T here is one place about which I found out some time ago that may very well be the most difficult place on Earth to visit — and I dare you to try traveling to and visiting this place, which I will reveal later in this article.
Stefan Krasowski of Rapid Travel Chai and I keep in touch occasionally, which included an exchange of e-mail messages some time ago. He informed me that he was planning a trip to the republics of the former Soviet Union which he had not yet visited.
Stefan likes to visit areas of the world to which people do not typically travel — such as to North Korea, for example. I personally like to do that as well. Before the violence erupted, I visited areas within Côte d’Ivoire — also known as the Ivory Coast — where I spent three full weeks. I have been to such cities as Abidjan, Grand-Bassam, Yamoussoukro, Korhogo and Bouaké — but I have also been to small villages deep in the jungle. I was told that I was one of the first Americans to ever visit one particular little village, where the native people lived in huts, raised goats, ground their corn into meal and cooked it on an open fire, and even danced in traditional masks and costumes.
I can assure you that there is little that is more annoying than a stupid goat needlessly bleating endlessly before 6:00 in the morning just outside my open “window” — which was nothing more than a opening in the wall of a dried mud hut with a thatched roof — even after sleeping on a burlap sack using mosquito coils to ward off those buzzing bloodsucking dive-bombers while I was a guest in a hut which the homeowner gave up for me for the night. Although I may impart my tales and experiences in Côte d’Ivoire at another time — perhaps complete with audio, as I recorded audio portions of my trip along with plenty of photographs — please forgive me for currently digressing.
I am one of those people who enjoy counting countries — adding them to my “portfolio”, if you will…
…and even if you won’t, I shall do so anyway. So there. Nyah.
Actually, I never did understand the phrase “if you will.” What if I won’t?
Sorry…there I go digressing again…
…anyway, the place is called North Sentinel Island, which is technically a part of India and one of approximately 200 islands located in the Andaman Sea. While it is certainly not one of the most remote places on our planet — Pitcairn Island arguably may win that distinction — very few have succeeded in actually setting foot on the island, located only approximately 485 miles or so northwest of Phuket.
One reason why it is so difficult to visit is that there are no airports, highways or railroads. The only way to get there is to travel by sea — and because the island has no natural harbors and is surrounded by coral reefs and rough seas, arriving by boat is almost impossible.
More importantly, if you attempt to visit this heavily-wooded island virtually untouched by modern civilization, you will most likely be greeted with spears, arrows and stones from native Sentinelese men trying to attack you. Their way of life has been virtually unchanged for centuries — and they do not want it interrupted by any one any how at any time in any way.
In fact, there is a chance that a simple visit to North Sentinel Island by an outsider could potentially be detrimental to its inhabitants, as they may not be immune to any potential diseases you or I could be carrying.
It is safe to say that there are no mobile telephones, computers or automobiles anywhere on North Sentinel Island. I suppose there will not be a North Sentinel Island Hilton or Marriott anytime soon.
Just try to find a discussion about North Sentinel Island on FlyerTalk or Milepoint. Go ahead.
Even though it may be considered “cool” to visit countries either not typically thought about or difficult to visit and add them to your list — countries such as North Korea, Nauru, Iran, Kiribati, Mauritania and Lesotho, for example — sometimes it is not so much the country that you visit, but the actual place that may very well be a “prize” worth conquering and achieving.
Are you willing to take the challenge of attempting to visit North Sentinel Island? On second thought, it is probably a better idea not to accept that dare…
Map ©2015 Microsoft Corporation; Earthstar Geographics SIO; and ©2015 HERE.
