6 Most Bizarre Travel Souvenirs

08:07 Steampunk 0 Comments

By Travel Ticker

There’s no better way to remember your travels by than photos, videos and, of course, souvenirs. There are of course the usual items; however, around the world also exist truly bizarre momentos for your keepsake collection. Curious what these are? Travel Ticker highlights six for us below.

1. Notebook From Panda’s Feces

Yes, you understood correctly. You can buy a notebook made from what one of the world’s most adorable animals, the panda, is removing from its body naturally. And you can buy this unusual souvenir in the Toronto Zoo in Canada. The animals feed on bamboo, but digest only 30% of it. So, the zoo staff will collect the non-digested chunks of bamboo, dry it, sterilize it and produce the notebooks. It’s hard to say who had the idea to use panda excrement to create notebooks designed for tourists; but the idea has been implemented, and these pads are now available to all.

2. Wood Jam

If someone were to offer you a piece of wood on a dinner plate, you probably wouldn’t be tempted; however, this is what Argentina offers their tourists. Centuries ago native Argentinians discovered the Yacaratiá tree, which is very rich in protein, vitamins, carbohydrates and water. You, of course, won’t be offered to chew a piece of wood – Argentineans mix this nutrient tree with honey and gelatin to turn it into what is actually a tasty jam. The condiment is called “confiture de Madera,” which literally means “wood jam,” and is easy to find in many gift shops in Buenos Aires.

3. Llama Fetuses

Wandering around the Witches’ Market in La Paz, Bolivia , you’ll find many indigenous and magical cures to all your problems, from aphrodisiacs to herbal remedies; however, the most unusual item you’ll encounter is undoubtedly the mummified llama fetus, a traditional offering from Andean culture. What you’re supposed to do is bury the fetus, which the shop owners say are from miscarriages, under the foundation of a new home for good luck. While this may seem odd to foreigners, it’s very important to Bolivian culture.

4. Lithuanian Amber

Many fashionistas love this beautiful natural stone, but in Lithuania you can find it in extraordinary form, like various sized ambers featuring beautifully sculptured city views. Even more unique, tourists can find naturally make amber with insects inside. Amber contains resin, a substance naturally occurring for millions of years at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. Insects will sometimes get caught inside and fossilized, an insect tragedy that has led to a bizarre soft of style souvenir. Amber is usually associated with healing properties, so for many it is a special gift to give.

5. Wolpertinger

In Bavaria, you’ll hear ancient folklore describing a mythical animal called the wolpertinger. The creature is like a squirrel, rabbit, pheasant and deer hybrid, and locals believe it’s found  in the alpine forest near Munich and is attracted to beautiful women. Bavarian tourist representatives decided the wolpertinger should not only live in peoples’ imaginations, but their homes, creating it in stuffed animal form — as in, crafted from real stuffed animal parts — for tourists to buy as unusual souvenirs.

6. Bottle Opener With The Pope

If you’ve ever been to Rome , you probably noticed by the tons of Pope-related souvenirs there he’s a pretty popular guy. One of the weirdest souvenirs you can take home is a bottle opener with the image of Pope Francis, as well as other popes, right on it. Called “popeners,” you can find them at most of Vatican and city gift shops.

What’s the most unusual travel souvenir you’ve encountered on the road? Please share in the comments below.