Extremely dangerous places for Christmas tourism
It's barely three days to Christmas, I and a lot of people out there can hardly stand the wait. We are getting ready to get out bags packed and have some fun by exploring various places in our region and around the world (for those who can afford it) in a bid to have some fun.
While trying to have some fun we should also remember to stay safe in this festive period by doing a proper research of the kind of places we visit if we intend to enjoy this Christmas without casualties.
On reading @CryptoNag's post yesterday on the 10 most dangerous places in the world, I decided to do a little bit of research and discovered that there are so many tourist attraction centres that are extremely dangerous and I think should be avoided for our own safety.
In lieu of this, I'm writing my own list of the most dangerous tourist attractions in the world in a bid to make sure exploration enthusiasts among us do not risk their lives while trying to have some fun.
1. Hawaii Volcano
In Hawaii you can hike or bike up volcanoes it's a great way to sight see and get some exercise but unfortunately volcanoes can also kill you. Most think the biggest danger from volcanoes is the lava but that is not always the case.
In 2007 the National park service had to temporarily shut down the bicycle tour due to three deaths and various injuries that occurred within a year. The three deaths were die to woke losing control of their bike on the challenging downhill trip. But People standing on solid ground without bikes have died as well.
Various deaths and injuries have been caused as a results of what is known as lava haze or laze which are volcanic gases which can swamp areas quickly during period of high wind. It is a combination of Hydrochloroc acid, Carbon dioxide, and Hydrogen Sulphide which is something you do not want to breathe in especially if you have a respiration problem like me.
2. Devil's Pool, Zambia
This name is enough to keep us away but if you insist on visiting there a plaque nearby that says "he came for a visit and stayed forever".
The Devil's pool was named to honour one of the more than 20 people who have died in Devil's pool in Zambia. It has been described as the ultimate infinity pool and it allows tourists to swim right on the edge and look out over one pf the biggest water falls in the world- Victoria falls. It is twice the height of Niagara falls.
You can only swim in Devil's pool usually between September and December when the dry season reduces water levels and current enough for the pool to be accessible.
The most famous death at Devil's pool was that of a heroic tour guide whi managed to save a tourist who had started to fall but then fell over himself.
If you consider going to Victoria falls, I'd suggest you only watch from a safe distance.
3. Valley of Death, Russia
Thanks to nearby Volcano in Kikhpinych, the valley of death has a concentration of toxic gas that accumulates in the valley's lowlands without wins to blow it away.
This toxic lake of gas kills local plants and animals. If you ever went there you would first experience dizziness, a fever and chills then you would probably die.
According to legends it was first discovered in the 1930's by two hunters who found it scattered with the bodies of dead animals and devoid of paint life. They fled after getting a headache but since their stories have been told adventure seekers have journeyed into the valley- many of whom never returned.
4. Yosemite Half Dome
The Half Dome is a huge granite dome in Yosemite national park, California. It's a famous rock formation in the park and it's easy to see how it got its name- one side of the half dome is a sheer rock face and the other three sides are round and smooth. The Crest is 4737 feet above the valley floor.
It would be totally harmless if people would just leave it alone unfortunately people prefer dangerous fun. The Yosemite search and rescue team responds to about a 100 incidents each year from dehydration to much more serious issues.
It may look easy but a lot of people fall to their death while hiking up the trail of the half dome. The last 400 feet is almost vertical hence cables must be used to complete the trail. This is not for the faint at heart.
5. Mount Hua Shan
The mount Hua shan trail isn't worthy to be called a trail since it's just planks bolted to the side of the mountain. You hook yourself to an iron chain that runs along the side of the mountain during the trip.
There aren't any planks in some parts of the trail and you just have to step on divots that have been carved into the rocks.
There are no official death statistics because the Chinese government has decided to keep it a secret but a lot of people die there every year according to rumour.
"There goes five dangerous places you do not want to visit this Christmas. It is a time of celebration, a time to have fun but in a safe way. If you like to have dangerous fun then consider this a motivation but if you intend to not ris your life then stay away from the above places this Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
Toddles!
The scariest was the devil pool, the sight if the Victoria fall is enough to make me faint