Strange phenomena caught on Google Maps this month

In a series of strange events, Google Maps has this week helped a Peruvian man discover his wife’s affair, snapped a “bizarre-looking man” on a balcony in New Jersey and even decapitated a man in Malaysia.

Well, not really, but a technical Google Maps glitch sure made it look that way. Welcome to the Twilight Zone and don’t forget to buckle up. Even Jacob Zuma gets a mention.

Here’s why Google Maps is trending

Mapping an affair

A man in Peru got more than he expected when he opened Street View in Google Maps to go on a virtual journey of Peru’s capital, Lima. Instead of getting directions, he learned of his wife’s affair.

His wife was cosied up on a bench with another man, oblivious to the world around. Well, oblivious to all but Google’s 360-degree camera. Even though her face was blurred, her husband recognized her clothes and hair.

A quick Google Maps search of the Lima’s Puente de Los Suspiros de Barranco – also known as the Bridge of Sighs – proved this to be the case. One of Google’s cars caught the lovers on camera back in 2013.

He confronted his wife, who immediately confessed to having an affair. Needless to say, divorce proceedings are in motion now. Heard the one about the scarecrow on a balcony? Keep reading…

‘Bizarre-looking man’ on a balcony

In another strange tale that surfaced this month, a peculiar sight was caught on camera from a carpark in Camden, New Jersey in the USA. At first glance, it seems like an odd-looking man peering over his balcony.

The apartment looked dilapidated and many of the windows are boarded up, which just gave the entire scene an ominous feel, you know? It’s only once you zoom that you see it’s actually a scarecrow.

Yep, and he’s wearing a straw hat too, along with blue jeans, white trainers, a pair of sunglasses and a red top with “Puerto Rico” printed on it. I looked for it so you don’t have to. See it here.

But if you want to go on the journey by yourself, just search for the corner of S 4th Street and Cherry Street, Bergen Square in Camden, New Jersey.

Ghostly apparition in Malaysia

This is by far the most terrifying technical glitch spotted on Google Maps Street View. The scene: Batu Caves, the famous historical site built into Malaysia’s limestone mountains.

Here, in the caves you’ll find religious sculptures of the Hindu faith said to be millions of years old. The caves are the most-visited sites in the region, situated just 17 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur

In this particular snap, follow the steps used to access the 122 metre-high temple cave. A set of wooden steps were built in the last century which was eventually replaced with the concrete steps we see today.

At first glance, you’ll notice a crowd of tourists making their way up to the Batu Caves. This is where you want to start from.

Now, make your way up the steps. Far up the steps. Keep going until you see a tourist wearing an orange, purple and grey-striped sweater because it is a lot easier to spot than the floating head.

It’s easy to overlook but zoom and you’ll see this.

South Africa’s very own ‘STD centre’

Closer to home, you can see South Africa’s very own Showerhead STD and STI vaccination centre. This image first started doing the rounds on Twitter on 4 August 2020.

More than two weeks later and the pin descriptions haven’t been changed…