Imagine standing at the crossroads of two continents, where one foot is in the United States and the other in Russia. This extraordinary reality exists on the Diomede Islands, a remote archipelago nestled in the Bering Strait.
How to Reach Diomede Islands
The journey commenced with a lengthy flight from New Delhi to Anchorage, Alaska. Following that, I boarded a small charter flight to Nome, Alaska, the nearest town to the Diomede Islands. Subsequently, I traveled by a small boat to Little Diomede Island, the American portion of the island chain. As an Indian traveler, reaching this destination was no easy task, but the trip proved to be worthwhile. Despite the challenges of the journey, the magnificent landscapes and distinctive cultural encounters made it all worthwhile. My visit to the Diomede Islands was an unforgettable adventure, from the awe-inspiring landscapes to the unique cultural experiences.
Geographical Position of Diomede Islands
The Diomede Islands are located in the Bering Strait, a narrow body of water that separates the Russian Far East from Alaska. The island chain consists of two islands – Big Diomede Island, part of Russia, and Little Diomede Island, part of the United States. These islands are positioned on the International Date Line, resulting in them technically being in different time zones despite being just 2.4 miles apart.
People and Landscape
Upon arriving on Little Diomede Island, I was captivated by its sheer beauty. Although the island was small, with only a few hundred inhabitants, it was surrounded by crystal-clear blue waters and striking rock formations. The island is predominantly inhabited by the Inupiat people, who have resided in the area for millennia. They are a warm and welcoming community, and I had the privilege of immersing myself in their culture and way of life during my visit.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the island is its unique location directly on the International Date Line, resulting in a time difference of one day, or 24 hours, across the IDL. This allowed me to physically straddle the border between the United States and Russia, with a 24-hour time gap between the two countries. The thought of standing in two different nations simultaneously was both surreal and exhilarating.