Chernobyl Ukraine 19th-20th January 2022

On April 26, 1986, the Number Four RBMK reactor at the nuclear power plant at Chernobyl, Ukraine went out of control during a test at low-power, leading to an explosion and fire that demolished the reactor building and released large amounts of radiation into the atmosphere, this became the worlds worst nuclear accident ever.

In 2011 the area opened up to the public via private tours as it was now deemed safe enough for visitors, however there were still areas with high levels of radiation which were and are still off limits. 

In November 2016 the new 30,000 tonne sarcophagus which had been constructed to cover reactor four was finally rolled into place thus allowing the safe dismantling of the aging and crumbling sarcophagus and the remains of reactor four, This process is going to last for decades and the remaining area could be contaminated for 20,000 years. 

Chernobyl is a place that I have always had a fascination with and I had always wanted to visit the area just to see how nature is calming back the buildings and the land. I have previously visited several places, some abandoned and some not around the world where nature is winning. So when this opportunity arose it had to be taken.

Many people have said to me "isn't it dangerous there, and why did you go!?" Well, I'm not going to go somewhere and put myself at risk, and unlike some people I did my research and the 2 day tour that we went on exposed us to less radiation per day than flying on one long haul flight, obviously the levels of radiation can vary in different parts of the area but if you stick with your guide and do what you are told then you would be perfectly safe.  

Sadly many people nowadays believe everything that they read on social media platforms is true, and they just don't bother or can't be bothered to do any research themselves to find or check the truth! I found this over and over again after posting pictures of our trip on several social media platforms, I got just as much criticism for going as I did from genuine people that were really interested to hear about what we saw.

Anyway, we went to see Chernobyl with our own eyes and these photos are exactly what we saw.