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The Diomede Islands are a place of contrast unlike any on earth. The small sliver of water between these two tiny islands, which sit in the middle of the Bearing Sea, is the precise point at which the Eastern Hemisphere meets the Western Hemisphere, where America meets Russia, and where today meets tomorrow at the all powerful international dateline. It is where Americans look at Russia and the future out of their bedroom windows and can literally walk there during the winter. And, more recently, it is where Sarah Palin summons her supposed foreign policy bona fides (watch the video after the jump). As such, these two small rocks inhabited by small Inuit populations and military outposts offer an extreme opportunity to stand at the nexus of time and culture all at once. Let’s explore Little Diomede (USA) and Big Diomede (Russia) after the jump…
Big Diomede these days is not that hot of a place to visit. Russia relocated the indigenous populations to the mainland years ago, leaving only a small and, what we can assume, a not too pleased military contingent. On the other hand, Little Diomede houses about 150 brave souls in the small outpost of Diomede Village on the western point of the island, looking right at Russia and the dividing line between today and tomorrow. The village has been a hunting outpost for hundreds of years, but it only gained permanent residents during the 1800s. The small island garnered predictable international importance during the Cold War, earning it the name the “Ice Curtain.” The pair is also the focal point of an eventual dream of a bridge or tunnel to connect North America to Asia. But, no matter what the plans for the future, the islands remaim the most extreme of destinations, yet tourism is still possible for the hearty.
Diomede Village on the Shores of Little Diomede
Your transportation choices into Little Diomede are limited at best. Supplies are delivered by barge in the summer months and mail is delivered weekly by helicopter, weather permitting. The island has no airport, no roads, no easily accessible ports, no hotels, and no restaurants. Visits by those not conducting research, business, or government work is so unusual that they will charge tourists $50 for just stepping aboard Little Diomede. Usually the only way onto the island is helicopter service, even though Bearing Air is known to negotiate with folks to take them by plane during the winter months and can provide local information for getting there by other means.
Once on the island, visitors are a thing of focus, as they are a rare thing indeed. There are no hotels, and, considering the weather is so volatile, it is best to make a day trip out of your island jaunt and leave before nightfall. If you do get stuck, you will need to depend on the charity of the locals to house and feed you, which is very doable if it comes to that. By all accounts, Little Diomede houses some of the friendliest folks anywhere.
A Map of the Islands Shows Their Dramatic Location
The Diomedes have been the focus of international acclaim of late, since Sarah Palin claimed that she somehow sees Russia form her front lawn. Well, even though she (nor any other Alaskan governor) hasn’t ever travelled to the Diomedes, this is the one spot where her claim actually rings true. The CNN special below features some of the political flap below followed by a fairly nice look at this westernmost outpost of the United States. Make sure to check it out:
Good Luck and Happy Travels!
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Very good travel blog and quality content, thanks for sharing,
greetings from Gudauri ski hotels
such a lovely island..I visited this place last year..This year too, I am planning for a similar visit as I have come to know about Accor groups 60% discount offer through http://pea.to/ampind between 23rd and 29th June.. You may also check it out if you want to grab this exciting opportunity…