Park Life 71 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 1. Poveglia Where is it? The Venetian lagoon, Italy Why can’t I visit?: Because it’s haunted! According to legend it was used to isolate plague victims during Roman times, and then as a giant Black Death grave in the Middle Ages. As if that wasn’t scary enough, it’s also home to spooky abandoned building – complete with bell tower naturally – that was apparently a mental hospital. These days it’s off-limits to visitors unless you bribe a gondolier to take you there. 2. Area 51 Where is it? Nevada, USA Why can’t I visit?: It’s a top secret military testing base, protected by armed private security teams patrolling in jeeps who are authorised to use deadly force to deal with intruders. Whether or not you believe UFOs have crashed landed there, the ridiculously strict security around the base means you’re never going to find out for sure. 3. Le Cercle Munster Where is it? Luxembourg Why can’t I visit?: It’s an exclusive private members club that’s extremely selective about adding new members. Want to join? You must be backed by two sponsors and be approved by a selection committee made up of bigwigs from the finance world. Unless you’re an incredibly rich banker, businessman or equity trader, you’ll never see the sumptuous insides of the club, take part in the ‘Programme culturel’ or eat the delicious food at the in-house restaurant. Damn! 4. Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion Where is it? Axum, Ethiopia Why can’t I visit?: Because it’s no ordinary church. According to legend it's home to one of the most important biblical artefacts ever – the Ark of the Covenant (and we thought Indiana Jones left it in a warehouse). Only a specially chosen monk is allowed to guard the ‘Ark’. No-one else is allowed to lay eyes on it or even get close, in case they melt presumably (see Indiana Jones again). Of course, some claim this secrecy means the Ethiopian church is telling porkies… 5. Most of Niihau Island Where is it? The Hawaiian Islands, USA Why can’t I visit?: Super-rich family the Robinsons (they’re not Swiss) bought Niihau in 1915 and closed it off to preserve its indigenous culture and wildlife. The 200-or-so natives who live there lead a blissful existence free of electricity, burger joints and, for the most part, tourists. There are very rare helicopter tours to the isle where you can wander along one of the beaches, but getting anywhere near the locals is strictly forbidden; hence its nickname, the, er, ‘Forbidden Island’. 6. Bohemian Grove Where is it? California, USA Why can’t I visit?: It’s an extremely secretive men-only club whose members include artists, musicians, businessmen politicians… and the odd president (Nixon was a member). Once a year they all gather for a two-week long festival where (allegedly) rituals such as the ‘Cremation of Care’ - a wicker-man-style faux-pagan rite - and the ‘Grove Play’ - a large-scale musical theatre production - are performed by members. It sounds like fun to us, but somehow I don’t think we’ll get an invite… 7. Lechiguilla Cave Where is it? New Mexico, USA Why can’t I visit?: It’s perhaps the most beautiful cave on the planet and frankly, the authorities don’t want you ruining it. Discovered in 1986 by miners, the sprawling underground complex is home to stunning speleothems, gypsum chandeliers and hydromagnesite balloons. We don’t know what any of these are, but they sound impressive. Sadly, unless you’re an extremely experienced caver you’ll never get a permit to see them. 8. Jiangsu National Security Education museum Where is it? Nanjing, China Why can’t I visit?: Anyone is allowed in… as long as they are Chinese. There’s a big sign outside the front of this very unusual museum stating that only Chinese citizens are allowed inside. The unusual entry requirements are because the museum documents the history of Chinese espionage, and the state doesn’t want us foreigners finding out their spying secrets. 9. Ilha de Queimada Grande Where is it? Off the shore of Brazil Why can’t I visit?: Basically, because it’s full of snakes – hence the nickname: ‘Snake Island’. Local legend states there’s between one and five snakes per square metre on the island. And not just any old snakes, most of ‘em are golden lanceheads – noted for their extremely potent venom. Because of this, understandably, the Brazilian Navy forbids tourists from stepping foot on the island. 10. The peak of Mount Kailash Where is it? The Himalayas, Tibet Why can’t I visit?: Because it's home to a Hindu god. Lord Shiva, to be precise, who resides at the summit in a state of perpetual meditation. Sounds like bliss to us, which is appropriate, as Buddhists also believe the peak is home to the Buddha Demchok, who represents supreme bliss. Because of this religious significance the peak was always considered off-limits by most climbers, before this Chinese government issued an official ban in 2001. I've been to one of em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 42649 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 The Bohemian Grove sounds like it would be right up your strasse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted April 18, 2011 Author Share Posted April 18, 2011 The Bohemian Grove sounds like it would be right up your strasse. Nah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Wor lasses hoop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christmas Tree 4438 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Nice read parky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayatollah Hermione 13598 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 I always advise people to tread into CT's threads with caution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trophyshy 7058 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 which one Parkster? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted April 18, 2011 Author Share Posted April 18, 2011 which one Parkster? Guessing game innit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 I thought the Ark was in Ireland? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 ChezGiven's blatantly been in Le Cercle Munster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trophyshy 7058 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 which one Parkster? Guessing game innit. number 1? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted April 18, 2011 Author Share Posted April 18, 2011 which one Parkster? Guessing game innit. number 1? Nah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trophyshy 7058 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 which one Parkster? Guessing game innit. number 1? Nah. number 2? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted April 18, 2011 Author Share Posted April 18, 2011 which one Parkster? Guessing game innit. number 1? Nah. number 2? You're already out bro. :icon_lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trophyshy 7058 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 damn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddockLad 16523 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Have you been to a posh party in Hawaii? The only one that I'd be really interested in is the church in Ethiopia...either the Ethiopian tourist board is deliberately blinding the monk who stands guard or he should've been in the running to play Ray Charles.....or it actually does house the Arc of the Covenant, which destroyed the walls of Jericho with a blinding flash of light etc etc allegedly I think it was on "around the world in 80 treasures" with that Cruickshank gadge a few years back...Ethiopia is fascinating, one of the oldest established christian churches in the world (Coptic) and loads of stuff left over from the Knights Templar and other medieval crusader types Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChezGiven 0 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 ChezGiven's blatantly been in Le Cercle Munster. Wor lass's hoop? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig 6581 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Parky's clearly been to Area 51.... or at least escaped from it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkeys Fist 41318 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Area 51 has Parky magnet written all over it. How close did you get you crazy bastard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 ChezGiven's blatantly been in Le Cercle Munster. Wor lass's hoop? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenL 0 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Have you been to a posh party in Hawaii? The only one that I'd be really interested in is the church in Ethiopia...either the Ethiopian tourist board is deliberately blinding the monk who stands guard or he should've been in the running to play Ray Charles.....or it actually does house the Arc of the Covenant, which destroyed the walls of Jericho with a blinding flash of light etc etc allegedly I think it was on "around the world in 80 treasures" with that Cruickshank gadge a few years back...Ethiopia is fascinating, one of the oldest established christian churches in the world (Coptic) and loads of stuff left over from the Knights Templar and other medieval crusader types It had no walls surrounding the city. According to Stephen Fry anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mighty Hog 488 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Alan Robson did the first one on one of his radio show specials, I remember listening to it. He can spin a good tale like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meenzer 15115 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 "Area 51" is bound to be the name of a bar on Lange Reihe. I sniff a loophole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkeys Fist 41318 Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 "Area 51" is bound to be the name of a bar on Lange Reihe. I sniff a loophole. I'd heard that rumour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meenzer 15115 Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 "Area 51" is bound to be the name of a bar on Lange Reihe. I sniff a loophole. I'd heard that rumour When on Lange Reihe, do as the Lange Reiheheians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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