There’s nothing that quite beats the freedom of taking a year out. Whether it’s before you start university, a career break or, dare I say it, a mid-life crisis, the lure of adventure grabs us all at some point.
Volunteering abroad is a great way of seeing the world and simultaneously giving something back. There’s no age limit – just an attitude limit – and that’s down to you!
It doesn’t have to be all work and no play. In between projects like teaching English as a foreign language or turtle conservation in Costa Rica, take the time to explore sights and sounds that you’d never find back home.
One word of advice, if you venture out alone or with a small group of friends unsupervised during your weekends, take a map and learn to read it, preferably the right way round – and watch out for chasms in the road like some of these:-
Kimberly Big Hole, South Africa
Even for the confused map reader, this one is hard to miss. The Kimberly Big Hole (it does what it says on the tin!) claims to be the largest ever hand-excavated hole in the world. Now closed, it yielded over three tons of diamonds in its time. You can learn more about it at the Big Hole diamond theme park (more an exhibition centre), located close by. What can you see there? Take a guess.
Great Blue Hole, Belize
Appearances can be deceptive. Do not be distracted by the turquoise allure of the paradise that is Belize and its big blue hole. A hole is a hole. The naturally occurring phenomenon that is the Great Blue Hole is a circular underwater sinkhole off the coast of Belize. Measuring over 300m across (984ft) and 125m (410ft) deep it’s a major attraction for experienced divers. Jacques Cousteau first explored it during the 1970s. I don’t suppose my basic swimming certificate from Year 5 will cut it then? You know, as pretty as it is, I think I’ll wait for Sir David Attenborough’s documentary – he’s bound to make one.
Glory Hole, Monticello Dam, California
Here’s me thinking the Americans were showing off with the term ‘glory hole’. I was wrong. Apparently, when dams reach capacity a glory hole is used for the excess water. This particular one in California is the largest of its type in the world. Supersize? Americans? No, surely not. Having said that, it is quite the engineering masterpiece. Gawk if you like but don’t fall in!
Mirny Diamond Mine, Siberia
First of all, what are you doing on your year out in Siberia? Are you serving out your sentence?! Stay away from the edge! This monster has a no-fly zone in force above it as hovering helicopters have mysteriously been sucked into its murky depths – a strange combination of air pressure and turbulence. It’s more reminiscent of the Bermuda Triangle to me. Laying claim to the world’s second largest excavated hole (it’s hard to believe there’s one bigger but there is, in America of course; Bingham Canyon in Utah) it is the largest open pit diamond mine. In its heyday it produced more than 10 million carats of gold per year. If you cling onto the sides and manage to drag yourself out you’re guaranteed to emerge with handfuls of gold dust. Good luck.
Diavik Mine, Canada
Are you getting the feeling we’re digging up the planet? This 200m (650ft) deep crater yields some of the purest diamonds in the world. Diamonds again! Well, Shirley Bassey did say they were forever. Not only that, it has a dedicated airport, large enough to land a Boeing 737.
If there’s one thing we can learn from this brief look at big holes, it’s this. While you’re choosing what to do for your volunteer work abroad avoid proximity to mines, dams and big holes. And don’t accept any offers from a mysterious stranger speaking in a Russian accent and offering you a free helicopter ride over the ‘local mine’.
Our guest author, Kate Smedley, is volunteering abroad near beaches this year.