in Sudan. Now, Egypt is reputed and mostly known for these magnificent ancient structures, but it has fewer pyramids than Sudan.
It is estimated that Egypt has around 100 pyramids. On the other hand, Sudan is believed to have approximately 250 pyramid structures constructed by ancient Kushite Kingdoms between 2500 BC and 3000 AD.
Fact 6: People Pay in Stone Money in the Island of Yap
The Island of Yap is one of the states in Micronesia. They have a bizarre currency: the stone. Stone money in the Yap Island is known as 'Rai,' and large stone discs may measure up to 4 meters.
These stone currencies are made with holes in the middle to make carrying them easier. They're still used as trading currencies on the island but mostly for ceremonial transactions like weddings. The people on the island also use clothes, turmeric, and shells as official currencies though the US dollars have also been adopted for usage.
Fact 7: The Eiffel Tower was Once Labeled as Ridiculous and Monstrous by the Parisian Art Community
The Parisian Art Community wasn't impressed with the iconic Eiffel tower upon its unveiling and even disliked it. Stories claim that Guy de Maupassant, a prominent French author, disliked the Eiffel tower so much that he consistently had his lunch every day inside the tower since it was the only precise location inside Paris that the tower wasn't visible from.
Fact 8: You cannot see the Great Wall of China from the space
The Great Wall of China has constantly been billed as the only artificial object you can see from space. Apparently, it isn't visible from space with bare eyes and even from low orbit Earth; you will need magnification to see it. You can also not see it from the moon though you can see many other effects of human activity.
Fact 9: Honolulu is the Only Location in the US with a Royal Palace
Honolulu is home to ʻIolani Palace, which is the only royal palace in the entire United States. ʻIolani Palace was built in the year 1882 by King Kalakaua, and it was the royal residence of the rulers of the Hawaii Kingdom until the monarchy was overthrown in 1893.
Emily Harrinson wrote this who is one of the most influential editors managing essay writers at a London-based company. She has been at the company since 2006, processing requests for clients who may need any college paper writer for different disciplines. Emily is a very positive person who fancies reading books, but she is also into sports and music.
