Seen above is the "Door to Hell" in Turkmenistan, Darvaza. It's one of many locales around the world where curiosity-seekers will celebrate the second annual Obscura Day on April 9, organized by our friends at the Atlas Obscura directory of wondrous travel destination. Dylan Thuras sent me this sampling from the list of events lined up so far:
In London – Join the Adventurists for films and cocktails in the historic Royal Geographical Society Map Room
In San Francisco – The National Parks Service is leading an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of Alcatraz followed by drinks at a local speakeasy
In Los Angeles – Wander the Magic Castle and mingle with Magicians while sipping Cocktails
In Brooklyn – Marvel at a recreation of Coney circa 1910, see the worlds best sideshow performers, and meet the stars of Discovery's Oddities
In Florence – Explore the macabre and beautiful La Specola anatomical museum
In Paris – Join an expedition into the abandoned ruins of a Victorian-era tropical botanical garden
In Rome – Go underground to explore ancient catacombs
In New Zealand – Tour the museum of extraordinary visual design company WETA best known for their work on the Lord of the Rings Trilogy
In Antartica – Join in a celebration of the hundred year anniversary of the heroic (and tragic) Amundsen and Scott race to the South Pole.
