Time travel on foot: These islands just 4km apart let you walk into yesterday, but there is a catch
Imagine standing on a snow-covered rock in the middle of the ocean, staring at a neighboring island just four kilometers away. It looks close enough to swim to - or walk across in winter when the sea freezes over. This isn't a sci-fi film set or a magician's illusion. Welcome to the
Diomede Islands
- two rocky outcrops perched between
Alaska and Siberia
that defy the concept of time as we know it.
#Pahalgam Terrorist Attack
India strikes hard! New Delhi bans all imports from Pakistan
How Pakistan is preparing for the worst as India weighs response
If India attacks Pakistan, China & B'desh should seize 7 NE states, says Yunus' aide
Little Diomede
belongs to the
United States
, and
Big Diomede
belongs to Russia. These islands, visible to one another on a clear day, are the only place on Earth where, quite literally, today meets tomorrow — or yesterday, depending on your direction.
Walk Across Ice… and Into the Past
Here's the mind-boggling part: If you were to begin walking from Little
Diomede
at 9 a.m. on a Friday in winter — when a natural ice bridge sometimes forms — you could reach Big Diomede by 10 a.m. after a short trek. But your watch wouldn't show 10 a.m. Friday. It would flip back almost an entire day. You'd arrive in Russia on Thursday.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Wife won't let go of dog, husband finds out why and calls police - watch!
Happy in Shape
Undo
This incredible temporal twist is thanks to the
International Date Line
, an invisible boundary that runs directly between the two islands. Though only 3.8 kilometers apart, the two islands operate on separate calendars, with Big Diomede being up to 21 hours ahead of its American neighbor.
The Yesterday-Tomorrow Paradox
Locals affectionately call Little Diomede 'Yesterday Island' and Big Diomede 'Tomorrow Island.' It's an eerie duality: a pair of lands that coexist in completely different
time zones
despite their geographic intimacy. The difference is not exactly 24 hours due to local time adjustments — it's closer to 21 hours (or 20 in summer) — but that doesn't make the phenomenon any less remarkable.
You Might Also Like:
Time Travel Mystery: Man claims to be from 1932, shows photos from 2050 as 'proof'; experts left stunned
For those who love the poetic and the peculiar, it's a real-life moment where stepping across the ice means stepping into the past. Or future.
— theepicmap (@theepicmap)
A Forbidden Crossing with Geopolitical Echoes
Though you could theoretically make the icy walk from one nation to the other in winter, doing so is strictly illegal. The border between Big and Little Diomede is an international one, dividing Russia and the United States — two global powers with a long and complex history. No visa, no checkpoint, no diplomatic clearance — just a frozen bridge that tempts the adventurous and curious.
Big Diomede is heavily guarded and has no civilian population, serving as a Russian border outpost. Little Diomede, in contrast, is home to a small Inupiat community in the village of Diomede. They are the sentinels of this incredible anomaly — the keepers of the world's most mysterious time zone trick.
Though you could theoretically make the icy walk from one nation to the other in winter, doing so is strictly illegal.
A Legacy Carved in Ice and History
Named by Danish-Russian explorer Vitus Bering on August 16, 1728 — the feast day of Saint Diomedes — the islands have captivated historians, scientists, and storytellers for centuries. They've been eyed as potential waypoints for a future
Bering Strait
bridge or tunnel that might someday connect Eurasia and North America.
You Might Also Like:
Study links the genius of Ratan Tata, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg to this quirky trait: Do you share this success secret?
But for now, they remain icy time capsules — where time folds in on itself, where global divides are frozen into the sea, and where, if you dare, you could walk from Friday back into Thursday before lunch.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Hospitality sector: ICRA projects 6% growth in revenue; outlook revised to 'stable'
After three years of double-digit growth, India's hospitality sector is expected to settle into a steadier pace, with revenue projected to rise by 6-8% in FY2026, a report by the Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency (ICRA) said. The agency has also revised its outlook for the sector from 'Positive' to 'Stable.' Pan-India occupancy in premium hotels is likely to remain strong, increasing to 72-74% in FY2026 from 70-72% in the past two fiscal years. Average room rates (ARRs) are projected to climb to between Rs 8,200 and Rs 8,500, driven by limited new supply and ongoing renovations across the segment. "After three years of strong demand, driven by favourable domestic leisure travel, demand from meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), including weddings, and business travel, the growth in the Indian hospitality sector is forecast to normalise at 6-8% YoY in FY2026," said Jitin Makkar, senior vice president and group head of corporate ratings at ICRA, quoted by ANI. Foreign tourist arrivals are expected to stay muted in the near term due to recent terror incidents, however, the report also anticipated a gradual recovery in international travel as conditions improve. Domestic tourism, which has been the sector's primary driver, continues to be the sector's backbone, and is expected to lead over the near term. The report said that key factors driving this growth are infrastructure upgrades, enhanced air connectivity, and a rise in large-scale MICE events, boosted by the opening of new convention centres. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Toledo: 10 Unexpected Perks Every Target Shopper Should Be Aware Of [Read Now] DollarPerks Learn More Undo On the supply side, hotel room additions are expected to lag demand over the next 12-18 months. ICRA's data across 12 major cities shows a modest compound annual growth rate of 4.5-5.0% in premium room inventory between FY2023 and FY2026. Much of this new supply is being added through management contracts and operating leases, rather than fresh developments. Limited land in major city centres is pushing new premium hotels to expand into the suburbs, with most growth now coming through rebranding, upgrades, and building new properties from scratch. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
New Zealand's new visa policy to allow migrants' parents to visit for up to 10 years
