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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Travel / 10 Places It's (almost) Impossible To Visit (2620 Views)
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10 Places It's (almost) Impossible To Visit by Imeobong(m): 6:40pm On Apr 18, 2011 |
Thanks to cheap flights and the internet, the world’s not as mysterious as it used to be. Many of us have travelled to far-flung areas of the globe that would have been totally alien and unreachable to Brits even a couple of generations ago. However, there are still parts of the planet that – no matter how many tourist blogs you read – are still (almost) off-limits to tourists. Here are some of our favourite forbidden travel destinations. 1. Poveglia Where is it? The Venetian lagoon, Italy Why can’t I visit?: Because it’s haunted! According to legend it was used to isolate plague victims during Roman times, and then as a giant Black Death grave in the Middle Ages. As if that wasn’t scary enough, it’s also home to spooky abandoned building – complete with bell tower naturally – that was apparently a mental hospital. These days it’s off-limits to visitors unless you bribe a gondolier to take you there. 2. Area 51 Where is it? Nevada, USA Why can’t I visit?: It’s a top secret military testing base, protected by armed private security teams patrolling in jeeps who are authorised to use deadly force to deal with intruders. Whether or not you believe UFOs have crashed landed there, the ridiculously strict security around the base means you’re never going to find out for sure. 3. Le Cercle Munster Where is it? Luxembourg Why can’t I visit?: It’s an exclusive private members club that’s extremely selective about adding new members. Want to join? You must be backed by two sponsors and be approved by a selection committee made up of bigwigs from the finance world. Unless you’re an incredibly rich banker, businessman or equity trader, you’ll never see the sumptuous insides of the club, take part in the ‘Programme culturel’ or eat the delicious food at the in-house restaurant. Damn! 4. Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion Where is it? Axum, Ethiopia Why can’t I visit?: Because it’s no ordinary church. According to legend it's home to one of the most important biblical artefacts ever – the Ark of the Covenant (and we thought Indiana Jones left it in a warehouse). Only a specially chosen monk is allowed to guard the ‘Ark’. No-one else is allowed to lay eyes on it or even get close, in case they melt presumably (see Indiana Jones again). Of course, some claim this secrecy means the Ethiopian church is telling porkies… 5. Most of Niihau Island Where is it? The Hawaiian Islands, USA Why can’t I visit?: Super-rich family the Robinsons (they’re not Swiss) bought Niihau in 1915 and closed it off to preserve its indigenous culture and wildlife. The 200-or-so natives who live there lead a blissful existence free of electricity, burger joints and, for the most part, tourists. There are very rare helicopter tours to the isle where you can wander along one of the beaches, but getting anywhere near the locals is strictly forbidden; hence its nickname, the, er, ‘Forbidden Island’. 6. Bohemian Grove Where is it? California, USA Why can’t I visit?: It’s an extremely secretive men-only club whose members include artists, musicians, businessmen politicians… and the odd president (Nixon was a member). Once a year they all gather for a two-week long festival where (allegedly) rituals such as the ‘Cremation of Care’ - a wicker-man-style faux-pagan rite - and the ‘Grove Play’ - a large-scale musical theatre production - are performed by members. It sounds like fun to us, but somehow I don’t think we’ll get an invite… 7. Lechiguilla Cave Where is it? New Mexico, USA Why can’t I visit?: It’s perhaps the most beautiful cave on the planet and frankly, the authorities don’t want you ruining it. Discovered in 1986 by miners, the sprawling underground complex is home to stunning speleothems, gypsum chandeliers and hydromagnesite balloons. We don’t know what any of these are, but they sound impressive. Sadly, unless you’re an extremely experienced caver you’ll never get a permit to see them. 8. Jiangsu National Security Education museum Where is it? Nanjing, China Why can’t I visit?: Anyone is allowed in… as long as they are Chinese. There’s a big sign outside the front of this very unusual museum stating that only Chinese citizens are allowed inside. The unusual entry requirements are because the museum documents the history of Chinese espionage, and the state doesn’t want us foreigners finding out their spying secrets. 9. Ilha de Queimada Grande Where is it? Off the shore of Brazil Why can’t I visit?: Basically, because it’s full of snakes – hence the nickname: ‘Snake Island’. Local legend states there’s between one and five snakes per square metre on the island. And not just any old snakes, most of ‘em are golden lanceheads – noted for their extremely potent venom. Because of this, understandably, the Brazilian Navy forbids tourists from stepping foot on the island. 10. The peak of Mount Kailash Where is it? The Himalayas, Tibet Why can’t I visit?: Because it's home to a Hindu god. Lord Shiva, to be precise, who resides at the summit in a state of perpetual meditation. Sounds like bliss to us, which is appropriate, as Buddhists also believe the peak is home to the Buddha Demchok, who represents supreme bliss. Because of this religious significance the peak was always considered off-limits by most climbers, before this Chinese government issued an official ban in 2001.
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Re: 10 Places It's (almost) Impossible To Visit by kenny33: 10:25am On Apr 22, 2011 |
Good work |
Re: 10 Places It's (almost) Impossible To Visit by kenny33: 10:27am On Apr 22, 2011 |
i promise you i will get to Le cercle munster one day ha |
Re: 10 Places It's (almost) Impossible To Visit by iice(f): 5:32pm On Apr 22, 2011 |
Wow. . .fascinating. I do hope i get to visit atleast 1 of them before i die |
Re: 10 Places It's (almost) Impossible To Visit by omega25red(m): 9:31pm On Apr 22, 2011 |
wow I'm so intrigued by this list and i want to go to all those places except the Brazilian snake island. I hate snakes |
Re: 10 Places It's (almost) Impossible To Visit by Nobody: 7:32am On Apr 23, 2011 |
Quite an interesting list. The Snake Island's of particular interest to me - I love snakes. |
Re: 10 Places It's (almost) Impossible To Visit by lovemoi2(f): 11:04am On Apr 23, 2011 |
Thanks. I am puting all of these places as a[b] MUST VISIT[/b]. On my list, hopefully by God's grace i will start next year. ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Re: 10 Places It's (almost) Impossible To Visit by justwise(m): 11:59am On Apr 23, 2011 |
lovemoi2: put me in ur suitcase ![]() ![]() |
Re: 10 Places It's (almost) Impossible To Visit by DisGuy: 3:06pm On Apr 23, 2011 |
Okija Shrine anyone? ![]() Members only |
Re: 10 Places It's (almost) Impossible To Visit by lovemoi2(f): 6:03pm On Apr 23, 2011 |
justwise:the drama in my suitcace alone will prepare you for the journey. ![]() ![]() Dis Guy:what are the requirements for membership |
Re: 10 Places It's (almost) Impossible To Visit by DisGuy: 6:38pm On Apr 23, 2011 |
you need to be vying for governor or abia state or other political positions in that state, you need a godfather member or previous governor and you are only allowed to have on a red wrapper tyed around you like a sumo wrestler ![]() |
Re: 10 Places It's (almost) Impossible To Visit by Nobody: 11:49pm On Apr 29, 2011 |
[flash=360,400] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ikz7x5NRM2c[/flash] that is 'sssnake isssland' ![]() ![]() sure don't wanna be anywhere close there |
Re: 10 Places It's (almost) Impossible To Visit by Nobody: 3:54am On Apr 30, 2011 |
justwise:. ![]() ![]() |
Re: 10 Places It's (almost) Impossible To Visit by sexylogan(m): 9:01am On May 01, 2011 |
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Re: 10 Places It's (almost) Impossible To Visit by Lucy001(f): 3:01pm On May 01, 2011 |
This is intresting!!! |
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