I was just studying online maps recently, not for any particular purpose, other than possibly trying to figure out where I'd driven past an abandoned red-light district recently. Then I noticed a line in the map showing a projected extension on a subway line, which actually showed signs of an open trench where they were digging the tunnel. The online map information was probably a few years old, but I headed over anyway, to see if there was still anything worth visiting.
1. A three-wheeled scooter parked outside the construction area I'd noted.
2. This used to be an open trench, but they've since filled it in.
3. A wider construction area I figured would lead nowhere.
4. ovvo
5. I found a stairwell secured only by an unlocked bolt, seemingly not used in a while, so I entered.
6. About five levels down, I found myself standing on a concrete surface, which I determined to be not the floor, but the top of the subway tunnel. You can see ahead where the shape of the tunnel appears to change, from box to tube.
7. Time to ascend #1.
8. On the surface again. Some of those apartment complexes are built on the locations of former exploration sites, dating back to 2016.
9. I took another staircase down, and this one led to what appeared to be a subway station.
10. It was about 5pm, and there was sunlight all the way down here.
11. Whoops, wrong turn.
12. Subway platform.
13. Under the subway platform, there are lots of little spaces.
14. Down this way about a kilometer, this tunnel connects with the end of an active subway tunnel. I'm kind of curious to see what that would look like, but it's a bit too much of a commitment.
15. The other direction, the tunnel seems to lead to the Baal-rog's den.
16. I turned back once because I thought I heard voices down there, but I decided to keep going and found nobody.
17. This is looking back at where the tunnel goes from box to tube, as in picture 6.
18. I followed the tunnel around a long curve.
19. In this direction, it's basically straight for about 4 kilometers, and goes under the river, which is on my bucket list.
20. Not this time though, not without alcohol and maybe one friend. So I turned back.
21. Good colours down here.
22. Back at the train platform, where they're building stairs and/or an escalator.
23. And this is my way to the surface, about five storeys up an elevator shaft fitted with rickety construction stairs.