We did not get into the reactor, but we got close!

The town of Chernobyl itself is quite some distance from the reactor and the city of Prypiat. The town is still used to house workers for the power plant. The orientation center for the tour is located here.

The civic center in the city of Prypiat was designed as a cultural center, a sports center and a meeting hall. It had a library, cinema, swimming pool, gymnasium and more. It features on most tours of the abandoned city.

The fairground at Prypiat was never used. It was due to be opened a few days after the reactor blew. It is one of the most radioactive parts of the city now. It is perhaps as iconic as the reactor itself. The Ferris wheel at Prypiat is instantly recognisable. And here I was myself at long last.

This hotel once stood by the Prypiat civic center It was quite an impressive edifice. We climbed up to the top for views of the city. The view was amazing. As we looked out a rain storm hit the city. I had never seem Prypiat in rain before.

This was a very touching place. Here it was extremely clear that children had lived, played, slept and learned. Toys remained as they had been left 31 years before..

This school seemed to be for secondary levels. It was pretty eerie too. Classrooms still had desks in them. Chemicals remained in the chemistry classes. A piano was located in one of the rooms. The place was still much as it was 21 years before. The only changes being the glass missing from so many windows, some water damage and the massive amount of green plants growing everywhere.

This shopping center was located in the heart of the city. It still has a few trolleys left and the freezer aisle looks much like any in super markets across the world.