12 of the hardest places to visit on Earth

Stunning lakes of Afghanistan. Picture: Carl Montgomery Source: Flickr

FROM impassable terrains to unstable political situations to strict visa regulations, there are some places on Earth that are nearly impossible to get into.

Fortunately, these adventurous photographers dared to venture into these territories. Even if you can’t be there yourself, you can still enjoy.

From Bhutan to Syria to Angola — read on and take a closer peek.

Pakistan

Travel to Pakistan is usually discouraged due to the threat of terrorist attack, kidnappings and its generally unpredictable security situation.

Travel guide Lonely Planet says: “No matter the attractions, tourism in Pakistan has always been something of a hard sell. A glance at the map shows the country living in a pretty difficult region: always-unruly Afghanistan to one side, Iran to another, and a border with India running through the 60-year-old fault line of Kashmir. But since the events of 9/11, Western pundits have increasingly been wondering if Pakistan isn’t just living in a tough neighbourhood, it is the tough neighbourhood.”

Despite these troubles, it’s “on the brink of being tourism’s next big thing”.

Rani Kort Fort, Pakistan. Source: ThinkStock

The dramatic mountains of Pakistan. Picture: ZillayAli. Source: Flickr

Bhutan

You must have a tourist visa to enter Bhutan which can only be applied for through a Bhutanese tour operator or one of their international partners.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan. Picture: Goran Hoglund. Source: Flickr

Angola

A high degree of caution is issued against travellers intending to visit Angola because of the risk of civil unrest and criminal violence. All visitors require a visa and if you’re travelling independently, you’ll require a letter of invitation from a person or organisation in Angola.

Lonely Planet advises to always ask permission before taking photos in public areas, always carry a photocopy of your passport and don’t wander off the road in rural areas – the threat of unexploded landmines is still a huge problem.

Spectacular Ruacana Falls, Angola. Source: ThinkStock

Syria

Travellers are advised not to travel to Syria due to its extremely dangerous security situation including military conflict, kidnappings and terrorist attacks.

Airports in Damascus and Aleppo may be closed quickly, with little or no notice, and may be subject to checkpoints, due to nearby battles between Syrian and opposition armed forces.

But it’s home to a lot of amazing historical sites including cities of Damascus, Aleppo and Bosra. Most travellers must have a visa.

Turkish bath and minaret in citadel of Aleppo, Syria Source: ThinkStock

Turkmenistan

Independent travel is not allowed in Turkmenistan. All visitors must acquire a tourist visa and have a hired guide at all times.

Door To Hell, Turkmenistan. Picture: Rapidtravelchai. Source: Flickr

Aerial shot of Turkmenistan. Source: ThinkStock

Russia

Everybody needs a visa to visit Russia and to obtain one you must first receive an invitation (usually through your hotel). Tourists are advised to exercise caution when travelling in Russia because of the risk of terrorist threats and criminal activity.

St. Basil Cathedral, Red Square, Moscow. Source: ThinkStock

Libya

DFAT warns Australians thinking of travelling to Libya that there is a high threat of terrorist attack, and tourist visas are generally not available unless you’re part of an organised group tour.

Sahara Desert, Libya. Picture: DStanley. Source: Flickr

Uzbekistan

Uzbek visa rules change frequently, and land borders between Uzbekistan and neighbouring states are often closed at short notice, according to DFAT.

Beautiful architecture of Uzbekistan. Picture: DanielDuce. Source: ThinkStock

Afghanistan

DFAT warns against travel to Afghanistan due to the high risk of terror attack and dangerous security situation. It’s a hostile area, but is full of treasures, according toLonely Planet.

The travel site says: “By any stretch of the imagination, Afghanistan isn’t the simplest country to travel in. For the visitor, it’s a world away from backpacking in Thailand or island-hopping in Greece. It’s a country recovering from nearly three decades of war, with a host of continuing problems. You’ll need to invest time getting the latest safety information, and news from other travellers or colleagues working in the country.”

Scenic shots from Afghanistan. Source: ThinkStock

Somalia

With landmines and illegal roadblocks common, it’s no wonder that DFAT advises Australians not to travel to Somalia. Also, while the number of attacks has recently declined, the threat of piracy in waters off the Somali coast remains.