New Zealand will now allow migrants to sponsor their parents to visit and stay in the country under a new visa rolling out in September. The visa will allow the parents of New Zealand citizens and residents multi-entry access for up to five years, with the opportunity for renewal once, meaning they could hold the visa for 10 years. The country's National Party promised the 'Parent Boost' visa during the 2023 election campaign, with the intention of making New Zealand a more attractive option for skilled migrants. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced that applications would open on September 29. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bank Owned Properties For Sale In Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh (Prices May Surprise You) Foreclosed Homes | Search ads Search Now He said there was expected to be between 2000 to 10,000 applicants per year, with no cap. The visa will be monitored closely with a review in 2027. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) ALSO READ: New Zealand is fast becoming a techie favourite over traditional options US & UK Live Events Luxon said that to 'drive economic growth, we need to incentivise skilled migrants to choose New Zealand'. 'Ensuring we continue to attract the right people with the skills this country needs will deliver significant economic and social benefits for all New Zealanders,' the Prime Minister said. What are the conditions? Applicants will have to fulfil a list of criteria, including demonstrating they have health insurance and meet character requirements. An income requirement will also need to be met by either the applicant or their sponsor. To be eligible for a Parent Boost visa, applicants must: have an eligible sponsor who is a New Zealand citizen or resident meet acceptable standard of health requirements demonstrate they have at least one year of health insurance coverage which provides for emergency medical cover (of at least up to $250,000), repatriation, return of remains and cancer treatment (of at least $100,000) and to maintain this insurance for the entire duration they are in New Zealand meet character requirements and be a bona fide / genuine visitor while offshore during the third year of the multiple-entry visitor visa, complete a new medical assessment and demonstrate they have maintained their insurance One of the following income requirements must also be met: The sponsor must earn the median wage to sponsor one parent, joint sponsors must earn 1.5x the median wage, or; The parent/s have an ongoing income aligning with the single rate of New Zealand Superannuation for a single parent and the couple rate for a couple, or; The parent/s have available funds of $160,000 for a single parent and $250,000 for a couple to support themselves for the duration of their visa. The sponsors must remain living in New Zealand while the visa holder is in the country and are liable for any costs incurred in relation to the visa holder during this period, the Government said. The applicants will be able to renew their visa once, allowing for a maximum length of visit to be 10 years. They will need to spend three months outside of New Zealand prior to getting their second visa. What is the current rule? Currently, Immigration New Zealand's Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa allows for stays of up to six months at a time, with a maximum of 18 months across three years. The separate Parent Resident Visa allows parents to come to New Zealand indefinitely, but they must be invited to apply after submitting an expression of interest.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Protest in Los Angeles today against Donald Trump latest updates: Tension escalates, ban on travel to USA takes effect
Protests in Los Angeles escalated as thousands of protesters took to the streets in response to President Donald Trump's extraordinary deployment of the National Guard, blocking off a major freeway and setting self-driving cars on fire as law enforcement used tear gas, rubber bullets and flash bangs to control the crowd. Trump administration's new ban on travel to the U.S. by citizens from 12 mainly African and Middle Eastern countries took effect on Monday amid rising tension over the president's escalating campaign of immigration enforcement. Donald Trump Travel Ban The new proclamation, which Trump signed last week, applies to citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. It also imposes heightened restrictions on people from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela who are outside the U.S. and don't hold a valid visa. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you eat ginger every day for a month, your body will experience the following phenomena Tips and Tricks Undo The new ban does not revoke visas previously issued to people from countries on the list, according to guidance issued Friday to all U.S. diplomatic missions. However, unless an applicant meets narrow criteria for an exemption to the ban, his or her application will be rejected starting Monday. Travelers with previously issued visas should still be able to enter the U.S. even after the ban takes effect. Protest against Donald Trump Live Events Many protesters dispersed as evening fell and police declared an unlawful assembly, a precursor to officers moving in and making arrests of people who don't leave. Some of those remaining threw objects at police from behind a makeshift barrier that spanned the width of a street and others hurled chunks of concrete, rocks, electric scooters and fireworks at California Highway Patrol officers and their vehicles parked on the closed southbound 101 Freeway. Officers ran under an overpass to take cover. Sunday's protests in Los Angeles, a sprawling city of 4 million people, were centered in several blocks of downtown. It was the third and most intense day of demonstrations against Trump's immigration crackdown in the region, as the arrival of around 300 Guard troops spurred anger and fear among many residents, AP reported. The Guard was deployed specifically to protect federal buildings, including the downtown detention center where protesters concentrated. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said officers were 'overwhelmed' by the remaining protesters. He said they included regular agitators who show up at demonstrations to cause trouble, as per AP report. Several dozen people were arrested throughout the weekend of protest. One was detained Sunday for throwing a Molotov cocktail at police, and another for ramming a motorcycle into a line of officers. FAQs Q1. Who is President of USA? A1. President of USA is Donald Trump. Q2. What does new proclamation say? A2. The new proclamation, which Trump signed last week, applies to citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
