Chernobyl and Pripyat 2012

[the kwan]

This year I managed to go on a trip to Chernobyl and Pripyat and I gotta say I had the most fantastic time and met some stellar explorers and witnessed some superhuman vodka consumption and even though my luggage went missing and my insurance company STILL are trying to squirm out of paying any compensation I can honestly say that this experience was one that I will remember for ever..seriously it was that good and the company and comeradery of the lads and lasses made the whole thing a bit special.

Firstly some video that I took, it is a bit shakey because I shot it at 60fps..doh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj790CBIQ3I&list=UUz_kAZMO3dpeL_LwFkOj7mA&index=3&feature=plcp



First off, we arrived and split into groups and were told be back here for 4pm, well it was eerie to say the least and with the disaster in the back of my mind I was in awe of the place that was once modern and full of life but now a ghost city.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/paulc_2007/Chernobyl%202012/busincentrewith4people.jpg

The new sarcophagus that is being built to cover the old crumbling reactor that caused such mayem 26 years ago, it will be lowered over the old cover

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/paulc_2007/Chernobyl%202012/sarcphicus.jpg

The Pesky reactor that is beginning to leak radiation once more

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/paulc_2007/Chernobyl%202012/reactor4-1.jpg

The veiw from the top of the Fujiyama building, the powerplant can be seen in the distance

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/paulc_2007/Chernobyl%202012/pripyatfromfujiama-1.jpg

the corner of Lenin square today with its telephone box

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/paulc_2007/Chernobyl%202012/phoneboxcorner-1.jpg

and how it was before the disaster picture courtesy of wikepedia

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/paulc_2007/Chernobyl%202012/564597_413820811997554_579500349_n.jpg

Another shot of what was once a main road between appartment complexes

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/paulc_2007/Chernobyl%202012/groupacrossroad-1.jpg

The remnants of a theatre that was in the culture palace
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/paulc_2007/Chernobyl%202012/cinemaseats.jpg

some huge portraits that were in the propaganda building

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/paulc_2007/Chernobyl%202012/potraitscrop-1.jpg

A visit to the Dentist

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/paulc_2007/Chernobyl%202012/dentistchair.jpg

what is in the cupboard

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/paulc_2007/Chernobyl%202012/radiationcupboard.jpg

I took so many pictures here but the abiding memory of this trip will be one of people..

thanks for looking

[birdinanaviary]

good stuff, every time i see chernobyl pics i'm still suprised at the scale of destruction! hope i may visit one day still

[GeoVDUB]

I love that video, brings back 1001 memories. SO GOOD!

[Only2Eyes]

Excellent stuff, boss.

Tell me, do you like The Stranglers?

[the kwan]

Haha..twas the only tee shirt that I had for FOUR days...as you well know..... Bstrd lol :)

[Clough]

Banging like a fat slag :thumb

[jST]

Love the video, gives you a better sense of scale than some of the photos I've seen. Nice woiiik!

[the kwan]

Thanks for commenting peopleingtons :))