Somali Wild Ass mother with foal. Source: ThinkStock

Saudi Arabia

According to the Lonely Planet, Saudi Arabia is; “the world’s last great forbidden kingdom, and an emblem of everything most inexplicable to the West: the Middle East, Islam, oil and terrorism. For centuries the country was considered closed to outsiders, penetrable only to the bravest and the boldest ... who risked life and limb to get there. Today it continues to exist only in the realms of the imagination for most people.”

Diriyah, an old city of Saudi Arabia. Source: Flickr

Equatorial Guinea

The government makes it extremely difficult to get a visa making travellers of any kind rare in this country. You will need both a travel and photography permit and according to Lonely Planet women travellers should be prepared to attract a lot of attention.

Presidential Palace, Equatorial Guinea. Picture: BluepostLab. Source: Flickr

Talking Peace While Waging War

Sham Israeli/Palestinian peace talks continue. They began last July. They're supposed to conclude in April.

Palestine's elected government wasn't invited. It's excluded from talks. Longtime Israeli collaborators represent Palestinians. They do so illegitimately.

Chance to resolve longstanding conflict is ZERO. Kerry's so-called framework agreement is totally one-sided.

It solely favors Israel. It gives Palestinians nothing. It assures continued occupation harshness.

No legitimate Palestinian leader would accept what demands rejection. Reports from Washington, Tel Aviv and Ramallah say talks so far went nowhere.

What happens going forward remains to be seen. Israel deplores peace. It thrives on conflict and instability. Its enemies are ones it invents.

In 2013, Israeli warplanes bombed Syria at least six times. On February 24, they struck Hezbollah targets. They did so along Lebanon's border with Syria.

Lebanon's National News Agency confirmed it. Areas around Bekaa Valley's Nabi Sheet and Janta were targeted.

Obama partners in Israeli aggression. Each country defends the other's lawlessness.

On February 26, Hezbollah confirmed Israeli attacks. It vowed to respond "at the appropriate time" to the "blatant aggression."

Israel lawlessly attacked "its sovereignty and territory," it said. "It will not stand without a(n) (appropriate) response from the Resistance," it added.

"This aggression did not, thank God, cause any deaths or injuries. There was only some material damage."

It's untrue that targets struck were "artillery positions or missiles."

Israel said it takes Hezbollah's retaliatory threats "very seriously." It warned Lebanon's government through UNFIL (the UN force in Lebanon).

The entire country will be attacked if Hezbollah strikes, it says. In 2006, Hezbollah embarrassed IDF forces.

Its strength is much more formidable today. Its missiles can strike targets anywhere in Israel.

In late January, Israeli military intelligence head General Aviv Kochavi said:

"We call this period in time the era of fire in light of the amount of missiles and rockets we face as a constant threat."

"There are about 170,000 rockets and missiles that threaten Israel," he claimed. It's "surrounded 360 degrees with active enemies. The conventional threats have not disappeared."

It bears repeating. Israel's only threats are ones it invents. No others exist. Claims otherwise don't wash.

Kochavi lied like other Israeli officials. Doing so is a convenient pretext for lawless aggression at Israel's discretion. It takes full advantage.

Lebanon's government complained jointly to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council.

It claimed Israel violated its sovereign territory and Security Council Resolution 1701. In August 2006, it unanimously called for Hezbollah to cease "all attacks" immediately.

It asked Israel to stop "all offensive military operations." It left undefined what it meant. It gave Israel the right to respond to whatever it calls an imminent threat.

It left a loophole Israel exploits. It neither confirmed or denied attacking Lebanon. Ambiguity most often is policy.

On February 28, Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz said:

"It is self-evident that we see Lebanon as responsible for any attack on Israel from the territory of Lebanon."

"It is the duty of the Lebanese government to prevent any terrorist attack - whether a terrorist or missile attack, or any other kind - on the state of Israel."

Israeli analysts think Hezbollah is mostly focused on helping Syria to divert attention to Israel.

At this time, a second front is unlikely.

Amnesty International accused Israel if committing war crimes in the West Bank. It does so repeatedly throughout Occupied Palestine.

