A trip to Chernobyl

Tuesday, January 1st,2019

Upon the new years, I’ve decided to challenge myself to go on an adventure as a new year’s resolution, I thought to my self where is an interesting place that I can go to. after several minutes of thinking I’ve figured out the perfect place I can visit, The Exclusion Zone of Chernobyl.

The Chernobyl disaster that occurred on Saturday 26 April 1986 in Ukraine near the city of Pripyat (a town of around 50K people) was caused by a nuclear accident in the number 4 reactor at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant which caused a massive amount of deadly radiation to be released into the air. right when it exploded 31 people immediately died, and in the long term death toll ranges between 9,000-200,000.

today some parts of Chernobyl still contain a high level of radiation however there are some palaces the are considered safe to visit and that’s where I’m going too. 

Friday, January 4th,2019- preparation for the trip

After booking my flight I started preparing all the supplies and things I’m gonna need such as maps, a radiation counter(which measures the level of radiation near me)food, water, warm clothes, camera gear/ my phone to take pictures, money, flashlight, a tent, medicines, a knife, a first AID kit just in case something happens, and some more things. 

I also researched some things around the area like where can and can’t I go if there are animals/creatures there and if so are they dangerous? what is the temperature there so I know what to wear. 

I’m worried that I might encounter some problems on my way like running out of food or water and of course dying. 

I’ve decided I’m not gonna go with anyone just because I want to try and explore this ghost town by myself and I’m gonna go deep into the radiation area so no one else would be in danger other than me.

On the next page, I have a picture that I took from the roof of the hotel I went to.

Sunday, January 6th,2019 (what happened) 

I woke up early ate eggs and muffins for breakfast showered and got ready, I took an Uber to the airport, when I arrived there I brought some last-minute things like toothpaste snacks and more. I got on the plane and waited to take off. I arrived at the city of Keiv which is the last Civilization sign I’m gonna see for the next couple of days, I rented a car so I can explore the area with no restrictions.

I drove to the security checkpoint where they checked my passport and things, I couldn’t film there and I had to sign a forum saying I wouldn’t bypass all the rules there such as not eating veggies that grow there and some more basic things. 

I had to put on long sleeve pants and boots a mask to cover all of my exposed skin because there is a small risk of radioactive particles attaching to my skin.

I started exploring all of the abandoned buildings and all the things there I was amazed! it seems like the city stayed the same for the last 30 years all of the things were still there, I saw vans a lot of abandoned buildings, parks, dead bushes, and trees. at night I started setting up my tent, I ran into a problem it seemed like I lost a lot of food it seems like my bag was open and the food fell out of it, I went to bed thinking what I’m gonna do, I was sad because it might means I’m gonna need to leave earlier than intended.

Monday, January 7th,2019 (conclusion)

It’s the next day I woke up and realized I need to explore a little more and then leave if I don’t want to starve to death. I continued exploring listening to my favorite music and enjoying the sites that I’m seeing on my way. I’ve returned to the main road where I came from and started heading back to the security checkpoint and my hotel.

my conclusion on this trip was great I enjoyed it, this place has an interesting history, amazing sites to explore and see, next time when I come here I’m gonna make sure to take a better backpack to assure that nothing will fall from it again so I could spend more time exploring.

this trip was definitely worth the money, time, and effort spent on it. I would recommend you to visit it of course with all the safety precautions.