Earth's Alien Landscapes (PHOTOS)

The globetrotting gang over at Lonely Planet strapped into their imaginary Buck Rodgers rocket ships and took off only to land right in their own backyard.

Normally that would be embarrassing, but it appears good ole planet Earth still has a few otherworldly surprises up her sleeve as is evidenced by the out-of-this-world landscapes pictured below.

Cappadocia, Turkey

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Ancient rock houses intermingled with modern houses in Cappadocia, Turkey.

Cappadocia, Turkey

Ancient rock houses intermingled with modern houses in Cappadocia, Turkey.

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Cappadocia, Turkey

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Comments

[maxfax]

02:16 PM on 04/10/2011

The puye cliff dwellings in New Mexico give the same feeling of aliens on earth.

[Laudizen]

01:40 PM on 02/18/2011

Devils Golf Course
http://www.laudizen.com/lf_614_dvgolf_9.htm

[Ladleman909]

04:22 AM on 02/16/2011

Socotra always looked like the most "otherworldly" place on earth to me. Check it out.

[tangelan]

11:45 PM on 02/15/2011

Those Peruvian photos have to be evidence of alien visitation on Earth.

[Widespread Panic]

01:35 PM on 02/15/2011

Amazing places, all of them. I hope to travel to at least half of these places one day.

[ChristianCooper]

05:22 AM on 02/14/2011

Not exactly sure how this would qualify for alien landscapes when they are on Earth.

[zyxwvutsrqpo]

07:47 AM on 02/12/2011

They show Canyon Lands, Utah but no Bryce Canyon??

[Rianna]

07:05 AM on 02/12/2011

Lovely places. I personally visited Cappadocia, and must warn anyone who wants to go there, to be aware that apparently there is a high incidence of cancers (mesothilioma?) in that area, due to some toxic minerals in the rocks there. We were warned by our tour guide to not drink the water there, even rinse our mouths with it. It is sad that such a place can be toxic too. So many beautiful places in the world, and so little time and money to visit all.

[ArtisticSavant]

02:01 PM on 02/15/2011

I'm not sure what your tour guide was selling you but the water here has some toxins (mostly from a nearby city which supplies the drinking water). Throughout most of the year you can drink direct from the taps and also the fresh springs in the valleys - just in the warmer months it's not a good idea as bacteria can multiply in the water pipes with the heat. About 3 years ago there was a report that there was a high amount of some metal but the past 2 years have been ok. I've lived in many countries and this is by far the healthiest area - clean air, fresh local organic produce, lots of walking, etc. I drink the water from the tap every single day and most locals and expats do as well. Just in summer time I either let the water run a bit (saving the runoff a bucket for my plants) or I boil it first - but boiled water is so heavy tasting anyway.

thanks for your warning but to be honest, 3 days in Cappadocia is probably the safest 3 days you'll have just about anywhere in the world.

[timregler]

01:48 AM on 02/12/2011

when I want to visit another planet without leaving home, I just tune into Fox News!

[santiago sherwood]

01:32 AM on 02/12/2011

Love the city in Turkey could we do this for the homeless

[b1986]

09:55 PM on 02/11/2011

#1 makes me think we have more in common with ants than any other primate.

[Sequoia Hughes]

11:44 PM on 02/11/2011

I read somewhere that the combined weight of every human on the planet would weigh the same as the combined weight of every ant on the planet. That's lotsa ants!

[Lucille]

09:48 PM on 02/11/2011

Well Bolivia seems to have the most unusual landscapes so Bolivia it is.

[Ganeshari]

09:18 PM on 02/11/2011

I spent a week scubadiving on the Great Barrier Reef many moons ago, and it was indeed like being on another planet. One of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. I also love Bryce Canyon. It gives me the feeling of being in a fairyland. Now Cappadocia! That is a place I haven't been but think I would like to!

[Cynthia Rays]

08:55 PM on 02/11/2011

Cappadocia is incredible. The early Christians painted frescoes inside some of the caves which are still visible and very beautiful. some were homes. Now there are hotels and restaurants inside a few of the caves.

[lettyb]

10:32 PM on 02/11/2011

I thought many of the faces had been scratched away. It would be nice if I was wrong.