AI said Israel displays "a callous disregard for human life." It targets children like adults. It does so with impunity.

AI wants all arms shipments to Israel suspended. Without international community pressure, its crimes against defenseless Palestinians won't end.

Since talks began last July, Netanyahu approved 11,700 new settlement units. He did so on stolen Palestinian land. He violated international law.

He stole other land for "dubious parks" and archeological digs. At the same time, he prevents Palestinians from building on their own land.

He murdered dozens of Palestinian civilians. They included an 85-year-old man and 15-year-old boy shot in the back.

Since July 2013, he lawlessly demolished about 400 Palestinian homes. Hundreds of Palestinians lost everything. They were forcibly displaced.

In January 2014, another 100 Palestinian structures were destroyed.

The UN, AI, Oxfam and other organizations condemn Israeli policy. On January 31, UN Humanitarian Coordinator James Rawley commented on recent Israeli demolitions, saying:

"I am deeply concerned about the ongoing displacement and dispossession of Palestinians in (Israeli controlled) Area C, particularly in the Jordan Valley where the number of structures demolished more than doubled in the last year."

"This activity not only deprives Palestinians of access to shelter and basic services, it also runs counter to international law."

On February 7, Reuters 
headlined "Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes at a five-year high: aid groups."

Twenty-five humanitarian organizations in Occupied Palestine issued a joint statement.

Year-over-year through July 2013, Israeli demolitions increased by almost half. Palestinians displaced increased by nearly three-quarters.

Over 660 Palestinian structures were destroyed during the reported period. It was a five year high. Worse still, 122 were built with international donor aid funding.

In early February, the ICRC said Israeli obstructionism prevents its delivering tents to homeless Palestinians.

The joint humanitarian group statement said:

"International and local aid organizations have faced increasingly severe restrictions in responding to the needs created by the unlawful demolition of civilian property, in violation of Israel's obligation to facilitate the effective delivery of aid."

Netanyahu heads Israel's most extremist ever government. Hardline racists infest it. Coalition extremists call Jews superior to Gentiles.

Likud MK Tzipi Hotovely calls Palestinians "wolves in wolves' clothing. They don't want peace and peace can't be made with them," she claimes.

Other coalition party members voice similar sentiments. Israeli officials notoriously blame Palestinians for their wrongdoing.

They're determined to prevent Palestinian self-determination. Netanyahu makes repeated provocative statements.

At the January 2014 Davos World Economic Forum, he said:

"I do not intend to evacuate any settlements or uproot a single Israeli."

Weeks earlier, he promised coalition partners he "will not stop, even for a moment, building our country and becoming stronger..."

He prioritizes settlement development on stolen Palestinian land. He wants Palestinians denied all rights.

He represents Sharonian evil writ large. He orders frequent land, sea and air attacks on Gaza. Seize conditions violate international law.

On March 1, Israeli forces murdered 57-year-old Aminah Atiyeh in cold blood. She did nothing to provoke their attack.

Ambulances were blocked from reaching her. She died before anything could be done to help.

In mid-February, Israeli soldiers murdered 26-year-old Ibrahim Mansour. He was peacefully protesting. He was shot in the head east of Gaza City.

On February 27, Israeli forces stormed Muataz Washaha's home. He was a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine activist.

They assaulted his family members. They detained his brother and two friends.

Late last year, he was released from lawless imprisonment.

He hid inside his house. He barricaded himself for protection. He refused to surrender voluntarily. He chose to resist. "I will not return to prison," he said.

Israeli soldiers located him. They threatened live fire. He held firm. His mutilated body was found later. It was bullet-ridden.

Israeli forces lied. They claimed he was suspected of terror activity. They murdered him in cold blood.

He's one of countless Israeli state terror victims. So-called peace talks continue despite continued Israeli lawlessness.

Why Palestinian officials do so they'll have to explain. They betray their own people in the process.

They collaborate against them disgracefully. Ethnic cleansing continues. So do other Israeli high crimes.

Edward Said was right saying "no negotiations are better than endless concessions that simply prolong" occupation harshness.

Palestinian collaborators are mindless about how much their people suffer. No end in sight looms.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity"

http://www.claritypress.com/Lendman.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com

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