Keep off the Grass
The rules are quite simple: Stay off the grass, especially the moss, as that soaks up radiation. No touching any objects. No placing your camera on the ground. No taking of any items. No 'muscle' tops, which presumably meant Rambo would not be making a visit anytime soon. That said, I nearly had to forfeit my trip as I'd foolishly arrived in a t-shirt and was only saved when someone kindly offered me a spare top. This readout depicts 0.247 R which is around forty times the usual levels. By the way, for the astute Russian readers amongst you, the writing (or the manufacturers's name) on the Geiger counter reads as 'Pripyat'. Freak or unique?
400m
The chimney-like structure in the background belongs to Reactor number 4. We were initially told this is possibly as far as we could get to it, but I really wanted a good clean look at it so inched closer.
400m and hidden
Without blabbering away the security measures in place, we were warned if we strayed too close or took the 'wrong' picture, our cameras could be confiscated. Negotiations would not be entered into. Of course, the temptation for a sneaky pic grew ever larger.