P L A C E S Y O U D O N T W A N T T O V I S I T
GREAT PACIFIC GARBAGE PATCH
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, also described as the Pacific Trash Vortex, is a gyre of marine litter in the central North Pacific Ocean located roughly between 135° to 155°W and 35° to 42°N.
Most current estimates state that it is larger than the U.S. state of Texas, with some estimates claiming that
it is larger than the continental United States, however the exact size is not known for sure.
IZU ISLANDS( JAPAN )
The Izu Islands are a group of volcanic islands stretching south and east from the Izu Peninsula of Honshu, Japan. Administratively, they form two towns and six villages; all part of Tokyo.
The largest is Izu Oshima, usually called simply Oshima. Because of their volcanic nature, the islands are constantly filled with the stench of sulfur.
Residents were evacuated from the islands in 1953 and 2000 due to volcanic activity and dangerously high levels of gas.
The people returned in 2005 but are now required to carry gas masks with them at all times in case gas levels rise unexpectedly.
THE DOOR TO HELL ( TURKMENISTAN )
While drilling in Derweze in Turkmenistan in 1971, geologists accidentally found an underground cavern filled with natural gas.
The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of about 50-100 meters. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, scientists decided to set fire to the hole.
Geologists had hoped the fire would go out in a few days but it has been burning ever since. . . 39 YEARS & COUNTING . .
ALNWICK POISON GARDENS ( ENGLAND )
The Alnwick Poison Garden is a garden devoted entirely to plants that can kill. It features many plants grown unwittingly in back gardens, and those that grow in the British countryside, as well as many more unusual varieties. Flame-shaped beds contain belladonna, tobacco and mandrake.
The Alnwick Garden has a Home Office license to grow some very special plants; namely, cannabis and coca which are found behind bars in giant cages – for obvious reasons.
ASBESTOS MINE ( CANADA )
Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals highly prized for their resistance to fire and sound absorption abilities.
On the downside, exposure to this stuff causes cancer and a variety of other diseases.
It is so dangerous that the European Union has banned all mining and use of asbestos in Europe.
The mine offers bus tours of the deadly environment during the summer months. Tickets are free ( would you expect it to be any other way ? ).
If you decide to visit, don’t forget your full body bio-hazard suit.
RAMREE ISLAND ( BURMA )
Ramree Island in Burma is a huge swamp home to 1000s of salt water enormous salt water crocodiles, the deadliest in the world.
It is also home to malaria carrying mosquitos, and venomous scorpions.
YUNGAS ROAD ( BOLIVIA )
The North Yungas Road (Road of Death or Death Road) is a 61 kilometres (38 mi) or 69 kilometres (43 mi) road leading from La Paz to Coroico, 56 kilometres (35 mi) northeast of La Paz in the Yungas region of Bolivia.
It is legendary for its extreme danger with estimates stating that 200 to 300 travelers are killed yearly along it. The road includes crosses marking many of the spots where vehicles have fallen.
MUD VOLCANOES ( AZERBAIJAN )
In the Spring of 2001, volcanic activity under the Caspian Sea off the Azeri coast created a whole new island. In October 2001 there was an impressive volcanic eruption in Azerbaijan at Lokbatan.
But there were no casualties or evacuation warnings. But Azerbaijan does not have a single active volcano, at least not in the usual sense of the word. What Azerbaijan does have is mud volcanoes – hundreds of them.
THE ZONE OF ALIENATION ( EASTERN EUROPE - CHERNOBYL )
The Zone of Alienation is the 30 km/19 mi exclusion zone around the site of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster and is administrated by a special administration under the Ukrainian Ministry of Extraordinary Situations ( Emergencies ).
Thousands of residents refused to be evacuated from the zone or illegally returned there later.
Over the decades this primarily elderly population has dwindled, falling below 400 in 2009.
IIHA DE QUEIMADA GRANDE ( BRAZIL )
Off the shore of Brazil, almost due south of the heart of São Paulo, is a Ilha de Queimada Grande (Snake Island). The island is untouched by human developers, and for very good reason.
Researchers estimate that on the island live between one and five snakes per square meter.
The snakes on Queimada Grande, however, are a unique species of pit viper, the golden lancehead that occupy Snake Island grow to well over half a meter long, and they possess a powerful fast-acting poison that melts the flesh around their bites.
This place is so dangerous that a permit is required to visit.
